Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois, to kill again.
Pasadena Civic Center District, East Union Street, Old Pasadena, Pasadena Council District 3, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, 91129, United States of America
John Carpenter’s original slasher is set in the fictional Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois – but was shot on a shoestring in the leafy streets of South Pasadena, California. It was spring, not autumn, so the crew bought bags of fake leaves and reused them from scene to scene.
Where was Halloween filmed?
Halloween (1978) was filmed in South Pasadena and around Los Angeles, standing in for Haddonfield, Illinois.
Every Halloween location, explained
1
Haddonfield – South Pasadena
The tree-lined streets where Laurie is stalked are in South Pasadena, part of the Los Angeles area.
2
The Myers house and Laurie’s walk
The Myers house and the girls’ route home used real South Pasadena homes on Montrose and Orange Grove Avenues.
3
The graveyard – Sierra Madre
The cemetery scene used a location in Sierra Madre, east of Pasadena.
4
The LA suburbs
Additional scenes used quiet residential streets across the LA area.
Planning a visit
South Pasadena‘s leafy streets – and the real “Myers house” – remain a draw for horror fans, an easy trip within the Los Angeles area.
Halloween Fun Facts
1
'Illinois' is sunny California Haddonfield, Illinois was filmed in spring in South Pasadena, California.
2
They reused fake leaves Because it was spring, the crew spread bought autumn leaves and gathered them up to reuse in later scenes.
3
The mask is Captain Kirk Michael Myers’ mask is a cheap William Shatner (Captain Kirk) mask, painted white with reshaped eyes.
4
Made on a shoestring The film was made for a tiny budget and became one of the most profitable independent films ever.
5
Carpenter scored it himself John Carpenter composed the famously simple, terrifying piano theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Halloween (1978) filmed?
In South Pasadena and around Los Angeles, standing in for Haddonfield, Illinois.
Is Haddonfield a real place?
No – it’s fictional, filmed in South Pasadena, California.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – South Pasadena’s streets and the ‘Myers house’ remain popular with fans.
What is Michael Myers' mask?
A cheap William Shatner (Captain Kirk) mask, spray-painted white.
