Treehouse of Horror

Treehouse of Horror episodes typically consist of four parts: an opening and Halloween-themed version of the credits, followed by three segments. These segments usually have a horror, science fiction or fantasy theme and quite often are parodies of films, novels, plays, television shows, Twilight Zone episodes, or old issues of EC Comics. Although they are sometimes connected by "wraparounds", the three segments rarely have any kind of continuing connection within the episode. Some have recurring elements, such as "Treehouse of Horror V", in which Groundskeeper Willie is killed by an axe in all three segments. The episodes are considered to be non-canon, which means they take place outside the normal continuity of the show.

The number of episodes of Treehouse of Horrors matches the number of series of the show: there are no such specials in season 1, two in season 34 and one in each other season.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-24 |title=The Simpsons Season 34 Will Have 2 Treehouse of Horror Episodes |url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-34-treehouse-of-horror-episodes/ |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} From "Treehouse of Horror" to "Treehouse of Horror XIII" and resuming with "Treehouse of Horror XXXIII", all three segments were written by different writers. In some cases there was a fourth writer who wrote the opening and wraparound segments. For the original "Treehouse of Horror", there were three different directors for the episode. From season 15's "Treehouse of Horror XIV" to season 33's "Treehouse of Horror XXXII", however, only one writer was credited with writing each Treehouse of Horror episode.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror XV|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror XV|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Odenkirk, Bill; Silverman, David|network=Fox |airdate=November 4, 2004 |season=16|number=01}}{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror XVI|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror XVI|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Wilmore, Marc; Silverman, David|network=Fox |airdate=November 6, 2005 |season=17 |number=04}}{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror XVII|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror XVII|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Gaffney, Peter; Silverman, David; Faughnan, Matthew|network=Fox |airdate=November 5, 2006 |season=18 |number=04}}{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror XVIII|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror XVIII|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Wilmore, Marc; Sheetz, Chuck|network=Fox |airdate=November 4, 2007 |season=19 |number=05}} "Treehouse of Horror XXXII" featured five segments. One of the season 34 Treehouse of Horror specials, "Not It", is distinguished by its uncharacteristic title and one full-length segment (divided in the two parts).

On occasion, the episodes will be used to showcase special animation, such as the "Treehouse of Horror VI" segment "Homer³", in which a computer-animated Homer is shown in a non-animated setting. At the time (1995), it was unusual for a television show to use such animation. The segment was executive producer Bill Oakley's idea and included live-action directed by David Mirkin. "Treehouse of Horror XX" included the segment "There's No Business Like Moe Business", which was the first to be musically themed.{{Cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/100/1007517p1.html|title=SDCC 09: The Simpsons' Treehouse of Comic-Con|author=Pirrello, Phil|date=July 25, 2009|access-date=July 26, 2009|publisher=IGN|archive-date=July 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729162837/http://tv.ign.com/articles/100/1007517p1.html|url-status=live}}

File:Treehouse of Horror Tombstone.png"]]

The first, second, and fifth Treehouse of Horror episodes open with Marge standing on a stage and warning parents about the content of the episode, advising them to put their children to bed. The warning in the first episode was put in as a sincere effort to warn young viewers, as the producers felt it was somewhat scary. The entire segment was a parody of Edward Van Sloan's pre-credits warning from the 1931 film Frankenstein.{{cite video | people=Reiss, Mike|date=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} Marge's warnings quickly became a burden to write, particularly because – as she herself noted – they were mostly ignored, so after "Treehouse of Horror V", they were dropped. The segment returned in the season 31 episode "Thanksgiving of Horror".{{cite video | people=Oakley, Bill|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}

Other Treehouse of Horror episodes have opened with parodies; for example, "Treehouse of Horror III" had Homer introduce the episode in a manner similar to Alfred Hitchcock in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, "Treehouse of Horror IV" had Bart introduce the episode and segments in a manner similar to Night Gallery, and "Treehouse of Horror V" featured a parody of The Outer Limits. The sixth and seventh episodes featured short clips with no lines because the episodes had run long, and longer segments were cut. Following "Treehouse of Horror VII", the opening has been upwards of a minute long and sometimes featured an introduction by a character, such as Mr. Burns in "Treehouse of Horror XVII" or included over-the-top violence, such as "Treehouse of Horror VIII" (which showed a Fox Network censor being brutally murdered) and "Treehouse of Horror XIV" (which showed the Simpson family killing each other).

