Halloween Kills, the latest installment in the iconic Halloween franchise starring Jamie Lee Curtis, will be releasing on October 14, 2021, moving from its original release date of October 15, 2020.

Filmmaker John Carpenter released a letter to fans on his social media announcing the date change along with a teaser video illustrating that the new film will pick up where the last ended. The announcement reads:

We write this to you heartbroken over the fact that the delay of our film is even a discussion, but if there’s one thing a career in the film industry has prepared us for, it’s the unexpected. Over the past few weeks, our film family has looked at the forecast of theatrical exhibition with obvious concern. We have discussed and struggled with how best to present “Halloween Kills” to the loyal fans around the world, as well as the new audience we hope to invite to this experience.

It was a wild and vibrant production. We lined up a cast of legacy characters like Laurie and Tommy, Lindsey, Lonnie, Marion, Brackett and The Shape, then alongside some new faces, we aggressively made the second chapter of our “Halloween” trilogy. It unfolded into an experience that was a creative playground and we feel confident that our misfit pleasures will be seen as an unexpected entry into this franchise.

If we release it in October this year as planned, we have to face the reality that the film would be consumed in a compromised theatrical experience. After weighing our options, we have chosen to push the film’s theatrical release by one year.

On top of a traditional release, Universal has agreed to an IMAX presentation of the film in October 2021. We are sound mixing with one of the greatest design teams that can slash, scream and creep their way under your skin. We’re going to have time to complete the film with the quality that fans deserve. And preparation on “Halloween Ends” has begun as well.

It is an honor to be working with these characters and spending time in Haddonfield. We look forward to sharing our next chapters with you.