Ranking Every Halloween Episode of Bob's Burgers (so far)
Holiday episodes are a hallmark of classic sitcom television. Bob’s Burgers has absolutely nailed the genre - the kids love Halloween, Bob loves Thanksgiving, and Linda loves Christmas, so the franchise has more than enough IP to plumb for its thirteen (13!!) seasons.
With hilarious and creative costumes, absurd antics, and a big dose of family bonds, the Halloween episodes of Bob’s Burgers never disappoint. This is the definitive ranking of all Halloween episodes in anticipation of the newest Halloween episode coming out soon!
Note: Bob’s Burgers didn’t release holiday episodes until season 3, so that’s the earliest episode on this list. All images via imdb.com
10. The Wolf of Wharf Street (Season 8 Episode 3)
None of the Halloween episodes are bad, but one episode had to be last, and this is it. This episode has amazing costumes (the Cher-iff? come on) and atmospheric animation, but the pacing and execution of the plots are just a bit off. Rumors of a wolf on the loose lead Linda to accompany the kids trick-or-treating, while Bob takes too many pain pills and thinks Teddy is a werewolf. Amateur filmmaker Randy makes an appearance and gets some great one-liners in.
9. Pig Trouble in Little Tina (Season 10 Episode 4)
This is a highly solid episode as they go - Tina’s plots are often painfully relatable and this episode is no exception. After she gets the ugliest fetal pig to dissect in science class, Tina is haunted by the ghost of the pig after she disses it for her friends. Gene and Louise help her get rid of her nightmares in time for the haunted hayride with her friends. Honestly the first part of this episode is what loses it - it has the longest lead up to the actual Halloween content. Also, the fetal pig really creeps me out, and not in a cool Halloween way. Fiona Apple singing the final song is what keeps this episode from the bottom slot.
8. Fort Night (Season 4 Episode 2)
This episode has great writing and a good premise, but is low on the actual Halloween atmosphere. The kids and their friends spend Halloween trapped in their cardboard fort, terrorized by Louise’s stalker, Millie. Not only does this episode introduce us to one of the best side characters in the franchise, it also has a hilarious subplot as Bob and Linda try to finish the kid’s dragon costume in time.
7. Heartbreak Hotel-oween (Season 11 Episode 4)
The kids are sidetracked from a candy revenge mission when they meet a weird old woman at a boutique hotel down the street. They join her ghostly revenge mission instead, which Tina quickly unravels in this Agatha Christie-esque episode. The main plot is incredible, but the side plot where Bob gives blood is very difficult to glean comedy from, and kind of tanks the whole episode.
6. Full Bars (Season 3 Episode 2)
The first Bob’s Burgers Halloween episode may not be first in this ranking, but it’s a great watch. When the kids strike out in town, they decide to head to fancy King’s Head Island for more lucrative candy gathering. Add in a side plot with Teddy at his most paranoid at his Halloween party, and it’s a great watch. Though not quite as creative as later episodes, the kid’s costumes deserve a nod (especially since they didn’t put Gene in blackface for his Queen Latifah costume).
5. Tina and the Real Ghost (Season 5 Episode 2)
When an amateur ghost hunter exterminator discovers a ghost in the Belcher’s basement, the family traps it in a shoebox. Soon, the kids discover the ghost is a 13-year-old boy, and he becomes Tina’s boyfriend. It’s an absurd episode that nails the way preteens try so hard to impress one another. Add in a cemetery and a dash of Tina empowerment, and it’s a great episode. Also, the ghost’s name is JEFF! Can you imagine?
4. Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street (Season 9 Episode 4)
This episode has some of the best costumes in the series - Nun of Your Business, Paul Rudd in I Love You Man, and the classic - Dragon with a Girl Tattoo. The Belcher kids and their friends are having a great time at the Ocean Avenue Candy Crawl until a mysterious group starts stealing their bags of candy. The quest to get their candy back leads them all the way to the end of the wharf.
3. The Pumpkinening (Season 12 Episode 3)
1980s Linda is one of the best conventions on Bob’s Burgers! Linda and Gayle are haunted by a terrible Halloween pumpkin secret resurfaced. I always have complicated feelings about just how far Linda will go to protect Gayle - but honestly, Linda’s relationship to her sister and parents are some of the most realistic parts of the show. Megan Mullally’s voice acting as Gayle is always exceptionally strong, and I forgive them for waiting 12 whole seasons to add her to the Halloween episodes because this one is just so, so good.
2. Teen-a Witch (Season 7 Episode 3)
Sick of losing the annual Wagstaff Halloween costume contest, Tina discovers witchcraft and goes full-on goth in order to win. The added edge to the normally timid Tina is amazing to watch, and the original song in the episode has a delightfully metal edge (they actually re-used it in a later episode about a classic rock radio DJ). The subplot, Bob’s Jack O’Lantern keeps getting stolen, adds a nice edge of levity. Plus, the costumes in the school costume parade are impeccable.
1.The Hauntening (Season 6 Episode 3)
Absolutely the best Halloween episode, bar none. It’s spooky, it’s funny, and it tells an amazingly thorough story for a 22 minute episode. When Louise complains that she can’t be scared anymore, Bob and Linda are determined to make a haunted house that can actually scare her. The pacing of this episode is immaculate and will keep you on your toes the whole time. I won’t give away the twist ending, but it’s absolutely perfect (even without costumes). Best of all, the original song in the episode is a Boyz 4 Now jam.
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