Every time spooky season rolls round, there are a number of traditions that brighten up our jack-o-lanterns. One of the funniest is a brand new episode of The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror.
A brand new yr of grotesque and campy tales that brings our favourite household into surprising chaos. From horror film parodies to popular culture references, Treehouse of Horror is the possibility to interrupt away from the principle story with some Halloween treats. And some tips alongside the best way!
With practically 33 specials, The Simpsons has lined all of it.
Each episode sometimes has three spooky segments, some arguably higher than others. But with many years of tales (which you’ll watch on-line by way of TV Fanatic), there are lots of to select from.
Below, we have picked out 25 tales from The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror that seize our love of the season. They’re nice binge-watches to get within the temper for Halloween. Check them out beneath!
“Bad Dream House” – The Simpsons Season 2 Episode 3
This haunted home story kicked off the longstanding legacy of Treehouse of Horror. It’s actually the primary story within the first-ever episode of the Halloween particular. (All the best way again in 1990!)
A mysterious and evil haunted mansion. Creepy ideas of homicide. Horror tropes of the paranormal and a burial floor. What extra may you ask for?
“Bad Dream House” has all the pieces you want to perceive what Treehouse of Horror presents.
“Hungry are the Damned” – The Simpsons Season 2 Episode 3
The second story within the authentic particular was a direct parody of an iconic story: The Twilight Zone’s “To Serve Men.”
Instead of horror and paranormal tropes, we discover The Simpsons touring by way of area and probably being overfed by aliens. Was it merely the kindness of strangers, or may they be the following meal?
It’s a enjoyable, brief thriller that dives into sci-fi and the menace of the unknown. Plus, it introduces the ever-iconic alien duo Kang and Kodos.
“The Raven” – The Simpsons Season 2 Episode 3
Rounding out the primary particular (significantly, all three are a must-watch!) is an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s most notorious poem, “The Raven.”
Inspired by the poem, the dialogue is informed by way of the monologue of the narrator (Homer) coping with the loss of his beloved, Lenore. Bart performs the raven who torments him, and the story’s occasions unfold by way of the identical plot because the poem.
The Simpsons, tackling a basic piece of literature, labored completely right here, capturing Poe’s eerie and melancholy tone.
As a child rising up within the ’90s, this story was the primary time I discovered about The Raven. It nonetheless holds up at present, and it is an important introduction for an academic twist.
“The Monkey’s Paw” – The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 7
Be cautious what you want for; you by no means know what you may get. In this case, it is a enjoyable story of mishaps and curses.
After Homer purchases a magical monkey’s paw, he’s warned of the damaging penalties of making its 4 needs. A sequence of ill-fated needs and the paw’s interpretation of the desires ensues.
It’s an important adaptation of the basic city legend. Plus, it is nice to have The Simpsons face the fact of their truest needs coming true and what it can imply for them.
“Dial ‘Z’ for Zombies” – The Simpson Season 4 Episode 5
Bring on the zombies!
“Dial ‘Z’ for Zombies” is an action-packed story full of magical curses and flesh-eating zombies. If you need iconic moments from Treehouse of Horror, this phase has lots of enjoyable scenes and gimmicks.
And how will you go mistaken with Homer taking down zombified historic figures? You cannot, that is how.
“The Devil and Homer Simpson” – The Simpsons Season 5 Episode 5
The fourth version of Treehouse of Horror was one other banger the place each story hit it out of the park. Each story was equally as memorable as each other, and all three are mainstays for spooky season.
The first is a story impressed by the Faustian deal.
In typical Homer trend, he makes a horrible determination: he sells his soul for a donut. (Mmmmmm, donuts! *drool sounds*) To save him from damnation in hell, he should plead his case in a trial in opposition to the Devil.
It’s one other Homer misadventure with lethal penalties, however all the Simpsons household will get in on the enjoyable. Plus, Ned because the Devil is a cheeky twist that goes in opposition to sort.
“Terror at 5 1/2 Feet” – The Simpsons Season 5 Episode 5
Inspired by one other Twilight Zone story, “Terror at 5 1/2 Feet” focuses on the youngsters of Springfield Elementary and Bart’s looming paranoia.
As a demon threatens to take down the bus, Bart frantically tries to warn everybody of the upcoming hazard. Do they hearken to him? Do they ignore his pleas?
