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20 Best Halloween TV Episodes From All of Your Favorite Shows
Watch them in October, or any time of year! 👻
October is a month of fun costumes, Halloween parties, and lots of candy—and yes, we want our television consumption to reflect that, too! 😂 We'll definitely be streaming those classic Halloween movies, that's for sure. But we don't want to knock TV shows that also have some great Halloween content! That said, we've listed the best Halloween TV episodes from our favorite shows and series! Whether you're looking for a funny TV sitcom or something spooky, read on for all the Halloween episodes to watch this fall.
There are so many shows that have specials dedicated to Halloween. Sitcoms like Friends and The Office have multiple Halloween-themed episodes that skirt the scares and give us a some good laughs instead. (Who could forget Michael Scott's two-headed costume or Ross Geller's punny twist on Sputnik?) Meanwhile, series like Pretty Little Liars and Buffy the Vampire Slayer go all in all on the chills and thrills in their Halloween episodes. (You might not want to watch these right before bedtime!)
Some Halloween episodes are so good that they're among the shows' most iconic episodes. Just look at Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Halloween heist tradition! Anytime is the right time to give these specials a stream— just be sure to have some of these Halloween appetizers when you do!
Freaks and Geeks — "Tricks and Treats"
Say hello to '80s costumes, angsty teens, and childhood nostalgia! Freaks and Geeks may have only gone on one season, but each episode was golden, including this Halloween special that centered around Sam, Bill, and Neal and their decision to trick-or-treat one last time before "growing up."
The Vampire Diaries — "Haunted"
Vicky is a newish vampire, which means her thirst for blood is strong! But that's honestly the least of her concerns—because the Halloween party is coming up, and there's sure to be loads of drama...
Stranger Things — “Trick or Treat, Freak”
Stranger Things as a whole is already creepy, but this episode specifically just screams Halloween! It sees Will and his crew go trick-or-treating, where they receive a load of candy, plus something a little more sinister.
My So-Called Life — "Halloween"
No one actually thinks summoning the spirit from a deceased person is a good idea. Yet, it's exactly what Angela (Claire Danes) and her friends do when they find out a student at their school died within its walls some decades prior. What happens after makes them all regret it!
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody — "The Ghost of Suite 613"
Haunted hotels are nothing but a myth. That's what Zach, Cody, and the rest of gang tell themselves, at least. Their confidence on that claim starts to dwindle when a ghost finally makes an appearance, scaring the socks off of everyone!
The Office — "Halloween"
How does Micheal Scott celebrate Halloween? By finally firing an employee (a task he has put off for the entire month). Oh, and his two-headed Halloween costume will haunt you for years to come. 😂
Buffy the Vampire Slayer — "Fear Itself"
What was supposed to be a fun Halloween party quickly takes a turn for the terrifying after the hosts accidentally summon some evil spirits. Now, the Scoobies are forced to face their biggest fears— all on their own.
Friends — “The One with the Halloween Party”
The prolific hit show only had one Halloween-themed episode, but why mess with perfection? Between Ross' punny Spudnik costume, Rachel's unfortunate encounter with trick-or-treaters, and Ross and Chandler's epic arm wrestling match, this Halloween episode is one for the books.
Grey's Anatomy — "Flowers Grow Out Of My Grave"
This emotional episode follows Meredith Grey as she treats a patient whose family is celebrating Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that reunites the living and the dead. The encounter leads Meredith to remember all the people she's lost in her own life, including Derek (Patrick Dempsey), Lexi (Chyler Leigh), and Ellis (Kate Burton).
30 Rock — "Stone Mountain"
Halloween is just the B-plot (but still a funny one!) in this 30 Rock episode that follows Liz and Jack on a visit to Kenneth's hometown of Stone Mountain, Georgia to find a comedian who represents “real America."
Modern Family — "Halloween"
This Emmy-winning series has seven episodes dedicated solely to Halloween, giving us all the hilarious and spooky content we need this October. The first one, however, takes the cake. No better episode introduces the quirky dynamic of this cast.
Boy Meets World — "And Then There Was Shawn"
Get ready for a comedic fright fest you'll never forget! Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Angela all end up in detention—but that's the least of their worries when they discover a killer is sneaking through the halls.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Okay, so this one is a Halloween special, not a TV episode but we couldn't resist throwing in some fun, family-friendly content to lighten the mood. In this beloved classic, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang attend a Halloween party—well, everyone except Linus, who spends the night waiting for a pumpkin patch miracle.
Pretty Little Liars — “The First Secret”
This series as a whole is intense and somewhat haunting. So, it only makes sense that all of its Halloween episodes go the extra mile. This one takes us back to the year before Ali's disappearance, giving us clues about what really happened that night.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch — "A River of Candy Corn Runs Through It"
Honestly, any episode of this bewitching show could be considered a Halloween episode. That didn't stop the writers from leaning into the holiday with a magical Halloween party complete with talking furniture, a river of candy corn, and a special appearance by the band 10,000 Maniacs.
Parks and Recreation — “Halloween Surprise”
It's Halloween in Pawnee and Leslie Knope is in for the surprise of a lifetime!
M*A*S*H — "Trick or Treatment"
M*A*S*H is known for successfully balancing satire and drama, and this Halloween episode is no exception. As the doctors get in the spirit by dressing up, they are presented with some serious war injuries that need their attention.
Cheers — “Fairy Tales Can Come True”
What better place to celebrate Halloween than the bar where everybody knows your name? For Cliff, the evening becomes even more magical when he sparks a romance with "Tinkerbell."
Brooklyn Nine-Nine — "Halloween"
Like many other series on this list, Brooklyn 99 has several Halloween episodes for your viewing pleasure. But the show's first stab at it just had to make this list. The quest to be named "The Ultimate Detective/Genius" becomes an annual tradition in the series, making this episode one of the most memorable in the show's history.
Little House on the Prairie — “The Monster of Walnut Grove”
This family show gave viewers an unexpected scare when this episode aired in 1976. What starts as a fun Halloween prank quickly turns into a nightmare for Laura.
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content daily.
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