The 20 Best Halloween TV Episodes of All Time

As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things spooky and entertaining, I’ve spent countless Halloweens binge-watching some truly enchanting TV shows. Among these, there are a few Halloween episodes that stand out as the epitome of autumnal delight.

This story was originally published on Oct. 3, 2019. We are republishing it ahead of Halloween.

Despite its delightful eerie appeal, Halloween can sometimes become a hectic celebration. The stress of selecting an impressive costume, the expectation to confront frightening experiences such as haunted attractions or nerve-wracking films, and the challenge of securing the finest treats are just a few aspects that might make it feel overwhelming.

People seeking a more laid-back approach to enjoy fall’s most exciting holiday might consider immersing themselves in a marathon viewing of the top Halloween episodes on TV. Given that the holiday has sparked some of the most unforgettable holiday specials, it’s worth revisiting classics like the Friends episode where Monica and Chandler host an eventful costume party complete with intense arm-wrestling matches, or heartwarming moments from Halloween episodes of Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which feature proposals that tug at the heartstrings.

Here’s a run-down of the best Halloween TV episodes of all time, presented in alphabetical order.

Bob’s Burgers S4E2: “Fort Night”

In “Fort Night”, there are no costumes, candies, or typical Halloween jokes to create excitement. Instead, the Belcher kids, along with their friends – the Pesto twins and Darryl – fail in their attempt to gather the best candy in the neighborhood. Initially, they’re trapped inside their fort by a truck, followed by Louise’s arch-rival Millie. Despite being unable to go trick-or-treating this year, they manage to get their sweet fix by playing a mischievous prank on Millie instead.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine S5E4: “HalloVeen”

It’s well-known that the police officers and detectives from Brooklyn Nine-Nine are big fans of Halloween – so much so, they even have an annual Halloween Heist! This event sees them dividing into teams to either execute or thwart a plan. In this year’s fifth annual Halloween Heist, one of the tradition’s founders, Jake, uses the complex competition as an opportunity to propose to his longtime detective partner and girlfriend, Amy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S4E4: “Fear, Itself”

An ordinary Buffy episode often matches the spookiness level of a Halloween special on other series, but “Fear, Itself” significantly intensified the scare factor for the group. In this instance, each character confronts their most profound personal fears during a college fraternity party that transforms into a night of the undead.

Cheers S3E4: “Fairy Tales Can Come True”

A recurring joke in the TV show “Cheers” often centered around postman Cliff’s love life, which made the episode titled “Fairy Tales Can Come True” all the more touching. During this episode, the regular patrons of Cheers find themselves witnessing an unexpected connection between Cliff (dressed as Ponce de Leon) and a woman dressed as Tinker Bell. Their shared enjoyment of each other’s company extended so far that they ended up closing the bar together. Despite multiple instances of hesitation, they eventually agreed to meet again in their normal attire the following night. However, both parties were too nervous to follow through several times before finally connecting – and when they did, it was a heartfelt romantic moment not soon forgotten.

Curb Your Enthusiasm S2E3: “Trick or Treat”

In “Trick or Treat,” Larry David’s peculiar and anxious side is clearly shown as he stubbornly refuses to hand out Halloween candy to two teenagers who aren’t dressed up. Not surprisingly, this leads to trouble, with his house being egged, toilet-papered, and damaged being just the tip of the iceberg of his problems.

Frasier S5E3: “Halloween”

At Frasier and Niles’ literature-inspired Halloween bash, a disagreement between the siblings arises due to a humorously mixed-up situation with Roz, causing Niles to suspect that there might be more to his brother’s feelings for Daphne than initially thought.

Freaks and Geeks S1E3: “Tricks and Treats”

In the Halloween episode of “Freaks and Geeks,” titled “Trick and Treats,” growing pains are particularly intense as Sam and his friends yearn to revisit the innocence of their youth by going trick-or-treating one last time. Unfortunately, they face some obstacles along the way: a tormentor, and an unexpected run-in with Sam’s sister Lindsay, who’s out causing mischief that night.

Friends S8E6: “The One With the Halloween Party”

In “The Halloween Party Episode,” Monica and Chandler host a costume bash where the group gathers. However, the evening takes an unexpectedly emotional turn as several friends face their personal struggles. While a pink rabbit costume stirs up Chandler’s sensitivity, Phoebe encounters challenges with her mischievous twin Ursula. Rachel, who is expecting, thinks collecting candy from trick-or-treaters will let her explore her maternal instincts – but events don’t unfold as anticipated.

Gilmore Girls S6E7: “Twenty-One Is the Loneliest Number”

This episode of Gilmore Girls primarily serves as a backdrop for Rory’s 21st birthday, her strained relationships with her mom and best friend Lorelai, but it also delves deeply into the extraordinary peculiarities of their hometown, Stars Hollow, highlighting how Halloween intensifies these characteristics.

