Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers logo

TEN YEARS AGO HE CHANGED THE FACE OF HALLOWEEN. TONIGHT HE’S BACK.

1988 | 88 MINUTES | 1.85:1

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PLOT | CAST | CREW | GOOFS | TRIVIA | RELEASE & RECEPTION | HOME VIDEO | SCRIPTS | ALTERNATE VERSIONS | MEDIA

Plot

While being transferred from a mental institute ten years after his last massacre, Michael Myers escapes and returns to his hometown of Haddenfield, Illinois to kill his niece Jamie Lloyd.

want to read the full plot recap? click here.

Cast & Characters

  • Donald Pleasence
    • as Dr. Sam Loomis
  • Ellie Cornell
    • as Rachel Carruthers
  • Danielle Harris
    • as Jamie Lloyd
  • George P. Wilbur
    • as Michael Myers
  • Michael Pataki
    • as Dr. Hoffman
  • Beau Starr
    • as Sheriff Ben Meeker
  • Kathleen Kinmont
    • as Kelly Meeker
  • Sasha Jenson
    • as Brady
  • Gene Ross
    • as Earl
  • Carmen Filpi
    • as Reverend Jackson P. Sayer
  • Raymond O’Connor
    • as Security Guard
  • Jeff Olson
    • as Richard Carruthers
  • Karen Alston
    • as Darlene Carruthers
  • Nancy Borgenicht
    • as Woman Attendant
  • David Jensen
    • as Man Attendant
  • Rand Kennedy
    • as Trooper #1
  • Don Glover
    • as Trooper #2
  • Robert Condor
    • as Trooper #3
  • Richard Jewkes
    • as Trooper #4
  • Jordan Bradley
    • as Kyle
  • Richy Cumba
    • as Boy
  • Stephanie Dees
    • as Girl
  • Leslie L. Roland
    • as Lindsey Wallace
  • M.J. McDonnell
    • as Dr. Hoffman’s Assistant
  • Harlow Marks
    • as Bucky
  • Richard Stay
    • as Wade
  • Danny Ray
    • as Tommy Doyle
  • Michael Flynn
    • as Deputy Pierce
  • Beverly Rowland
    • as Elderly Woman
  • George Sullivan
    • as Deputy Logan
  • Ron Harrison
    • as Hick Kid
  • Tami Sanders
    • as Anchor Woman
  • Walt Logan Field
    • as Unger
  • Michael Ruud
    • as Big Al
  • Eric Hart
    • as Orrin Gateway
  • Donré Simpson
    • as State Policeman

Crew

  • Directed by
    • Dwight H. Little
  • Written by
    • Alan B. McElroy
  • Story by
    • Dhani Lipsius
    • Larry Rattner
    • Benjamin Ruffner
    • Alan B. McElroy
  • Executive Producer
    • Moustapha Akkad
  • Produced by
    • Paul Freeman
  • Associate Producer
    • Mohammad Sanousi
  • Composed by
    • Alan Howarth
  • Edited by
    • Curtiss Clayton
  • Director of Photography
    • Peter Lyons Collister

Goofs

Michael’s full name is Michael Audrey Myers, yet whenever we see his name typed up at various parts in the movie, the middle initial is M rather than A.

When Michael surprises Dr. Loomis the elementary school, he is suddenly wearing a mask with blonde hair.

Leslie L. Rohland’s character is listed as “Leslie” in the end credits rather than Lindsay.

want to read more goofs? click here.

Trivia

After the success they had with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, The Cannon Group had reached out to Debra Hill and John Carpenter about producing a Halloween IV.

George P. Wilbur would often take his mask off between takes and play with Danielle Harris to prevent her from being scared during filming. Danielle Harris has often said she was aware that it was all make believe from the get-go regardless

Rachel’s friend that drives them to the convenience store was intended to be Lindsay Wallace from the first two films, who would’ve had a bigger part in the film. Her character was cut down as a result of budgetary restrictions.

want to read more trivia? click here.

Release & Reception

  • Release Date: October 21, 1988
  • Budget: $5,000,000
    • Equivalent to $10,909,340 in 2020
  • Opening Weekend: $6,831,250
    • Equivalent to $14,904,886 in 2020
  • Domestic Gross: $38,769,084
    • Equivalent to ? in 2020

  • IMDb: 5.9/10
  • MetaCritic.com
    • MetaScore: 34/100
    • User Score: 7.7/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 29%

Elliott’s Personal Ranking: 5/11

Home Video

BLU-RAY | BLU-RAY | DVD | DIGITAL

curious about all the film’s home video history? click here.

Scripts

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) - Revised First Draft
  • Revised First Draft
  • Written by Alan B. McElroy.
  • Dated February 26, 1988.
  • 105 pages.

to read the screenplay, click here.

Halloween 4 - Unused Script (Second Draft)
  • Unused Script – Second Draft.
  • Written by Dennis Etchison.
  • Dated December 2, 1986.
  • 111 pages.

to read the screenplay, click here.

Alternate Versions

So far, no alternate footage for Halloween 4 has been released. When the film’s domestic Blu-Ray release was announced, the press release advertised newly discovered footage. It was soon clarified that it was a misprint, and no such footage was found.

Media

coming soon.