In the opening segment of the first five episodes, the camera zooms through a cemetery where tombstones with humorous epitaphs can be seen. These messages include the names of canceled shows from the previous season, deceased celebrities such as Walt Disney and Jim Morrison, and a tombstone with an inscription that read "TV violence" that was riddled with bullets as the camera panned on it. They were last used in "Treehouse of Horror V", which included a solitary tombstone with the words "Amusing Tombstones" to signal this.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror V|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror V |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Daniels, Greg; McGrath, Dan; Cohen, David S.; Kushell, Bob; Reardon, Jim|network=Fox |airdate=October 30, 1994 |season=6 |number=06}} The tombstone gags were easy for the writers in the first episode, but like Marge's warnings, they eventually got more difficult to write, so they were abandoned. Another reason they were dropped was that the tombstones would list television shows that had been canceled the previous season; after a few years, several of the shows that were canceled were produced by former Simpsons writers.{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 6 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror V"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} However, after two decades, this gag made a brief comeback in "Treehouse of Horror XXIX" at the very beginning, this time appearing before the main opening sequence and title.

While the early Treehouse of Horror episodes featured a Halloween themed opening sequence, the later ones only included the title and the "created by" and "developed by" credits. Every episode between "Treehouse of Horror III" and "Treehouse of Horror X" featured a couch gag with a Halloween theme, including the Simpson family dressed as skeletons, zombies, and characters from previous Halloween episodes.

The first four Treehouse of Horror episodes had brief wraparounds that occurred before each segment and loosely tied together all three stories. "Treehouse of Horror" was the only one that actually included a treehouse as a setting. In that episode, Bart and Lisa sat in it telling stories to each other.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode) |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Kogen, Jay; Wolodarsky, Wallace; Simon, Sam; Archer, Wes; Moore, Rich; Silverman, David|network=Fox |airdate=October 25, 1990 |season=2 |number=03}} "Treehouse of Horror II" presented all of the segments as being nightmares of Lisa, Bart and Homer;{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror II|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror II|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Meyer, George; Reiss, Mike; Jean, Al; Martin, Jeff; Simon, Sam; Reardon, Jim|network=Fox |airdate=October 31, 1991 |season=3 |number=07}} "Treehouse of Horror III" had Lisa, Bart and Grampa telling stories at a Halloween party; and "Treehouse of Horror IV" is presented by Bart in a parody of Rod Serling's Night Gallery.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror IV|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror IV|series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=O'Brien, Conan; Weinstein, Josh; Oakley, Bill; Daniels, Greg; McGrath, Dan; Canterbury, Bill; Silverman, David|network=Fox |airdate=October 28, 1993 |season=04 |number=05}} After a few years, the amount of broadcast time for an episode was shortened, allowing less time to tell a proper story.{{cite video | people=Jean, Al |date=2003|title=The Simpsons season 3 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror II"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} There were no wraparounds for "Treehouse of Horror V" because they had been cut to make more time for the segments. Following that, the writers permanently dropped them{{cite video | people=Weinstein, Josh |date=2006|title=The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VII"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} (until "Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes").

{{main|Kang and Kodos}}

Two characters that are virtually exclusive to the Treehouse of Horror series are Kang and Kodos, a pair of large green space aliens who were introduced in the "Hungry are the Damned" segment of "Treehouse of Horror". Kang and Kodos have since appeared in every Treehouse of Horror episode, often in cameos. In some episodes, they only appear in the opening segment,{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror X|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror X |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Cary, Donick; Long, Tim; Hauge, Ron; Michels, Pete|network=Fox |airdate=October 31, 1999 |season=11 |number=04}} but often they will make a cameo appearance in the middle of a different story. For example, a story about zombies attacking the town briefly cuts to them in their space ship, watching the events and laughing maniacally at the Earthlings' suffering. The action then switches back to the actual story.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror III|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror III |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Jean, Al; Reiss, Mike; Kogen, Jay; Wolodarsky, Wallace; Simon, Sam and Vitti, Jon|network=Fox |airdate=October 29, 1992|season=04|number=05}} According to Al Jean in 2022, an unofficial rule is that they must be in every episode, although quite often they will be forgotten and are added at the last moment, resulting in only a brief appearance. Their scene in "Treehouse of Horror VIII" nearly did not make the final cut of the episode, but David X. Cohen managed to persuade the producers to leave the scene in.{{cite video | people=Cohen, David X |date=2006|title=The Simpsons season 9 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VIII"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}

Kang and Kodos were prominent characters in the 2015 episode "The Man Who Came to Be Dinner", which was not Halloween themed.

File:Treehouse of Horror Spooky names.png".]]

