HBO Max Adds Classic Slasher Sequels Ahead of Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, HBO Max has added a selection of popular slasher sequels to its streaming library, giving fans a chance to revisit some classic horror thrills.

However, fans hoping to stream the original Halloween from 1978, directed by John Carpenter, will be disappointed. While the original film is missing, the service now offers Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, H20: 20 Years Later, and Halloween: Resurrection, all added on October 1. Freddy vs. Jason is also now available, rounding out the spooky offerings.

The sequels included on HBO Max all come from the same era of the Halloween series, so viewers can follow this part of Michael Myers’ story in sequence.

These titles were released by Dimension Films, which likely explains their availability. Freddy vs. Jason, on the other hand, was distributed by New Line, now part of HBO Max’s parent company.

Streaming the full Halloween franchise remains a challenge, especially for those hoping to see the original films. Halloween Ends, released in 2022, was meant to close the new storyline set by the 2018 reboot.

Producer Jason Blum hinted that while more films could be possible, his team’s focus is on completing the current trilogy. He told fans in October 2021, “I would love to extend it… but we’re very busy making sure the third movie is spectacular because that’s our immediate job.”

Director David Gordon Green and star Jamie Lee Curtis also weighed in on the franchise’s future. Curtis told The New York Times that the four films starting with the 1978 original and ending with Halloween Ends were self-contained, though a new story could emerge later. Green said he felt confident closing Laurie Strode’s arc but acknowledged that future filmmakers could create a new version of the character to continue the story.

Curtis confirmed in an essay for People that Halloween Ends was her final appearance, and co-star Jude Courtney agreed, saying he felt done with the role after the trilogy’s conclusion.

Blum later clarified that while Halloween Ends might not be the final film in the franchise overall, it would be the last Halloween movie produced by Blumhouse, with rights returning to producer Malek Akkad.

By October 2023, Miramax acquired the television rights and announced plans for a new Halloween series. Marc Helwig revealed in March 2024 that the series would be a creative reset, branching out from the original 1978 film rather than continuing the recent storyline.

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