Article contributed by Ailish Brassil
October is the spooky season with tricks, treats, and terror filling the air. It’s also when ghosts, ghouls, and supernatural beings make themselves known. Halloween is the perfect time for horror films and TV specials with most TV shows having at least one Halloween themed episode, while others have more and sometimes these episodes are linked. Here are a variety of fun and scary episodes from 31 TV shows, so sit back, relax and enjoy watching your favourite characters on this frightening feast day!
1. Friends: The One with the Halloween Party (Season 8 Episode 6)
Halloween arrives in New York as Monica and Chandler throw a costume party for the gang. Chandler has a costume mishap resulting in him wearing a pink bunny costume, Joey comes as Chandler, Phoebe as Supergirl, Monica as Catwoman and Ross as “Spud-Nik”, Rachel wears a fancy dress before she can no longer fit in it due to her pregnancy. Her maternal feelings cause her to give out all the candy resorting to giving money instead. Sean Penn guest stars as Ursula’s fiancé.
2. Modern Family: Halloween, The Last Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6, Season 11 Episode 5)
Spooky season is a big deal in suburban Los Angeles resulting in seven different Halloween episodes in this series. The first Halloween episode showcases Claire’s love for Halloween as she turns her home into an elaborate haunted house for trick or treaters. Mitchell goes to work dressed up as Spiderman with unexpected results, Cameron repeatedly tells a traumatic childhood story of why he is scared of Halloween. Meanwhile Gloria starts talking with an English accent. This episode marks the 30th episode overall. In the final Halloween episode, the audience sees Phil trying to scare Claire until he eventually succeeds. Alex and Luke both go through a break up and Gloria wins a Drag Queen contest. (See also Season 4 Episode 5, S6 E6, S8 E5, S9 E5, S10 E5)
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Halloween (Season 1 Episode 6)
This episode starts an iconic Halloween tradition in the precinct between Jake and Captain Holt that continues throughout every season. Jake bets Holt he can steal his Medal of Valor from Holt’s locked office before midnight. His efforts are hilarious. Amy and Charles have to go undercover in costume much to her dismay and Terry discovers Rosa’s secret. Although this episode is not particularly scary, it is fun to watch these beloved characters celebrate Halloween. (See also Season 2 Episode 4, S3 E5, S4 E5, S5 E4, S6 E16)
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Halloween, Fear Itself, All the Way (Season 2 Episode 6, Season 4 Episode 4, Season 6 Episode 6)
Being the chosen one means Buffy fights off Vampires on a day-to-day basis alongside any other demon that decides to rise up over Sunnydale. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are three Halloween episodes across the seven seasons. The first Halloween episode takes place when the gang are still in high school: the costume shop owner performs a spell that turns everyone who bought their costume from him into their characters, for example, Buffy loses her slaying powers and becomes a weak debutante in her pretty dress. The second episode is at a college haunted house frat party where everyone’s worst fears come to life and the third showcases Buffy’s role as a parent in her sister Dawn’s life. Regardless of Halloween, these three episodes are worth a rewatch as they show Buffy’s character development from high school student, college student and legal guardian.
5. The Vampire Diaries: Haunted, The Five (Season 1 Episode 7, Season 4 Episode 4)
Mystic Falls is home to vampires, hybrids, doppelgangers, werewolves and witches: everyday is like Halloween. However, there are two specific episodes in the series to note: the first takes place at a Halloween dance at the high school. Vicki, Jeremy’s girlfriend, is a new vampire with an addictive personality but Stefan kills her because she attacked Elena. Damon compels Jeremy to forget about Vicki. Stefan’s good guy personality and Damon’s bad boy persona are played against each other in both of these episodes and the rest of the series. In Season 4, Damon dressed as Jack the Ripper with Elena and Bonnie as his victims attend a Halloween frat party at Whitmore College. Damon helps Elena master her new bloodlust and she begins to feel things she shouldn’t. *blares feel so close by Calvin Harris* Meanwhile, Klaus acts as a puppeteer controlling Stefan and tortures Connor, a vampire hunter belonging to the group, The Five.
6. Pretty Little Liars: The First Secret, This is a Dark Ride, Grave New World. (Season 2 Episode 13, Season 3 Episode 13, Season 4 Episode 13)
Anonymous texts from a creepy stalker that knows way too much about you and your friends is enough to scare anyone on a regular day. Therefore, these Halloween specials are extra terrifying. It also cannot be a coincidence that each Halloween special falls on the thirteenth episode. This first episode is a prequel to the pilot. The Halloween before Ali goes missing, Alison and the girls get invited to Noel Kahn’s Halloween party until a worrying text from Alison causes the liars to leave and go to an abandoned house. The next episode unfolds on a terrifying ghost train with the girls dressed up as Marilyn Monroe, Daisy Buchanan, Marie Slim Browning and Barbarella with interference from A. The last Halloween episode takes place first in a graveyard, then underground tunnels which leads the girls to a creepy old mansion. The end of the episode confirms that Alison is alive and wants to come home to Rosewood.
7. One Tree Hill: An Attempt to Tip the Scales, Not Afraid (Season 3 Episode 4, Season 8 Episode 6).
Tric is the perfect setting for Halloween in both of these episodes. In the first, a masquerade ball leads everyone to dress up as who they would like to be rather than who they are. For example, Hayley dresses up as Sandy from Grease. Stolen kisses, practical jokes and commitment issues are at the heart of this episode as Fall Out Boy perform. In the second one, although in their adult life, the gang enjoy an open mic night at Tric on Halloween with some funny costumes as Julian arrives as a Dalmatian with his mother as Cruella and Hayley comes as herself in high school; a pregnant cheerleader.
8. Ugly Betty: The Lyin, the Watch and the Wardrobe (Season 1 Episode 5)
The Suarez house is transformed with Halloween decorations by Ignacio. Betty arrives at Mode dressed as a butterfly for the costume contest only to learn that Marc only sent the email to her. She takes it in her stride and decides she has won. Marc finds a new way to make fun of Betty by dressing up as her. Henry, secretly dressed as Superman, grows closer to Betty, much to Walter’s dismay. Amanda tries to get her claws into Daniel by keeping his watch from their night together but Betty figures it out. Meanwhile, Daniel visits Claire in rehab and Wilhelmina’s wicked witch personality thrives in this episode as she can’t fit into a designer gown and has been slandered for dating a younger man.
9. Sabrina the Teenage Witch: A River of Candy Corn Runs Through It (Season 2 Episode 31)
This tv show has many Halloween themed episodes to choose from due to the realm between living and the dead being at its weakest on All Hallows Eve. Also, it being Hilda and Zelda Spellman’s favourite holiday. Episode 31 shows an unexpected Halloween party being thrown at Sabrina’s enchanted house for all of her fellow, mortal students. Although she was the last to know, Sabrina decides to let the party go ahead. The arrival of talking furniture, Ghouls from the closet, termites, overflowing cauldrons, and an attention seeking, talking cat make this Halloween party one to remember. (See also Season 1 Episode 5, S3 E56, S4 E81, S5 E103, S6 E120, 123)
10. How I Met Your Mother: The Slutty Pumpkin, The Slutty Pumpkin Returns (Season 1 Episode 6, Season 7 Episode 8)
Although there are three Halloween episodes in this series, the first and the last are the ones to note because they are linked. The first Halloween episode of the series highlights Ted’s hopeless romantic personality trait as he goes to the party on the roof hoping he will meet this girl in a slutty pumpkin costume four years earlier. Marshall and Lily enter the costume contest as a parrot and a Captain Sparrow character at MacLaren’s and win with surprising results. Barney must change his costume multiple times as his pick up lines keep failing him. Robin doesn’t like to share which causes Mike to break up with her. The last Halloween episode is a continuation of the first as the title suggests, The Slutty Pumpkin Returns. Ted discovers the slutty pumpkin costume in a shop window and finds out the identity of the girl, Naomi (guest star Katie Holmes). They begin dating until they both agree they have no chemistry and break up. Barney’s worst nightmare comes through as Robin discovers he is one quarter Canadian. (See also Season 6 Episode 7)
11. New Girl: Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6)
This Halloween episode marks the 20th episode in the series. Jess goes to work at a haunted house, dressed up as a zombie. She develops feelings for Dr Sam even though their relationship was meant to be just physical. Nick is stressed out because his college crush, Amelia, is coming to visit him. He also faces his fear of haunted houses with entertaining results. Schimdt tries to get close to Cece but realises she’s happy with Robby. Winston and Shelby fight about their costumes. (See also Season 3 episode 6)
12. Desperate Housewives: Now I Know, Don’t be Scared (Season 4 Episode 6)
Halloween arrives on Wisteria Lane with consequences for all. Gaby continues her affair with Carlos while trying to break up with potential governor candidate Victor. Bree forbids Danielle from attending Bob and Lee’s Halloween party because she’s pregnant. In true Danielle fashion, she disobeys and her water breaks at the party. Lynette beats cancer but becomes obsessed with a possum in the garden. Edie’s biggest fear comes through as Carlos ends their relationship. Susan meets a living ghost, Mike’s father, who she thought was dead. Secrets past, present and future come to light on Halloween night. (See also Season 7 episode 6)
13. Sister, Sister: Halloween (Season 3 Episode 7)
In an effort to be different, both Tia and Tamera buy the most outrageous costume they can find only to end up dressed the same as each other. The twins borrow Roger’s brand new Mercedes convertible to drop their friends at a Halloween rave even though they are grounded. The girls end up at the Canada US border and on the late night news leading to a hilarious reaction from a furious Ray in his pink bunny costume.
14. Glee: Rocky Horror Glee Show (Season 2 Episode 5)
Music and holidays go hand in hand. McKinley’s high school Glee club pays tribute to the 1973 Rocky Horror Picture Show Musical. Carl and Emma attend a midnight screening of the film which prompts Will’s decision to make this the school play. Finn and Rachel are cast as the leads but Finn struggles with body image issues due to his role. With the play cancelled, Glee performed it for themselves. Seven cover songs are featured in this episode, ending with the Glee club singing Time Warp.
15. Stranger Things: Trick or Treat, Freak (Season 2 Episode 2)
There is a clue in the title that ‘strange things’ are always happening in the town of Hawkins. Halloween is no different. The boys dress up as Ghostbusters paying homage to the film at that time while nobody else at school is in costume. That’s a nightmare in itself. The kids continue to fight monsters from the upside down in this spooky episode filled with 80’s references.
16. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: The Ghost in Suite 613 (Season 1 Episode 19)
Since Stephen King’s The Shining and subsequent film version, hotels can have a creepy element with abandoned rooms, long corridors and basements. In this episode, The Tipton hotel is the perfect setting to discover a haunted room. After Muriel tells a ghost story about suite 613, Zack, Cody, London, Maddie and Esteban decide to spend the night. Esteban holds a séance, Arwin detects paranormal activity while the rest of the gang wait patiently to hear from ghost Irene.
17. Bones: Mummy in the Maze (Season 3 Episode 5)
Bones episodes mainly consist of finding human remains in a strange situation. This episode is like every other one with an added Halloween twist. At a Halloween hay maze, a mummified corpse was found by a lost kid. A second body shows up at Shoreline Amusement Park and Booth and Bones rescue another girl from becoming the third body. There’s a Halloween party for the Jeffersonian Institute which Cam insists everyone must go to because there will be sponsors in attendance. Booth is dressed up as a squint and Bones is Wonder Woman. What a team.
18. Teen Wolf: Illuminated (Season 3 Episode 16)
Werewolves are the first supernatural species introduced to Beacon Hills although it is home to other mysterious beings. A power outage puts a curfew on the town, however, Danny and Ethan manage to throw a blacklight Halloween party in Derek’s empty loft. The mystery surrounding the hooded figures is still at large as Ethan and Lydia are attacked and marked in the same way Isaac was; with a reverse number 5 as the symbol. This is a good episode to watch before the upcoming film.
19. American Horror Story: Murder House (Season 1 Episode 4, 5)
Each episode of AHS is scary but the two part Halloween special highlights the fine line between the living and the dead: the ghosts of anyone who died in the murder house can finally leave on Halloween night. Five mangled teens from a school shooting haunt Tate to find out why he killed them while he’s on a date with Violet. After seeing an ultrasound of Vivien’s baby, the doctor collapses leading the audience to believe there is something seriously wrong. Ouija boards, the return of the rubber man, and the revelation that Constance is Tate’s mother sums up some of the action.
20. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air: Hex and the Single Guy (Season 4 Episode 7)
Bel Air is bewitched on this scary holiday as the Banks’ family attend a séance with a spiritualist to help Hilary make contact with Trevor, her dead fiancé. Will’s scepticism leads to a hex being put on the whole family as they all experience bouts of bad luck. The next morning, Will wakes up thinking it was a bad nightmare until the day begins to repeat itself. (See also Season 1 Episode 8,9)
21. Dawson’s Creek: Four Scary Stories (Season 5 Episode 9)
Joey, Jack, and Pacey return to Grams’ house unsatisfied after seeing a horror film. Joey suggests maybe she can’t be scared anymore which is music to Jack and Pacey’s ears as they play a prank on her. To prove she’s not as scared as they think, she tells them a frightening story that happened to her. The boys follow suit and in true Grams fashion, she joins in and tells the scariest story of all, Jennifer’s story. The episode flashbacks to the time of each of their stories. Jen takes over Charlie’s (Chad Michael Murray) radio station on Halloween night and horror ensues. Gram’s retelling leaves Jack, Joey, and Pacey terrified. (See also Season 1 Episode 11, S3 E7, S6 E6)
22. That’s So Raven: Don’t Have A Cow (Season 2 Episode 2)
Raven and Chelsea find an old spell book in grandma Viv’s old trunk. They perform a spell and wish for an invite to Alana’s Halloween party. After the first spell works, they perform another to have the best costumes. However, a mishap during the potion making causes them to start developing cow features. Raven didn’t see this coming as she’s got cow ears and Chelsea’s got a tail. They rush to the party to stop the spell before they turn into livestock. Meanwhile, Cory decides he’s old enough to go trick or treating with his friends rather than his parents.
23. Hannah Montana: Torn Between Two Hannahs (Season 1 Episode 17)
Deception and mistaken identities take over Malibu in this Halloween special. Robby Ray’s niece, Luann, who looks like Miley, comes to visit from Tennessee. At first, she fools everyone (except Miley) with her sweet and innocent act. She ties Miley up and leaves her in the closet then goes to a party dressed as Hannah with an unsuspecting Lola. Terrified she’s going to ruin her secret, Miley escapes and rushes to the party. The two Hannah’s get mixed up and it’s up to Lily and Oliver to determine who’s the real Miley. Meanwhile, Jackson and Bobby Ray are annoying their neighbours with their Halloween decorations.
24. The Big Bang Theory: The Middle Earth Paradigm (Season 1 Episode 6)
Penny throws a Halloween costume party and invites the gang which is a test of their social skills. After The Flash costume disaster, they must change outfits: Leonard is Frodo, Raj is a Norse God Thor, Sheldon is The Doppler Effect and Howard is Robin Hood. Penny kisses Leonard for the first time. Although this Halloween episode is not scary, it is fun to watch. (See also S2 E6, S6 E5, S12 E6).
25. This is Us: The 20’s (Season 2 Episode 6)
Halloween is here and the Pearson family are back in this fun filled flashback episode. It shows the big three at aged ten and then again in their twenties. Jack and Rebecca take the kids trick or treating dressed as Sonny and Cher while Kate is Sandy from Grease, Kevin is a cigar-smoking bum and Randall is Michael Jackson. The big three struggle in their twenties: Beth and Randall are awaiting the birth of baby Tess not long after Randall’s nervous breakdown; Kate is working as a waitress and involved with a married man and Kevin attempts to steal an acting role from his roommate and friend. Miguel reaches out to Rebecca for the first time in years. There are no present day scenes as this episode offers an insightful journey into the past lives of Kate, Kevin and Randall on Halloween.
26. Supernatural: Family Remains (Season 4 Episode 11)
Having already discussed the Salvatore brothers, it’s time to talk about the Winchester brothers: monster hunting duo Dean and Sam. In this episode, they investigate the appearance of a ghost girl after a man called Bill Gibson was murdered in a locked room in an abandoned house. His wife died in childbirth, and his daughter hung herself in this attic. The boys try to warn the Carter family who are going to move into the house but they don’t pay any attention until their son, Danny, is kidnapped through the walls. Disturbing facts about the Gibson family makes this a horrifying episode.
27. Once Upon A Time: The Doctor (Season 2 Episode 5)
Storybrooke becomes home to a new monster, Frankenstein, otherwise known as Dr Whale, in this episode. Frankenstein is the first character to appear from literature that is not for children. The scene in the lab is a reference to the 1931 film, Frankenstein. In the present day, Dr Whale wants Regina’s help in bringing his brother back but she refuses because she’s trying not to use magic for Henry’s sake. Dr Whale revives Regina’s first love Daniel Colter by giving him an enchanted heart with disastrous results. Torn Limbs, hearts inserted and removed and an ogre massacre is just a part of the action in this episode.
28. 13 Reasons Why: Tape 2 Side B (Season 1 Episode 4)
The ghost of Hannah haunts every episode of this show as the audience are brought through her thought process before her death. This episode takes place on Halloween. It focuses on the character Tyler Down who is on the fourth tape which documents the reasons Hannah committed suicide. He was stalking Hannah and taking unwanted pictures of her. He took a picture of her and Courtney Crimsen kissing and showed everyone at school which ended the girls’ friendship. Clay helps to clean the outside of Hannah’s house as it has been toilet papered and chats with her mom. He delivers his own form of revenge by sending a naked picture of Tyler to the whole school.
29. Heartland: The Haunting of Hanley Barn (Season 3 Episode 4)
Hooded figures, thunder crashing and a power cut make this episode a spooky one. Hudson’s favourite ghost story takes place at Hanley barn. Mr Hanley’s horses are being spooked at night by the supposed ghost that’s been haunting the place. During a thunderstorm, Ty and Amy spend the night keeping an eye on the horses while Caleb, Soraya and Ashley try to frighten them. A tragic love story from years ago comes to light at the end.
30. That 70’s Show: Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die (Season 3 Episode 4)
Hitchcock’s horror influence infiltrates Point Place Wisconsin as the gang fall victim to different comic spoofs from the films. Laurie attacks Kelso in the shower while her red shampoo goes down the drain. Fez thinks Bob killed Midge and disposed of her body. Eric has vertigo after falling from the garage roof and Kitty is left in charge of birds which does not end well. (See also Season 2 Episode 5)
31. Dynasty : Wild Ghost Chase (Season 3 Episode 3)
The Carringtons have a flair for the dramatics and this Halloween spectacle lives up to their reputation. What better way to celebrate the scary season than with a party at the manor. Fallon is dressed as Marie Antoinette and Adam is Louis XVI and ironically they both end up in Halloween cake following their fight. After his sister’s body is found in the Carrington Lake a few episodes back, Evan destroys Fallon’s garden which is part of her community service to try and ensure she goes to jail but later apologises.
