Halloween-themed TV specials are a necessary a part of Halloween. Certain, watching scary films, carving jack-o-lanterns, and going apple choosing are up there too, however no autumn is full with out watching the various Halloween-centric episodes that your favourite tv reveals have to supply.
There are many sitcoms and TV reveals on the market which have launched some form of Halloween-themed episode up to now. As to be anticipated, these episodes are all enjoyable, entertaining, principally lighthearted specials that embrace a number of scary components right here and there with out going all-in on the horror features (no less than more often than not, anyway).
With what number of reveals there are on the earth, after all, which means there are a ton of Halloween specials on the market to your viewing pleasure. To slender the probabilities down a bit, we put collectively an inventory of a few of our favourite Halloween-themed episodes of TV reveals that we advocate watching this autumn, in addition to the place they’re at present streaming.
The Simpsons — “Halloween of Horror” (Season 27, Episode 4)
Courtesy of FOXThe Simpsons is likely one of the longest-running tv reveals of all time, and has made an annual custom of releasing a Halloween-themed episode per season. These episodes, known as The Simpsons‘ “Treehouse of Horror” episodes, are brief anthology episodes which might be often three segments in size, and tackle a extra horror, science fiction, or fantasy-based strategy per episode.
As there are 30 seasons of the present so far, you’ll be able to think about that there is a ton of Halloween-centered episodes The Simpsons has produced below the “Treehouse of Horror” banner. Nevertheless, quite than itemizing any of the extremely enjoyable “Treehouse” episodes, we determined to go along with The Simpsons’ “Halloween of Horror” episode as a substitute. Reasonably than taking over the anthology format of the everyday “Treehouse of Horror” episodes, “Halloween of Horror” is extra akin to any of the opposite Halloween-themed entries on this checklist.
After Lisa suffers a fear-induced nervous breakdown whereas attending a Halloween-themed night time at an amusement park, the household tries to disregard the vacation altogether (a lot to Bart and Homer’s disappointment). The household’s calm Halloween is interrupted, nonetheless, by three vengeful Halloween store-workers who Homer unintentionally acquired fired and who at the moment are in search of revenge. It is a enjoyable, heartwarming episode, and a refreshing change of tempo from the common “Treehouse of Horror” Simpsons episodes.
Different nice Halloween Simpsons episodes: “Treehouse of Horror IV,” “Treehouse of Horror V,” “Treehouse of Horror VI,” “Treehouse of Horror III,” and “Treehouse of Horror II”
Streaming on Disney+
Bob’s Burgers — “Full Bars” (Season 3, Episode 2)
Like The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers has had a formidable string of Halloween-centric episodes over time. Whereas we beloved basic Bob’s Burgers spooky specials like Season 8’s “The Wolf of Wharf Avenue” or Season 9’s “Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Avenue,” we determined to go along with Season 3’s now-classic “Full Bars.” On this episode, the youngsters resolve that they are sufficiently old to trick-or-treat on their very own, leaving Bob and Linda free to attend a vacation celebration thrown by Teddy (albeit reluctantly so).
Nevertheless, the celebration quickly turns right into a homicide investigation after Teddy’s beloved hamster winds up lifeless after somebody unintentionally steps on her, main a devastated Teddy to go ballistic and stop everybody from leaving. As that occurs, the youngsters head to an prosperous island group the place the residents hand out full-sized sweet bars, solely to seek out themselves focused by mischief-causing youngsters.
Top-of-the-line Halloween-themed episodes of animated tv ever, “Full Bars” won’t have the most effective “burger of the day” title (that honor goes to “The Cauliflower’s Cumin from Contained in the Home Burger”), nor does it have the most effective comedic costume concept (that might be Tina’s costume in “Nightmare On Ocean Avenue Avenue” as “nun of your enterprise” — i.e. a nun holding a briefcase), however it does make for a 100% entertaining Halloween particular by means of and thru.
