Halloween

These Are the Most-Viewed Halloween TV Episodes in the U.S.

published Oct 10, 2021
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I don’t know about you, but nothing sets me up for spooky season like a (scarily) good Stranger Things“, to classic favorites like such as “The Simpsons” “Treehouse of Horror” episodes, there are plenty of shows to get you in the Halloween spirit.

In a new study, USDish has found the most popular Halloween episodes across the U.S. based on search volume, viewership, and ratings. All the episodes in the study were produced between 1990 and 2020, with a rating of 7.5 or higher on IMDb.

Read on to find out which Halloween episodes Americans sink their teeth into the most…

Credit: USDish

A firm favorite among Halloween fans is the “The Simpsons”‘ aptly named “Treehouse of Horror” episodes. Taking the number one spot is the OG “Treehouse of Horror”, with 27.4 million views and an average rating of 8.3 on IMDb. The episode first aired back in 1990 and it quickly paved the way for other successful “Treehouse of Horror” episodes—there are currently 31 of them.

“The Simpsons” dominate the list, taking 10 of the 15 places. “Treehouse of Horror II” comes in at third place, with 25.1 million views and a rating of 8.5, while 1994’s “Treehouse of Horror V” takes fifth place, with 22.2 million views, and a 9.2 rating.

Taking the silver medal and coming in at second is none other than “Friends”. First airing in 2001 during season eight, “The One With the Halloween Party” received 27 million views and a rating of 8.5. In the much-loved episode, Monica and Chandler throw a Halloween party where Phoebe runs into her twin sister Ursula, who has been misrepresenting herself to her future fiancé.

The costumes in this episode are of course iconic, with Joey dressed as Chandler; Chandler as a pink bunny rabbit; Monica as Catwoman; Phoebe as Superwoman; Ross as Sputnik; and Rachel as “a woman who spent a lot of money on a dress and she wants to wear because soon she won’t be able to fit into it.”

Another hugely popular Halloween episode is the “Stranger Things” season two premiere, “Chapter One: MADMAX”, which received 15.8 million views and a rating of 8.3.

“The Holographic Excitation” is a Halloween-themed episode of “The Big Bang Theory”. First aired in 2012, the episode was viewed 15.2 million times and has a rating of 8.1. Also making the list, with 14.9 million views and a rating of 7.9 is the 2007 “Criminal Minds” episode, “About Face”.