Established in the second season of the long-running television seriesThe Simpsons, the annual Halloween special known asThe Treehouse of Horrorhas brought satirical terror to fans. An episode involving three segments set as horror stories told inside the treehouse, usually told by Bart Simpson or his friends or family, each episode uses horror and supernatural themes.
The Treehouse of Horrorepisodes serve as a Halloween special that complete ignores the regular continuity ofThe Simpsonsin favor of the special presentation many sitcoms have used over the years. The specials also allow characters to break the fourth wall and interact with the audience.
8Treehouse of Horror XV (2004)
Season 16, Episode 1
WhileStephen Kingis a classic horror icon, his writings also make a perfect parody adaptation forThe Simpsonsannual Halloween special. In this version, Ned Flanders starts seeing visions of the future. One vision reveals Homer will cause a devastating disaster, which probably would happen in normal continuity, but this one is just for theTreehouse of Horror.
The other segments in the episode include Lisa working as a detective on a murder mystery set in the styling of Jack the Ripper, and a sci-fi adventure where Maggie is shrunk down and Mr. Burns accidentally swallows her.
7Treehouse of Horror XII (2001)
Season 13, Episode 1
Whenever a celebrity decides to guest star onThe Simpsonsby playing themselves, it goes a long way in the humor department. This Halloween special features Pierce Brosnan appearing as the celebrity artificial intelligence voice for a smarT home. However, his supercomputer develops a crush on Marge.
This episode also tackles theHarry Pottertrend by featuring Lisa and Bart at a magical school and Bart is willing to go to extreme lengths to beat his sister. And Homer gets a curse put on him that punishes anyone around him.
6Treehouse of Horror XI (2000)
Season 12, Episode 1
While the early 2000s is when many fans will say the quality ofThe Simpsonsstarted to dip,The Treehouse of Horrorepisodes still managed to deliver. While Homer often dies in these Halloween specials, the 2000 episode had him die from eating broccoli and contend with the afterlife.
It also features a retelling of the classic fairytaleHansel and Gretelwith Bart and Lisa confronted by the witch. And one segment spoofed the animal attack horror movies that have become popular over the years. This one featured super-intelligent dolphins trying to take out humanity.
5Treehouse of Horror IX (1998)
Season 10, Episode 4
By around season ten, theTreehouse of Horrorspecials started getting more timely with its parodies. The highlight of this episode was theStarship Pooperssegment, a play on the popular filmStarship Troopers. In this version, Homer and Marge learn that Maggie is actually an alien.
The episode also featured a segment where Bart and Lisa were sucked into their television. While their horror aspects seemed to spoof the filmStay Tuned, the filmPleasantvillewas also released around the time of this episode and also featured its main characters sucked into a television show.
4Treehouse of Horror II (1991)
Season 3, Episode 7
The early days ofThe Treehouse of Horroroften put a focus on some of the tales we’ve heard growing up. In the second version, Lisa, Bart and Homer are all haunted by nightmares after eating too much candy. Still, these nightmares end up tackling some well known horror and supernatural stories.
Lisa dreams about a magical monkey’s paw that grants the user three wishes. Bart dreams he’s in a version of Springfield where everyone must obey him. And Homer dreams that Mr. Burns has created a sentient robot similarto Frankenstein’s monster.
3Treehouse of Horror VII (1996)
Season 8, Episode 1
What if there was a deformed twin of Bart Simpson? That’s the question the seventh Halloween special asks in its first segment. The tale gets much more gruesome after Bart discovers the twin living in his attic.
The special also tackles science fiction as Lisa goes from science fair winner to an egotistical deity. And even the film argued as the greatest of all time isn’t off limits as the final segment parodiesCitizen Kane. In this segment, the alien odd couple of Kang and Kodos plan to use the US political system to conquer the Earth.
2Treehouse of Horror VI (1995)
Season 7, Episode 6
It was only a matter of time untilThe Treehouse of Horrorturned to the classic horror characterof Freddy Krueger. Groundskeeper Willie haunts the children of Springfield in their dreams and competes with the horror icon’s most memorable kills.
The episode also features a parody of the horror filmAttack of the 50 Foot Womanfeaturing a giant statue coming to life. And Bart ends up in a three-dimensional world with his father in a segment all about Homer.
1Treehouse Of Horror V (1994)
Season 6, Episode 6
Many viewers and fans believe the fifth rendition of the Halloween special to be the best. The episode features an homage toStephen King’s horror thrillerThe Shining, with Homer getting a case of cabin fever while taking care of Mr. Burns' summer home.
The second segment takes aim at Ray Bradbury’s classic storyA Sound of Thunder. And the final segment is an animated version of the Charlton Heston filmSoylent Green, where Bart discovers the school cafeteria is serving people for lunch in more ways than one. With such a packed episode, it is no surprise that this episode is considered the best.
