I Watch TV for a Living, and These Are the Best Halloween Episodes for a Spooky Night In
From cartoons to sitcoms to dramas.
As someone whose job is to cover all things TV and pop culture, there is something special about seeing Halloween portrayed onscreen. Beyond getting incredible costume ideas from iconic characters, the holiday brings a different kind of energy to television—and it’s fun to see how each series infuses its world with the Halloween spirit.
So, I rounded up the best Halloween TV episodes for a spooky night in. The real beauty of Halloween is that the subject doesn't stay in one genre. You can find someone being spooked in a sitcom just as often as in a drama. Keep reading to take your pick!
"Halloween," Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Noted as the start of the famous Halloween heist, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) bets that he can steal Captain Holt's Medal of Valor. It's an episode full of hijinks and spooks—exactly what we look for on Halloween.
"Halloween," The Office
Please ignore Michael Scott (Steve Carell)'s idea of wearing a bust of his face as the perfect Halloween costume. Though it's definitely a highlight of this Office episode, the truly best part is watching Dwight (Rainn Wilson) give an interview dressed as Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars.
"The One with the Halloween Party," Friends
Chandler (Matthew Perry) is dressed as a pink bunny. Ross (David Schwimmer) tries to be punny with his "Spud-nik" costume. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) can't deal with trick-or-treaters. Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) evil twin makes an appearance. So much happens in 30 minutes.
"And Then There Was Shawn," Boy Meets World
This isn't necessarily a Halloween-centric episode—but we love how the ’90s enjoyed a good slasher moment! In between a Breakfast Club-esque trope and Shawn (Rider Strong) trying to get his best friends back together, the best part of all comes in the form of 9-1-1's Jennifer Love Hewitt, fresh from her role in I Know What You Did Last Summer.
"Trick or Treat, Freak," Stranger Things
Honestly, the entire show should be on this list, given the scary nature of its premise. But this episode has everything you'd want from the holiday, right down to the kids all wearing costumes from Ghostbusters.
"Fear Itself," Buffy the Vampire Slayer
With a show that lives in the undead and mystical, Buffy featured a few episodes surrounding Halloween. In this episode, despite plans for having a normal night, a costume party takes a turn when a demon comes to try and take everyone's lives. Yeah, this would be something Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) would encounter ...
"The Rocky Horror Glee Show," Glee
Inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the episode features the New Directions singing their own versions of hits like "Time Warp" for a school musical. It wouldn’t be Glee if Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) wasn't trying to take down Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) in some shape or form. But the best part of this episode comes from cameos by Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf, who both starred in the original 1975 film.
"Halloween," Frasier
This episode of Frasier is a case of Murphy's Law—what can go wrong, will go wrong. While the episode initially involves Roz (Peri Gilpin) telling Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) she may be pregnant, after enough versions of broken telephone, Frasier ends up dueling Niles (David Hyde Pierce) for Daphne (Jane Leeves)'s hand. Plus, seeing the two doctors dressed up is just hilarious.
"Halloween," Modern Family
Some people are really into Halloween. But Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) in Modern Family takes the cake for her love of the holiday, turning her entire house into a full-blown horror scene. While the episode does present its own set of challenges, it’s a unique take on how Halloween can affect families.
"Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die," That '70s Show
From Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) getting hurt and needing a wheelchair to Donna (Laura Prepon) thinking Eric (Topher Grace) isn't into her anymore, nothing can be deemed normal in this episode. Throw in some bizarre costumes and a nod to Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, something wicked this way comes ...
"The Prank King," Black-ish
Black-ish never fails in giving great comedy and even greater costumes. This episode seamlessly blends both together when the Johnson family competes in an annual Halloween staple of who can pull off the greatest prank of all time.
"A River of Candy Corn Runs Through It," Sabrina the Teenage Witch
With a show based on witches, talking animals and spooky elements, it's natural for the '90s hit to have a Halloween special. But when Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) struggles to hide magic while hosting a teen All Hallow's Eve party, something's bound to go wrong ...WATCH NOW
"Full Bars," Bob's Burgers
Everyone loves candy—even cartoon kids! And when you have the Belchers trying to get some by trick-or-treating in the wealthy neighborhood of King's Head Island, you bet they will find themselves in some sort of trouble. Only this time, it could be the spooky kind.
"Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps," Community
What happens when a group of adult college students find themselves trapped in a room before a Halloween party? Hijinks, that's for sure—and the possibility that someone could have failed a psychological exam.
"Halloween," New Girl
On Halloween in season 2, the gang faces their ultimate fear: committing to serious relationships.
"Treehouse of Horror IV," The Simpsons
You can't have a best Halloween TV episodes list without an iconic moment from The Simpsons! With references to the Twilight Zone, Dracula and Peanuts, fans will definitely see why we made sure to include at least one episode on the list.
"Greg Pikitis," Parks and Recreation
Ann (Rashida Jones) has high hopes for a Halloween party. But she doesn’t anticipate her friends trying to track down the town's resident prankster and convincing him to not defame a town landmark. Typical Halloween night for Pawnee, Indiana.
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"Tricks and Treats," Freaks and Geeks
Sometimes, Halloween just doesn't go anybody's way. Such is the case for this holiday-themed episode, where neither kid nor parent can get it together in time for the costume-themed day.
"Mr. Peanutbutter's Boos," BoJack Horseman
Four Halloween celebrations, all happening between 1993 and 2018. While this episode of BoJack Horseman may revolve around Mr. Peanutbutter's annual party, its true focus deals with mistakes and regrets from years past.
"Stone Mountain," 30 Rock
With the cast and crew of TGS with Tracy Jordan getting ready to celebrate Halloween, Liz (Tina Fey) and Jack (Alec Baldwin) decide to visit Kenneth's (Jack McBrayer) hometown to find a new cast member in "real America." Does anything go to plan? You guessed it—nope.
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