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Every Bob’s Burgers Halloween Episode, Ranked

Oct 17, 2024

Every Bob’s Burgers Halloween Episode, Ranked

As someone who has grown up with Bob’s Burgers as a staple of my Halloween viewing, I can confidently say that these episodes truly embody the spirit of the season. Each one offers a unique blend of humor, heart, and horror that only this show can deliver.

The tradition of holiday-themed episodes is firmly established in the popular series, “Bob’s Burgers”. These special episodes grace the screen during significant celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. However, it was the first holiday episode in season three, focusing on Halloween, that truly set the stage. This episode underscored the Belchers’ penchant for exploring the unusual and quirky, even during holidays, and challenged viewers’ assumptions about what a holiday special could offer. Since the airing of “Full Bars”, these episodes have become cherished and distinctively “Bob’s” moments within the series.

Although the very first ones may not always hit the mark, Halloween episodes for Bob’s Burgers often vary in quality compared to other holidays. However, when they work, they truly shine. At their peak, these Halloween episodes offer a touch of eeriness by incorporating tense and slightly scary elements into the show’s usual comedic and heartfelt themes. The majority of the top Halloween episodes revolve around trick-or-treating, with one notable exception, and these stories often provide a platform for Bob, Linda, and even Teddy to have their own peculiar B-plots. Moreover, the kids’ costumes and the family’s creative process in making them contribute to some of the most memorable moments in each episode. The more unique the costumes, the better! Most seasons feature a Halloween episode, but the scary episode about a horror documentary from season 14 won’t be included here since it isn’t technically a Halloween special.

As Halloween approaches, it’s a great opportunity to review each Halloween-themed episode of “Bob’s” series, from the funny trick-or-treat antics to the memorable haunted house experience. Here is a ranking of every Halloween episode from “Bob’s Burgers.

11.
“Pig Trouble in Little Tina” (Season 10, Episode 4)

In “Pig Trouble in Little Tina,” when Tina is tasked with dissecting a fetal pig at school, this small creature starts haunting her dreams. It’s more disgusting than usual, veering into an uncomfortable and hard-to-enjoy realm beyond horror. As she anticipates a Halloween hayride where she hopes to share a kiss with Jimmy Jr., Tina is desperate for relief and turns to Louise and Gene, who delve into the occult to exorcise her pork poltergeist. Other intriguing elements unfold in this episode, like Bob and Linda’s mission to remove a troublesome earwax from Bob, but the disturbing spectral pig overshadows these aspects, making “Pig Trouble in Little Tina” feel less effective overall.

10.
“Apple Gore-chard! (But Not Gory)” (Season 13, Episode 6)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qhoSf7RkS_E

Children from the East Coast often recall an unusual, slightly offensive school trip associated with harvest or pilgrim themes. This experience is a coming-of-age event, reminiscent of a “Bob’s Burgers” episode, but unfortunately, these trips are not usually very memorable. In “Apple Gore-chard (But Not Gory),” Louise’s class (accompanied by Bob as chaperone) visits the Celtic Farms Historical Apple Orchard, where they explore pagan times and the challenges of popularity. The students’ costumes, crafted by Linda into a three-piece representation of Twister, once again take center stage and are the most memorable aspects, though not necessarily the main focus, of the episode.

9.
“Heartbreak Hotel-oween” (Season 11, Episode 4)

During the entire series, it’s clear that Bob gets uncomfortable with blood, but when Teddy discovers that Bob is a universal donor, he persuades Bob to give blood at the vampire-themed Halloween blood drive (Linda adds humor with her quip “Why, isn’t O-negative stupid blood?”). On the other hand, the kids decide to seek revenge on a house that didn’t give them candy the previous year while trick-or-treating. Their night takes an unexpected turn when they deliver a burger to a hotel nearby, only to stumble upon a séance and become embroiled in a mysterious event. Although it doesn’t quite reach classic status, “Heartbreak Hotel-oween” is a strong addition to the Halloween collection in Bob’s Burgers, with engaging storylines for each Belcher family member.

8.
“The Pumpkinening” (Season 12, Episode 3)

In “The Pumpkinening,” Linda and Gayle encounter a plot reminiscent of “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” A letter arrives referencing a 27-year-old pumpkin-smashing incident, prompting them to retrace their steps from the past in an effort to uncover who is aware of their secret and confront what they did (or didn’t do) during high school. The children opt to stay at the restaurant instead of going trick-or-treating when Bob purchases a coveted candy (Sour Sack Babies). However, the night takes an unexpected turn as the restaurant is besieged by eager trick-or-treaters. Although it’s risky to keep the kids away from traditional Halloween activities, this episode offers a fun twist for the series and adds some variety after almost a decade of Halloween-themed episodes.

7.
“Tina and the Real Ghost” (Season 5, Episode 2)

When a pest controller claims that the Belchers’ basement freezer is haunted, Linda and the children decide to use a Ouija board to capture the spirit of a 13-year-old boy in a shoebox. The story titled “Tina and the Real Ghost” takes an expected twist as Tina develops feelings for him. Encouraged by her classmates, Tina and Jeff quickly start a romantic relationship that everyone, including Tammy, wants to be involved with. Just before Halloween, the restaurant gains some needed attention when two ghost hunters set up shop to investigate if Bob’s Burgers is really haunted. The episode stands out due to Tina’s rare moment of being one step ahead of her peers, particularly when they venture into a creepy cemetery on Halloween night.