Beginning with "Treehouse of Horror II", the producers decided to give the cast and crew of the show 'scary names' in the opening and closing credits. Although the names quickly became more silly than scary, there have been a wide variety of special credits, from simple names like "Bat Groening" or "Chains Hell Brooks" to complex ones like "Dan CastellanetarghaGAHEGGA (Smash) Gurgle Mr. Hyde".{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror VI|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror VI |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Cohen, David S.; Tompkins, Steve; Anderson, Bob|network=Fox |airdate=October 29, 1995 |season=07 |number=06}} Sam Simon, who left the show during the fourth season, still receives "developed by" and "executive producer" credits, and until "Treehouse of Horror XXII", he had been listed in Treehouse of Horror episodes as "Sam 'Sayonara' Simon" and between "Treehouse of Horror XXII" and "Treehouse of Horror XXV" as "simonsam@TWITterror". However, following his death in March 2015, he has simply been credited as "Sam Simon" starting from "Treehouse of Horror XXVI".{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The idea for 'scary names' came from executive producer Al Jean, who was inspired by EC Comics because some of the issues also used 'scary' alternate names. The "scary names" became such a burden to write that they were cut for "Treehouse of Horror XII" and "Treehouse of Horror XIII", but after hearing complaints from the fans, Jean decided to bring them back. Matt Groening's rule for the "scary names" is that they cannot be longer than a person's real name, but this is rarely followed by anyone else.{{cite video|people=Groening, Matt|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}

References to films, novels, plays, television shows, and other media are commonly featured, and many segments have been parodies of a specific work in the horror, science fiction, or fantasy genre. Many segments are spoofs of episodes of The Twilight Zone, and entire segments will be based on a single episode.{{cite video | people=Kogen, Jay|date=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} Some of the Twilight Zone episodes parodied include "A Kind of a Stopwatch", "To Serve Man",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml|title=The Simpsons Halloween Special|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=May 5, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040505121254/https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml|url-status=live}} "A Small Talent for War",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season3/page7.shtml|title=The Simpsons Hallowe'en Special II|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=December 23, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223073227/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season3/page7.shtml|url-status=live}} "Living Doll",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season4/page6.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror III|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629180420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season4/page6.shtml|url-status=live}} "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season5/page6.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror IV|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=January 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104203205/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season5/page6.shtml|url-status=live}} "Little Girl Lost",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season7/page6.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror VI|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629180428/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season7/page6.shtml|url-status=live}} and "The Little People".{{cite video | people=Anderson, Mike B|date=2006|title=The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VII"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} The "Bart's Nightmare" segment of "Treehouse of Horror II" parodies the episode "It's a Good Life" and is even presented in a format similar to an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Horror and thriller films parodied include The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, King Kong, Night of the Living Dead, The Shining,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season6/page6.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror V|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=October 5, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005010028/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season6/page6.shtml|url-status=live}} A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Fly,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season9/page4.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror VIII|access-date=November 9, 2007|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629180435/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season9/page4.shtml|url-status=live}} Paranormal Activity, and Dead Calm. Robert Englund had a cameo appearance in "Treehouse of Horror IX" as his character from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Krueger.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season10/page3.shtml|title=Treehouse of Horror IX|access-date=October 31, 2008|author1=Martyn, Warren|author2=Wood, Adrian|year=2000|publisher=BBC|archive-date=September 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904192310/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season10/page3.shtml|url-status=live}} Science fiction films have also occasionally been used as inspiration for segments, and in later episodes, many of the segments were based more on science fiction than horror. Science fiction works parodied include The Omega Man,{{cite video | people=Scully, Mike |date=2006|title=The Simpsons season 9 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VIII"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,{{cite news| author = Canning, Robert| title = The Simpsons: "Treehouse of Horror XVIII" Review| publisher = IGN| url = http://tv.ign.com/articles/832/832607p1.html| date = November 5, 2007| access-date = November 6, 2007| archive-date = November 7, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071107025522/http://tv.ign.com/articles/832/832607p1.html| url-status = live}} The Island of Doctor Moreau, and Orson Welles's The War of the Worlds radio broadcast. In "Treehouse of Horror", Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" is read by James Earl Jones, while the parts are acted by various characters.

