The Best Spooky Halloween TV Episodes Of All Time, From ‘Buffy’ To ‘Community’
Put them on your must-watch list.
‘Tis the season to be spooky and what better way to celebrate than looking back at some of the best Halloween-themed episodes of TV ever?
As someone who grew up in a staunchly anti-Halloween household, Halloween eps were always my envious glimpse at celebrating the holiday. But whether you’re a fan of those Halloween specials that scar you for life, or the one’s that crack you up, everyone loves a Halloween episode. From Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s classic Halloween heists to some forgotten gems buried in your childhood faves, let’s get spoopy.
‘Halloween IV’ — Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The Halloween Heist is a staple of every season of Brooklyn 99 and every ’99 fan has got their favourite. For me, it’s season 4’s Halloween IV episode, not just because of the excellent twist that precedes the heist’s victor, but because it introduces Boyle’s supremely creepy doppelganger, Bill.
‘Mr. Peanutbutter’s Boos’ — Bojack Horseman
After five seasons of teasers and references to Bojack’s infamous Halloween parties, ‘Mr Peanutbutter’s Boos’ shows us four of them in one episode. Over 26 minutes we jump between four different decades, and four different but equally as raucous Halloween bashes at Bojack’s and its a scream.
‘Halloween’ — American Horror Story
Needing very little introduction or justification for its placement on this list, this two-part episode from American Horror Story’s first season is considered some of the scariest television of all time. There’s plenty of iconically terrifying episodes from any and every season, but these two in the first series remain especially scary.
‘The Ghost of Suite 613’ — The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Widely regarded as one of Disney Channel’s greatest television series, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody had plenty of spooky stories over the years. None however was more iconic than Season 1, episode 19. The episode features the classic sayonce sequence in which the spirits place Estoban on hold.
‘Teddy Perkins’ — Atlanta
Not strictly a Halloween special, but nevertheless unforgettably unsettling. Donald Glover’s anthology series centred on a group of friends was groundbreaking. The sixth episode of Season 2 sees Glover wearing whiteface and assuming the creepy persona of Teddy Perkins. I won’t say anymore because it’s best to watch it cold, but it will send shivers down your spine.
‘All-New Halloween Spooktacular!’ — WandaVision
Probably the newest episode on this list, WandaVision was a show all about TV and its 5th episode was a delicious homage to the Halloween special. With every costume an easter egg and a sinister twist unfolding in the episode’s second half, it’s a perfect sitcom Halloween special.
‘Girth’ — Pushing Daisies
You’d expect a show about a piemaker who re-animates the dead to solve crimes would go above and beyond for Halloween — and sure enough, it does not disappoint. Apart from the murderous ghost investigation at the heart of the episode, the autumnal Halloween aesthetics throughout the episode are to die for.
‘Chinga’ — The X-Files
Every day is Halloween for Mulder and Scully aka Mr and Mrs Spooky. While The X-Files has no specific Halloween-themed episodes, Season 5, episode two is considered a Halloween staple. Co-written by Stephen King, the episode sees Mulder and Scully up against a horrifying children’s doll.
‘Trick or Treat, Freak’ — Stranger Things
Another series where every day is Halloween, but Season 2’s second episode was a special blend of Halloween fun and menace. With the boys dressed to the nines as the ghostbusters, it’s also full of ’80s nostalgia to offset the very real monsters that await the kids.
‘Torn Between Two Hannahs’ — Hannah Montana
I used to think this episode was a fever dream I’d had as a child and it wasn’t until I re-binged the series on Disney+ — then I realised it was, indeed, real. Hannah Montana‘s first Halloween episode sees Miley’s identical cousin Luann lock Miley away during a Halloween party so she can pretend to be Hannah Montana. Brilliant stuff.
‘Treehouse of Horror V’ — The Simpsons
As far as Halloween specials go, The Simpsons‘ Treehouse of Horror episodes are beloved classics. Season 6, Episode 6 splits its spooks between Homer’s retelling of The Shining, a toaster turned time machine, and of course, the famous cannibal cafeteria killings.
‘Night of the Day of the Dead’ — Lizzie McGuire
Anyone else remember this classic Lizzie McGuire episode where Lizzie becomes a zombie clown? Season 1, Episode 24 of the series saw some creepy curses take effect after Lizzie’s nemesis, Kate, doesn’t heed Miranda’s warning about respecting the dead.
‘Epidemiology’ — Community
‘Epidemiology’ still stands as one of my favourite Halloween episodes of anything ever. When the Army surplus food the Dean purchased carries a virus that Zombifies, the Greendale gang find themselves in the plot of a zombie movie.
‘Halloween’ — Buffy The Vampire Slayer
No list of Halloween episodes would be complete without the Scoobies. In the series’ ever Halloween episode, Season 2 Episode 6, Sunnydale is at the mercy of a demon who makes everyone become their costume. Buffy becomes a damsel-esque princess, Xander goes full Rambo and, oh yeah, there are some very scary kids that become literal demons.
