Fair warning: I have a bias towards some of the "older" shows because that's what I grew up with. The That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana crossover event was peak Disney Channel for me. However, I did try give the newer shows a chance, and was pleasantly surprised by some of them.
I took into account several factors when deciding how to rank these episodes. The most important factor was how Halloween-ish they were. Did they have a Halloween theme throughout the whole episode? I also took into account the plot pacing, comedy, acting, and entertainment value.
Here are the top 20 Disney Channel live-action Halloween episodes, ranked:
20. Girl Meets World - Girl Meets World: Of Terror
I loved how all of the costumes the main cast wore were steampunk. This episode premiered in 2014, when the world (and I) was having a steampunk moment. And that is about the only good thing I can say about this episode.
Maybe this is less a criticism of this particular Halloween episode, but I just genuinely hate the way the characters' dialogue is written. I hate how all of the main characters are the only people who ever do anything in class. If I had stopped gym class to talk to my friends in the middle of a kickball game, the teacher would have yelled at me. Girl Meets World feels very unrealistic to me, even though it's supposed to be very grounded.
This episode was divided into three parts. Part one involved Farkle and softball, and that's all I can tell you because the rest of it made no sense. The characters talked too long and there was nothing actually happening. The second part was about Riley being too afraid of the dark to sleepover at Maya's house. This part felt very immature. Riley is supposed to be 13, but she acted like a 5 year old. I don't know what the age demographic for this show is. Speaking of 5 year olds, Auggie also dealt with a scary monster under his bed. He dealt with his fear in a much more age-appropriate way than his sister. This segment was adorable, but not enough to extinguish the entire dumpster fire that is this show.
19. I Didn't Do It - Next of Pumpkin
This episode revolves around a fight that Lindy and Logan are having. Logan is trying to make Lindy feel bad for running out of the house when the fire alarm goes off...which, like...is what you're supposed to do. Yes, Disney, let's teach kids to stay inside the burning death trap house instead. That makes sense. This plot is garbage.
Anyways, this episode wasn't very Halloween themed. It was more fall/harvest themed with a giant pumpkin and a corn maze. The plot dragged and I was bored at parts. The most amusing part was when Garrett, dressed up as a giant, round disco ball, fell over and got stuck turtle-style on his back.
18. Shake It Up - Haunt it Up
There are two main plots in this episode. Plot A is CeCe and Rocky becoming insecure when a teenager makes fun of them for being excited to go trick or treating. So, they decide to skip this year in order to be more mature. A kid rings their doorbell as they are knitting, saying he is lost and needs to find his way back home.
The B plot features Ty, Duece, and Flynn (who btw is totally a rip-off of Matt from Lizzie McGuire). They dare each other to spend the night in the neighborhood's haunted house. The storylines combine at the end when the lost kid leads Rocky and CeCe to the haunted house (dun dun dun).
The A plot was interesting because it is something that all kids go through at some point, and I wish it was explored more. But it all just ended in a cliche joke instead of an actual lesson for kids.
I may be biased because this is one of my least favorite Disney Channel shows. The jokes are just obvious yet over-explained dad jokes, delivered with a wink and an elbow nudge.
And I'm going to say it - I never liked the choreography on this show.
17. Best Friends Whenever - Cyd and Shelby's Haunted Escape
Shelby and Cyd transport themselves to Central Park for a Halloween party and end up turning into ghosts.
A lot of the lines were one-off jokes that weren't relevant to the actual plot. This writing reminded me a lot of Girl Meet World...and then characters from Girl Meets World showed up. Yep, this is a crossover episode.
The B plot was similar to the B plot of Shake It Up and Liv and Maddie, where one character was trying to scare another. Creative.
The most enjoyable part was a gag around the dog wearing a spider costume.
16. Sonny With A Chance - A So Random Halloween Special
If you're unfamiliar with Sonny With A Chance, it is basically about a girl (Sonny) who gets casted in a skit show. Think SNL for kids. Or Disney Channel's version of All That. The show usually revolves around the behind-the-scenes drama of the cast mates, but this Halloween special episode was entirely the show within the show.
I didn't think the show was GOOD...but it was enjoyable. Does that make sense? I already had low expectations for this episode (there's my bias) and just shut my brain off and I was entertained for 20 minutes. I liked the Check It Out Girls skit the best. This episode feature a Demi Lovato song, which was nostalgic to hear.
15. Suite Life On Deck - Sea Monster Mash
This episode revolves around a science project the students on board need to complete. Cody decides to look for a sea monster with Bailey. Zack decides to grow vines with Woody and London. In his true prankster fashion, Zack decides to spend less time on his own project and more time messing with Cody's project.
Some thoughts - Oh God, the 2008 fashion. Zack making a joke about Margot Thatcher was out of pocket in the best way. London is a stand out character. Zack crying over the possibility of failing is me. Cody crying while saying "no one is more emotionally detached than I am" is also me. Why can I relate to these shows as an adult still?
