Among the plethora of television networks that showcase a strong lineup of binge-able content, Nickelodeon is undoubtedly one of the most popular when it comes to live-action and animated series, especially during the bone-chilling month of October when the spooky season can beautifully shine.
Truth be told, there’s nothing more nostalgic than sipping apple cider and carving pumpkins while vintage Nickelodeon Halloween episodes play in the background. In fact, we probably just revealed your secret nightly routine during the spooktacular month. Don’t worry, it’s our nightly routine, too.
Considering Nickelodeon was founded in 1977 and hit the mainstream in the 1980s, it’s quite obvious that an abundance of Halloween-themed episodes have been generated by the network. Traditionally, Nickelodeon even held an annual Nick or Treat marathon from 1985-2002 that included many of those specials. Before you venture out for candy with the kids or go bobbing for some delicious apples, check out this definitive ranking of the 15 best Nickelodeon Halloween TV episodes.
15. The Angry Beavers: “The Day the World Got Really Screwed Up!” (season 2, episode 10)
Serving as the perfect blend of humor for both adults and children, The Angry Beavers provided one of the best Halloween specials in the history of Nickelodeon. In the episode, the sometimes terrifying art of trick-or-treating is displayed by the beavers as they arrive at the doorstep of a spooky house at the top of a nearby hill. In the end, however, the duo discovers that the residence belongs to one of their favorite B-movie acting stars, settling their fears altogether and reminding them of the joyous excitement of Halloween. It’s one of the best for a good reason, and it wouldn’t be the spooky season without it.
14. Drake & Josh: “Alien Invasion” (season 3, episode 16)
Drake & Josh is undoubtedly a staple of childhood nostalgia which brought plenty of laughter into the homes of many. While this episode technically isn’t a Halloween episode — seeing as it was released in March — the special’s spine-tingling premise placed its protagonists in a peculiar situation. In an attempt at revenge, Drake and Josh hatch an elaborate plan to trick their younger sister Megan into thinking she saw aliens in her new telescope. It’s an unforgettable episode packed with some spooky moments.
13. Rugrats/Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: “Ghost Story” (season 6, episode 12)
Can you say iconic? The crossover between Rugrats and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was definitely Nickelodeon’s multiverse of madness. In the episode, the babies gather to tell a scary story, which they all take turns relating in a one-by-one fashion. Eventually, Angelica intercepts and starts telling the story for herself, only things become even scarier when the babies encounter the characters from Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. It’s a spooktacular crossover episode that rightfully deserves a spot on this list.
12. Danny Phantom: “Fright Knight” (season 1, episode 13)
Considering the ever-popular animated series faithfully centers around a teenage human-ghost hybrid, it should hardly come as a major surprise that the Nickelodeon show crafted a variety of captivating Halloween episodes during its initial run. In the creepiest episodes of them all, Danny and his arch nemesis, Dash Baxter bet on who can create the scariest haunted house for the spooky season. Determined to make his house the scariest, Danny takes a deadly sword from a ghostly supervillain known as the Fright Knight, which immediately backfires and introduces one of the show’s most terrifying villains. It’s a hilariously entertaining episode that is perfect for the Halloween season.
11. Big Time Rush: “Big Time Halloween” (season 2, episode 5)
Listen, we’re absolutely not going to mince words here — Big Time Rush was one of the most popular TV shows during the glory days of teenagehood content on Nickelodeon. Heavily promoted as a teenage-inspired response to skyrocketed shows such as Hannah Montana over on Disney Channel, it’s hard to compete with the show’s general appeal and rockstar Halloween episode. With living people and ghosts living side-by-side peacefully, the special conveys a message of unity and Halloween harmony, so what more can you ask for?
10. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius: “Nightmare In Retroville” (season 2, episode 5)
We simply couldn’t have an outline of the best Nickelodeon Halloween episodes without the inclusion of the beloved character Jimmy Neutron. In this episode, Jimmy creates a portal in his lab that allows him and his friends to resemble whichever monster they want to dress as for Halloween. Unfortunately, a mishap happens during the Neutronic Monster Maker’s creation when Jimmy realizes that everyone who has come in contact with the portal is actually turning into their monsters. It’s a classic Halloween episode that still reigns as a guilty pleasure in October.
9. Catdog: “CatDogula” (season 3, episode 19)
Catdog is arguably the most underrated show ever created by Nickelodeon, and their Halloween episode definitely ranks as one of the best. During the episode, Dog is completely paranoid after a news bulletin reports a gang of flying vampire bats around the town. Cat dismisses this as nonsense, but when Dog is bitten and transforms into an actual vampire, Cat must do whatever it takes to change Dog back to normal. Catdog’s run was relatively short-lived, but this episode is chock-full of entertaining moments that really drive home that spooky atmosphere.