I beloved how Bart regularly descended into insanity as he tried to save lots of everybody. This story is pure terror and stress!
“Bart Simpson’s Dracula” – The Simpsons Season 5 Episode 5
The finale story rounding out the fourth particular is a bloody good time. (See what we did there.)
Mr. Burns as a vampire? Iconic.
A parody of Bram Stoker’s Dracula? An ideal match.
Spooky season is nothing with out its vampires. We’re all in to see how The Simpsons increase the stakes. (Okay, I’ll cease now.)
“The Shinning” – The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 6
If you had been to rank probably the most memorable tales from Treehouse of Horror, “The Shinning” may be on the high for a lot of Simpsons followers. This phase had all the pieces!
It’s a detailed parody of the Stephen King story however informed by way of the lens of The Simpsons.
Homer freaking out over the loss of beer and TV is a joke that retains giving. All the gags are top-notch, and plenty of iconic visuals stand the take a look at of time even at present.
“Nightmare Cafeteria” – The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 6
What occurs when the adults get a starvation for human flesh? You get “Nightmare Cafeteria.”
This tension-filled story set at Springfield Elementary finds the youngsters hunted by the murderous lecturers. If they’re captured, they will be was meals!
This all-time favourite story focuses on Bart, Lisa, and Milhouse. The lecturers function nice villains and menacing threats.
And poor Willie, he has the worst luck with an ax to the again.
“Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores” – The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 6
Another basic on the earth of Treehouse of Horror.
A 50-foot Lard Lad Donuts mascot terrorizing Springfield? His allies of murderous big mascots inflicting carnage and homicide? It’s all a recipe for a good time.
Plus, if you happen to’re not singing “Just Don’t Look!” by the top of spooky season, you are not really ready for Halloween.
“Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace” – The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 6
Out of all the long-lasting ’80s horror film slashers, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street being the primary to be parodied was an enormous second. How would The Simpsons translate the dream killer to Springfield?
In this case, Groundskeeper Willie sought revenge in opposition to the mother and father by killing their youngsters. Bart and Lisa took on main Final Girl and Final Boy vibes within the hopes of saving everybody’s lives.
If you are catching up in your favourite horror movies and slashers throughout spooky season, you may’t neglect the parodies, too.
“Fly vs. Fly” – The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 4
For sci-fan followers, “Fly vs. Fly” has precisely what you want for an pleasant scientific journey. Plus, matter transportation!
When Bart will get his DNA combined with a fly, there is a complicated sport of mistaken id and the struggle to return to regular. How may anybody suppose a large fly’s head on Bart’s physique might be anything?
This is an easy-to-watch phase that delivers on the laughs.
“Easy-Bake Coven” – The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 4
Springfield is not the city of Salem, however for one story, it is just about the identical factor.
Witches, accusations, and sweet make up this cheeky story. “Easy-Bake Coven” is a historical past lesson in all of the cheeky methods Treehouse of Horror can dish out.
Marge’s accusation of being a witch turns into a must-watch story for the sequence.
“Hell Toupée” – The Simpsons Season 10 Episode 4
All three tales from The Simpsons Season 10 Episode 4 may make this checklist. “The Terror of Tiny Toon” is a campy cartoon journey, whereas “Starship Poopers” is all concerning the off-the-wall comedy of the Jerry Springer Show.
However, if we’re choosing one, it is acquired to be “Hell Toupée.”
An evil hair transplant that drives Homer to kill? Sign us up! It by no means goes out of type.
“I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did” – The Simpsons Season 11 Season 4
The ’90s movie I Know What You Did Last Summer is a basic, but it surely’s additionally a divisive movie. You both like it or hate it. However, the idea of individuals being haunted by a killer who is aware of their secret is just good.
In “I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did,” The Simpsons are plagued by somebody figuring out the key of them killing Ned Flanders and hiding his physique. You do not want far more to get hooked on the story.
Plus, the stunning twist on the finish will go away you laughing! It’s such good karma.
“Desperately Xeeking Xena” – The Simpsons Season 11 Season 4
Superheroes and comics match proper in with the world of Treehouse of Horror.
When Bart and Lisa are contaminated with radiation, they quickly change into the heroes that Springfield wants. They’re Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl, an elastic and tremendous sturdy crime-fighting duo.
