The Halloween franchise is one of the pioneers in the slasher genre, but throughout its growth as a franchise, it's featured multiple timelines with different versions of Michael Myers. Where some are more based in the supernatural, others rely on brute force or legacy. These iterations of Michael are seen in The Curse of Thorn saga, the H20 trilogy, the Rob Zombie films and the H40 reboot films. However, if these characters were to collide, which one would win as the strongest and deadliest?
The Curse of Thorn - Halloween (1978), Halloween II, Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Halloween 6
Beginning with the 1978 original, The Curse of Thorn saga extends into four entries, making it the longest timeline in the franchise. It's also the only timeline where Michael has supernatural abilities thanks to the Curse of Thorn given to him by a cult that worships the pagan holiday Samhain. While most of these films in the saga show Michael dying in some way, they also show how he's defied the odds. He's been shown stabbing a person with a shotgun, lifting a nurse up with nothing but a scalpel, surviving multiple gunshot wounds and being set ablaze in the span of one night. Although he may be a slave to the curse, his ability to endure immense trauma and maintain his superhuman strength make him a being of mythic proportions.
H20 Trilogy - Halloween (1978), H20: Twenty Years Later, Halloween: Resurrection
Continuing from the first film, the H20 trilogy maintains Michael's obsession with killing Laurie but erases his supernatural motivations. Instead, he's another dangerous serial killer who will stop at nothing to kill his bloodline. Unlike other Michaels, this version is far more crafty, even faking his own death. However, he also utilizes a more stealthy approach for some of his kills, but when he does have a chance to display his power, he has been seen crushing skulls, decapitating people with one swipe and even holding himself up with one arm. This Michael is far more conventionally strong than others, but his creativity in kills makes up for his more grounded strength.
Rob Zombie's Halloween & Halloween II
Rob Zombie's Halloween films dive deep into the psyche of Michael Myers and redefines this version of the character. Now, he has motivations, emotions and a reason for why he becomes the iconic killer. That said, his kills still showcase the animalistic nature and strength that is synonymous with him. At this point, these films represented Michael at his most brutal and unpredictable, as he throws victims and breaks bones with minimal struggle. However, he also liked to show off his kills and displayed them for whoever found them. His impact feels supernatural as well, but ultimately he is still human. In fact, this film shows him being killed by gunfire, unlike other iterations that show him getting back up almost immediately.
H40 Reboot - Halloween (1978), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills
Continuing again from the 1978 film, this version of Michael once again erases his supernatural abilities. However, it also takes away his apparent obsession with the Myers bloodline. Instead, this version of Michael kills because he feels like it, embodying the identity of pure evil that Sam Loomis mentioned four decades ago, but what this version does that others haven't is present Michael as more of a cryptid than a man. As a result, his kills are more violent and brutal, and his strength and stamina are through the roof. Now, after multiple stab and gunshot wounds, Michael can get back up and kill a whole crowd of people and walk away like nothing has happened. In doing so, this iteration blurs the line of being a normal killer or something else entirely.
Winner - Curse of Thorn Michael Myers
Although each version of Michael brings something strong to the table, none can compete with the original Curse of Thorn iteration. While the H20 version is strong, Thorn Michael's supernatural drive makes him infinitely more capable of overpowering the H20 Michael. While Rob Zombie's version is also immensely strong, his defeat by firing squad also makes him the weakest and easiest to kill for Thorn Michael. Finally, while the H40 Michael is nearly comparable in craftiness and durability to Thorn Michael, the reboot version lacks the cunning and foresight that Thorn Michael spent decades honing. As a result, while all of the Michaels have something to offer, Thorn Michael's supernatural strength and durability, mixed with his indomitable will to complete his mission, make him the strongest and deadliest of them all.