Different nice Bob’s Burgers Halloween episodes: “The Hauntening,” “The Wolf of Wharf Avenue,” “Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Avenue,” and “Fort Evening.”
Streaming on Hulu
The Workplace — “Halloween” (Season 2, Episode 5)
The Workplace might need a greater observe file of holiday-themed episodes for his or her Christmas specials — I imply, simply have a look at how nice “A Benihana Christmas,” “Secret Santa,” and “Christmas Social gathering” are — however the present nonetheless affords some nice Halloween-centric episodes right here and there.
Take, for instance, the present’s first particular, Season 2’s “Halloween,” which is now one of many higher episodes in an already robust season. On this episode, the Scranton department of Dunder Mifflin makes an attempt to have a good time Halloween with their annual vacation celebration. The temper across the department is something however celebratory, nonetheless, when Michael is pressured by his superiors into making a last-minute resolution that he is been pushing off about who to fireside from the workplace.
Whereas Season 1 of The Workplace admittedly had a little bit of a tough begin, with many individuals feeling the primary season was too intently primarily based on the sooner British collection and that the humor wasn’t adjusting very nicely to an American viewers, its earlier episodes in Season 2 like this one which made the collection a definite counterpart to the unique sitcom.
It is cringey, humorous, and so tensely awkward at some factors it is really tough to take a seat by means of — all important options you’d anticipate finding in any good Workplace episode.
Different nice Workplace Halloween episodes: “Costume Contest” and “Worker Switch.”
Streaming on Peacock
Parks and Recreation — “Greg Pikitis” (Season 2, Episode 7)
It is actually a disgrace Parks and Rec did not have extra holiday-centered episodes throughout its seven-season run. With a observe file of memorable episodes like “Halloween Shock” and “Greg Pikitis,” who is aware of what number of different nice Halloween-themed episodes the present may have produced. Nevertheless, we will nonetheless stay grateful for the restricted quantity of specials we did obtain, given how nice episodes like “Greg Pikitis” really are.
In Parks and Rec‘s first Halloween particular, Leslie tries to cease a hard highschool teenager who pulls an annual prank on the Parks Division yearly. In the meantime, Anne throws an underwhelming Halloween-themed celebration that solely Tom is ready to save from full catastrophe.
One of many higher episodes throughout the early seasons of Parks and Rec, “Greg Pikitis” is a implausible, lighthearted episode that completely shows everybody’s character — whether or not it is Andy shouting “5-0” and leaping into bushes to keep away from being caught egging somebody’s home, Ron’s boring Halloween costume, or Leslie taking her job far more significantly than it really is.
Different nice Parks and Recreation Halloween episodes: “Halloween Shock.”
Streaming on Peacock
New Woman — “Halloween” (Season 2, Episode 6)
An earlier episode on this beloved hit collection run, New Woman‘s Halloween-themed episode, “Halloween,” stays one of many present’s finest holiday-themed episodes interval.
Specializing in the unusual dynamic relationships that exist between the loft mates and their respective vital others (at this level, they’re all courting or romantically pursuing different individuals), the episode finds every of the primary forged going through some form of relationship disaster that manifests on Halloween.
Jess, who has begun seeing a pediatrician, begins to develop extra severe emotions for him than she initially thought, regardless of solely wanting a non-committal fling at first. Nick reunites with an previous school crush that he slowly grows extra intimate with, solely to have second ideas about the entire thing. After which there’s Schmidt after all (wearing a younger Abe Lincoln costume) as he continues pursuing Cece, regardless of her relationship with Robby, in addition to Winston coming to phrases with the top of his relationship with Shelby.
It is a bittersweet episode, tackling some fairly heavy points like romantic mismatches and the characters confronting the form of relationships they actually wish to have, making it one in every of extra severe, albeit nonetheless very humorous, Halloween- themed episodes on this checklist.
Different nice New Woman Halloween episodes: “Keaton.”
Streaming on Netflix
Neighborhood — “Epidemiology” (Season 2, Episode 6)
This one was a tough selection. It got here right down to both this or “Horror Fiction In Seven Spooky Steps,” which is definitely an incredible episode that you must watch this Halloween.
