This spooky season, I’ve been trying to get in the Halloween spirit with some good old fashioned nostalgia. I absolutely adore this time of year, but the best part about fall is all the great T.V. that airs. Growing up, Disney and Nickelodeon’s Halloween specials were everything to me. Disney’s “Monstober,” specifically, was the source of a lot of my fondest memories from this time. Spanning from 2005-2016, “Monstober” was an annual event on Disney Channel when the network would show Halloween themed television episodes and movies for the entire month of October. The spooky Mickey Ears logo that accompanied each commercial break is a staple memory from my childhood. “Monstober” may have been quietly discontinued, but we are lucky to still have these Halloween episodes available for a perfect cozy night in.
- The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, “Ghost of 613B” (Season 1, Episode 19)
When hotel residents Zack and Cody hear about a mysterious death and apparent ghost lingering in one of The Tipton Hotel’s rooms, they decide to do some investigating. Cody decides this is the perfect opportunity to teach Zack a lesson for pranking hotel guests, and enlists their friends to help trick Zack into believing something paranormal is afoot. Things go awry when the unexplainable happens, and the group is left terrified.
This episode is genuinely a cinematic masterpiece, and will probably go down in history as the most terrifying Halloween episode of a children’s show to ever air.
- JESSIE, “The Whining” (Season 2, Episode 1)
A strange doorman at the penthouse building where the Ross family lives warns Emma, Luke, Ravi and Zuri not to go trick-or-treating on the 13th floor due to strange paranormal things that go far beyond their understanding of the world. Despite this, Luke and Zuri decide to go along with a reluctant Emma and Ravi, and the kids are confronted with a terrifying ghostly experience. Meanwhile, Jessie, the kids’ nanny, is behaving unconventionally due in large part to her nerves surrounding the upcoming deadline for a short story. When the kids realize Jessie resembles an apparent ghost, they worry that their nanny has become possessed by the spirit of a 1920’s flapper.
The 1920’s historical aspect is a huge reason for why I love this episode– the flapper aesthetic and the haunting vibes make it one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. The obvious references to “The Shining” make this episode a fun watch for people of all ages.
- JESSIE, “Ghost Bummers” (Season 3, Episode 1)
After Jessie and the kids are snubbed an invite to Mrs. Chesterfield’s rooftop Halloween party, they decide to throw a bash of their own. Things change for the worst quickly when Jessie starts seeing ghosts, and Jessie, Ravi and Zuri are left to help save the partygoers from the ghosts.
This episode is a parody of “Ghostbusters” and very clearly references this with costumes and storyline. This episode is wacky and hilarious, and definitely a Halloween staple.
- Zoey 101, “The Curse of PCA” (Season 3, Episode 17-18)
In this two-part special, Zoey and her friends decide to hike to Redstone Gulch in order to solve the mystery behind the legend of Charles L. Galloway, a former PCA student who was rumored to have run away to the Gulch. The group eventually finds Galloway’s necklace and decide to leave. Logan takes the necklace as evidence, upsetting Galloway’s ghost and unintentionally bringing the spirit back to campus with them. Once Galloway’s ghost turns violent, the group decide to try and trap his spirit with one of Quinn’s “Quinnventions.” They decide to bury the necklace back in its original resting place, hoping to finally allow Charles L. Galloway to rest in peace.
Although it is not technically a Halloween episode, its spooky nature and downright chilling plotline make this T.V. movie the perfect watch for Halloween season. This episode was a genuine staple of my childhood, and watching it has become one of my core memories. For this reason, I would venture to say that it is not only the best episode of “Zoey 101,” but possibly the best episode of any Nickelodeon show ever made.
- Zoey 101, “Haunted House” (Season 2, Episode 4)
PCA tradition appoints upperclassmen with the responsibility of creating a haunted house every year for the lowerclass students, and this episode sees Logan leading the team in order to create the scariest haunted house yet. Zoey and Chase worry that Logan is taking things too far, and enlist Dustin and his friends in helping to teach Logan a lesson. Michael also finds trouble on his own when he is mistaken as someone else, and chased around by strangers for the entirety of the episode.
This episode was one of the funniest episodes of the entire show, and is a perfect example of what a special episode should be. The overarching story paired with the hilarious B-plot means that there really is something for everyone.
- Wizards of Waverly Place, “Halloween” (Season 3, Episode 2)
Struggling with what has been deemed the lamest haunted house on the block, the Russo’s send Alex to the Wizard World to get three ghosts to bring back in order to give them an advantage this year. When this doesn’t work, Alex decides to get “Mantooth,” the scariest ghost from the Wizard World. He is far too scary, and ends up causing an even greater mess for this family of wizards.
Although every episode of “Wizards of Waverly PLace” could be considered Halloween appropriate due to the subject matter, this episode includes Halloween as an actual holiday, making it perfect for this time of year.
- iCarly, “iScream On Halloween” (Season 1, Episode 7)
When Spencer and Carly receive a package meant to be delivered to an apartment that has been vacant for fifteen years and is reportedly haunted, Carly and her friends decide to host their web show in the empty apartment. Things take a turn when the unexplainable happens, and the characters are forced to confront the reality that the apartment may actually be haunted.
This episode is full of laughs and is definitely one of the funniest episodes of the show. The ending is particularly hilarious, and is definitely one of my personal favorites.
- A.N.T. Farm, “mutANT farm” (Season 1, Episode 14)
In a fantasy world, it is Chyna’s first day in the “MutANT Program,” where the younger students are all monsters and the older students are human. Since the humans are scared of the monsters, in an effort to improve their relationship, Chyna suggests that humans be allowed to attend the historically “MutANTs Only” Halloween Dance.
Not only is this episode incredibly camp, but it also gave us the classic Halloween song “Calling All The Monsters.” That performance alone should have landed China Anne McClain an EGOT.
- Liv and Maddie, “Kang-A-Rooney” (Season 1, Episode 5)
Joey has a crush on the new girl at school, and enlists the help of his sister Maddie to learn how to flirt. Maddie has her twin sister Liv dress up in a Kangaroo costume so Joey can practice on her first. Things get messy when Joey ends up crushing on the mysterious girl in the Halloween costume (who happens to be his sister). Weird premise, but it makes for a hilarious miscommunication. Meanwhile, Parker decides to booby-trap their house to protect a prized family Halloween decoration.
The general chaotic energy within this episode makes it a great watch, and it really is hilarious. Plus, who doesn’t love some good old fashioned booby-traps?
- Hannah Montana, “Torn Between Two Hannahs” (Season 1, Episode 17)
Miley’s identical cousin Luanne comes to town for Halloween. In an effort to expose Hannah Montana’s real identity, Luanne sabotages Miley, trapping her and dressing up as Hannah to attend a Halloween party where she plans to expose Miley to everyone.
This episode plays with the classic twins switching identities trope, tweaking it a bit in order to fit the series. The costumes are fun and the plotline is hilarious, and it is definitely worth a watch.
Overall, there are tons of incredible Halloween themed television specials out there for kids and adults alike. The good news is that a lot of them are still available to stream today. Celebrate your Halloween however you want to, but if you find yourself with some free time, consider giving these episodes a try.