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Cathal Gunning
Published 22 minutes ago
Cathal Gunning has been writing about movies, television, culture, and politics online and in print since 2017. He worked as a Senior Editor in Adbusters Media Foundation from 2018-2019 and wrote for WhatCulture in early 2020. He has been a Senior Features Writer for ScreenRant since 2020.
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Although The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror specials are some of the show’s most popular episodes, this didn’t stop the long-running series from secretly releasing two extra horror anthologies in November. With almost 800 episodes, a theatrical movie spinoff, and an upcoming sequel to its name, The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history.
Although The Simpsons has gotten too dark for its own good on occasion, there is one venue where the show’s darker side is more than welcome. The annual Treehouse of Horror episodes are among the most beloved Halloween specials from any television show, as The Simpsons goes all out to get in the mood for spooky season.
While many classic episodes of The Simpsons focus on the family’s heartwarming relationship with each other, the show’s Halloween outings center on darker storylines. With a format that parodies classic anthology shows such as The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery, the Treehouse of Horror specials consist of three stories within the episode that parody genre movies, books, and TV shows.
The Simpsons Released Thanksgiving of Horror In 2019
Since they allow The Simpsons to spoof everything from Stranger Things to Jurassic Park, to I Know What You Did Last Summer, the Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials are perennial fan favorites. This is reflected in their ratings, which are reliably higher than the episodes before and after the annual Halloween episodes.
For example, season 36, episode 4, “Shoddy Heat,” earned 0.98 million viewers, while episode 6, “Women in Shorts,” earned only 0.83. In between these two outings, episode 5, “Treehouse of Horror XXXV,” earned a whopping 3.18 million viewers, more than three times as many as the episodes that came before and after.
Considering how popular the Treehouse of Horror episodes are, viewers might reasonably assume that the show throws all of its promotional weight behind these annual specials. However, that is not quite the case. In fact, two Treehouse of Horror specials were released in late November to little fanfare, and they are both secret classics.
In 2019, season 31, episode 8, “Thanksgiving of Horror,” saw the November 24 episode of The Simpsons bring the format to a new holiday. With parodies of Apocalypto, Black Mirror, and Alien, this was one of the strongest Treehouse of Horror outings in years, as well as the longest episode of The Simpsons ever.
A Treehouse of Horror-style anthology episode with three horror-centric mini-stories, “Thanksgiving of Horror” proved that the format could be used on other holidays to great success. Positive reviews from Den of Geek and The AV Club, alongside positive fan feedback online, made “Thanksgiving of Horror” a standout in the otherwise middling season 31.
The Simpsons Released A Second Season 36 Treehouse of Horror In Late November 2024
The episode that preceded “Thanksgiving of Horror,” episode 7, “Living La Pura Vida,” earned only 2.08 million viewers, while the next outing, episode 9, “Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?” was watched by only 1.99 million. In contrast, “Thanksgiving of Horror” earned a whopping 5.42 million viewers.
Clearly, the creators of the series learned that there was no benefit to relegating the Treehouse of Horror series to October. After all, season 36 doubled down on this approach only a few years later with episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” a tribute to Ray Bradbury.
This episode inexplicably aired four weeks after Halloween, meaning “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” was also released on November 24. However, this did not stop the outing from earning 2.69 million viewers, almost as many as the same season’s official Treehouse of Horror outing.
Despite its airdate, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” was a truly great Simpsons Halloween special that parodied everything from Bradbury’s most famous novel Fahrenheit 451 to one of his lesser-known radio plays, “The Screaming Woman.” A sincere tribute to the author and a playful parody at the same time, this season 36 standout was deservedly praised.
Why The Simpsons Released These Halloween Specials So Late
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
At first glance, it might seem strange for The Simpsons to quietly release extra, secret Treehouse of Horror episodes weeks after Halloween. It seems even stranger that the show doesn’t do this every year, but instead randomly releases these Easter eggs without warning. However, the approach makes a certain sort of sense.
In both cases, these episodes were preceded by traditional Treehouse of Horror specials, so they functioned as an extra treat for fans who were paying close attention to the series. Some of the best Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials would be even better if they had a longer runtime, so these November specials allow the show to do more with the format.
For fans of The Simpsons who love the show’s spoofs of fantasy films, horror shows, and sci-fi novels, it can be frustrating to wait an entire year for a new Halloween special. Thus, outings like “Thanksgiving of Horror” and “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” are a clever workaround.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t hurt that these spooky anthology shows consistently assist with the show’s faltering ratings. As such, everyone wins when The Simpsons return to Halloween in late November.
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10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-PG Family Animation Comedy Release Date December 17, 1989 Network FOX Showrunner Al Jean Directors Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller Writers J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O'Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David MandelCast
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Dan Castellaneta
Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)
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Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)
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We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Do you think The Simpsons should release more Treehouse of Horror-style episodes for other holidays besides Halloween?
Cathal
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22 minutes ago
Some fans might appreciate more Treehouse of Horror-style episodes for other holidays, as it would allow the show to explore different themes and parodies. Others may feel that the Halloween specials are a tradition that shouldn't be overextended. There could also be an argument that the novelty and appeal of the Treehouse of Horror format comes from its annual release around Halloween, and spreading it to other holidays could dilute its impact.
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