8. Zoey 101: “Haunted House” (season 2, episode 4)
Zoey 101 is one of the most popular television series to come out of Nickelodeon, with the live-action series resonating with an entire generation of teens during its original run. In the Halloween episode, the gang at PCA orchestrates a homemade haunted house, which many students believe is “too scary” for the school. Eventually, the gang decides to play scary pranks and trick each other into thinking the “house” is actually haunted. It’s a thrilling episode that will add some spooky depth to your watchlists.
7. The Loud House: “Tricked!” (season 2, episode 39)
Soaring onto the Nickelodeon scene in the late 2010s, The Loud House has become one of the most popular animated projects on the network in recent years. So naturally, Halloween fanatics flock to the show’s spooky specials during the most frightful time of the year, and “Tricked!” is definitely at the top of the list. Centering around Lincoln and Clyde during a trick-or-treating experience, this particular episode embodies all of the charm and appeal of the not-so-recognized “holiday,” from full-sized candy bars to a wide variety of eye-catching costumes.
6. Doug: “Doug’s Halloween Adventure” (season 4, episode 4)
An episode that surely invokes a nightmare scenario comes from one of the most memorable television shows in Nickelodeon’s storied history — Doug. In the spooktacular special, Doug and his friends wish to embark on a fresh-faced rollercoaster ride in a local amusement park. Considered one of the scariest rides at the park, the friends decide to ride it instead of going trick-or-treating. But when the trio decides to ride the rollercoaster ride despite the park closing, things go from insanely wacky to downright frightening. It’s a wildly entertaining Halloween special that perfectly depicts Doug‘s TV perfection.
5. Rugrats: “Candy Bar Creep Show” (season 1, episode 9)
From “Curse of the Werewuff” to “Real or Robots?,” the ever-popular animated series Rugrats is chock-full of Halloween goodies that give us a strong sense of nostalgia. Of all the episodes, however, “Candy Bar Creep Show” is the best of the bunch. In the episode, Tommy’s family runs a neighborhood haunted house — although the babies are prohibited from entering because of the gore-fest atmosphere and creepy props. However, when the babies realize the haunted house includes an array of chocolate candy bars, the gang decides to enter anyway — which makes for some genuinely entertaining moments.
4. iCarly: “iScream On Halloween” (season 1, episode 7)
iCarly has found itself catapulted into the news lately after Jennette McCurdy’s bestselling memoir reached a wide audience of readers. Still, before McCurdy’s tell-all, the creators and writers for iCarly generated one of the best Halloween episodes in Nickelodeon’s catalog. In the bone-chilling episode, Carly, Sam, and Freddie catch word that an apartment in Carly’s building is actually haunted. Of course, the gang brings Freddie’s camera to the apartment, and a few frightful experiences have them shaking in their costumes. In the end, it’s revealed that the apartment isn’t actually haunted, but the episode certainly embodies that harrowing feeling.
3. The Fairly Odd Parents: “Scary Godparents” (season 2, episode 12)
It wouldn’t be a spooktacular list of Nickelodeon Halloween specials without Cosmo and Wanda granting Timmy’s every wish. Only this time, Timmy’s wish proves to be deadly for the entire human race. In the Fairly Odd Parents episode, Timmy wishes to be turned into an actual monster for Halloween to get an abundance of candy after scaring folks around the neighborhood. However, Timmy doesn’t realize that his wish affects everyone else and turns them all into monsters, too, which definitely cuts into his candy share. It’s an unforgettable episode that is perfect for the fall season. Plus, the song “Real And Scary” is an undisputed bop in Nickelodeon animated history.
2. SpongeBob SquarePants: “Scaredy Pants” (season 1, episode 13)
Is there an animated series on Nickelodeon that’s as timeless as SpongeBob? The show has become a long-lasting staple on the notable network, and part of that reason is its list of colorful Halloween episodes that keep fear lovers coming back for more each year. In this spine-tingling episode, SpongeBob and Patrick create a plan to show up to the Halloween party at the Krusty Krab dressed as terrifying monsters. However, SpongeBob experiences a freak accident at the hands of Patrick, and his horrifying appearance is more realistic than he initially thought. It’s one of the best Halloween episodes on Nickelodeon that will cease to be forgotten.
1. Hey Arnold: “Arnold’s Halloween” (season 2, episode 7)
Without a doubt, Hey Arnold’s Halloween special rings in as the best that Nickelodeon has to offer during the frightening month of October. In a warped children’s version of War of the Worlds, Arnold and Gerald decide to play a prank on the folks at Grandpa’s adults-only Halloween party by creating a fake radio broadcast that warns of an impending alien invasion. However, when the news broadcast leaks onto the actual city’s broadcast channel, the entire population descends into a panic. It’s a fun-filled Halloween special that pokes into the deepest depths of our fears — especially when it comes to the possibility of alien life walking among us someday.