Halloween Homepage

📺 TV Specials

One of the best things about the Halloween season is that every show wants to capitalize on the festivities. So many shows put out Halloween specials, and if we're really lucky, we'll even get a good TV movie every so often. Below is a curated list of 13 of my favorite TV movies, specials, and episodes for Halloween fans to look out for.

1. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
   A general classic. I watched it when I was a kid and will continue watching it as an adult.
2. Alice Cooper: The Nightmare (1977)
   This one is a rarity that you most people probably don't remember, but it has Vincent Price, which makes it good enough.
3. Halloween is Grinch Night (1977)
   Everybody knows how the Grinch stole Christmas, but did you know he went trick-or-treating on Halloween night, too?
4. Raggedy Ann and Andy in the Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile (1979)
   I watched this at school once and liked the animation. I'll watch it whenever it comes on TV.
5. Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
   This is an old TV movie my parents recorded off CBS back in the 80s. It's wonderfully creepy and perfect for fall.
6. Thriller (1983)
   Probably the greatest music video of all time, even if it was one of the first. It's got Michael Jackson, werewolves, zombies, and Vincent Price narration. This video has more atmosphere than most horror movies.
7. Tales from the Darkside: Trick or Treat (1983)
   This anthology horror show actually had a few Halloween episodes, but this one was the best.
8. The Midnight Hour (1985)
   Another TV movie from the 80s. This one is a little cheesy, but not without charm.
9. Tales from the Darkside: Halloween Candy (1985)
   Another Halloween episode of Darkside. God, I loved this show. The opening alone gave me the creeps.
10. The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror (1990 to present)
    I can't tell you how much I love these! They began doing annual Halloween episodes since 1990 and they're all amazing. Each one is a goofy take on some scary story, horror movie, or Twilight Zone episode. I have every one of these recorded on tape.
11. The Halloween Tree (1993)
    Based on Ray Bradbury's book about the origins of Halloween, a group of kids has to learn the meaning of Halloween in order to save their friend's life. A very good animated film.
12. Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask (1995)
    These books got all kinds of kids into horror, but this particular episode is about Halloween, which is why it gets on the list.
13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Halloween (1997)
    This Halloween episode is about the characters getting possessed by the costumes they wear. Very fun.