HOLLYWOOD, CA. (THECOUNT) — Universal’s smash hit, “Halloween,” the 11th installment in the Michael Myers franchise, finds Jamie Lee Curtis in the starring role, scoring the biggest debut ever for a movie with a female lead over 55 years old.

Curtis, 59, reprises her iconic role as avenging babysitter, Laurie Strode, who is now a grandmother in the latest iteration.

Advertisement

“Halloween” is Curtis’ biggest opening to date, as well as the best horror opening with a female lead ever. source

Jim Orr, Universal’s president of domestic distribution, attributed the success of “Halloween” to the 40 year gap between the original.

“There had been quite some time since the original film,” Orr said. “You combine that with the return of a tremendous star in Jamie Lee Curtis, great writing, great filmmaking. All of that comes together as a perfect storm.”