The Ultimate Ranking of The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror Halloween Specials

The "Treehouse of Horror" specials, a long-standing tradition in The Simpsons, vary in terms of quality. Since the show's inception in 1989, The Simpsons has never let contradictory canon hinder a good joke. Known for its anarchic nature and disregard for continuity, the series often alters backstories for comedic effect. However, the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes provide an opportunity for truly outlandish concepts. In these episodes, concepts like Ned Flanders turning into a vengeful serial killer, which wouldn't fit in a regular episode, are explored.

At their best, the "Treehouse of Horror" specials allow The Simpsons to delve into darker and stranger narratives. As the release of The Simpsons season 35 approaches, it's a fitting time to revisit the show's numerous Halloween specials. However, similar to reviews of the overall series, the critical reception of recent "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween episodes has been mixed. While earlier specials were beloved for their parodies of classic horror anthology shows, some of the more recent specials have struggled to achieve the same success when parodying contemporary pop culture.

Treehouse of Horror XXII

Although The Simpsons continues to be argued by some fans as deteriorating, the lowest point of the show's Halloween offerings was released more than a decade ago. "Treehouse of Horror XXII" presented a Dexter parody that lacked memorability, heavily drawing inspiration from the much funnier "The Ned Zone," and a belated Avatar spoof. However, neither of these inferior segments are to blame for its dishonorable reputation. The episode's inexplicable decision to satirize The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and 127 Hours - both tragic, emotionally impactful real-life dramas - is as perplexing as it is devoid of humor, resulting in this particular episode being one of the most despised among The Simpsons' audience.

Treehouse of Horror XXIV

Credit should be given to "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" for its captivating opening credits sequence, masterfully crafted by guest director Guillermo del Toro. Regrettably, the episode's commendable qualities conclude there. The inclusion of a peculiar Dr. Seuss parody elicits more groans than laughs, and while the brief yet intriguing spoof of Tod Browning's influential horror masterpiece, Freaks, provides some enjoyment, it falls short of salvaging this particular episode.

Treehouse of Horror XVIII

Whereas early "Treehouse of Horror" episodes focused on The Simpsons parodying classic horror stories and films, later installations expanded on the range of what the show parodied. Consequently, "Treehouse of Horror XVIII" features The Simpsons spoofing Mr. & Mrs. Smith, an action movie that had already faded from memory by the time this episode aired in 2007. Although Ned Flanders scaring Springfield’s children with his "Heck House" provides some enjoyment, overall, this segment feels like the result of exhausted writers still reeling from the recent release of The Simpsons Movie.

Treehouse of Horror XXXI

"Treehouse of Horror XXXI" ended up disappointing fans who were expecting horror parodies, as none of its three segments actually parodied scary films. Instead, The Simpsons humorously tackled Russian Doll (already a comedy), Toy Story (a comedy that is also family-friendly), and Spider-man: Into The Spiderverse in a series of spoofs that were consistently less amusing than the originals. This Halloween special can be considered one of the weakest in recent years, earning its place towards the bottom of the list.

Treehouse of Horror XXVI

Treehouse of Horror XII

In the lackluster "Treehouse of Horror XXVI," the most unexpected twist occurs with Bart's demise at the hands of Sideshow Bob. Despite this, the episode fails to deliver any other surprises. Furthermore, the feeble spoof of Godzilla in "Homerzilla" pales in comparison to the show's previously successful parody of King Kong. Lastly, "Telepaths of Glory" presents a feeble imitation of a superhero story, making Thunder Force appear immensely sharp in comparison.

"The Treehouse of Horror XII" became infamous for receiving criticism from both Harry Potter and The Simpsons fans. The show parodied the books, but it was evident that the writers were unfamiliar with them. However, this complaint seems insignificant when compared to the weaker spoofs that have come since then. One redeeming aspect of this episode is the segment featuring Pierce Brosnan's futuristic house attempting to seduce Marge, which brings some humor. Nonetheless, upon rewatching, it becomes apparent that The Simpsons is starting to lose focus and its pace is beginning to slacken.

Treehouse of Horror XIII

Spoofing the sci-fi comedy Multiplicity starring Michael Keaton may not be directly related to Halloween or horror, but it provides an opportunity for The Simpsons to mock Family Guy's reliance on the series for inspiration. The episode also presents zombie cowboys, which turns out to be the least humorous portrayal of the undead in the show. However, the redeeming factor of this inconsistent episode is Dr. Hibert's clever spoof of The Island of Dr. Moreau. "Treehouse of Horror XIII," although not the strongest Halloween episode of The Simpsons, manages to offer a few moments of genuine inspiration.

Treehouse of Horror XXX

"Treehouse of Horror XXX" kicks off on a high note with a clever Lovecraft parody, where Homer takes on the challenge of out-eating Cthulu. However, the episode starts to stumble with a Heaven Can Wait spoof that revisits themes already explored in "Reaper Madness" and "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad." Additionally, the inclusion of an outdated Shape of Water parody feels out of touch. The weakest point of the episode comes with The Simpsons' inexplicably lackluster Stranger Things spoof, titled "Danger Things." This parody underlines the pressing need for The Simpsons to be more attentive to the targets of its satire.

Treehouse of Horror XXIII

Treehouse of Horror XXV

It was inevitable that The Simpsons would take a humorous jab at the Paranormal Activity films, and "Un-Normal Activity" delivers as the standout segment in "Treehouse of Horror XXIII." Springfield is plagued by a disruptive black hole in the initial segment, while Bart and Homer's parody of the already comedic Bill and Ted's movies falls disappointingly short in the final installment.

The clever premise of the Simpsons being haunted by their Tracy Ullman Show-era selves in a parody of The Others is truly genius. However, the show disappointingly does not fully capitalize on this brilliant setup. Nevertheless, a surprisingly inspired spoof of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange adaptation (of all things) ensures that "Treehouse of Horror XXV" remains a worthwhile episode.

Treehouse of Horror XXXII

2021's "Treehouse of Horror" was a significant improvement compared to previous years, primarily due to its intriguing subject matter. Notably, Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite is hilariously parodied alongside The Ring, while the peculiar interlude of Ed Gorey's artwork is vividly revived in the show. Although it is a bit inconsistent, "Treehouse of Horror XXXII" demonstrates that The Simpsons can still produce captivating (although not particularly frightening or uproarious) Halloween specials.

Treehouse of Horror XXVII

"Treehouse of Horror XXVII" soars with its captivating narrative featuring Lisa's sinister imaginary friend, 'BFF RIP,' accompanied by a delightful appearance from the talented Sarah Silverman. Nonetheless, aside from this outstanding segment, the episode stays within the confines of its familiar formula. The high-speed and scattered parody of The Hunger Games/Mad Max: Fury Road fails to leave a lasting impact, and attempting to satirize the already-humorous Kingsman movies proves to be a futile endeavor.

Treehouse of Horror XVII

Treehouse of Horror XXIX

- "Treehouse of Horror XVII" is not particularly detestable, but it fails to leave a lasting impression. The parody of The Blob, where Homer transforms into the titular monster by compulsively devouring everything in sight, lacks creativity. Similarly, the segment featuring a Golem does not fully exploit the potential of this intriguing mythical creature. The spoof of War of the Worlds fares slightly better, but it falls short of earning a significant spot in any fan's list of favorite segments.

"Treehouse of Horror XXIX" delivers a clever parody of Jurassic Park and showcases the unexpected talents of Lisa, who brilliantly portrays James McAvoy's deranged killer in a spoof of M Night Shyamalan's Split. However, the episode's downfall lies in a smug and outdated anti-tech moral, reminiscent of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Nevertheless, it stands out as one of the more impressive offerings after season 20.

Treehouse of Horror XXI

Maybe the series has never seen a more peculiar blend of parodies than in "Treehouse of Horror XXI". This episode cleverly spoofs Twilight, Dead Calm, and Jumanji. Although the Jumanji parody is acceptable, the Dead Calm spoof sadly misuses Hugh Laurie's talent. However, the choice of iconic source material for both parodies elevates them to some extent. With Daniel Radcliffe's exceptional voice acting, the Twilight parody surprisingly becomes quite hilarious, with the actor single-handedly salvaging an otherwise inconsistent episode.

Treehouse of Horror XVI

The segment of making Springfield’s citizens contestants in the Most Dangerous Game is solid, but "Treehouse of Horror XVI" lacks focus. "I’ve Grown A Costume To Your Face" has a catchy title but lacks a compelling story, while the parody of Spielberg’s flop AI in the first segment falls flat and is easily forgettable. Nonetheless, having one strong segment out of three is still better than a complete disappointment.

Treehouse of Horror XIX

The opening segment of "Treehouse of Horror XIX" is a Transformers parody titled "Untitled Robot Parody," showcasing a remarkable level of comedic ingenuity. This extraordinary comedic flair persists throughout the episode, highlighted only by a spoof from "Treehouse of Horror XX" that casts Milhouse as Charlie Brown. However, even in this instance, Robot Chicken had previously conceived a more captivating and superior killer Great Pumpkin.

Treehouse of Horror XXVIII

The Simpsons took inspiration from Stephen King's notorious tale "Survivor Type" prior to the launch of the Creepshow TV series, resulting in a standout segment featured in "Treehouse of Horror XXVIII." However, for viewers who are not particularly keen on witnessing Homer devour himself, there are numerous other elements worth admiring. The playful homage to Coraline provides immense delight visually, while the parody of The Exorcist exhibits wit and humor, establishing this episode as one of the most powerful outings in the later seasons of the series.

Treehouse of Horror XIV

Treehouse of Horror IX

: Despite the presence of Simpsons icon John Schwartzwelder, the 2003 "Treehouse of Horror XIV" falls short of being the show's finest offering. Nevertheless, it delivers a humorous take on Frankenstein featuring the ever-enjoyable Professor Frink and an imaginative science fiction tale where Milhouse and Bart engage in time manipulation with a watch that can halt time. However, what prevents this episode from achieving greatness is "Reaper Madness," a familiar storyline where Homer assumes the role of the Grim Reaper, a noteworthy departure for The Simpsons as they draw inspiration from Family Guy, rather than the other way around.

Despite lacking particularly strong segments, "Treehouse of Horror IX" still holds up as a cohesive episode. The shocking revelation of Maggie being an alien leads to her appearance on a Jerry Springer-like show, serving as a reminder that celebrities should not portray themselves on The Simpsons. In addition, Larry Doyle's segment, where Bart and Lisa get transported into the TV shows they are watching, showcases the anarchic brilliance seen in his strongest episodes, such as "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken" (season 10, episode 11). Although the segment involving Snake's possessed toupee drags a bit, it still manages to elicit a few laughs.