We’re coming up on the last weekend before Halloween, and I don’t know about you, but it’s supposed to be wet and cool in my neck of the woods. While this wouldn’t normally be seen as a good thing, I’m actually going to relish it as it gives me the perfect excuse to stay inside and watch Halloween stuff.
We’ve watched a fair amount of scary movies so far this season, so the wife and I were thinking about switching gears and watching some things a little more fun this weekend. I got to scouring the web for some fun old Halloween specials, and found the usual suspects, and at the same time, found some I had forgotten about.
Coming across these old specials made me nostalgic for those old days when they were appointment television. Back when you anticipated and looked forward to seeing these specials once a year. The ones that you would stumble across an ad for in the weekly TV Guide, or be caught off guard by a random commercial. Oh how I miss those days.
Then the idea hit me to share some of these with you in case you had forgotten about them as well. So below are several old Halloween specials you may or may not have forgotten about. Maybe you can enjoy them this weekend too.
Paul Lynde Halloween Special
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, which originally aired on ABC in 1976, was a campy, variety-style television event that blended comedy, music, and spooky fun. Hosted by the flamboyant and quick-witted Paul Lynde, the special featured an eclectic mix of guests including Margaret Hamilton reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West, Billie Hayes as Witchiepoo, and a musical performances by KISS in one of their earliest TV appearances. With appearances from Florence Henderson, Tim Conway, and Donny and Marie Osmond, the show leaned into its over-the-top charm, offering Halloween-themed sketches, disco numbers, and tongue-in-cheek humor that has made it a cult favorite among generations ever since.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Disney’s adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow premiered in 1949 as part of the animated feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. Based on Washington Irving’s classic 1820 tale, the segment follows the lanky, superstitious schoolmaster Ichabod Crane as he vies for the affection of Katrina Van Tassel, only to run afoul of the brutish Brom Bones and the eerie legend of the Headless Horseman. Narrated by Bing Crosby, the short blends humor, romance, and suspense with richly stylized animation and a memorable musical score. The climactic chase through the haunted woods remains one of Disney’s most iconic and atmospheric sequences, cementing the cartoon’s place as a Halloween favorite for generations.
Our teachers used to roll the television in to the classroom on a cart every year around Halloween and show this. It’s part of why I remember it so fondly and while it’s so embedded in my Halloween nostalgia.
Halloween is Grinch Night
Halloween Is Grinch Night is a 1977 animated television special that aired on ABC as a spooky prequel to Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Set in Whoville during a blustery autumn evening, the story begins when a sour-sweet wind starts blowing, signaling the arrival of Grinch Night—a time when the Grinch descends from Mount Crumpit to terrorize the Whos with his eerie “paraphernalia wagon.” Young Euchariah, a brave little Who with poor eyesight, gets lost in the woods and ends up confronting the Grinch, enduring a surreal and psychedelic nightmare sequence filled with bizarre creatures and haunting visuals. Unlike the Christmas tale, this special leans into darker themes and atmospheric tension, offering a unique glimpse into the Grinch’s more menacing side while still delivering a message about courage and resilience.
Fat Albert’s Halloween Special
Fat Albert’s Halloween Special, which aired in 1977, features Fat Albert and the gang preparing for Halloween by dressing up and heading out for trick-or-treating, but their night takes a serious turn when they decide to explore a supposedly haunted house. Inside, they confront their fears and learn that bravery isn’t about being fearless…it’s about doing the right thing even when you’re scared. With its blend of animated hijinks, eerie atmosphere, and heartfelt storytelling, the Halloween special became a seasonal favorite for kids growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and is till one I watch every couple of years.
The Wickedest Witch
The Wickedest Witch was a Halloween television special that originally aired in 1989 on CBS, starring the legendary Rue McClanahan in a rare villainous role. Set in a gloomy castle on Halloween night, the story follows Avarissa, the self-proclaimed wickedest witch in the world, who is imprisoned in a dungeon filled with mischievous goblins. Desperate to escape and reclaim her title as the most feared witch, she concocts a plan to unleash her goblin minions on the world. The special blends spooky atmosphere with campy humor, musical numbers, and a touch of slapstick, making it a quirky entry in the tradition of holiday-themed TV specials. Though not widely remembered today, it holds a nostalgic charm for those of us who caught its original broadcast or discovered it later through rare VHS recordings.
Marc Summers’ Mystery Magical Tour
This one was originally titled Mystery Magical Special, aired on Nickelodeon on October 29, 1988, and became a recurring Halloween favorite throughout the early 1990s. Hosted by Marc Summers, then best known for Double Dare, the special featured a trio of kids who find themselves trapped inside a mysterious magician’s club known as The Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Inside, they encounter a series of dazzling illusions performed by renowned magicians Lance Burton and Tina Lenert, along with a cameo by John Astin of The Addams Family. It became a nostalgic gem for Nickelodeon fans and remains a cult favorite among those who remember its annual Halloween airings.
Garfield’s Halloween Adventure
Garfield’s Halloween Adventure, originally titled Garfield in Disguise, premiered on CBS in 1985 and quickly became a beloved seasonal staple. In this animated special, Garfield and Odie dress up as pirates and set out for a night of trick-or-treating, driven by Garfield’s usual obsession with candy. Their adventure takes a spooky turn when they end up at a mysterious old house by the river, where they encounter ghostly apparitions and a chilling tale of buried treasure. With its mix of humor, suspense, and surprisingly eerie atmosphere, the special showcased Garfield’s sarcastic charm while delivering a Halloween story that was both fun and genuinely creepy. It remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of 1980s holiday programming.
So now you have no excuse for having nothing to watch this Halloween season. I hope you’ll pick one or two of these to watch before Halloween, and step back in time for a bit of an old-fashioned Halloween.
Who could forget Garfield? He’s got the best one!
I remember seeing the Sleepy Hollow one in class, like you said. Kinda surprising, looking back. It was surprisingly intense for something from Disney back then.