It’s the perennial Halloween dilemma: your friends want to watch the latest scary movie, but it’s the twelfth entry in a series you’ve never seen. Don’t despair. Hollywood has made it easier than ever to dive right in without doing the homework.
Welcome to the Age of the ‘Requel’
One of
the biggest trends in horror is the 'requel'—a movie that’s part reboot, part sequel. These films continue the story but are specifically designed as a fresh entry point for new audiences. They honor the original film (or films) while introducing new characters and situations that don't depend on decades of convoluted lore. A perfect example is 'Halloween' (2018), which acts as a direct sequel to the 1978 original and intentionally ignores every other film in between. It brings back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode but resets the board, allowing viewers to understand her story and Michael Myers’s threat with minimal backstory. Similarly, 'Scream' (2022) brings back the original cast to pass the torch to a new generation, explaining the rules and history as it goes. These movies respect longtime fans while welcoming newcomers, making them the ideal starting point.
When in Doubt, Watch the Original
If a requel isn’t an option, the simplest rule of thumb is to just watch the first movie. The original 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' or 'Friday the 13th' gives you everything you need: the villain’s origin, the central theme, and the foundational terror. Sequels often complicate the mythology, adding convoluted family ties (like the sibling connection in 'Halloween II') or supernatural curses that can make things messy. The first film is the purest form of the idea. It’s the cultural touchstone that all subsequent films build on or react to. Seeing the original gives you the necessary context to appreciate a later installment, even if you skip the six movies in between. You’ll understand the core concept, and you can let your friends fill in the smaller gaps.
Embrace the Standalone Anomaly
Sometimes, a franchise will produce a sequel that has almost nothing to do with the main storyline. The most famous example is 'Halloween III: Season of the Witch' (1982). After seemingly killing off Michael Myers in 'Halloween II,' the producers planned to turn the franchise into an anthology series, with a new, self-contained horror story each year. The result was a bizarre, creepy film about cursed Halloween masks and a corporate conspiracy, completely free of Michael Myers. While it confused audiences at the time, it’s now celebrated as a cult classic that you can watch with zero prior knowledge of the 'Halloween' universe. Other franchises have entries that function similarly, like 'Evil Dead Rise,' which tells a new story within the same world but without requiring you to have seen the previous films.
Don't Underestimate the Reboot
Before the requel became popular, there was the simple reboot. In the 2000s, many classic slasher series were completely remade for a new generation. Films like 'Friday the 13th' (2009) and 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (2010) started from scratch, retelling the origin stories of Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger with new actors and modern sensibilities. While the quality of these reboots varies, their purpose is clear: to wipe the slate clean. They exist precisely so you don’t have to go back and watch any originals if you don’t want to. They offer a self-contained version of any story, making them an easy, commitment-free way to experience a classic horror concept.
Some Series Are More Forgiving Than Others
Not every franchise requires a map. While the 'Halloween' series has at least five different timelines, others are more straightforward—or more episodic. The 'Saw' franchise is known for its intricate, overlapping timelines, but recent entries like 'Saw X' have been designed to be more accessible. 'Saw X' is set between the first and second films, meaning you only need to have seen the original to get the full picture, and some would argue you can go in cold. Ultimately, horror is about any immediate thrill. Don't let a long history get in any way of a good scare. The most important thing is to turn off any lights, grab some popcorn, and be ready to scream.
