The Simpsons: 10 Best Treehouse Of Horror Episodes

Now that we're in October, Halloween is just a few shorts weeks away, and there's nothing to get you in the spooky spirit better than the Treehouse of Horror. With the exception of the first season of the show, every year has seen a new Halloween special from the Springfield family.

Named for the very first entry in the long list of these episodes, in which Bart and Lisa trade scary stories atop their treehouse, the Halloween specials have always felt more reliable than traditional Simpsons episodes. The quality of the show has undeniably dropped as it has gone on, but knowing that there will be a Treehouse of Horror to look forward to keeps a little bit of excitement still going.

Broken up into three separate segments, the episodes have followed the same formula for 30 years, with the majority of the stories told as some sort of pop culture parody.

While most are enjoyable, there are some that are far superior to others, with one or two possibly even in consideration for some of the best Simpsons episodes ever. From invading aliens, to secret twins and the dreaded third dimension, these instalments of the Treehouse of Horror series are the best the show has ever produced.

While the Treehouse of Horror episodes have declined in quality over the years, it didn't happen at quite the same rate as the regular episodes as proven by the twelfth Halloween special being one of the standout entries in season 13.

After Mr. Burns and Smithers decorate the house for trick or treaters to start the episode, Homer gets cursed by the owner of a fortune telling shop in 'Hex and the City'. Even after Marge is covered in hair, Lisa is turned into a centaur, and Bart, Lenny, Carl, and Moe die, Homer still won't apologise for ruining the the store despite knowing it would bring his son back to life.

The second entry, 'House of Whacks' is possibly the best of the episode, as the Simpsons' new sentient house, voiced by Pierce Brosnan, falls in love with Marge and plots to kill Homer. Somehow he survives and manages to banish the technology to the torture of hearing about Patty and Selma's day at the DMV.

Rounding out the episode is the show's take on a Harry Potter spoof, 'Whiz Kids'. The episode actually aired just before the release of The Philosopher's Stone in cinemas, allowing the show to take advantage of all the excitement for a quick win.