This didn't feel like a true Halloween episode as it didn't take place during Halloween. It has more of a sci-fi vibe. There was also no real resolution to the B plot. On Deck does have some more Halloween-themed episodes, but this was the one Disney+ decided to feature.
14. Liv and Maddie - Haunt-a-rooney
Maddie pranks Johnny Nimbus, the local weatherman. He vows to prank Maddie back, but he suddenly dies. Maddie ends up locked in the school overnight, haunted by Johnny's ghost. Surprise surprise, he's not actually dead. Which like...a grown man faking his death and then being like "it's just a prank bro" to a child is kind of weird if you think about it too long.
The B plot was about Liv and Holden's budding relationship. These later Disney Channel shows tend to only have one plot that is spooky, rather than the whole episode.
This episode featured the characters doing the Charlie Charlie challenge, which really dates it.
I was impressed they actually said the word "dead' on this show because Wizards wouldn't even imply death throughout its run. There was another "we're THAT house" joke about giving out healthy snacks, similar to the one in Good Luck Charlie. There was also a joke about kids using an app to trick-or-treat, which was used formerly in Shake It Up. Did this era of Disney Channel really run out of creativity?
And normally I enjoy Liv and Maddie. This episode just didn't do it for me.
13. Wizards of Waverly Place - Halloween
The Russos try to put together a scary haunted house exhibit in the substation. Frustrated by her family being cringey about it, Alex goes to the other realm and brings back some actual ghosts to liven up the place.
This is not the most entertaining episode of Wizards. The plot dragged. There were other episodes of Wizards that could've made a better Halloween episode. The Halloween decorations lasted about half the episode, and the scares only happened in the very last minutes.
Perhaps because this show is already slightly Halloween themed, I had high expectations. Wizards can do so much better.
12. Good Luck Charlie - Scary Had A Little Lamb
Toddler Charlie goes trick-or-treating (and is adorably dressed as a little lamb). She gets scared by a jerk teenager, and Teddy decides to get revenge. Meanwhile, Gabe uses mafia tactics on his elderly neighbor, so that's a great thing to show kids.
I loved the dig at houses that give out healthy snacks instead of candy, because that was the WORST as a kid.
Half of the episode takes place on the day after Halloween, so it's not high on the theming. The highlight of the episode was Charlie's costume.
By the way, the actress who plays Charlie is now as old as Teddy is in the show. She is now old enough to watch all those video diaries.
11. Ant Farm - MutANT Farm
This episode is a callback to the first episode of the show, but taking place in an alternate universe where the gifted kids are monsters. Chyna is a medusa, Olive is a mad scientist, and Fletcher is a vampire. The gifted/monster kids throw a school dance and chaos ensues.
Points to this episode for horrifying me within the first few seconds. Points off for the thing scaring me being the horrible CGI.
This was probably the goriest/most risqué of all the Halloween episodes, which I appreciated. I also liked the Hallween-heavy theme. I did not understand all of the callback references as I am not an ANT Farm stan and have not seen the pilot.
10. Even Stevens - A Very Scary Story
In this episode, Louis uncovers an evil plot that is turning all of the kids in the school into zombies.
This show in general is so much funnier than I remember. The CGI eye sockets are hilarious as an adult, but as a kid that would've been traumatizing. The episode ended with "it was all a story" which I felt was a cop out just to find a way to end it. The story did reach a level of ridiculous that is hard to find your way out of for a proper ending.
Points to the Scream reference.
9. Hannah Montana - Torn Between Two Hannahs
Miley's identical cousin (also portrayed by Miley Cyrus) comes for a stay in Malibu over Halloween. Miley spends the first half of the episode trying to convince everyone that Luann is evil. Surprise, surprise! Luann actually is evil and schemes to reveal Miley's secret.
The B plot deals with decorating for Halloween, so the episode is definitely festive.
The episode was a good mix of Halloween, humor, and Hannah hits. This isn't my favorite overall Hannah episode, but it is a solid Halloween episode.
8. Jessie - The Whining
The Ross kids are warned not to go trick-or-treating on the 13th floor, but do so anyways. They encounter some spooky twins, an elevator filling with a red liquid, and a door-breaking maniac.
The scary parts were evenly balanced with comedic parts. This episode could be a good introduction to The Shining for kids. Although, I'm not sure they would get the references. But I liked them.
There have been recent criticisms of this show being a little racist...and unfortunately there were some parts that felt pretty culturally insensitive, which was not fun to watch.
This episode was very Halloween-heavy from start to finish - costumes, decorations, and a tribute to one of the most popular horror films ever. This was a solid Halloween episode.
