There are so many fun ways to get into the ~spooky season~ spirit: from decorating your space, to baking fall-themed treats, or even making a Halloween-themed playlist.
At Her Campus Conn, we’re big TV watchers, and watching the Halloween episodes of our favorite TV shows is a low-effort, low-stakes way to celebrate this fall holiday. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, watching Halloween TV shows and movies is the perfect way to enjoy the season in a socially-distanced manner.
Here are the best Halloween episodes from our favorite TV shows:
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 4 Episode 2: “I Am Ashamed”
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“In the second episode of the final season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, protagonist Rebecca Bunch is made aware of the gossip people are spewing about her mental health and checkered past, so she refuses to leave her house out of shame of her past being exposed and out of fear of being judged. While at home, she finds a West Covina history book which details the multiple deaths that occured in the house Rebecca is living in, one of which is a college student who was caught in the crossfires of a drug deal gone wrong. Rebecca then begins to believe that the ghost of Devon is in her home, and her friends indulge her in hosting a seance. Although the premise may seem dark, this is actually a funny, heartfelt episode that strategically uses the Halloween setting as a symbol for how sometimes what we are most scared of are past embarrassing or shameful memories that continue to haunt us. This episode serves as a lighthearted reminder that we need not be ashamed. Crazy Ex is a very campy, theatrical show that likes to parody other genres of film and television, so I’m surprised the show only included one Halloween episode. But “I Am Ashamed” did not disappoint. Bonus, this episode features an original song, “The Cringe,” that harkens back to “The Monster Mash”, about how people are haunted by the cringey moments of their pasts — sung by guest star Patton Oswalt.” – Samantha Barth ’21
- How I Met Your Mother Season 1 Episode 6: “Slutty Pumpkin”
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“This episode is an iconic Halloween episode if you are a fan of HIMYM. I myself have watched it so many times on countless Halloweens. The protagonist Ted hosts a Halloween Party every year wearing the same out of date costume in hopes that the slutty pumpkin he crossed paths with 10 years ago will recognize him and they will fall in love. What a romantic. His friends think he is crazy for holding out hope. While that storyline is taking place his friends Marshall and Lily enter their local bar’s halloween contest with amazing costumes and their womanizer friend Barney is out trying to get laid with an assortment of costumes. I definitely recommend this episode on Halloween.” – Elyce Afrifa ‘22
- Gilmore Girls Season 5 Episode 17: “Pulp Friction”
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“So, I know that this episode isn’t Halloween-related, but nothing screams Halloween like a Quentin Tarantino-themed costume party. In this episode, we see Lorelai and Luke rebuilding their relationship after a brief split-up. Rory regrettably agrees to be in an open relationship with her new guy, Logan. Wait to see how the tables turn. Lorelai holds a grudge against her parents by choosing to not join Rory for their traditional “Gilmore Friday night dinner”, which upsets Richard and Emily. Although the costume party only starts thirty minutes in, there is much more to appreciate in this episode: nostalgia over flip phones, fall season in the Connecticut town of Stars Hollow, Luke’s diner, Kirk’s quirkiness, Rory’s college life at Yale University, the Dragonfly Inn, etc.” – Yasmine Tohme ‘24
- Modern Family Season 6 Episode 6: “Halloween 3: Awesomeland”
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“Halloween is a big deal in the Dunphy house. It’s Claire’s favorite holiday, which explains why they go all out every 31st of October. Although every Modern Family Halloween episode is eventful, I thought this one clearly showed how Claire and Phil contrastingly perceive this holiday . Claire enjoys the scary costumes and the gory decorations, while Phil prefers a more light-hearted “Awesomeland” type of theme. A small fight between them occurs when their neighbors challenge them to a “‘scariest house on the street’ contest”. We sense tension between Cam and Lily when he forgets to read her school’s Halloween parade. has a problem with finding Waldo in Finding Waldo, which funnily plays out when Lily decides to dress up as the character. Mitchell loses focus in defending his client in court due to the distracting stenographer dressed as a giant spider. Jay dwells on having a full head of hair when he puts on a wig for his prince charming costume. The Dunphys’ neighbors mess with them and pick the “Trick” in the “Trick or Treat””. – Yasmine Tohme ‘24
- New Girl Season 2 Episode 6: “Halloween”
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“While I strongly suggest watching any episode of New Girl as I have done just about 100 times, this Halloween episode has to be a personal favorite. Jess gets a job at a haunted house for Halloween and invites the whole gang, including Sam. She is prepared to tell Sam that she wants to date but Nick catches Sam texting other girls. Nick decides to do what any good friend would do and faces his biggest fear, going into the haunted house to find Jess to tell her. Nick’s journey in the haunted house is filled with scary clowns and a few montages of him screaming at the top of his lungs, what more could you want in a halloween episode? Nick ends up finding Jess but mistakes her for a stranger, in his defense she did scare him dressed in a zombie costume, and he punches her in the face. While this is going on, Schmidt is keeping tabs on what CeCe and Robbie are doing at the Halloween extravaganza as he is still madly in love with CeCe. The episode ends with Nick letting Jess get even and punching him in the face. The episode, like any in the series, is filled with countless laugh-out-loud moments and at the root, is always a heartwarming watch about the best of friends. The halloween theme just makes this episode that much better! Highly recommend.” – Sophie Zakin ’24
- Any of the Halloween Heists from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
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“Brooklyn Nine-Nine has recently come under fire for being copaganda — that is, a media text that glorifies cops to minimize and normalize the actual corruption within the criminal justice system and the racist origins of the police as we know it today. However, if you can watch this workplace sitcom with a critical eye and understand how it can at times be harmful, it’s a very entertaining show with humorous character dynamics. Nothing better demonstrates the quirk of this sitcom than their seasonal Halloween heist episodes. What initially started as a one-off episode in season one became a tradition due to positive reception from the fans. The initial premise was that detective Jake Peralta had bragged that no one would catch him if he were a criminal, so he makes a bet with his boss, Captain Holt: If he can successfully steal Holt’s Medal of Valor, Holt will need to do Peralta’s paperwork and call him his greatest detective; if Holt wins, Peralta will have to work five weekends. In proceeding season, the challenges change somewhat and/or more characters get involved, but the main premise is that they make a bet to steal a given object in the office, with some sort of stakes involved. The Halloween Heists are unpredictable and wacky, playing out like a whodunit mystery. It’s fascinating to watch the lengths that the characters go to deceive each other and outsmart each other; with twists that make these episodes more suspenseful than a typical sitcom. As more characters join in on the fun and as the challenges get progressively more complicated from season to season, these episodes are always the highlight of their respective seasons.” – Samantha Barth ’21