The 15 Best Cartoon Halloween Specials

Cartoons often revisit familiar storylines – like vacation episodes or dream sequences. But Halloween specials are consistently a highlight, letting characters wear costumes and explore wild, imaginative scenarios. These episodes usually involve trick-or-treating or saving the town from something scary – sometimes both! Halloween specials often provide some of the most memorable adventures for our favorite animated characters, and thankfully, they’re usually appropriate for kids, even if they’re a bit spooky.

To celebrate the season, let’s revisit 15 of the most memorable episodes, beginning with the Halloween special that launched this tradition.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (October 27, 1966)

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is the third *Charlie Brown* TV special and is widely considered the most beloved Halloween special ever made. It beautifully captures how much meaning children find in holidays and the traditions surrounding them. The story centers on Linus, who steadfastly believes in the Great Pumpkin and waits all night for its arrival. Despite being teased by his friends and never actually seeing the Great Pumpkin, Linus remains hopeful, convinced it will come next year. It’s a touching story about innocence and unwavering optimism.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin” paved the way for many animated Halloween specials that followed. These shows often lovingly highlight the Halloween traditions adults often overlook, but which are incredibly special to children. Moments like Sally’s excitement about trick-or-treating, Charlie Brown’s reaction to getting rocks (and then finally attending a party), and even Snoopy’s playful imagination all demonstrate how kids build their own unique worlds and find meaning in them. These aren’t just holidays; they’re important expressions of childhood creativity.

The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries: “A Halloween Hassle at Dracula’s Castle” (October 27, 1984)

Choosing the best Halloween episode of *Scooby-Doo* is tough. There are so many good ones, and the whole series really captures the spirit of the holiday! However, “A Halloween Hassle at Dracula’s Castle” is a standout. It cleverly flips the usual *Scooby-Doo* formula: Mystery Inc. attends a Halloween party thrown by people dressed as monsters, only to discover the monsters are *real* and need *their* help. The threat? The ghost of Van Helsing, who wants to destroy all the monsters if they don’t leave the castle. You’ll find yourself surprisingly rooting for Count Dracula – he just wants to host a fun party, and Van Helsing’s ghost is ruining everything. And even though Shaggy and Scooby don’t usually help monsters, they definitely appreciate a good party!

DuckTales: “Ducky Horror Picture Show” (December 31, 1987)

Always looking for new ways to make money, Scrooge McDuck builds a convention center, only to find it taken over by real monsters hosting their own event. The episode, filled with references to classic horror movies (it turns out Scrooge hosts a yearly monster movie marathon and has surprisingly good taste!), is a lighthearted story that celebrates our childhood fondness for monsters. Characters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman are so well-known they’ve become both movie stars and self-parodies, making this *DuckTales* episode perfect for kids who love monsters but aren’t ready for anything too scary. If your kids enjoy this episode, they’ll also likely love “The Trickening” from the 2017 *DuckTales* reboot, which features a similar monster-themed fun.

The Simpsons: “Treehouse of Horror I” (October 25, 1990)

When the first “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween special aired, the people who made *The Simpsons* didn’t realize it would become such a beloved tradition. (It was originally called “The Simpsons Halloween Special.”) Over time, it *did* become an annual event, and this first special introduced characters like the aliens Kang and Kodos, who would appear in many future episodes. Compared to later, scarier installments, the first “Treehouse of Horror” is relatively mild, but the segment based on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is a surprisingly artistic moment for *The Simpsons*. With James Earl Jones narrating in a beautifully measured way, “The Raven” isn’t just one of the best “Treehouse” segments ever made, it really shows how groundbreaking *The Simpsons* felt when it first came on television. There was truly nothing else like it on TV at the time.

