Halloween is quickly approaching, as is the weekend – a perfect time to watch some festive TV and movies. There have been many shows to do festive specials over the years. I was putting together a list of some of my favorites to watch, so I thought I’d share my top 7:
#7 – The Office, “Halloween”
While I have my issues with the direction the show has been heading recently, this episode from the show’s second season was one of my favorites. “3 Hole-Punch Jim” is just classic. I also appreciated that the episode had fun with Halloween but still moved the plot along.
My not-so-frightening pumpkin carving this year.
#6 – It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
This is considered a classic by so many people that I just couldn’t leave it off my list. This and the Christmas special are the definitely best of the Peanuts series. Linus is just too adorable – great family TV.
#5 – Sabrina the Teenage Witch, “Good Will Haunting”
Sabrina was one of, if not, my favorite TV shows as a kid. They did a Halloween special almost every season, but this one from season 3 is definitely the one that stuck with me. The”Molly Dolly” toy that terrorizes Sabrina and her friends was totally creepy.
#4 – The Walking Dead, “Days Gone Bye”
While not technically a Halloween “special” the series premiere of this zombie-themed show was on Halloween. I remember watching it curled up under my blankets and being completely freaked out by it. Even though the show has been up and down, this pilot episode is incredibly well done.
#3 – The Simpsons, “Treehouse of Horror”
The Simpsons have been airing their annual Halloween special since 1990. It’s become a staple of the holiday, and I always enjoy it. I like the vignette style, and that the writers really let their imaginations just run wild. And kudos to them for continuing to come up with ideas after all these years.
#2 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Halloween”
I’ve expressed before how much I love Buffy, and this season 2 episode regardless of the fact that it is holiday-themed, is one of my favorites. The whole Scooby gang gets turned into their costumes. Xander becomes a super-soldier, Willow’s a ghost, and Buffy is most unfortunately, a non-slaying 18th century lady.
#1 – Goosebumps, “The Haunted Mask”
I go out of my way to watch this 2-part special every year. It scared the heck out of me when I first watched it, and even though it hasn’t aged particularly well, it’s still a pretty creepy concept. This special was actually the first and second episode of the whole Goosebumps TV series, and it really set the bar for creepiness.
What Halloween episodes or specials are your favorites? Share them in the comments!