October marks the advent of the spooky season, a time when the metaphysical not only comes out in the form of costuming but roams the airwaves. The supernatural, witches, goblins, ghosts, ghouls, and zombies are lifted from nightmares to rule the natural world. And fall 2022 promises to be another year for terror in the form of seasonal specials.
The late 1890s was the first-time horror was depicted on screen via the works of the French filmmaker Georges Méliès. In 1910 the United States took its foray into cinematic horror with an adaptation of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.
Televised content relative to the genre came a bit later. However, according to Offscreen, horror has been a mainstay of television programming since the 1950s. So as the old Virginia Slim logo exclaims, "We've come a long way, baby." While horror fans can now get their fix 365 on various platforms from AMC+ to ones dedicated explicitly to horror Shudder, there is still something special about releases that coincide with Halloween, the season of terror. The 2022 lineups of Halloween specials don't disappoint. No matter your platform or niche, there is a little something for everyone.
Upcoming Animated Halloween Specials
Animated specials are the hallmarks of every season; one need only bring to remembrances the works of Charles Schulz and his beloved character Charlie Brown. Of course, The Peanuts gang has entertained fans for years with their veritable holiday specials. But, in 1990, Matt Groening made his stake in holiday animation specials, making The Simpsons synonymous with Halloween with the Treehouse of Horror specials. Not a Halloween has passed since the '90s without a Simpson's seasonal themed offering. Thirty-two years later, The Simpsons will continue its tradition with Simpsons Treehouse of Horror: XXXIII. This year, there will be two Treehouse of Horror episodes for the first time ever.
As The Simpsons and other animated creations have proven, animation is not only for children. Over the years, adults have gotten their fill of entertainment from series explicitly created for the more mature. So, for fans of the adult animation niche, there will be a few specials to frighten the kid at heart. Animated favorite Solar Opposites will be airing its Halloween special, A Sinister Halloween Scary Opposites Solar Special. In addition, HBO Max will be streaming Bugs Bunny's Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacular for fans of all things Looney in October.
For some, it just isn't Halloween without a viewing of the 1966 classic It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Although a television airing has not been announced, it is available to stream for Apple TV+ subscribers.
Upcoming Live-Action Halloween Specials
Animation may not be for some. Some prefer something a little more dramatic, closer to true-to-life characterizations. Streaming platforms will have their unique special releases dedicated to the season. Disney, Netflix, and the Syfy channel have all announced upcoming releases to tickle that fancy. Disney fans can get their fill with the forthcoming Disney offering Werewolf by Night (October). Netflix will be streaming The Curse of Bridge Hollow on October 14, 2022. The follow-up to the 1993 Halloween classic Hocus Pocus -- Hocus Pocus 2 -- will stream on HBO Max. The Syfy channel will run a Bring It On Halloween special Bring it On Cheer or Die. And those who are partial to Big Nate, the series will air its seasonal special "Ghostly Coven of Man Witches."
For some, it takes a bit of insight to warm up. So here are a few details for some up-and-coming features, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Hocus Pocus, and Werewolf by Night.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow is a holiday feature starring Marlon Wayans (A Haunted House) and Priah Ferguson (Stranger Things). The story is about A father and his teenage daughter. The two find themselves pitted against some ornery and determined spirits who possess Halloween decor of all things. The fate of their hometown rests in their hands.
Hocus Pocus 2 is the follow-up to 1993 Hocus Pocus starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The new film will find its home at Disney+ on September 30, 2022. Unfortunately for Salem, someone has conjured up the three Sanderson witches. Oh, the hijinks that will ensue as a new generation will find themselves pitted against the three who find their delight in the ingestion of tiny humankind.
Finally, Werewolf by Night promises to be something utterly delightful for fans of the MCU Universe. Werewolf by Night is a series based on a 1972 Marvel comic by the same name. The series will center on a Lycanthrope by blood but, more specifically, a superhero werewolf named Jack Russell. The series will hit the streaming titan in October.
So, for those who prefer to wait until the season to scare up, a few spooks 2022 will provide what you need. So, gather your popcorn, warm apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, and warm Snuggies in preparation for what is ahead.