View source for Treehouse of Horror

{{Short description|Series of Halloween-themed episodes of The Simpsons}}
{{about|the series|the first episode in the series|Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode){{!}}Treehouse of Horror (''The Simpsons'' episode)|the comic series|List of The Simpsons comics#The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Treehouse of Horror series DVD.jpg|thumb|Cover of a DVD collection of "Treehouse of Horror" episodes]]
'''''Treehouse of Horror''''' is a series of annual [[Halloween]]-themed [[anthology]] episodes of the American [[animated sitcom]] and spin-off of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. Also known as '''''The Simpsons Halloween Specials''''', each episode typically consists of three separate, self-contained segments.{{efn|The 2021 installment "[[Treehouse of Horror XXXII]]" expanded to five segments.<ref name="ToH33">{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Jessica |date=July 25, 2021 |title=The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror is Bigger than Ever in Season 33 |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-simpsons-treehouse-horror-first-time-five-segments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731123416/https://www.cbr.com/the-simpsons-treehouse-horror-first-time-five-segments/ |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>}} Each segment involves the [[Simpson family]] in some comical [[horror fiction|horror]], [[science fiction]], or [[supernatural]] setting; plot elements operate beyond the show's normal [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]], with segments exaggeratedly more morbid and violent than a typical ''Simpsons'' episode. With 35 episodes as of 2024, each ''Treehouse of Horror'' episode is numbered in [[Roman numerals]], one less than the respective season it is in.

The eponymous first installment "[[Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode)|Treehouse of Horror]]" aired on October 25, 1990, during [[The Simpsons season 2|the second season]], broadly inspired by [[EC Comics]] horror tales. In addition to [[Parody|parodies]] of horror, science fiction, and [[fantasy]] films, episodes include the recurring alien characters [[Kang and Kodos]], unique opening sequences, and 'scary' pseudonyms in the credits. ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes have earned high ratings and broad popularity, spawning a steady stream of merchandise, including a [[List of The Simpsons comics#The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror|comic book series]] that ran from 1995 to 2017.

==Segments==
''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes typically consist of four parts: an opening and Halloween-themed version of the credits, followed by three segments. [[List of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes|These segments]] usually have a horror, science fiction or fantasy theme and quite often are parodies of films, novels, plays, television shows, ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|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.<ref name="Mirkin5"/> The episodes are considered to be non-[[Canon (fiction)|canon]], which means they take place outside the normal continuity of the show.<ref name="Groening1"/>

The number of episodes of ''Treehouse of Horrors'' matches the number of series of the show: there are no such specials in [[The Simpsons season 1|season 1]], two in [[The Simpsons season 34|season 34]] and one in each other season.<ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref> From "[[Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode)|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.<ref name="IV"/> For the original "Treehouse of Horror", there were three different directors for the episode.<ref name="I"/> From [[The Simpsons season 15|season 15's]] "[[Treehouse of Horror XIV]]" to [[The Simpsons season 33|season 33]]'s "[[Treehouse of Horror XXXII]]", however, only one writer was credited with writing each ''Treehouse of Horror'' episode.<ref name="XIV"/><ref name="XV">{{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}}</ref><ref name="XVI">{{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}}</ref><ref name="XVII">{{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}}</ref><ref name="XVIII">{{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}}</ref> "[[Treehouse of Horror XXXII]]" featured five segments.<ref name="ToH33"/> 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).<ref name=":0" />

On occasion, the episodes will be used to showcase special animation, such as the "[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]" segment "Homer<sup>3</sup>", 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]].<ref name="Oakley6"/> "[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]" included the segment "There's No Business Like Moe Business", which was the first to be musically themed.<ref name="SDCC 09">{{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}}</ref>

==Traditions==

===Opening sequence===
[[File:Treehouse of Horror Tombstone.png|right|thumb|Three of the tombstones from the opening segment of "[[Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode)|Treehouse of Horror]]"]]
The first, second, and fifth ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes open with [[Marge Simpson|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.<ref name="Jean1"/> The entire segment was a parody of [[Edward Van Sloan]]'s pre-credits warning from the 1931 film ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]''.<ref name="Reiss1">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Jean2"/>  The segment returned in the season 31 episode "[[Thanksgiving of Horror]]".<ref name="Oakley6">{{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}}</ref>