The Magic School Bus: “In the Haunted House” (October 29, 1994)

“In the Haunted House” is a clever episode that was later combined with “Going Batty” for a Halloween special. In it, Ms. Frizzle takes her class to a spooky mansion filled with strange sounds, which she uses as a lesson about how sound works and creates music. Because Halloween is full of scary noises and haunted houses, this episode playfully shows kids that there’s nothing to fear. And with the wonderfully eccentric Ms. Frizzle leading the way, they gain the confidence to not be scared at all!

Rocko’s Modern Life: “Sugar Frosted Frights” (October 31, 1995)

As a critic, I have to say this Halloween special was *perfect* for *Rocko’s Modern Life*. The show always walked this amazing line between total craziness and genuine heart, and this episode nails it. It centers around Filburt, the anxious wallaby, finally being convinced to go trick-or-treating, which, predictably, leads to a massive sugar rush and a temporary descent into madness. Naturally, it’s up to Rocko and Heffer to rescue him, not just from the inevitable crash, but also from a local legend – a one-legged ghost! What really stood out were the clever visuals – some legitimately spooky, others just hilarious. And honestly, anyone who’s ever worn an oversized Halloween costume will *totally* relate to the running gag of Rocko getting stuck everywhere. It’s a classic example of the show’s quirky brilliance.

X-Men: The Animated Series: “Bloodlines” (October 26, 1996)

The comic “Bloodlines” starts with a funny scene of Wolverine wearing a Beast mask while trick-or-treating. But it quickly turns serious, using Halloween costumes to represent how mutants can’t truly be normal, while humans get to play at being monsters just for fun. It’s a surprisingly deep idea for something that happens while you’re handing out candy! The story explores how some X-Men, like Wolverine and Jubilee, can blend in with regular people, but others, like the visibly different Nightcrawler, are always seen as outsiders.

Nightcrawler asks the X-Men for help saving his mother, who is revealed to be the mutant Mystique. Despite the difficult situation, he finds peace through his faith, which helps him feel like he belongs even when others see him as different. The *X-Men: The Animated Series* episode set during Halloween isn’t just about costumes and scares; it’s a story about discovering where to find comfort – whether that’s through family, faith, or other sources.

Hey Arnold!: “Arnold’s Halloween” (October 27, 1997)

Okay, so “Arnold’s Halloween” is basically the show’s take on the classic *War of the Worlds* radio panic. It starts with Arnold playing a harmless prank with snowballs, but things quickly spiral out of control when a costume plan goes awry and the whole town turns against his classmates. Honestly, *Hey Arnold!* always shined when things went hilariously wrong due to misunderstandings or bad ideas, and this episode is a perfect example. What I really loved was how it gave Helga, Arnold’s frenemy and secret admirer, a chance to be both incredibly funny and surprisingly sweet as she tries to save her friends, who are all dressed as aliens. It’s a really fun episode that balances chaos and heart perfectly.

Arthur: “The Fright Stuff” (October 7, 1999)

While many Halloween specials focus on wild and crazy situations, *Arthur* typically offered more gentle stories about kids dealing with their fears. That’s definitely the case with “The Fright Stuff,” where a costume party turns into a silly prank war between the boys and girls. The episode really emphasizes the importance of kindness, delivering the message not once, but twice – the kids learn not to play mean tricks, and a little ghost causing trouble also gets a lesson from her dad. Ultimately, “The Fright Stuff” showcases *Arthur’s* great characters and offers a sweet, positive message for young viewers.

The Batman: “Grundy’s Night” (August 27, 2005)

Many Batman villains would be perfect for a Halloween story, but *The Batman* picks Solomon Grundy, reimagining him as a legendary figure from Gotham’s past who targeted the city’s richest builders and is said to return to haunt their families. Fitting with the spirit of Halloween, where appearances can be deceiving, the episode reveals surprising details about who Grundy really is. It’s a great blend of Gotham’s local myths, classic Batman detective work, and the show’s signature action style – especially a thrilling fight scene in a wax museum. The episode also highlights how deeply costumed heroes and villains are woven into Gotham’s culture, as kids trick-or-treating dress up as Batman, the Joker, Catwoman, and the Penguin.

