John Carpenter's original intention with "Halloween" (1978) was to create a holiday anthology series, and that vision is exercised in "Halloween III: Season of the Witch," which does not feature the iconic serial killer. That being said, "Season of the Witch" is a well-written and well-told story that has the unfortunate luck of being a "Halloween" movie without Michael Myers, thus an inferior reputation.
If it were viewed separate from the series, as a 1980s horror movie of its own identity, I imagine it would be decently admired for its themes of consumerism, class, and the hypnotism of media. "Season of the Witch" is solid: the movie has strong directing, visuals, makeup, and constructs a storyline that is unpredictable and original. It stretches a bit beyond the realm of reality into science-fiction instead of realistic horror (unlike Carpenter was aiming for and accomplished in the original film), but it's a worthy movie that shouldn't be burdened as a member of this franchise.
If it were viewed separate from the series, as a 1980s horror movie of its own identity, I imagine it would be decently admired for its themes of consumerism, class, and the hypnotism of media. "Season of the Witch" is solid: the movie has strong directing, visuals, makeup, and constructs a storyline that is unpredictable and original. It stretches a bit beyond the realm of reality into science-fiction instead of realistic horror (unlike Carpenter was aiming for and accomplished in the original film), but it's a worthy movie that shouldn't be burdened as a member of this franchise.