1978 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time
1978 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time
Nina DerwinThu, April 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM UTC
0
(Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
In 1978, a low-budget horror film changed the genre forever.
Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, has been ranked among the best movies of all time by Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its place as one of the most influential horror films ever made.
The film follows a masked killer, Michael Myers, who escapes from a psychiatric hospital and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he begins stalking a group of teenagers. At the center of the story is Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, whose performance helped launch her career and establish her as a "final girl" icon.
Halloween stood out for its simplicity and suspense, relying on atmosphere, tension and an unforgettable musical score, also composed by Carpenter, rather than graphic violence. Its use of point-of-view shots and slow-building dread created a new blueprint for horror storytelling.
"There was no trial and error involved in making the music for Halloween," Carpenter said in a 2021 interview. "I knew I was going to use this theme I had developed over the years. But it was based on my father who taught me 5/4 time."
Advertisement
The film's success not only launched a long-running franchise but also helped popularize the slasher genre, influencing countless movies that followed in the decades after its release.
More than 45 years later, Halloween remains a cultural touchstone, especially during the fall season. Since its release, Halloween has spawned more than a dozen sequels and reboots, making it one of the longest-running horror franchises in film history. The series has revisited and reimagined Michael Myers' story across multiple timelines, keeping the character relevant for new generations of audiences.
"Horror is the oldest of genre," Carpenter said. "It was there at the beginning of cinema. Each new generation reinvents horror for its own. We are all afraid. That’s why horror is such a universal genre."
With its inclusion on Rotten Tomatoes' list, the film’s impact is once again reaffirmed—proving that its chilling simplicity and iconic villain continue to define horror cinema.
Related: 1979 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time’
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
