‘Halloween Ends’ Trailer: Can Michael Myers Win Scary Movie Zeitgeist War?

The second trailer for Halloween Ends, the third and final installment in Blumhouse's post-Halloween (1978) Laurie Strode vs. Michael Myers trilogy, has just been released by Universal. Although it is acknowledged by all stakeholders that the Halloween IP may someday be used, this is being marketed as the conclusion of this particular story. It's similar to how The Rise of Skywalker was marketed as the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga rather than the conclusion of the Star Wars Saga. Similar to how Tony Stark's, Natasha Romanoff's, and Steve Roger's particular storylines, rather than the MCU as a whole, come to a close in Avengers: Endgame. Star Wars: Episode IX will be the last in the series if all future Star Wars television shows and films are set before the events of the sequel trilogy, but I digress.

The only new information in the trailer is that Michael is back after disappearing at the conclusion of Halloween Kills. The statement "He's more dangerous" makes me laugh because he murdered 50+ people in one night for Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills (2018). Halloween Ends can afford to earn significantly less than Halloween ($159 million domestically and $255 million globally) or Halloween Kills ($92 million/$131 million) and yet turn a significant profit. Not to mention the payment Universal received for releasing the movie on Peacock via a hybrid day-and-date release. This movie would earn $76 million worldwide, even with a decline comparable to Matrix Revolutions (-43% from Matrix Reloaded). It still makes $65–$80 million domestically with a Maze Runner or Fifty Shades decrease (with Death Cure grossing 29% less domestically than Scorch Trials), respectively.

Those would be acceptable on a projected budget of $20 million or more, particularly with PVOD eventually contributing a small number. Whether the Halloween trilogy caper can maintain the franchise's current status as the top dog of Halloween is what's 'important,' or at least fascinating. Will it be as talked-about and significant to pop culture even if it outperforms its competitors, which it most likely will, like Pearl, Barbarian, and Smile? As we saw when The Matrix outperformed The Phantom Menace in terms of pop cultural zeitgeist in 1999 and Gladiator ($456 million) was the summer's top film despite Mission: Impossible II ($543 million) earning more, the largest grosser isn't always the biggest winner. Similar to how Iron Man overshadowed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull while grossing significantly more ($790 million vs. $585 million) globally.

Halloween Ends

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This was demonstrated in October 2009 when Paranormal Activity dethroned Saw's five-year monarchy as the king of Halloween horror films, usurping it for a few years after. The Bourne Identity ($214 million) replaced The Sum of All Fears ($193 million) as the movie of the year, which was excellent because it demonstrated that moviegoers preferred something new(er) over something recycled. Because they were once novel and distinctive, Jason Bourne and xXx now receive (or received) fresh chapters. Die Another Day still outperformed every aspiring 007 imitator in 2002, earning $434 million globally. Additionally, Spectre brought in $881 million worldwide in 2015, surpassing Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation ($682 million), The Kingsman ($414 million), Spy ($236 million), and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ($107 million) all together.

There may be a buzz about Barbarian, Pearl, or Smile among horror fans. It's still possible that Halloween Ends, which was written by Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier, Danny McBride, and director David Gordon Green, will take home the top prize at the box office. Since Bad Boys for Life, Halloween Kills has earned the third-highest R-rated domestic box office total. I have little doubt that Comcast would prefer to earn between $65 and $85 million domestically and about $115 million globally than the roughly $10 million and $40 million that Pearl and Barbarian (respectively) brought in. And if The Black Phone or Nope? ends up becoming the season's most talked-about horror film (whether it was released this season or just overall)? Universal will undoubtedly get worked up over that, I'm sure. On October 14, Halloween Ends premieres in cinemas and on Peacock. We shall see, as always.