But after they’re confronted up in opposition to The Collector (aka. Comic Book Guy) to save lots of Lucy Lawless, they’re put of their most brutal struggle but.
Will they save TV’s Xena, or will they change into The Collector’s newest show piece? You’ll have to observe to search out out.
“Night of the Dolphin” – The Simpsons Season 12 Episode 1
What occurs when the animals struggle again? You get “Night of the Dolphin.”
Lisa frees a dolphin from the Springfield Zoo. However, what she thinks is an harmless dolphin seems to be a superb chief of the dolphins who quickly plans an rebellion. Bloody carnage, homicide, and a struggle quickly take over Springfield.
If you are within the temper to pair your viewing of The Birds or Jaws with a Treehouse of Horror phase, that is the one for you.
“The Ned Zone” – The Simpsons Season 16 Episode 1
Premonitions can have lethal penalties after they’re not learn appropriately. Just look to the Final Destination franchise or Tru Calling!
After an accident, Ned Flanders is given the ability of premonition every time he touches somebody. But his premonitions have a sinister twist: he witnesses their upcoming loss of life.
“The Ned Zone” is one other thrilling story that includes Ned combined up within the chaos of The Simpsons. You need to root for him however are intrigued by what he’ll see subsequent.
“Four Beheadings and a Funeral” – The Simpsons Season 16 Episode 1
Will Springfield’s biggest detective uncover the id of The Muttonchop Murderer? “Eliza Simpson” is on the case together with her trusted assistant, “Dr. Bartley.”
Think of this story as a cross between Sherlock Holmes and the real-life murders of Jack the Ripper.
The Victorian-era aesthetic treats us to one thing totally different from the everyday Treehouse of Horror type, and a whodunit thriller will reel you in. Go for a contact of horror that is not all concerning the spooky and creepy issues at midnight.
“Survival of the Fattest” – The Simpsons Season 17 Episode 4
In one other literature parody (on this case, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell), the boys of Springfield are compelled right into a looking sport by Mr. Burns. Instead of looking animals, Mr. Burns can be looking them down.
This story is funnier than it’s scary. There are lots of gags of the boys attempting to cover from Mr. Burns and Homer seemingly escaping each try and kill him.
But with all the heart, gore, and ghoulies on the checklist, a little bit action-packed thriller is simply what the season wants.
“Dial ‘M’ for Murder or Press ‘#’ to Return to Main Menu” – The Simpsons Season 21 Episode 4
Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Strangers on a Train additionally acquired the Treehouse of Horror therapy.
Bart convinces Lisa to get revenge on their lecturers, however what she thinks are innocent pranks quickly flip into lethal penalties. Bart needs the revenge to be homicide!
This story captures the essence of the unique film however with a Simpsons twist. It’s not overtly horror in comparison with the opposite tales on the checklist; the story is usually a very good time that balances out the totally different must-watch segments for a good time.
“War and Pieces” – The Simpsons Season 22 Episode 4
As Treehouse of Horror moved into later many years, the tales turned extra light-hearted and comedic as a substitute of horror and Halloween. Look at some of the current entries simply earlier than this one.
“War and Pieces” is one such story.
Inspired by Jumanji and all our favourite board video games, Springfield is reworked right into a residing playground of board video games and mischief. Bart and Milhouse should conquer the sport in the event that they need to return all the pieces to their world.
The stakes are larger than ever. Or, you already know, they’re merely enjoying for enjoyable.
“Dial D for Diddly” – The Simpsons Season 23 Episode 3
Instead of a film parody, The Simpsons determined to play off a widely known TV sequence, Dexter. And, of course, our favourite lovable neighbor is the person behind the bloody knife.
Ned begins enacting his kind of justice to the residents of Springfield. Homer is the one pulling the strings and main Ned to meet his plans.
Two halves are balancing one another for one good story.
“Coralisa” – The Simpsons Season 29 Episode 4
The animated movie Coraline is unimaginable. It’s an important story paired with a well-done visible animation aesthetic.
“Coralisa” places within the work to stay as much as that legacy.
Plenty of button eyes, an alluring different world, and 3D animations will win you over. You will not need to miss out on this journey earlier than Halloween.
Now, over to you, Fanatics!
What’s your favourite Treehouse of Horror story? Is there one lacking from the checklist?
Share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
The Simpsons is offered to stream now on Disney+.
Justin Carreiro is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
Discussion about this post