Recent parodies have included films and television specials in more varied genres, including Mr. & Mrs. Smith; It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; Transformers;{{cite news|first=Fred|last=Topel|title=Simpsons Parodies Transformers|work=Sci Fi Wire|date=September 10, 2008|url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=59752|access-date=September 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913071414/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category%3D1%26id%3D59752 |archive-date=September 13, 2008}} Sweeney Todd,{{Cite web|title=The Simpsons Say Hello to Season 21|publisher=IGN|author=Goldman, Eric|date=September 25, 2009|access-date=September 26, 2009|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/102/1028530p1.html|archive-date=September 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928110711/http://tv.ign.com/articles/102/1028530p1.html|url-status=live}} the Twilight film series;{{Cite web|author=Angus, Kat |title=Daniel Radcliffe to sparkle as a vampire on The Simpsons |url=http://www.canada.com/Daniel+Radcliffe+sparkle+vampire+Simpsons/2237636/story.html |date=November 18, 2009 |publisher=Canwest News Service |work=Canada.com |access-date=November 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121174411/http://www.canada.com/Daniel%2BRadcliffe%2Bsparkle%2Bvampire%2BSimpsons/2237636/story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2009 }} and Jumanji.{{Cite web|title='The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror' is missing a few planks|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2010-11-05-treehouse05_ST_N.htm|author=Bianco, Robert|work=USA Today|date=November 6, 2010|access-date=November 6, 2010|archive-date=November 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107001103/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2010-11-05-treehouse05_ST_N.htm|url-status=live}}

A modified version of the production logo for Gracie Films is displayed after the closing credits. The shushing sound is replaced by either a scream or another sound effect from the episode, and the jingle is played in a minor key on a pipe organ. The first three episodes did not feature the scream. "Treehouse of Horror VI" and "Treehouse of Horror XIX" did not feature the organ or scream; the former incorporated a Myst homage and the latter used a piano rendition following its parody of Peanuts. The music in "Treehouse of Horror VI" was reused in "The Scorpion's Tale" without the Gracie Films jingle.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

File:David Mirkin by Gage Skidmore.jpg believes the episodes should be both scary and funny and has been responsible for some of the more gruesome moments.|alt=A seated man wearing a cap smiles as he looks into the distance. His hands are crossed.]]

The first Treehouse of Horror installment aired on 1990 as part of the second season, and its on-screen title was "The Simpsons Halloween Special." ("Treehouse of Horror XIII" was the first to feature "Treehouse of Horror" in the on-screen title.) It was inspired by EC Comics Horror tales.{{cite video | people=Jean, Al |date=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} Although every episode is entitled Treehouse of Horror, the first was the only episode that actually used the treehouse motif. During production of the first episode, Matt Groening was nervous about "The Raven" segment, and felt it would be "the worst, most pretentious thing [they had] ever done."

The Treehouse of Horror episodes are difficult for both the writers and the animators. The episodes were originally written at the beginning of the production run, but in later seasons they were written at the end and aired at the beginning of the next season as holdovers, giving the animators more time to work. Part of the difficulty for the animators is that the episodes always involve many complex backgrounds, new characters and new designs. They are difficult for the writers because they must produce three stories, an opening and, in the early episodes, a wraparound. They would have to try to fit all of this into a 20–22 minute episode.{{cite video | people=Mirkin, David|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} The episodes often go through many last minute changes, with rewrites requiring new lines to be recorded.{{cite video | people=Reiss, Mike|date=2003|title=The Simpsons season 3 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror II"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} "Treehouse of Horror III" in particular underwent somewhere between 80 and 100 line changes in the six-week period between the arrival of the animation from Korea and the airing of the episode.{{cite video | people=Jean, Al |date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} By the fourth season, executive producers Al Jean and Mike Reiss were less enamored of Treehouse of Horror episodes and considered dropping them, but the other writers insisted that they be kept.

File:Bill Oakley2.jpg (along with Josh Weinstein) executive produced two episodes and wrote one segment.|alt=A portrait of a man with black hair looking at the viewer]]

Part of the attraction for the writers is that they are able to break the rules and include violence that would not make a regular episode.{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|date=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} In some cases, the writers will have an idea that is too violent and far-fetched or too short for a normal episode, but can be used as a segment in the seasonal special. Several of the writers, former executive producer David Mirkin among them, believe that the episodes should be scary and not just funny. "Treehouse of Horror V" was described by Mirkin as being one of "the most intense, disturbing Halloween show ever" as it was filled with violence and gore in response to new censorship rules.{{cite video | people=Mirkin, David|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 6 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} Early episodes seem mild compared to the carnage that followed in later episodes, according to Jean, who calls it "a societal thing". He points out that his 10-year-old daughter loves films like Coraline, and that, "[in] the age of scary stories [...] appropriateness has gotten lower."{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/10/30/453217087/fxx-celebrates-halloween-with-the-simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-marathon|title=FXX Celebrates Halloween With 'The Simpsons' Treehouse Of Horror Marathon|publisher=NPR|access-date=November 2, 2015|date=October 30, 2015|author=Blair, Elizabeth|newspaper=NPR.org|archive-date=November 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102011607/http://www.npr.org/2015/10/30/453217087/fxx-celebrates-halloween-with-the-simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-marathon|url-status=live}}

