The promotional artwork for Season of the Witch, the third installment in the Halloween franchise, represents a unique departure from the series’ established visual identity. Instead of focusing on the masked figure of Michael Myers, it highlights the film’s central macabre element: the Silver Shamrock masks. These masks, integral to the plot’s unfolding, are prominently displayed, often alongside the film’s title and tagline. Variations exist, showcasing different mask designs (witch, skull, and pumpkin) and incorporating imagery of Stonehenge and the looming October 31st deadline.
This artwork served a crucial marketing function. It needed to both attract existing fans of the horror franchise while also signaling a distinct narrative shift away from the slasher conventions of the first two films. The imagery effectively communicates the film’s focus on a consumerist-driven horror, centered around a malevolent company and its sinister Halloween masks. Historically, these posters have become collectible items, representing a specific moment in the franchise’s evolution and reflecting the aesthetic trends of the early 1980s.