My Favorite Sitcom Halloween Episodes

Updated Published

Kendra Heiser Student Contributor, North Carolina State University

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I hate being scared. But somehow, I absolutely love Halloween. Every October, I rewatch Halloween-themed episodes from my favorite shows to get into the spirit. And, I’ve gathered a list to share.

Here are my top Halloween sitcom episodes for the season.

Modern family

Halloween (Season 2, Episode 6)

Although Modern Family has 7 episodes involving the Halloween holiday, this episode is my favorite. I love the early seasons when the kids are young because they feel nostalgic and remind me of my own family. This episode involves the family coming together to create a haunted house at the Dunphy’s. It’s sweet and funny and does a great job of keeping the holiday spirit throughout the entire episode.

Friends

The One with the Halloween Party (Season 8, Episode 6)

Unfortunately, Friends only has one Halloween-themed episode, but it’s a good one. The episode revolves around a Halloween party Monica and Chandler host. The characters all come in costume, which adds some comedy to the episode—from Chandler’s pink bunny suit to Ross’s “Spudnik” potato costume. It shows that Halloween doesn’t have to be scary to be fun. It can just be about enjoying the holiday with the people you care about.

Brooklyn 99

HalloVeen (Season 5, Episode 4)

Brooklyn 99 does a Halloween heist nearly every season. It started with just Captain Holt and Jake competing, and as the seasons progressed, the other characters joined in. I actually like all of the Halloween episodes of Brooklyn 99, but as a Jake and Amy fan, this episode is my favorite because it ends with the couple’s engagement. The heist structure keeps the episode fun and competitive, but the surprise proposal at the end adds a twist to the competition, making this episode special. It’s the perfect blend of the show’s signature humor and heart wrapped up in a Halloween setting.

How I Met Your Mother

The Slutty Pumpkin (Season 1, Episode 6)

How I Met Your Mother’s “The Slutty Pumpkin” from Season 1 is a classic Halloween episode. Ted spends Halloween waiting at a rooftop party, hoping to reunite with a girl he met years ago who was dressed as a “slutty pumpkin.” Meanwhile, Barney is being Barney and hitting on girls while trying to convince Ted to go to a Victoria’s Secret Party with him, Robin is struggling with being in a relationship, and Marshall and Lily are trying to win the bar’s costume contest. It’s lighthearted and festive, making it a great episode to get into the Halloween spirit without anything scary.

Scream Queens

Halloween Blues (Season 2, Episode 4)

This show leans more on the scarier side (in my opinion), but when you think about the situational comedy and ridiculousness of the characters, it’s more funny than frightening. The entire series can be watched around Halloween for its spooky, murder mystery, thriller vibe, but it also features specific Halloween-themed episodes. My favorite is the “Halloween Blues”. Since this episode takes place in season 2, the setting is different, and there are several new characters compared to season 1. It’s set in the hospital Dean Munsch founded for incurable diseases, and it perfectly captures the show’s mix of horror, humor, and over-the-top drama. Blending creepy moments with absurd comedy and a touch of science fiction, it’s the perfect pick for anyone who wants something a little darker but still fun to watch without actually being scared. It’s as close as I get to real horror.

You don’t have to be a fan of these shows to enjoy their Halloween spirit. Pop the popcorn and grab your candy to enjoy a night in with an episode or two to get you in the Halloween spirit, as I do every year.