Although gruesome for the most part, some segments, such as "Citizen Kang" in "Treehouse of Horror VII", satirize political issues. The opening segment of "Treehouse of Horror XIX" featured Homer attempting to vote for Barack Obama but a rigged electronic voting machine instead registers a vote for John McCain.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/doh-bama/|title=D'oh-Bama|work=New York Times|access-date=October 22, 2008|date=October 2, 2008|author=Stelter, Brian|archive-date=October 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008103523/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/doh-bama/|url-status=live}} Rather than taking sides in the election, Jean says it is "mostly a comment on what many people believe to be the irregularities in our voting system".{{cite news|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/features/article_1432969.php/The_Simpsons_Al_Jean_interview_new_season_begins_September_28 |title='The Simpsons' Al Jean interview, new season begins September 28 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |access-date=October 22, 2008 |date=September 25, 2008 |author=MacIntyre, April |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928104434/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/features/article_1432969.php/The_Simpsons_Al_Jean_interview_new_season_begins_September_28 |archive-date=September 28, 2008 }} In "Treehouse of Horror XVII", a segment called "The Day the Earth Looked Stupid" ends with Kang and Kodos taking over Springfield as part of a mission called "Operation: Enduring Occupation". The script originally called for Kodos and Kang to look over the smoking ruins of Springfield and say: "This sure is a lot like Iraq will be." The Fox network did not have any objection to the line, but it was rejected by some of the writers as too obvious and was cut from the broadcast. While cut from the aired version, the line does appear in the "review" version sent to newspapers and magazines.{{cite news | url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2600380&page=1 | date=October 23, 2006 | title='Simpsons' Halloween 'Horror' Could Hit GOP | last=Redeker | first=Bill | publisher=ABC News | access-date=November 9, 2007 | archive-date=August 4, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804074907/http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2600380&page=1 | url-status=live }}

File:Al Jean by Gage Skidmore.jpg has been executive producer for more Treehouse of Horror episodes than any other EP.|alt=A man with glasses and a red shirt is sitting in front of a microphone.]]

The first Treehouse of Horror episode marked the first time that an alternate version of the theme that airs over the end credits was used. Originally, it was intended to use a theremin, but one could not be found that could hit all the necessary notes. The closing of "Treehouse of Horror IV" features a version of the theme that is a combination of the instruments used in The Munsters theme song and the harpiscord and clicking from the Addams Family theme song. Usually when the producers submit an episode for the Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)", they submit a Treehouse of Horror episode, and to date, seven episodes have been nominated.

Üter Zörker is so far the only human character introduced in a Treehouse of Horror to make it into canon. His debut episode was "Treehouse of Horror IV" in the segment "Terror at {{frac|5|1|2}} Feet". He is an obese German exchange student obsessed with candy and was voiced by Russi Taylor until her death.

2019's Treehouse of Horror was the 666th episode of the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-xxx-episode-666/|title='The Simpsons': Next Year's 'Treehouse of Horror' Will Be Episode 666|last=Maglio|first=Tony|date=October 16, 2018|publisher=The Wrap|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017110727/https://www.thewrap.com/simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-xxx-episode-666/|url-status=live}} For the 34th season of The Simpsons, two Treehouse of Horror episodes were produced; the first episode was "Not It", a parody of the 2017 supernatural horror film It and its 2019 sequel It Chapter Two.{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/events/comic-con/the-simpsons-two-treehouse-of-horror-episodes-season-34-comic-con-2022/ |title=The Simpsons to do TWO Treehouse of Horror episodes this Halloween |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=July 23, 2022 |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2022-10-01}}

Although Treehouse of Horror episodes are Halloween-themed, for several years, they premiered in November due to Fox's coverage of Major League Baseball's World Series.{{cite news|title=Pick of the Day: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVII|last=Ryan|first=Andrew|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=November 4, 2006|pages=12}} Season 12's "Treehouse of Horror XI" was the first episode to air in November. There have been several references to this in the show, such as in Season 15's "Treehouse of Horror XIV" where Kang looks at a TV Guide and says, "Pathetic humans. They're showing a Halloween episode... in November!" and Kodos replies "Who's still thinking about Halloween? We've already got our Christmas decorations up!" The camera then cuts to a shot of the fireplace with Christmas decorations, and festive Christmas music plays over the opening credits.{{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror XIV|episode-link=Treehouse of Horror XIV |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Moore, Steven Dean|network=Fox |airdate=November 2, 2003 |season=15 |number=01}} Season 21's "Treehouse of Horror XX" aired October 18, before the World Series, but the following year's episode, Season 22's "Treehouse of Horror XXI", aired on November 7.{{Cite web|title='Simpsons' continues tradition of late Halloween episode |url=http://www2.journalnow.com/entertainment/2010/oct/31/simpsons-continues-tradition-of-late-halloween-epi-ar-494091/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525153318/http://www2.journalnow.com/entertainment/2010/oct/31/simpsons-continues-tradition-of-late-halloween-epi-ar-494091/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |author=Clodfelter, Tim |date=October 31, 2010 |access-date=November 6, 2010 }} Season 23's "Treehouse of Horror XXII" aired on October 30 as the 2011 World Series (which went the maximum of seven games) had concluded on October 28.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z176z5z8&ID=8092 |title=FOX ORDERS DOUBLE D'OHS OF "THE SIMPSONS" – Longest Running Scripted Series on Television is Renewed Through Season 25 |date=October 7, 2011 |publisher=FOXFlash |access-date=November 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010030451/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z176z5z8&ID=8092 |archive-date=October 10, 2011 }}