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]]'',<ref name="III"/> "[[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 (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''.<ref name="V"/> The [[Treehouse of Horror VI|sixth]] and [[Treehouse of Horror VII|seventh]] episodes featured short clips with no lines because the episodes had run long, and longer segments were cut.<ref name="Oakley6"/> Following "Treehouse of Horror VII", the opening has been upwards of a minute long and sometimes featured an introduction by a character, such as [[Montgomery Burns|Mr. Burns]] in "[[Treehouse of Horror XVII]]"<ref name="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).<ref name="XIV"/>

In the opening segment of the first five episodes, the camera zooms through a cemetery where tombstones with humorous [[epitaph]]s can be seen. These messages include the names of canceled shows from the previous season, deceased celebrities such as [[Walt Disney]] and [[Jim Morrison]],<ref name="II"/> and a tombstone with an inscription that read "TV violence" that was riddled with bullets as the camera panned on it.<ref name="IV"/> They were last used in "[[Treehouse of Horror V]]", which included a solitary tombstone with the words "Amusing Tombstones" to signal this.<ref name="V">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Reiss1"/> 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.<ref name="Groening5">{{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}}</ref> 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 [[The Simpsons opening sequence#Couch gag|couch gag]] with a Halloween theme, including the Simpson family dressed as skeletons,<ref name="III"/> zombies,<ref name="IV"/> and characters from previous Halloween episodes.<ref name="X"/>

===Wraparounds===
The first four ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes had brief [[interstitial program|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.<ref name="Groening1"/> In that episode, Bart and Lisa sat in it telling stories to each other.<ref name="Groening1"/><ref name="I">{{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}}</ref> "[[Treehouse of Horror II]]" presented all of the segments as being nightmares of Lisa, Bart and Homer;<ref name="II">{{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}}</ref> "[[Treehouse of Horror III]]" had Lisa, Bart and [[Abraham Simpson|Grampa]] telling stories at a Halloween party;<ref name="III"/> and "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]" is presented by Bart in a parody of [[Rod Serling|Rod Serling's]] ''[[Night Gallery]]''.<ref name="IV">{{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}}</ref> After a few years, the amount of broadcast time for an episode was shortened, allowing less time to tell a proper story.<ref name="Jean2">{{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}}</ref> 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<ref name="Weinstein7">{{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}}</ref> (until "[[Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes]]").

===Kang and Kodos===
{{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 (The Simpsons episode)|Treehouse of Horror]]". Kang and Kodos have since appeared in every ''Treehouse of Horror'' episode, often in [[Cameo appearance|cameos]]. In some episodes, they only appear in the opening segment,<ref name="XIV"/><ref name="X">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="III">{{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}}</ref> According to [[Al Jean]] in 2022, an unofficial rule is that they must be in every episode,<ref name="Jean1"/> although quite often they will be forgotten and are added at the last moment, resulting in only a brief appearance.<ref name="Groening1"/> 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.<ref name="Cohen8">{{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}}</ref>

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

===Scary names===
[[File:Treehouse of Horror Spooky names.png|thumb|The "scary names" for the writers in "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]".]]
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 "[[Matt Groening|Bat Groening]]" or "[[James L. Brooks|Chains Hell Brooks]]" to complex ones like "[[Dan Castellaneta|Dan CastellanetarghaGAHEGGA (Smash) Gurgle Mr. Hyde]]".<ref name="VI">{{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}}</ref> [[Sam Simon]], who left the show during the [[The Simpsons season 4|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@[[twitter|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.<ref name="Jean1"/> 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.<ref name="Jean3"/> 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.<ref name="Groening6">{{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}}</ref>

===Cultural references===
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 (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'', and entire segments will be based on a single episode.<ref name="Kogen1">{{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}}</ref> Some of the ''Twilight Zone'' episodes parodied include "[[A Kind of a Stopwatch]]", "[[To Serve Man (The Twilight Zone)|To Serve Man]]",<ref name="BBCI">{{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}}</ref> "[[A Small Talent for War]]",<ref name="BBCII">{{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}}</ref> "[[Living Doll (The Twilight Zone)|Living Doll]]",<ref name="BBCIII">{{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}}</ref> "[[Nightmare at 20,000 Feet]]",<ref name="BBCIV">{{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}}</ref> "[[Little Girl Lost (The Twilight Zone)|Little Girl Lost]]",<ref name="BBCVI">{{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}}</ref> and "[[The Little People (The Twilight Zone)|The Little People]]".<ref name="Anderson">{{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}}</ref> The "Bart's Nightmare" segment of "[[Treehouse of Horror II]]" parodies the episode "[[It's a Good Life (The Twilight Zone)|It's a Good Life]]" and is even presented in a format similar to an episode of ''The Twilight Zone''.<ref name="BBCII"/>

Horror and thriller films parodied include ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'', ''[[The Amityville Horror (1979 film)|The Amityville Horror]]'',<ref name="BBCI"/> ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'', ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]'',<ref name="BBCIII"/> ''[[The Shining (film)|The Shining]]'',<ref name="BBCV">{{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}}</ref> ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'',<ref name="BBCVI"/> ''[[The Fly (1958 film)|The Fly]]'',<ref name="BBCVIII">{{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}}</ref> ''[[Paranormal Activity]]'', and ''[[Dead Calm (film)|Dead Calm]]''.<ref name="USA Today"/> [[Robert Englund]] had a cameo appearance in "[[Treehouse of Horror IX]]" as his character from ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', [[Freddy Krueger]].<ref name="BBCIX">{{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}}</ref> 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]]'',<ref name="Scully9">{{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}}</ref> the novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'',<ref name="BBCV"/> ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'',<ref name="IGNXVIII">{{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}}</ref> ''[[The Island of Doctor Moreau]]'', and [[Orson Welles]]'s ''[[The War of the Worlds (1938 radio drama)|The War of the Worlds]]'' radio broadcast.<ref name="ABCNews_20061023"/> 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.<ref name="BBCI"/>

Recent parodies have included films and television specials in more varied genres, including ''[[Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film)|Mr. & Mrs. Smith]];''<ref name="IGNXVIII" /> [[It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown]]; ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]];''<ref name="Topel">{{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 <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Sweeney Todd]]'',<ref>{{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}}</ref> the [[The Twilight Saga (film series)|''Twilight'' film series]];<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and ''[[Jumanji]]''.<ref name="USA Today">{{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}}</ref>

===Closing logos===
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}}

==Production==
[[File:David Mirkin by Gage Skidmore.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[David Mirkin]] 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 [[Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons episode)|first ''Treehouse of Horror'' installment]] aired on  1990 as part of [[The Simpsons season 2|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.<ref name="Jean1">{{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}}</ref> Although every episode is entitled ''Treehouse of Horror'', the first was the only episode that actually used the treehouse motif.<ref name="Groening1"/> 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."<ref name="Groening1"/>

The ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes are difficult for both the writers and the animators.<ref name="Reiss1"/> 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.<ref name="Jean1"/> Part of the difficulty for the animators is that the episodes always involve many complex backgrounds, new characters and new designs.<ref name="Jean1"/> 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&nbsp;minute episode.<ref name="Mirkin4">{{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}}</ref> The episodes often go through many last minute changes, with rewrites requiring new lines to be recorded.<ref name="Reiss2">{{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}}</ref> "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.<ref name="Jean3">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Jean3"/>

[[File:Bill Oakley2.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Bill Oakley]] (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.<ref name="Groening1">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Jean1"/> Several of the writers, former executive producer [[David Mirkin]] among them, believe that the episodes should be scary and not just funny.<ref name="Mirkin4"/> "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.<ref name="Mirkin5">{{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}}</ref> 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 (film)|Coraline]]'', and that, "[in] the age of scary stories [...] appropriateness has gotten lower."<ref name="NPR">{{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}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In "[[Treehouse of Horror XVII]]", a segment called "The Day the Earth Looked Stupid" ends with Kang and Kodos taking over [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|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.<ref name="ABCNews_20061023">{{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 }}</ref>

[[File:Al Jean by Gage Skidmore.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Al Jean]] 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.<ref name="Groening1"/> 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 ''[[The Addams Family (1964 TV series)|Addams Family]]'' theme song.<ref name="Mirkin4" /> Usually when the producers submit an episode for the [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for "[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series|Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)]]", they submit a ''Treehouse of Horror'' episode,<ref name="Jean1"/> and to date, seven episodes have been nominated.<ref name="Emmys"/>

[[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 [[Treehouse of Horror XXX|666th episode]] of the series.<ref>{{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}}</ref> For the [[The Simpsons season 34|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 (2017 film)|It]]'' and its 2019 sequel ''[[It Chapter Two]]''.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>

==Scheduling==

Although ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes are Halloween-themed, for several years, they premiered in November due to [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s coverage of [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[World Series]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[The Simpsons season 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 [[The Simpsons season 15|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.<ref name="XIV">{{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}}</ref> [[The Simpsons season 21|Season 21]]'s "[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]" aired October 18, before the World Series, but the following year's episode, [[The Simpsons season 22|Season 22]]'s "[[Treehouse of Horror XXI]]", aired on November 7.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[The Simpsons season 23|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.<ref name="doubledohs">{{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 }}</ref>

Subsequent ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes have premiered in October, although they have moved back to November on occasion. The [[The Simpsons season 31|31st season]] included a [[Thanksgiving]]-themed spinoff, "[[Thanksgiving of Horror]]". The [[The Simpsons season 32|32nd season]] however pushed "[[Treehouse of Horror XXXI]]" to November 1, 2020, because the [[National League Championship Series]] went into Game 7, with the [[2020 World Series|World Series]] that followed stretching to Game 6, resulting in Fox airing ''Treehouse'' after Halloween for the first time since 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20200924fox12/|title=Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX &#124; TheFutonCritic.com|website=www.thefutoncritic.com|access-date=2020-10-19}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Merchandise==
There has been a variety of merchandise based on the ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes, including books, action figures, [[Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror|comic books]], [[video games]], [[DVD|DVDs]] and a "Treehouse of Horror" version of [[Hasbro]]'s board game [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Although every ''Treehouse of Horror'' episode until "[[Treehouse of Horror XIX]]" has been released along with its season in a [[The Simpsons DVD boxsets|boxset]], in 2003, ''The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror DVD'' was released. It includes ''Treehouse of Horror''s V, VI, VII and XII.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> A ''Treehouse of Horror'' comic book was published annually from 1995 to 2017, and collected into [[List of The Simpsons books|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''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z2 |title=THE SIMPSONS&nbsp;— Season 19 (2007–2008)&nbsp;— Book list |access-date=October 22, 2008 |publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|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 }}</ref>

Several [[The Simpsons video games|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Many of the special character designs featured in the episodes have become action figures.<ref name="Jean3"/> Four different playsets have been made by [[Playmates Toys]] and released as [[Toys "R" Us]] exclusives:

#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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
#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 (The Simpsons episode)|Treehouse of Horror]]".<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
#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", [[Simpson family#Extended Simpson family|Hugo Simpson]] and "Dream Invader Willie".<ref>{{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}}</ref>
#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]]".<ref>{{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}}</ref>
#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,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> the "In the Belly of the Boss&nbsp;— Homer & Marge Action Figures" released in 2005,<ref>{{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&nbsp;— Homer & Marge Action Figures |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }}</ref> "The Island of Dr. Hibbert Box Set" released in 2006,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and a "Lard Lad Box Set" released in 2007.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==Reception==
The ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes are often among the top-rated episodes of their seasons,<ref name="Jean3"/> and many of the ''Treehouse of Horror''s have generally been well-received by fans. However, like ''The Simpsons'' itself, critics have noted a decline in the quality of the later episodes.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In its first airing, "Treehouse of Horror" finished with a 15.7 Nielsen rating and a 25% audience share, less than ''[[The Cosby Show]]''.<ref>{{cite news  | title =Bart vs. Bill, Round 3 | page =D3  | publisher =  [[Lexington Herald-Leader]] | date = October 30, 1990 }}</ref> It was said that it "set a level of excellence that viewers never expected creator Matt Groening to repeat",<ref>{{cite news | last = Holloway | first =Diane | title =Be like Bart: Just say 'boo!' | page =7  | publisher =  [[Austin American-Statesman]] | date = October 31, 1993 }}</ref> although it was also described as "kind of stupid and unsatisfying".<ref>{{cite news | last = Belcher | first =Walt | title ='Simpsons' regain their cynicism in latest episode | pages =4F  | publisher = [[The Tampa Tribune]] | date = November 1, 1991 }}</ref>

"[[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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> fifth on AskMen.com's "Top 10: Simpsons Episodes" list,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and was named best episode of the sixth season by [[IGN.com]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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".<ref name="IGN"/> Rounding out the list were "[[Treehouse of Horror III|Dial "Z" for Zombies]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror IV|The Devil and Homer Simpson]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror V|Time and Punishment]]", "Hungry Are the Damned", "[[Treehouse of Horror III|Clown Without Pity]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror VII|Citizen Kang]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror II|If I Only Had a Brain]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror IV|Bart Simpson's Dracula]]", and "[[Treehouse of Horror IX|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.<ref name="IGN">{{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}}</ref>

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."<ref name="EW">{{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}}</ref> "King Homer" of "[[Treehouse of Horror III]]" is one of Groening's favorite segments.<ref name="Groening3">{{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}}</ref> "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?"<ref name="IGN"/> It is also one of Groening's favorite lines.<ref name="Groening3"/>

===Awards===
{{further|List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons|l1=List of awards and nominations received by ''The Simpsons''}}
In 1996, the "Homer<sup>3</sup>" segment of "[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]" was awarded the [[Ottawa International Animation Festival]] grand prize.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 1998, "[[Treehouse of Horror VIII]]" won a [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|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]]".<ref name="GRA">{{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 }}</ref>

The [[Treehouse of Horror II|second]], [[Treehouse of Horror III|third]], [[Treehouse of Horror V|fifth]], [[Treehouse of Horror VIII|eighth]], [[Treehouse of Horror IX|ninth]], [[Treehouse of Horror XIV|fourteenth]], [[Treehouse of Horror XV|fifteenth]], and [[Treehouse of Horror XVIII|eighteenth]]<ref name=60th>{{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 }}</ref> ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes were nominated for "[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series|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".<ref name="Emmys">{{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 }}</ref> In 1996, "[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]" was submitted for the Primetime Emmy Award in the "[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour)|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.<ref name="Emmys"/> The episode failed to win, and [[Bill Oakley]] later expressed regret about submitting the episode.<ref name="OakleyMS">{{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}}</ref> The [[Treehouse of Horror XXIII|twenty-third]] and [[Treehouse of Horror XXV|twenty-fifth]] ''Treehouse of Horror'' episodes were nominated for the same award in 2013 and 2015 respectively.<ref name="Emmys"/><ref>{{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}}</ref>  The [[Treehouse of Horror XXXIII|thirty-third]] episode finally won the Emmy.

==See also==
{{Portal|The Simpsons|Speculative fiction/Horror|1990s|2000s|2010s|2020s}}
* [[List of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes|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

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Treehouse of Horror}}
{{The Simpsons episodes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Treehouse Of Horror (Series)}}
[[Category:Treehouse of Horror| ]]
[[Category:1990 introductions]]
[[Category:American annual television specials]]
[[Category:Anthologies]]
[[Category:Comedy television episodes]]
[[Category:Black comedy television episodes]]
[[Category:Fiction about curses]]
[[Category:Halloween television specials]]
[[Category:Horror comedy]]
[[Category:Surreal comedy]]
[[Category:The Simpsons]]