10 Haunting Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes Perfect for Halloween

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is naturally a show that is perfect for Halloween viewing, although not all of its episodes are equally suited for the holiday. This teenage horror series is filled with vampires, monsters, demons, ghosts, and other creatures that are typically associated with the chilling season and things that go bump in the dark. Since Halloween is the ideal time for indulging in scary movies and TV shows, it is necessary to have a guide to the best episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to watch during this occasion.

There are actually three Halloween episodes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so naturally, these episodes fall under this category. Other episodes that may not have been created with Halloween in mind can still be incredibly spine-chilling and are perfect for the scariest night of the year. If you are planning on watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer this October 31, there are definitely certain episodes that you should consider.

10 I Only Have Eyes For You

There absolutely must be at least one episode dedicated to ghosts in any Halloween binge-watching session of the show. In season 2, episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer titled "I Only Have Eyes for You," Sunnydale High becomes a ghost-infested place haunted by the spirits of a former teacher and her student. These two were once in love, but the teacher wanted to end their relationship, leading the student to tragically kill her. In this episode, the current students of Sunnydale High are possessed by these vengeful spirits, recreating the tragic events of the past. Alongside this terrifying haunting, creepy occurrences take place throughout the school, like the astonishing transformation of the food in the cafeteria into slithering snakes.

9 Normal Again

"Normal Again" is an exceptionally haunting episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but for entirely different reasons than usual. This episode, which is the 17th of season 6, portrays Buffy experiencing the effects of a hallucinogenic venom. The venom is given to her by a demon summoned by her arch-nemeses, Warren Mears, Andrew Wells, and Jonathan Levinson, also known as The Trio. As a result of the venom, Buffy begins to believe that her life as the slayer has been nothing more than an elaborate hallucination. In her altered state, she becomes convinced that she has actually been a catatonic psychiatric patient for the past six years. The ambiguity of the ending, where the truth remains open to interpretation, adds to the already distressing nature of the episode. This uncertainty leaves viewers questioning whether the entire show could potentially exist solely in Buffy's mind.

8 The Wish

Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3, episode 9, "The Wish," depicts the consequences of Cordelia's wish. This installment introduces Anya, who is still a vengeance demon. Anya manipulates Cordelia into wishing harm upon Xander. However, instead of Xander, Cordelia unintentionally wishes for Buffy to never arrive in Sunnydale. Consequently, the town transforms into a vampire haven with the Master at the helm. Both Xander and Willow turn into vampires, a nighttime curfew is imposed, and Giles leads a rebellion against the creatures of the night. As we celebrate Halloween, it's important to reflect upon the terrifying alternate reality that Sunnydale would have become without its brave slayer.

7 Killed By Death

In the 18th episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, titled "Killed by Death," a truly terrifying villain emerges. Inspired by the character Freddy Krueger, Der Kindestod is a demonic entity that targets and murders sick children, visible only to those with high fevers. While battling the flu during a hospital stay, Buffy discovers the creature preying on the helpless kids. Uncovering a personal connection, as Der Kindestod killed her cousin in the past, Buffy decides to deliberately infect herself with the same virus. By doing so, she can confront and eliminate the monster once and for all. Giles acknowledges the true horror of the situation by commenting that the creature is "must be, uh, horrifying," and he couldn't be more right.

6 Nightmares

"Nightmares" is the 10th episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's first season, and its title perfectly encapsulates its premise. This particular episode revolves around the Hellmouth's influence, which causes the dreams of a comatose young boy to materialize in Sunnydale residents' reality. It leads to various terrifying manifestations, such as Xander's childhood fear of a menacing clown, Giles's worst nightmare of failing as a Watcher and turning Buffy into a vampire, and even forcing Willow to perform on stage. It's an ideal episode to watch on Halloween, the one night when nightmare creatures freely wander the streets.

5 Buffy Vs. Dracula

There's no more captivating monster than the king of all vampires, Count Dracula. Every October 31, countless individuals don the attire of this infamous lord of darkness, making Buffy vs. Dracula a must-watch for Halloween night. The first episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 5 introduces Dracula's arrival in Sunnydale, accompanied by his notorious trio of existing brides and his imposing castle, with the intention of making Buffy his next bride. Naturally, his plans are foiled and the slayer easily dispatches him, but this appropriately eerie episode provides thrilling entertainment for the holiday as he futilely attempts to win her over.

4 Hush

Unquestionably, "Hush" stands as the most frightful installment in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, introducing the chilling antagonists known as the Gentlemen as they ominously glide into Sunnydale. These creatures right out of a twisted fairytale travel from town to town, robbing victims of their voices, enabling them to extract hearts in eerie silence. This results in a captivating and cunning episode that presents a unique dynamic, leaving Buffy the Vampire Slayer's ensemble unable to utter a single word. Undeniably, this genius creation ranks among the most remarkable television episodes ever produced, perfectly tailored to send shivers down your spine on Halloween night.

3 All The Way

Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6, episode 6, titled "All the Way," witnesses the long-awaited announcement of Xander and Anya's engagement, which leads to a festive Halloween party in their honor. However, the celebration takes an unexpected turn when Dawn ventures out with a friend and encounters a group of vampire boys, embodying one of Buffy's worst nightmares. Although "All the Way" is considered the weakest among Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Halloween-themed episodes, even a subpar installment of this beloved show is still worth watching. The episode manages to effectively capture the essence of Halloween, making it a must-watch for those wanting to embrace the October 31 spirit.

2 Fear, Itself

"Fear, Itself," the fourth episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 4, takes place on Halloween. Buffy's friends convince her to attend a spooky party at a local frat house, where a fear demon summoned by the frat boys brings their worst fears to life. The once-themed house of horrors turns terrifyingly real. Ultimately, Buffy discovers that the fear demon, Gachnar, is merely a few inches tall. In a humorous twist, she proceeds to effortlessly squash him with her foot.

1 Halloween

The appropriately titled "Halloween" is undoubtedly the ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode to enjoy on this holiday. In the sixth episode of Season 2, Buffy and her crew are enlisted by Principal Snyder to escort a group of young trick-or-treaters. However, things take a turn for the worse when Ethan Rayne places a curse on the store's Halloween costumes, causing the residents of Sunnydale to transform into their costume characters. Buffy loses her supernatural abilities and becomes a harmless noblewoman from the 18th century, while Xander's role is reversed as he becomes her guardian in the form of a soldier. From beginning to end, this episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an absolute blast, and ranks among the best Halloween episodes of any '90s teen show.