The Spectacular Spider-Man: “The Uncertainty Principle” (May 10, 2008)

The animated series *The Spectacular Spider-Man* really focuses on the idea of having a double life, just like the original comics did. This is especially clear in the Halloween episode, which explores how everyone hides parts of themselves, whether they have superpowers or not. The Green Goblin uses this to his advantage, pitting Spider-Man against New York’s other criminals. Spider-Man struggles with balancing his two identities, and the Green Goblin cleverly points this out, asking him which ‘mask’ is the real one – the one he wears to hide his face, or the one that *is* his face? This question perfectly sums up the show’s central theme. And the fact that this philosophical debate happens during an exciting fight scene makes it even better.

Gravity Falls: “Summerween” (October 5, 2012)

With its spooky themes and focus on childhood, *Gravity Falls* was a perfect fit for a Halloween episode. “Summerween” explores how people change with time: Grunkle Stan worries he’s losing his touch with the younger generation, and Dipper has to decide between pursuing a crush and spending Halloween with his sister. Halloween episodes often allow funny shows to be genuinely adventurous, and “Summerween” does this brilliantly with its exciting chases between the kids and the mischievous “Summerween Trickster.” The result is not only a fantastic Halloween special, but also a great way for new viewers to discover the show.

Over the Garden Wall (November 3, 2013)

In just over ten years, *Over the Garden Wall* has become a beloved autumn and Halloween tradition, much like *It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown*. Though the two specials appear quite different—*Over the Garden Wall* might be a bit scary for very young viewers—they both explore the power of childhood belief and the importance of holding onto what we care about, even when others don’t understand. Brothers Wirt and Greg argue throughout their adventure, but ultimately, like Lucy helping a sleepy Linus in *Great Pumpkin*, they’re connected by a deep and unconditional love.

It’s tough for grown-ups to recapture the simple magic of Halloween as kids – the excitement of trick-or-treating with loved ones, dressing up as someone or something else, and feeling like you’re on an adventure. The animated series *Over the Garden Wall* captures this feeling perfectly, blending humor, spookiness, and a touch of the bizarre with its mix of real danger and playful imagination. It’s a special that understands, as the character Frog sings, that sometimes it’s okay to just pretend – “If dreams can’t come true, then why not pretend?”

Bob’s Burgers: “The Hauntening” (October 18, 2015)

Halloween often marks a transition to growing up – what starts as trick-or-treating and a love for candy eventually gives way to scarier activities like horror movies and parties. The animated series *Bob’s Burgers* perfectly captures this change, with its Halloween episodes focusing on the Belcher kids navigating adolescence while their parents try to understand them. The episode “The Hauntening” is a standout, as it centers around the kids insisting they’re too old to be frightened by a haunted house.

Nine-year-old Louise is pretty skeptical about everything, but a scary experience unexpectedly brings the whole Belcher family closer together. It’s a touching, yet sad, story because it reminds us that kids eventually grow up and out of things they used to love, and all you can do is support them as they do. The Belchers show us what it looks like when a chaotic family still manages to connect during important – or even frightening – moments, like getting stuck in a haunted house.

Craig of the Creek: “Trick or Creek” (October 19, 2020)

Craig of the Creek is known for cleverly referencing popular culture, and the Halloween special is no exception – it always includes recognizable monsters, like the Headless Horseman in ‘Trick or Creek.’ While the story of kids trying to get lots of candy is a classic, the heart of this episode is Craig’s genuine pride in his ‘Slide the Ferret’ costume – a playful take on Sonic the Hedgehog. It captures that feeling of wanting a costume that truly represents the character you love, and Craig’s enthusiastic performance feels very real. It’s a perfect episode for anyone who remembers the best compliment being a neighbor saying how cool your costume was!

2025-10-17 20:01