Subsequent Treehouse of Horror episodes have premiered in October, although they have moved back to November on occasion. The 31st season included a Thanksgiving-themed spinoff, "Thanksgiving of Horror". The 32nd season however pushed "Treehouse of Horror XXXI" to November 1, 2020, because the National League Championship Series went into Game 7, with the World Series that followed stretching to Game 6, resulting in Fox airing Treehouse after Halloween for the first time since 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20200924fox12/|title=Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX | TheFutonCritic.com|website=www.thefutoncritic.com|access-date=2020-10-19}} Citytv in Canada however aired the episode as originally scheduled. "Treehouse of Horror XXXII" aired on October 10, 2021, to avoid airing in November due to the World Series overrun, and, with no 2022 World Series game scheduled on a Sunday, "Treehouse of Horror XXXIII" aired on October 30, 2022. "Treehouse of Horror XXXIV," however, aired on November 5, 2023, and "Treehouse of Horror XXXV" aired on November 3, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=October 24, 2023 |title=The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXXIV Release Date Confirmed |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/the-simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-xxxiv-release-date/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}

There has been a variety of merchandise based on the Treehouse of Horror episodes, including books, action figures, comic books, video games, DVDs and a "Treehouse of Horror" version of Hasbro's board game Monopoly.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=10185&pa=xsell |title=Monopoly: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Edition |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Although every Treehouse of Horror episode until "Treehouse of Horror XIX" has been released along with its season in a boxset, in 2003, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror DVD was released. It includes Treehouse of Horrors V, VI, VII and XII.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=12541&v=simfandvd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011164007/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=12541&v=simfandvd |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror DVD |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }} A Treehouse of Horror comic book was published annually from 1995 to 2017, and collected into several books, including The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Fun-Filled Frightfest, Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror Spine-Tingling Spooktacular, Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror Heebie-Jeebie Hullabaloo and The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Hoodoo Voodoo Brouhaha.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z2 |title=THE SIMPSONS — Season 19 (2007–2008) — Book list |access-date=October 22, 2008 |publisher=FoxFlash |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831062640/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z2 |archive-date=August 31, 2008 }}

Several video games based on The Simpsons include levels with a Halloween theme, including The Simpsons: Hit & Run and The Simpsons Game. In 2001, Fox Interactive and THQ released The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror on Game Boy Color. The entire game has a Halloween theme as the player tries to save the Simpson family from the Treehouse of Horror.{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/014/014644.html|title=Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror|access-date=December 17, 2007|publisher=IGN.com|archive-date=March 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319222614/http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/014/014644.html|url-status=live}}

Many of the special character designs featured in the episodes have become action figures. Four different playsets have been made by Playmates Toys and released as Toys "R" Us exclusives:

