Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody violence, language in Myers' franchise return.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS is set 10 years after the murder of 16 people in the small town of Haddonfield. Here, the murderer Michael Myers (George P. Wilbur), escapes a sanitarium on Halloween and heads back to the scene of the crime. This time, he's intent on tracking down his seven-year-old niece, Jamie (Danielle Harris), who's being babysat by her foster sister, Rachel (Ellie Cornell). Quick-thinking psychiatrist Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) is hot on his heels, as he tries to warn the local police, and the two girls, of the oncoming danger.
Is It Any Good?
Bringing Myers back into the franchise is a welcome return after the unrelated third movie, and Jamie makes for a great new addition as the terrified kid at the center of this story. But Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers still falls way short of the original's high standard. This fourth installment takes all the elements of the iconic first film and splices them together in what feels like a rushed-off imitation. That said, a lot of those elements still work, including the character of Myers himself and his enduring refusal to die, some nice atmospheric shots like his face reflected in a cracked mirror, plenty of grisly deaths, and fan favorite Loomis stepping into an even more central role—since Laurie Strode is nowhere to be seen. Harris is great as Jamie, giving a performance well beyond her years that manages to carry much of the movie on its own. The film doesn't entirely live up to its promise, but it at least feels like a franchise heading back in the right direction.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Michael Myers in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. What makes him so scary? Why do you think he's such an enduring horror icon, having lasted over four decades (so far)?
How did introducing a child into a main role affect the movie? Did you think it heightened the stakes? Did it affect the level of violence that feels appropriate in the film? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Which characters showed courage and perseverance in the movie? How did these help them to survive? Why are they important character traits?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 21, 1988
- On DVD or streaming : July 25, 2006
- Cast : Donald Pleasence , Ellie Cornell , Danielle Harris
- Director : Dwight H. Little
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Galaxy International Releasing
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids , Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Monsters ) , Holidays ( Halloween )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 16, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate