13 Freakishly Good Halloween TV Show Episodes

By Jessica Zischke | 10/31/12 8:00am



  2. Are You Afraid of the Dark: “The Tale of the Twisted Claw” (1990) — This classic series hit off the first of seven seasons with this hair-raising pilot on Halloween of 1991 in the US. Nostalgia and spooks all in one? Yes, please!
  3. How I Met Your Mother: “Slutty Pumpkin” (2005) — With equal parts comedy and romance (well, kind of romance…), this is the perfect throwback to the early episodes of the series that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
  4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Halloween” (1997) — What’s better than dressing up for Halloween? How about actually transforming into your costume? Remember to breathe as this fantastically crafted plot twists and turns its way through the episode.
  5. Friends: “The One with the Halloween Party” (2001) — As always, Friends delivers some serious laughs in this episode. Although it won’t exactly make your skin crawl, this episode will be sure to spread the fun spirit of this holiday.
  6. The Walking Dead: “Days Gone Bye” (2010) — Although not a Halloween-themed show or episode, this post-apocalyptic series aired its pilot on Halloween. Setting a strong scene for the scares to come throughout the season, the first episode is sure to give you the creeps.

  8. Modern Family: “Halloween” (2010) — A perfect combination of comedy, sentimentality and the always-loveable family antics, Modern Family seriously delivers in this episode. With highlights like Gloria’s “English” voice and Cameron’s traumatic Halloween past, only a monster could resist laughter.
  9. That '70s Show: “That '70s Halloween” (1999) — Chock-full of lines that will leave your stomach aching (hey, it’s an ab workout…right?), this episode will remind you exactly why you never stop watching reruns of this classic show.
  10. Beverly Hills, 90210: “Halloween” (1991) — The gang of this original TV phenomenon sport their barely-there costumes for a night of flirts and fun, until one character finds herself in a dangerous situation.
  11. Family Matters: “Stevil” (1996) — Ventriloquist dummies are always creepy…always! This episode proves exactly that when Urkel’s disturbing wooden twin comes to life and terrorizes the family.
  12. 10. Family Matters: “Stevil II: This Time He’s Not Alone” (1997) — What’s worse than one ventriloquist dummy? Two ventriloquist dummies! In this sequel, Stevil is joined by Carlsbad, another evil dummy with a spooky similarity to Carl.
  13. 11. Boy Meets World: “And Then There Was Shawn” (1998) — Somehow, this episode manages to pack references to and parodies of Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, South Park, Scooby-Doo and And Then There Were None into a 20-minute episode that flows perfectly. Watch out though, this will take you right back to the days when you would swoon over Shawn’s luscious locks and beg your parents to change your name to Topanga.
  14. Community: “Epidemiology” (2010) — Only Community could combine zombies, ABBA and cats in a way that makes perfect sense. I repeat: zombies, ABBA and cats. No further explanation needed.
  15. Goosebumps: “The Haunted Mask” (1995) — It’s only fitting that the first episode of this series is an awesomely creepy two-parter released just before Halloween. Although it’s been well over a decade since the show premiered, re-watching this holiday special is sure to make your hair rise up on end and send tingles down your spine.
Tags: arts

Jessica Zischke