1. The "Treehouse of Horror I" set was released in 2000 and included a cemetery playset as well as "Devil Flanders", "Bart the Fly", "Vampire Burns", and "King Homer". It also came with an "Evil Krusty Doll" and Gremlin as accessories.{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0005|title=Treehouse of Horror I|access-date=November 9, 2007|publisher=Simpsons Collectors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524134724/http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0005|archive-date=May 24, 2006|url-status=dead}}
2. The "Treehouse of Horror 2" set was released in 2001 and included an interior alien spaceship playset as well as Kang, Kodos and "Alien Ship Homer". The entire set was based on "Treehouse of Horror".{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0010 |title=THOH 2 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=Simpsons Collectors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524134644/http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0010 |archive-date=May 24, 2006 }}
3. The "Treehouse of Horror 3" set was released in 2002 and included a playset based on the "Ironic Punishment Division" of Hell in "Treehouse of Horror IV". It came with "Donuthead Homer", "Witch Marge", Hugo Simpson and "Dream Invader Willie".{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0023|title=THOH 3|access-date=November 9, 2007|publisher=Simpsons Collectors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524134718/http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0023|archive-date=May 24, 2006|url-status=dead}}
4. The final "Treehouse of Horror 4" set was released in 2003 and included a playset based on Comic Book Guy's "Collector's all-plastic lair". It came with "The Collector", "Clobber Girl Lisa", "Stretch Dude Bart" and Lucy Lawless. All the designs were based on "Treehouse of Horror X".{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0034|title=THOH 4|access-date=November 9, 2007|publisher=Simpsons Collectors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524134714/http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/environment.asp?env=E0034|archive-date=May 24, 2006|url-status=dead}}
5. On 2019, Funko revealed a 2-pack Kang and Kodos vinyl figure set presented as an exclusive for the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, along with a Treehouse of Horror Pop! wave, including King Homer (Treehouse of Horror III), Fly Bart (Treehouse of Horror VIII), Cat Marge (Treehouse of Horror XIII), Demon Lisa (Treehouse of Horror XXV), and Alien Maggie (Treehouse of Horror IX).

After the Playmates Toys sets were finished, McFarlane Toys produced four Treehouse of Horror themed playsets including the "Ironic Punishment Box Set" released in 2004,{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=10242&v=simfantoy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630221134/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=10242&v=simfantoy |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2007 |title=The Simpsons Ironic Punishment Box Set |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }} the "In the Belly of the Boss — Homer & Marge Action Figures" released in 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=17316&v=simfantoy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011162520/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=17316&v=simfantoy |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=In the Belly of the Boss — Homer & Marge Action Figures |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }} "The Island of Dr. Hibbert Box Set" released in 2006,{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=35820&v=simfantoy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011163531/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=35820&v=simfantoy |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=The Island of Dr. Hibbert Box Set |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }} and a "Lard Lad Box Set" released in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=35821&v=simfantoy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409212257/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=35821&v=simfantoy |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |title=Lard Lad Box Set |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }}

The Treehouse of Horror episodes are often among the top-rated episodes of their seasons, and many of the Treehouse of Horrors have generally been well-received by fans. However, like The Simpsons itself, critics have noted a decline in the quality of the later episodes.{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/744/744221p1.html|title=The Simpsons: "Treehouse of Horror XVII" Review|author=Iverson, Dan|date=November 6, 2006|access-date=November 29, 2007|publisher=IGN.com|archive-date=December 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230200206/http://tv.ign.com/articles/744/744221p1.html|url-status=live}} In its first airing, "Treehouse of Horror" finished with a 15.7 Nielsen rating and a 25% audience share, less than The Cosby Show.{{cite news | title =Bart vs. Bill, Round 3 | page =D3 | publisher = Lexington Herald-Leader | date = October 30, 1990 }} It was said that it "set a level of excellence that viewers never expected creator Matt Groening to repeat",{{cite news | last = Holloway | first =Diane | title =Be like Bart: Just say 'boo!' | page =7 | publisher = Austin American-Statesman | date = October 31, 1993 }} although it was also described as "kind of stupid and unsatisfying".{{cite news | last = Belcher | first =Walt | title ='Simpsons' regain their cynicism in latest episode | pages =4F | publisher = The Tampa Tribune | date = November 1, 1991 }}

"Treehouse of Horror V" is considered the best episode by several critics: it finished ninth on Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s top 25 The Simpsons episode list,{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,417748_2,00.html|title=The Family Dynamic|access-date=November 9, 2007|date=January 29, 2003|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=May 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510032159/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C417748_2%2C00.html|url-status=dead}} fifth on AskMen.com's "Top 10: Simpsons Episodes" list,{{cite web|url=http://uk.askmen.com/top_10/entertainment_60/64b_top_10_list.html|title=Top 10: Simpsons Episodes|access-date=November 9, 2007|author=Weir, Rich|publisher=Askmen.com|archive-date=January 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116052941/http://uk.askmen.com/top_10/entertainment_60/64b_top_10_list.html|url-status=live}} and was named best episode of the sixth season by IGN.com.{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/731/731095p2.html|title=The Simpsons: 17 Seasons, 17 Episodes|author1=Goldman, Eric|author2=Dan Iverson, Brian Zoromski|publisher=IGN.com|date=September 8, 2006|access-date=November 9, 2007|archive-date=March 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304215501/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/731/731095p2.html|url-status=live}} In 2006, James Earl Jones, who guest starred in "Treehouse of Horror" and "Treehouse of Horror V", was named seventh on IGN's "Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances" list.{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p4.html|title=Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances|author1=Goldman, Eric|author2=Dan Iverson, Brian Zoromski|access-date=November 9, 2007|publisher=IGN.com|archive-date=February 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206061719/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p4.html|url-status=live}}

