Horror fans on Rotten Tomatoes generally agree that Rick Rosenthal’s “Halloween II” (1981) stands the test of time. The film, written by franchise creator John Carpenter, picks up where the 1978 original film leaves off after Michael Myers’ (Nick Castle) initial attack on final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). While the first film contains little blood, the sequel considerably increases the violence and gore.
In the decades since the film’s release, several deleted scenes have emerged online. For example, one cut moment involves Laurie panicking over the news that she is Michael’s sister. Another shows Dr. Mixter (Ford Rainey) injecting her with a sedative, with Michael cutting the main power to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, which explains the clinic’s poor lighting.
Director Rick Rosenthal revealed at the H40: 40 Years of Terror reunion event in 2018 that an essential scene follows Michael wandering through the children’s ward. The Shape bumps into a cymbal-banging monkey, and the clatter draws the attention of Nurse Karen (Pamela Susan Shoop), who quickly leaves the nurse’s station to investigate. “It was really scary, and [Michael] disappears into the closet,” he shared.
“And then we see from Michael’s perspective through the slats in the closet,” he added. “[Karen] comes toward the table, and you’re just waiting for him to jump out. She turns off the mechanical gorilla, and the sounds stop. It’s quiet for a second.”
Rare Photo from ‘Halloween II’ Surfaces
In August 2026, a super rare hi-res candid from the set of “Halloween II” surfaced online. The photo (below) shows Michael Myers performer Dick Warlock dancing in the children’s wing as a young kid laughs from a hospital bed. Behind Michael, the toy monkey is barely visible, confirming the eerie scene was, in fact, filmed and left on the cutting room floor.
“Halloween II” was released on October 30, 1981. Opening weekend earned $7.4 million at the box office, and the film eventually grossed $25.5 million globally.
Additional Deleted Scenes
In the theatrical cut of “Halloween II,” Head Nurse Mrs. Alves (Gloria Gifford) tells Laurie that she’s been trying to contact her parents. “Dr. Mixter said they were at the same party he was, but they’re not there now, and they’re not at home,” she says. A deleted scene shows Mrs. Alves making the call to the party and speaking with someone, who lets her know that the Strodes have already left.
To expand the story for television, the final scene with Laurie riding in the ambulance included the reveal that her heartthrob crush Jimmy (Lance Guest) also survived the night. He rises from underneath a white sheet, mimicking Michael Myers’ unsettling movements, and he and Laurie share a tender moment.
When Laurie first arrives at the ER, Dr. Mixter tends to her injuries. The scene plays very differently in the cut version. After being injected with medication, the nurses remove Laurie’s shirt to get a better look at her shoulder cut. Mrs. Alves walks over to Jimmy and his co-worker Bud (Leo Rossi) and says, as she pulls back the curtain separator, “Get out!”
Other deleted moments include Nurse Janet (Ana Alicia) telling Jimmy about Laurie’s cracked leg bone; Dr. Mixter fretting over the surgery; and a conversation between Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) and Deputy Hunt (Hunter von Leer) in the elementary school.
