I’ve been watching The Simpson ever since I was a kid, and though in recent years I’ve watched less and less, I still love the Treehouse of Horror episodes and make it a rule to watch them around Halloween. Here are my personal favorites, but let us know in the comments what your favorite Simpsons Halloween Special is.
10) The Raven
Synopsis: Lisa reads the classic Poe tale to Bart. Treehouse of Horror I
I’m rather fond of Edgar Allan Poe, and seeing one of his works acted out comically by Homer Simpson was very fun to watch.
9) School is Hell
Synopsis: Bart and Lisa are transported to a hell dimension where Bart finally becomes a good student and Lisa becomes popular. Treehouse of Horror XXV
Seeing different Simpsons characters as hellish demons was a nice change, as was seeing Bart with such a passion for his school work.
8) In the Na’vi
In this parody of Avatar Bart uses his new alien body to gain the trust of the natives. Treehouse of Horror XXII
I especially enjoy parody episodes and this was no exception. Watching Bart and Milhouse infiltrate a group of Rigellians in order to steal their Hilarium was a funny take on the movie Avatar.
7) Night of the Dolphin
Lisa helps a dolphin escape a wildlife enclosure. Soon after the dolphins use violent means to take over Springfield. Treehouse of Horror XI
This segment was in the first Treehouse of Horror episode I can ever remember watching and has a lot of nostalgia for me. I love the irony that helping the dolphin and doing a good think backfired so spectacularly.
6) Wanted Dead, Then Alive
Sideshow Bob finally kills his mortal enemy, reanimated him and kills him some more. Treehouse of Horror XXVI
Watching Sideshow Bob kill Bart after over twenty years of build up was so satisfying, especially since he kills him over and over in new ways. It scratched an itch I never knew I had.
5) Island of Dr. Hibert
On a secluded island Dr. Hibbert conducts gene experiments on the Simpsons. Treehouse of Horror XIII
I loved the comical take on The Island of Dr Moreau. Homer’s insistence that his vacation was going perfectly right until the very end when he discovered the ‘Manimals and Invertabroads’ was very in keeping with his character. And I’ll admit I lost it when I saw Disco Shrew.
4) Hell Toupée
After a successful transplant homer gets a new hairdo and a taste for murder. Treehouse of Horror IX
I really liked the revenge plot from beyond the grave. I’ve never encountered another story where the Wig was the murderer. And the joke that Snake would never again harm anyone with second hand smoke, and then burn so much from his execution he makes everyone start coughing, was very amusing to me.
3) Tweenlight
In this parody of Twilight Lisa is smitten with the new boy at school. Treehouse of Horror XXI
I’m a massive Harry Potter fangirl, so anything including Daniel Radcliffe gets a big thumbs up from me. But even despite that I just really enjoyed the jabs at Twilight that the Simpsons were making.
2) Nightmare Cafeteria
In an effort to deal with detention overcrowding and disappointing school lunches Principal Skinner decides to kill two birds with one stone. Treehouse of Horror V
I laughed out loud when Marge assured Bart and Lisa they were too old to have her fight their battles and instead they should march into the school, look the adults in the eye and say “Don’t eat me”.
1) Mmm… Homer
After a mishap with a kitchen knife homer discovers a new delicacy he can’t get enough of. Treehouse of Horror XXVIII
Seeing all the different ways Homer found to eat himself gave me the same morbid foodie feeling I always get when I watch Hannibal but with an added dose of humour.