How Jason Voorhees & Michael Myers Are Similar (& How They're Different) (2024)

Released within two years of each other,Friday the 13thandHalloweenare two of the most popular slasher movies ever. Horror film fans return to these classics again and again, although the latter is definitely a better crafted story. For the most part, thesespookytales are timeless and still offer up many scares today.

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Michael Myers inspired manyfictional serial killersandit turns out that the protagonist ofHalloweenhas a lot in common with Jason Voorhees, the hockey mask-wearing killer fromFriday the 13th. But even though these two act in very similar ways,theyhave some unique qualities as well. What better time than Halloween to compare these two?

Similar: They Don'tSpeak

There are a lot of interesting facts about Michael Myers, and one main thing about him is that he doesn't speak. This definitely makes him a lot scarier, as he spends all of the movies in theHalloweenfranchise walking around silently. Fans wonder what he's thinking — although chances are, it would be very disturbing to hear.

Jason Voorhees has this silence in common with Michael Myers, as he doesn't say anything in theFriday the 13thmovies, either.

Different: Michael Myers Is Alive & Human

Michael Myers is a human being, which is one big way that he differs from Jason Voorhees.

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Jason is considered "undead" and some fans debatewhat to refer to him as, but it's definitely true that after drowning in Camp Crystal Lake, he comes back to life in some way. Of course, human though he may be, Michael Myersis still terrifying.

Similar: TheyHad Sad, Disturbing Childhoods

Jason Voorhees always has a deformed faceand that's the reason why he had such atraumatizing childhood. He was always made fun of and treatedin a way that no one ever should be.

Michael Myers also had a disturbing childhood as at a very young age, he killed his very own sibling and was put away as a result.

Different: Michael Myers Killed His Sister

While Michael Myers killed his sister Judith, who was older than him, Jason Voorhees doesn't kill any relatives or anyone who he knows. This is another big difference between the two killers.

In a brutal scene, Michael put on a costume that made him look like a clown and murdered his sister on Halloween night. Thiswas the event thatset everything in motion.

Similar: They Both Seem Impossible To Kill

Both Michael and Jason seem to be impossible to kill. They both appear to die various times and then, boom, there's another film in the franchise and they're back again.

Michael seems to die many different times in the franchisebut whether he'sin the basem*nt of a burning house orbeing pushed offa balcony, he always manages to stay alive.

Different: Jason Has Killed More People

Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees are also differentin terms of how many lives they have ended. It's clear that they both have killed a ton of people and the actual numbers are pretty mind-boggling.

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While Michael Myers has killed 121 people, Jason'skill count is 157. Of course, 121 is still incredibly high, and they are both horrifying killers who have caused so much pain and destruction.

Similar: They're Both Super Fast

There are many funny horror movie memes out there, includinga meme about how fast Michael Myers moves.

Speed is something that Michael and Jason have in common. They both can get from one place to another in a matter of seconds and it's always surprising.

Different: Michael Myers Is Considered Crazy

Michael Myers is put in anasylumas a child after he murders his very own sister, and people always talk about him like he's crazy and there is just no helping him. He's considered a highly dangerous person.

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While Jason had a horrible time as a kid and no one would say that he's all there, he's not talked about in the same way.

Similar: They Both Wear Masks As Their Main Costume

Both Jason and Michael have a mask that is their main costume, and this is how people recognize them.Jason Voorhees wears many masks throughout the franchise, although it's usually various takes on a hockey mask. Audiences also mainly focus on Michael Myers' mask, though sometimes his wild hair is a bit distracting.

Different: Michael Myers Obsesses Over Laurie Strode

Laurie Strode went up against Michael Myers in the 2018Halloween, and this character, played by horror movie legend Jamie Lee Curtis, is no stranger to the killer.

While Jason Voorhees targets campers and doesn't seem obsessed with any one person, Michael Myers can't help but target Laurie. He follows her everywhere and he even finds her so many years after the original Halloween night when he firstencountered her.

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