Glee S2E5: “The Rocky Horror Glee Show”

In the Halloween-themed episode of Glee, the characters adopted roles from the 1975 cult movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The students assumed the legendary personas of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Janet, Brad, and more, while Mr. Schue, Emma Pillsbury, and her boyfriend Carl (portrayed by guest star John Stamos) grappled with their love triangle. Devotees of the original production swiftly recognized that the actual Brad and Eddie, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf, made appearances in the special.

Grey’s Anatomy S4E5: “Haunt You Every Day”

Meredith grapples with her past as she senses her deceased mother’s influence in various scenarios. To find solace, she takes her mother’s ashes to the hospital. Eventually, Meredith finds peace with her surgeon mother. However, there are other happenings at Seattle Grace on Halloween: a patient with an unexplained ‘haunted’ foot, an abundance of chainsaws, and a boy in search of replacement ears.

How I Met Your Mother S7E8: “The Slutty Pumpkin Returns”

In the 7th season’s Halloween episode of the series, common man Ted Mosby encounters his long-sought sweetheart (portrayed by Katie Holmes) again. Their first encounter was at a rooftop Halloween bash ten years prior, where she donned a “Sexy Pumpkin” costume. After that night and losing the candy containing her number, Ted has been on a continuous quest to find her. However, when he does, reality deviates from his expectations.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia S6E7: “Who Got Dee Pregnant?”

In an inventive twist, the group from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” creatively incorporated actress Kaitlin Olson’s real-life pregnancy into a grand Halloween special. As usual, events didn’t unfold as planned. Although the episode was broadcast during Halloween week, it wasn’t set on Halloween but in a series of flashbacks to past Halloweens. When the guys tease Dee about her weight gain, she nonchalantly reveals that she conceived at the previous year’s Halloween bash with one of them. The remainder of the episode is a thrilling journey through each character’s blurry memories and interpretations, as they scramble to find witnesses who can provide accounts of what truly transpired that fateful night.

Modern Family S2E6: “Halloween”

After being on the air for as many years as “Modern Family”, there’s no lack of Halloween episodes, especially given Claire Dunphy’s passion for Halloween. However, it’s the series’ initial Halloween episode that remains most heartwarming because it sets up the unique characters of the Dunphy-Pritchard family, showcasing their quirks as they navigate Claire’s particularly spooky Haunted House creation.

Parks and Recreation S5E5: “Halloween Surprise”

If anyone is passionate about a particular topic, it’s Leslie Knope. However, not even her optimistic nature could maintain its usual cheer during a themed party, as she learned that her partner Ben received a job offer which could potentially strain their relationship. Fear not, for the title’s “surprise” is accompanied by an unexpected turn – one that is heartwarming rather than frightening – when Ben proposes to Leslie, strengthening their bond and making them one of the most adorable power couples in all of Indiana.

Stranger Things S2E2: “Trick or Treat, Freak”

In the realm of unearthly excitement, it’s expected that Stranger Things would deliver a chilling Halloween episode. This one was indeed spooktacular, with haunting glimpses into the Upside Down, ominous hints of the Demogorgon, and a puzzling creature discovered in a garbage bin. However, amidst the fear, there was a charming moment that stood out: true to the show’s 1980s nostalgia theme, the boys dressed up as the lovable Ghostbusters for Halloween.

The Office S7E6: “Costume Contest”

Among all the humorous Halloween episodes in The Office, “Costume Contest” stands out as a clear favorite due to its intense dramatic moments and visual stunts. When the news of a costume contest spreads, the employees in Scranton get competitive about who can create the best costume (who could forget Gabe’s extravagant Lady Gaga impersonation?). However, the excitement surrounding the costume contest pales in comparison to the growing tension between Michael and Darryl, making this episode a memorable one.

The Simpsons S6E6: “Treehouse of Horror V, The Shinning”

The Simpsons outshine others when it comes to Halloween specials; their writers coin the term “Treehouse of Horror” for these annual episodes. The wit and satire in the show are polished to perfection, especially in “Treehouse of Horror V: The Shinning,” a clever parody of The Shining. Instead of Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance, it’s Homer who goes mad, but unlike Jack, his insanity is triggered by the lack of cable and beer – a fitting twist given his character.

The Twilight Zone S5E6: “Living Doll”

Although “The Twilight Zone” didn’t produce any specific Halloween specials, it has become a popular choice among Halloween fans, with marathons frequently played in the lead-up to the holiday. One of the episodes that are often highlighted for capturing the chilling essence the series is known for is “Living Doll,” a spine-tingling story about a doll seeking revenge against an unkind owner. Annabel finds this particularly unsettling!

2024-10-21 22:07