A Definitive Ranking of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Halloween Episodes

With the revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the way, there's never been a better time to revisit the classic series—especially now that it's October and Halloween is just around the corner.

Not only is Buffy the perfect show for spooky season, starring a butt-kicking vampire slayer who takes down frightening demons in every episode, but it's also full of emotion, humor and heart. Plus, its Halloween-themed episodes are some of our all time favorites. In fact, we have some thoughts on them, and we've ranked all three of them below (though you may want to keep an eye out for spoilers if you haven't seen the whole show!).

3. Season 6, Episode 6: 'All the Way'

While Season 6's "All the Way" isn't a bad episode by any means, it just doesn't measure up to the Halloween fun of the competition, and it's bogged down by a lot of baggage and turmoil in the wake of Buffy's resurrection.

It's Halloween night, and Anya is delighted to see that the magic shop is having a very successful evening. Seeing how happy she is, Xander decides it's the perfect time to announce to the gang that he and Anya are engaged, and through they're quick to celebrate, they also secretly have their doubts about the relationship—Xander included. Meanwhile, Tara is becoming more and more concerned with Willow's growing reliance on magic for everyday tasks.

Buffy's little sister, Dawn, tells her that she's going over to her friend Janice's house for a sleepover, when in reality, they're sneaking out to hang out with two older boys, Justin and Zack. Unbeknownst to the girls, they're actually vampires. When Giles discovers Dawn's lie, the gang goes out looking for them, and Willow's suggestion of finding them with magic upsets Tara further. Dawn is located right in the nick of time before she's bitten, and as a battle ensues, it's finally Dawn who stakes and kills Justin—with whom she's just shared her first kiss.

The episode ends with Buffy unwilling to scold dawn, leaving that tough job to Giles, who's growing frustrated with her dependence on him. After their fight, Willow also casts a forgetfulness spell on Tara to make her forget it every happened. Together, it all amounts to being a bit of a downer. Sure, we do get to see Xander as a pirate, Anya on roller skates and Giles as a wizard, plus Willow chastising customers dressed as witches for appropriating her culture, and a few Halloween pranks, but we prefer even lighthearted whimsy (or at least scares) in our Halloween episodes.

(Buffy the Vampire Slayer via UPN)

 

Also read about: The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot Deck and Guidebook Is a MUST for Witchy Fans of the Series

 

2. Season 2, Episode 6: 'Halloween'

Season 2's "Halloween" is not just the show's first Halloween episode, but an absolute classic that's essential to the great story. It starts with a major progression in Angel and Buffy's relationship as they finally agree to a date, though the wind is quickly taken out of Buffy's sails when she sees Cordelia flirt with him. She's thrilled to discover that vampires hate Halloween and always take the night off, meaning she can also take a break, but those hopes are also dashed when Principal Snyder ropes Buffy, Willow and Xander into babysitting a group of trick-or-treaters.

Feeling slightly inadequate, Buffy makes a gesture to impress Angel, deciding to dress as a noblewoman from the 18th century for Halloween, assuming he must miss the girls from his time. The new costume shop in town has just the thing. Willow also picks out a ghost costume while Xander grabs a toy gun to complete his military man costume. Meanwhile, vampires Spike and Drusilla scheme after Drusilla has a vision that Buffy will be stripped of her power on Halloween.

Buffy, eager to help Willow come out of her shell, gets Willow to wear a midriff-baring top and mini-skirt costume, but her shyness makes her immediately cover up in her ghost outfit. Then, the unthinkable happens and everyone starts turning into their costumes, with no memories of their true identities. The young trick-or-treaters become murderous demons, Buffy transforms into a meek 18th century lady, terrified of the modern world and Xander becomes an army guy, complete with a real gun. Willow also dies, becoming a ghost in a skimpy outfit while being the only one to maintain her memory.

When Cordelia doesn't turn into a cat, because she bought her costume elsewhere, they realize the costume shop is to blame, and that its proprietor, the evil Ethan Rayne, was friends with Giles back in his rebellious days as a user of the dark arts. Spike shows up to wreak some havoc, seeking to kill Buffy in her weakened form, but Giles shows up to reverse the spell just in time, giving Buffy the perfect opportunity to quip and defeat Spike once she regains her identity.

There's so much to love about this episode, from its villains—Spike, Drusilla and Ethan—to seeing the leads inhabit different characters, and the development of Buffy and Angel's relationship, as well as setting up Willow's relationship with Oz once he sees her in costume. It perfectly balances its funny and scary moments while making the holiday a critical part of the narrative and driving everything forward.

(Buffy the Vampire Slayer via The WB)

 

Also read about: Everything We Want From the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reboot

 

1. Season 4, Episode 4: 'Fear Itself'

"Fear Itself" in Season 4 is iconic because it's legitimately one of the more terrifying episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer overall. Now, most of the gang are freshmen in college, and as Buffy nurses a broken heart, everyone agrees to go to a local frat house for their Halloween party. Little do they know, one of the frat guys has painted a demonic summoning symbol on the floor, which Oz accidentally activates with his blood after an injury. Soon, bizarre things start to happen, beginning with a plastic spider transforming into a living tarantula.

Buffy arrives dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, while Xander is James Bond, Willow is Joan of Arc and Oz wears a name tag reading "God." They quickly discover something is amiss when all of the other partiers are nowhere to be found and they're confronted with real blood and bats, and the entrance disappearing as a demonic voice calls to be let free. The decorations seem to be shifting between plastic toys and real threats, and soon, the group's greatest fears start coming true.

Xander becomes invisible to the others, highlighting his insecurity in his friend group, while Oz starts transforming into a werewolf, despite the lack of a full moon. Willow does a spell to guide her, but her magic goes awry and starts to attack her, while  Buffy falls into the basement, where the undead rise from the earth to pull her below with them. Just in time, Giles shows up, brandishing a very cool chainsaw, and cuts their way inside, also letting in Anya wearing a "scary" bunny costume.

They locate the summoning circle, belonging to a demon called Gachnar, but before Giles can explain that destroying the symbol will release him, Buffy does just that. They expect a terrifying and formidable monster to show up, but instead he's absolutely tiny, and Buffy deals with him by squashing him under the heel of her shoe.

It's no exaggeration to say that this episode has it all. The visuals are super scary while also creatively exploring the characters' fears and insecurities, while also packing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It's a standout episode of Season 4, as well as the series overall.

(Buffy the Vampire Slayer via The WB)

 

Obsessed with Buffy? Click HERE to discover some of its most memorable quotes to use as photo captions.