No one quite does spooky season like Disney Channel. For a month, Disney dedicates nearly their entire line up to fan favourite DCOMs like “Halloweentown”, “Twitches” and “Zombies” as well as Halloween themed episodes of some of our favourite Disney Channel shows, new and old. It was never a trick, but always a treat.
We’ve already done a ranking of all Disney Channel Original Movies, which includes the best of the best Halloween movies (cough, cough, Halloweentown II), so we’re celebrating the most Spooktacular time of the year with our favourite Disney Channel Halloween episodes. Every show was considered, including shows that didn’t originally air on Disney but episodes have been acquired like “High School Musical The Musical The Series” and “Boy Meets World”. There were hundreds of episodes to choose from, but in the end, only the best of the best walked away, with the ultimate prize of being the best Disney Channel Halloween episodes of all-time.
Let’s dig up some graves of Disney Channel’s past and dive in, pumpkin head first.
10. A.N.T. Farm – mutANT Farm
It’s a show that doesn’t get much recognition, but “A.N.T. Farm” launched the career of one uber talented China Anne McClain. mutANT Farm exemplifies that talent in a plethora of ways through her comedic timing and ability to create the ultimate Halloween bop that ever lived (sorry, “Thriller”). The episode flips the script and makes the regular high school students the victims rather than the bullies as the A.N.T.’s all have supernatural monster abilities and reek terror on the high school. Fortunately, “Calling All The Monsters” brings everyone together. SUCH A BOP!
9. Phineas and Ferb – Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror
Taking a page from a classic Halloween episode in “Recess” (see below), “Phineas & Ferb’s” best Halloween episode tells three different stories, each with a nod to iconic horror and monster films like “Chucky” and “Godzilla”. As can be expected with any episode, there is non-stop ridiculousness from a stuffed Ducky turning evil to a Giant Floating Baby Head stalking Dr. Doofenshmirtz. The stories are all tied together through Mr. Macabre, a man trying to get a bank loan to write the stories he’s telling the audience. It’s such a cleverly written episode that stays true to the spirit of the show.
8. Austin & Ally – Costumes & Courage
While there isn’t any spookiness in Costumes & Courage, there is a huge milestone for Ally. Before that epic turn of events, “Austin & Ally” delivers laugh after laugh with Dez, from smashing perfectly decorated pumpkins just because of one flaw to dressing up as Austin at the Halloween party. Of course, there is also a mishap that could cost Austin his manager. In the end, everything works out, even after accidentally knocking out “Taylor Swift”. Austin’s need for a duet partner and the fact that she’s wearing a costume empowers Ally to perform on stage for the first time, and it’s a MOMENT.
7. Hannah Montana – Torn Between Two Hannahs
Miley Stewart already lived a double life, but it gets even more complicated for her friends and family when her cousin Luanne comes to town, and just so happens to look exactly like Miley! It’s Disney Channel hijinks at its finest and Luanne is a genuine sociopath. Trying to expose Miley’s secret is her master plan, but fortunately a crush on Oliver is the only thing that stops her from destroying the legacy of Hannah Montana. It’s a spectacularly fun episode that really lets the entire cast be goofy and embrace the silliness that can be Miley’s double life.
6. Kim Possible – October 31st
You can always expect an adventure with Kim Possible, usually to no fault of her own. This time around though, Kim is the source of the problem due to a white lie that takes on a physical form. It’s almost like “Pinocchio” but with a liquid metal armour instead of a wooden nose. Although the action is top notch as per usual, it’s the story of Ron and Kim’s friendship and how they are at different places in their life this Halloween that truly makes October 31st a treat. The fact that Ron and Kim’s crush bond in the end over Trick or Treating is the just desserts that Kim deserved in this transformative episode.
5. Wizards of Waverly Place – Halloween
Arguably, every episode of “Wizards of Waverly Place” is basically a Halloween special with werewolves, ghouls, vampires, and goblins showing up to Waverly Place on the regular. However, the Russos do their very best to use this paranormal day to embrace the normal, hosting a very lame haunted house experience due to Justin’s insistence that it be safe. You can always count on iconic queen Alex to stir the cauldron, getting the at-first silly, but eventually terrifying ghost of Mantooth to frighten the human children like never before. It’s classic family fun with an extra sprinkle of spooky for Halloween.
4. Recess – Terrifying Tales of Recess
Long before “Phineas & Ferb” came the Terrifying Tales of Recess, hosted by everyone’s favourite gloomy foreshadower, Butch. Unlike “Phineas & Ferb”, this Halloween episode is true to its title – it is terrifying! Corn chip Girl turns into a werewolf, Mikey’s bike comes to life to terrorize Third Street Elementary and the gang is trapped in a hole with Ms. Finster zombies. It’s the stuff of nightmares for any elementary school kid and it is a great homage to “The Simpson’s” Treehouse of Horror episodes that are still beloved to this day. It’s the perfect balance of hilarity and fright.
3. That’s So Raven – Don’t Have A Cow
There aren’t any scares in Don’t Have A Cow, but there sure are a lot of laughs and moos. This Halloween episode is the first and only of “That’s So Raven” that takes place almost entirely in Raven’s vision. A lot of times Raven’s vision can be a little wonky, but this one is truly out of this world (or out of the farm at least). In an attempt to have the best costume at her rival Alana’s party, Raven and Chelsea attempt to cast a spell using a cauldron, spellbook – the whole shebang. When Chelsea’s cow pin falls in, the girls slowly turn into cows and it’s one of the most hysterical Halloween episodes in history.
2. Boy Meets World – And Then There Was Shawn
Not only is And Then There Was Shawn one of the best Halloween episodes to ever exist, it’s perhaps the greatest episode in the entire “Boy Meets World”. It brilliantly mocks every slasher film trope horror films are based upon but still manages to maintain the heart of the show and the friendships it’s built upon. Considering it was a family show that later aired repeats on Disney Channel (thus its placement on the list), it has a lot of jump scare moments, leaving you on the edge of your seat and on the floor laughing, somehow all at the same time.
1. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody – Ghosts of 613
Contrary to “Boy Meets World”, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” was created for the Disney Channel, which usually avoids anything too frightening. Yet, Ghosts of 613 leans into the scary, the supernatural and the screaming. The possession of Esteban is so well done that it’s easy to forget that this was once a comedy, even with the continued jokes throughout. Eventually, it’s revealed that the ghosts were all a prank put together by the group to get back at Zack for scaring them at every turn. But like we all know that hotel room is still totally haunted, which is what makes this episode brilliant.
Which Disney Channel Halloween episode is your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. Also, make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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