In 2006, IGN.com published a list of the top ten Treehouse of Horror segments, and they placed "The Shinning" from "Treehouse of Horror V" at the top, saying it was "not only a standout installment of the annual Halloween episode, but of The Simpsons, period". Rounding out the list were "Dial "Z" for Zombies", "The Devil and Homer Simpson", "Time and Punishment", "Hungry Are the Damned", "Clown Without Pity", "Citizen Kang", "If I Only Had a Brain", "Bart Simpson's Dracula", and "Starship Poopers". The third, fourth, and fifth episodes were each represented by two segments. The most recent episode on the list was "Treehouse of Horror IX", from 1998.{{cite web| url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/742/742680p1.html| title=Top 10 Segments from The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror| date=October 28, 2008| access-date=October 29, 2008| author1=Goldman, Eric| author2=Iverson, Dan| author3=Zoromski, Brian| publisher=IGN| archive-date=June 25, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625171252/http://tv.ign.com/articles/742/742680p1.html| url-status=live}}

In 2000, "Treehouse of Horror VII" was ranked Simpsons creator Matt Groening's seventh-favorite episode, and the line he likes best is: "We have reached the limit of what rectal probing can teach us."{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/01/14/springfield-dreams/|title=Springfield of Dreams|access-date=November 9, 2007|date=January 14, 2000|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|author=Snierson, Dan|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012014638/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275114,00.html|url-status=live}} "King Homer" of "Treehouse of Horror III" is one of Groening's favorite segments.{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Treehouse of Horror III"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} "Treehouse of Horror III" is also noted for the moment where Homer shoots Ned Flanders and Bart says "Dad, you killed the Zombie Flanders!" only for Homer to reply, "He was a zombie?" It is also one of Groening's favorite lines.

{{further|List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons|l1=List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons}}

In 1996, the "Homer³" segment of "Treehouse of Horror VI" was awarded the Ottawa International Animation Festival grand prize.{{cite news|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.8/articles/walz1.8.html|title=Ottawa International Animation Festival|author=Walz, Gene|year=1996|access-date=March 6, 2015|publisher=Animation World Network|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103050/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.8/articles/walz1.8.html|url-status=live}} In 1998, "Treehouse of Horror VIII" won a Golden Reel Award for "Best Sound Editing – Television Animated Specials"; the recipients were Robert Mackston, Travis Powers, Norm MacLeod, and Terry Greene. Bob Beecher also received a nomination for "Best Sound Editing in Television Animation – Music" for "Treehouse of Horror X".{{cite news|url=http://www.mpse.org/goldenreels/pastawards.html |title=Past Golden Reel Awards |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=Motion Picture Sound Editors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928171824/http://www.mpse.org/goldenreels/pastawards.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}

The second, third, fifth, eighth, ninth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighteenth{{cite web|url=http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php |title=The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are... |access-date=October 22, 2008 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908033316/http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php |archive-date=September 8, 2009 }} Treehouse of Horror episodes were nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)" at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The second and third "Treehouse of Horror" episodes were also nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special".{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |title=Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search |publisher=Emmys.org |access-date=November 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403022947/http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |archive-date=April 3, 2009 }} In 1996, "Treehouse of Horror VI" was submitted for the Primetime Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour)" category because it had a 3D animation sequence, which the staff felt would have given it the edge. The episode failed to win, and Bill Oakley later expressed regret about submitting the episode.{{cite video | people=Oakley, Bill|date=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} The twenty-third and twenty-fifth Treehouse of Horror episodes were nominated for the same award in 2013 and 2015 respectively.{{cite news|last1=Bright|first1=Charles|title=Emmy predictions: Will 'The Simpsons' finally win Best Animated Program for Halloween episode?|url=http://www.goldderby.com/news/10105/the-simpsons-halloween-south-park-archer-emmy-predictions-13579086.html|access-date=September 3, 2015|work=Gold Derby|date=August 26, 2015|archive-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830000608/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10105/the-simpsons-halloween-south-park-archer-emmy-predictions-13579086.html|url-status=live}} The thirty-third episode finally won the Emmy.

{{Portal|The Simpsons|Speculative fiction/Horror|1990s|2000s|2010s|2020s}}

• List of The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" episodes
• "Halloween of Horror", the first Halloween episode not part of the "Treehouse of Horror" series
• "Thanksgiving of Horror", a non-Halloween episode and also not part of the "Treehouse of Horror" series

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Treehouse of Horror}}

{{The Simpsons episodes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Treehouse Of Horror (Series)}}

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