Finally, nonetheless, we went with “Epidemiology” simply due to how deep the present went investing itself in a extra horror movie-like tone, all of the whereas nonetheless preserving its signature comedic model. “Epidemiology” opens with Greendale Neighborhood School’s annual Halloween celebration, which many of the foremost scholar physique and college are attending. When a wierd virus from the Dean’s army surplus meals causes a number of the college students to show into zombies, the examine group should try to escape earlier than they too are contaminated.
Dan Harmon’s cult-favorite Neighborhood has produced fairly plenty of episodes hilariously spoofing distinct genres. With “Epidemiology,” the showrunners flip their consideration to the zombie film, making an episode that’s equally enjoyable and lighthearted and truly fairly a bit scary as nicely (if you happen to favored zombie comedy films like Zombieland, you will love this episode).
Different nice Neighborhood Halloween episodes: “Horror Fiction In Seven Spooky Steps” and “Introduction To Statistics.”
Streaming on Netflix
Trendy Household — “Halloween” (Season 2, Episode 6)
The Emmy Award-winning sitcom Trendy Household is likely one of the reveals on this checklist to supply greater than its justifiable share of Halloween-themed specials, that includes a complete of seven episodes which might be centered across the vacation. There are fairly a number of runners-up which will have earned the title of “finest Trendy Household Halloween particular,” however far and away the preferred is the present’s first Halloween-inspired episode, Season 2’s “Halloween.”
Claire (whose love for Halloween turns into an increasing number of evident because the collection goes on) tries to plan her annual haunted home, solely to understand the household won’t be that into it this 12 months. As she continues getting ready for the massive day, Phil faces a disaster of his personal when his neighbor broadcasts his sudden divorce, main Phil to surprise about his future with Claire. In the meantime, Gloria turns into mad at Jay for an insult about her frequent mispronunciations, and Mitchell wears a dressing up to work and finds himself as the one one dressed up.
Like most Trendy Household episodes, there’s loads of enjoyable and laughs in “Halloween,” but additionally some nice tender moments the primary characters share with each other, proving that — particularly once they’re dysfunctional — they nonetheless handle to tug by means of for each other in the long run.
Different nice Trendy Household Halloween episodes: “Open Home of Horrors,” “Halloween 3: Awesomeland,” “Halloween 4: The Revenge Of Rod Skyhook,” and “The Final Halloween.”
Streaming on Hulu
Malcolm within the Center — “Halloween Roughly” (Season 2, Episode 2)
That is proper, we’re going old-school. Whereas tons of older sitcoms have had Halloween-inspired episodes, from Cheers to Frasier to Full Home, we determined to go along with the cult basic sitcom, Malcolm within the Center, as a result of frankly, we really feel it does not get as a lot credit score because it deserves. With homages to the present paid on the hit MCU present WandaVision, too, we thought there is not any higher time to pay a pleasant little tribute to this underrated household sitcom.
In “Halloween Roughly,” the household’s eldest troublemaking son Francis comes house from army faculty shortly after Halloween, placing the boys’ plans for inflicting mayhem on Halloween in jeopardy. Nevertheless, the boys nonetheless try to trigger just a little mischief by constructing a big slingshot that they plan on firing at unsuspecting neighborhood residents. In the meantime, Hal turns into obsessive about catching the proprietor of a blue sports activities automobile who has been racing down his avenue, quickly recruiting Lois to assist him discover the obnoxious driver.
These days, Malcolm within the Center is almost certainly recognized for its breakout star, Bryan Cranston, whose starring position on Breaking Unhealthy sadly tends to overshadow his earlier comedic work on reveals like this one. Nevertheless, as you will see with this episode, Cranston’s comedic model continues to be a formidable factor to look at, making the character of Hal one in every of essentially the most hysterical tv sitcom dads ever — to not take something away from any of the opposite foremost forged, all of whom are equally hilarious in their very own methods.