6.
“Teen-a Witch” (Season 7, Episode 3)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=64bKkTdApno

In “Teen-a Witch,” Tina isn’t as proficient as Agatha Harkness, but her foray into the art of witchcraft is noteworthy. When Tammy swipes Tina’s idea for the school Halloween costume contest, she brainstorms an alternative, a “sand-witch” concept, and heads to the library to learn more about witches. The captivating librarian, Mr. Ambrose (Billy Eichner), educates her on ordinary witches living among us and inspires Tina to delve deeper into witchcraft. She embraces it wholeheartedly, experimenting with spells and adopting a darker style. However, she finds herself in hot water when she casts a spell on an unruly crossing guard, who retaliates by cursing Tina back, revealing herself as a former member of Mr. Ambrose’s coven.

5.
“Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street” (Season 9, Episode 4)

As a devoted movie buff, let me share an exciting spin on a recent event: A scorching new confection, Sticky Sugar Booms, has amped up the excitement for Halloween night in “Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street.” However, this sweet sensation also brings about a peak in candy theft, with a skateboarding gorilla orchestrating the heist. As my kids and their pals embark on trick-or-treating adventures, they find themselves playing a constant game of cat-and-mouse to protect their treats. Meanwhile, my family – Bob, Linda, and Teddy – are immersed in their own Halloween hilarity as Teddy tries to transform the restaurant into a spooky spectacle to impress the handyman next door. This is a rare instance where the show delves deeper into the ever-evolving shop space beyond the initial gag, offering an adult-oriented Halloween tale that matches the kids’ intrigue.

4.
“Fort Night” (Season 4, Episode 2)

This Halloween evening, the significance of the occasion intensifies as Tina, along with her siblings, readies herself for what might be their final trick-or-treat outing together. However, a twist arises when these children, accompanied by friends, become trapped within the intricate fort they assembled behind their apartment complex. Their prospects of rescue seem bleak once Louise’s eccentric classmate Millie informs Bob and Linda, who are intensely working on the kids’ dragon costume, that the Belcher children have already departed for trick-or-treating. As the kids endeavor to devise a thrilling, horror-inspired escape from the fort, Bob and Linda opt to wear the costume themselves and go trick-or-treating. The episode “Fort Night” skillfully explores children’s creativity and the gravity of the situation, which alone would have made it an exceptional Halloween special. However, Bob and Linda’s costumed adventure serves as a bonus that elevates this episode above others in the series.

3.
“The Wolf of Wharf Street” (Season 8, Episode 3)

In the eerie “The Wolf of Wharf Street,” Halloween spirit takes a dip as rumors of a roaming wolf force many trick-or-treaters inside their homes. In an effort to keep the children’s night enjoyable, Linda (dressed as a Cher-like police officer) leads them on a hunt for the elusive beast, only partially convinced it’s real. As they venture further into the misty darkness, they cross paths with documentary maker Randy Watkins (Paul F. Tompkins), which makes them suspect that there’s something sinister lurking within the town. While stuck at home due to painkillers from an injury, Bob becomes convinced that his caretaker Teddy might actually be the wolf – a werewolf, in fact. This chilling tale adds an original twist to the Belchers’ unforgettable Halloween escapades.

2.
“Full Bars” (Season 3, Episode 2)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=R82xDHL16AQ

In the initial Halloween special, the Belcher children are granted independence for trick-or-treating. But their excitement fades quickly when they realize the neighborhood candy isn’t up to par. Their fortunes change when they board a ferry to King’s Head Island, a wealthy community on the other side of the water, where they stumble upon abundant treats and encounter a chilling tradition: masked teenage boys chase costumed kids. Meanwhile, Bob and Linda have their own eventful night, attending a costume party at Teddy’s house that unexpectedly transforms into a murder mystery after Teddy’s pet guinea pig meets an untimely demise. The episode titled “Full Bars” is well-crafted; every joke hits the mark, ranging from the kids’ creative costumes (such as Gene’s portrayal of Queen Latifah during her U.N.I.T.Y. phase) to Teddy’s inept detective abilities, Bob’s shocking disclosure, and Linda’s efforts to solve the mystery.

1.
“The Hauntening” (Season 6, Episode 3)

Among the exceptional Halloween episodes of “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Hauntening” stands out as a favorite due to its blend of top-notch Belcher humor and genuine scares. In this episode, the Belchers aim to scare the unscary Louise, but their efforts backfire when they create a genuinely terrifying experience instead. Initially skeptical, Louise finds herself screaming in fear as odd occurrences and eerie sounds transform an ordinary night into a chilling horror story worthy of her screams. A spooky Boyz 4 Now song adds to the thrill, making this moment a memorable one in “Bob’s Burgers.” Additionally, this episode breaks the pattern of most Halloween episodes by keeping all Belchers together, which is when the series usually shines at its brightest.

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2024-10-17 18:54