Different nice Malcolm within the Center Halloween episodes: “Halloween.”
Streaming on Hulu
South Park — “A Nightmare on Facetime” (Season 16, Episode 12)
As one of many longest-running grownup animated collection at present in manufacturing, South Park has launched some extremely memorable Halloween specials up to now, together with the latest vacation episode “Halloween Particular” (named after a strand of weed that Randy Marsh has grown and is promoting for the autumn season, and that performs a giant issue within the episode).
It was a troublesome resolution narrowing down which of the various entertaining South Park Halloween episodes we wished to decide on for this checklist, however finally, we thought the most effective one was “A Nightmare on Facetime.” On this episode, Randy buys a Blockbuster video retailer and has the household work the vacation shift, regardless of it being 2012 and nobody renting films on DVD anymore.
As he continues to disclaim the influence streaming companies are having on video rental shops, Randy quickly spirals into madness, harking back to Jack Nicholson from The Shining. Whereas this goes on, the boys costume up because the Avengers for Halloween, and are quickly focused by a gaggle of criminals after they fail to cease a theft whereas below the guise of their superhero counterparts.
Though South Park followers may view this one as a controversial selection — with such notable contenders as “Halloween Particular” or “Pinkeye” additionally within the working for the collection’ finest Halloween episode — “A Nightmare on Facetime” episode stays a hilarious spoof of notable films like Avengers and The Shining, in addition to then-current cultural matters just like the persevering with success of streaming companies.
Different nice South Park Halloween episodes: “Evening of the Dwelling Homeless,” “Pinkeye,” “Halloween Particular” and “Sons a Witches.”
Streaming on HBO Max
Seinfeld — “The Frogger” (Season 9, Episode 18)
Technically talking, Seinfeld does not have any episodes which might be strictly Halloween-themed. Nevertheless, there have been a number of episodes within the collection’ run which might be virtually Halloween-themed besides in title alone. The present has had a number of darker episodes that may’ve earned a spot on this checklist, however some are simply both too darkish or downright creepy (as is the case of “The Opera”) to earn a spot among the many different, extra lighthearted Halloween-centric TV present episodes on this checklist.
Season 9’s episode, “The Frogger,” might be the closest the collection has come to producing a balanced Halloween episode. Equal components humorous as it’s creepy (though positively extra of the previous than the latter), “The Frogger” finds George making an attempt to move a classic Frogger arcade sport that he has the excessive rating on from an previous pizza restaurant going out of enterprise, whereas Elaine tries to cover the truth that she has eaten her boss’s costly cake.
The true Halloween-centric ingredient within the episode, although, is Jerry making an attempt to remain one step forward of an notorious serial killer within the neighborhood referred to as the “Lopper.” Whereas which will sound just a little darkish, “The Frogger” nonetheless manages to retain the trademark humorousness present in virtually each Seinfeld episode with out doubling down too closely on the horror features of Jerry’s subplot.
Regardless, it makes for a enjoyable, straightforward watch this Halloween season, particularly as a result of it is the closest Seinfeld ever got here to releasing a full-fledged Halloween-themed particular episode.
Streaming on Netflix
Ultimate Ideas
The Halloween season is a time of 12 months for methods and treats, however it’s additionally a good time for tuning into your favourite TV reveals for a number of the finest seasonal Halloween specials there are. Balancing some basic scares with good old style laughs, there’ve been quite a few TV reveals (particularly sitcoms) up to now few a long time which have launched some implausible Halloween-themed episodes.
Hopefully, this checklist narrows down the countless prospects of what to look at this Halloween season and the place you are at present in a position to stream them. Moreover, we additionally actually loved Brooklyn 99‘s first Halloween particular, “Halloween,” in addition to the fan-favorite cult collection Freaks and Geeks’ “Tips and Treats.”
This text was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Richard Chachowski is a contract author primarily based in New Jersey. He loves studying, his canine Tootsie, and just about each film to ever exist (particularly Star Wars).