7. Lizzie McGuire - Night of the Day of the Dead
Kate insults Miranda for celebrating Dia de los Muertos and manipulates Lizzie into wearing an embarrassing clown costume at the Halloween Fright Night party. Things start getting weird and Miranda tells Kate it's because her ancestors were disrespected. Surprise surprise, it was a prank bro. The whole gang teamed up to get Kate back.
I remember the episode being scary as a kid, especially with the moving skeletons. I enjoyed reliving this part of my childhood, and I loved that episode was totally Halloween focused.
As much as I love Lizzie (and the show's cultural and historical impact should not be denied), there are some Halloween episodes that are objectively better. So I tried to not let nostalgia get the better of me, hence its ranking in the middle.
6. That's So Raven - Don't Have A Cow
Raven and Chelsea find a spell book and make a potion. Things go wrong, and they turn into cows.
This episode was more creepy than scary to me. I never really liked it as a kid. Turning into cows is just gross.
However, the acting is definitely a stand-out. The comedic timing of the main three is excellent. Raven and Chelsea remind me of Lucy and Ethel. The writing leads them to entertaining situations, and the acting sells it.
5. K.C. Undercover - All Howl's Eve
Ernie and Judy go on a mission to intercept an evil wolf serum. K.C. throws a Halloween party and tries to impress her crush. Later, she notices that she is missing her spy bracelet. She ends up torturing a neighborhood kid for information on its whereabouts.
This was a crossover episode with Jessie. The characters once again meet at a Halloween party in Central Park.
Zendaya's acting is so fun to watch. The Halloween theme was mostly found in the B plot. The writing and acting were great.
4. Raven's Home - Switch or Treat
This episode has a Freaky Friday-like premise where Raven and Booker switch bodies. Then, Miles and Aunt Marie switch bodies. Chaos ensues at the school's Halloween party.
Raven's performance is such a delight. All of the actors did a good job portraying each other.
This episode was the superior Raven episode because it had a better plot. Plus, there was a guest appearance by Michelle Williams.
Are you ready for the top 3? Brace yourself, because number 3 is an upset.
3. Dog With A Blog - Howloween
Listen. Okay. I know.
Yes, this was an actual show on Disney Channel at one point. It ran for 69 episodes. I'm not kidding.
Is the concept of the show ridiculous? Absolutely, yes. But this particular episode was actually...really good?
Avery plans a Halloween party with her family. She finds out her crush is going to a different party. She tries to bail on her family, but her parents won't let her break her commitment.
Disney Channel has a bad reputation for featuring spoiled children and dumb parents. Not in this episode. This episode is all about sticking to your promises and not being ashamed to be yourself.
In the opening sequence, the dog is writing his blog when the electricity goes out. He screams "I didn't hit save!" Why was this funny to me.
I also laughed at a figurehead job position joke. And I actually yelled when one of the characters dressed as a 28-year-old barista with a master's degree ("scary, huh?"). Death by Disney Channel dig. Was this episode ghost written by me?
There was an emotional moment in the show that actually made my eyes get a little sweaty with respect. I gave my own dog lots of pets while watching. (Should I post about my dog on this blog more often so I can have a dog with a blog?)
Since the show revolved around the Halloween party, it was on-theme. It had a steady plot, entertaining jokes, and a good lesson for kids. It checked all of my boxes for this ranking. This episode was so much more enjoyable than I anticipated for a show about a talking dog with a blog.
2. Phil of the Future - Halloween
In this episode, the school is planning a Halloween party. Debbie wants to make cupcakes for charity instead. She ends up bullying kids to slave away over the cupcakes in a factory-like fashion instead of having fun at the party.
This is an iconic episode for Phil of the Future fans because it is the one where Debbie is revealed to be a cyborg. She faces off against Phil, Keely, and Pim.
The episode opens with Phil talking to the camera in a Rod Sterling style. I really appreciate this Twilight Zone reference as an adult. I love all the Halloween decorations in the episode. The whole school and the Diffy house are decked out. The humor on this show still holds up. Watching Phil and Keely run around in their conjoined costume added to the hilarity.
I loved when Phil said "just because you have a good purpose doesn't mean you can go around treating everyone like dirt." What a great thing to hear from a kid's show. This is what Disney Channel should be: entertainment and goofiness with some great nuggets of wisdom and good role models for kids.
And the best live action Disney Channel Halloween episode is…
1. Suite Life of Zack and Cody - Suite 613
What a classic. This one is a stand-out in the series. This episode was one of my favorites as a kid and it still holds up.
In this episode, Zack and Cody are told about haunted suite 613. Zack teases scaredy-cat Cody, and dares him to spend a night in the suite. Cody accepts the challenge, and the gang crashes the suite. Weird things start happening. Surprise surprise! It was all a prank to get Zack back. This one is a plot copied many times in other episodes in Disney Channel history, but this one pulled it off the best. The audience spent up until the last second of the show guessing if the ghost was real or not.
This episode was so scary to me as a kid. As an adult, it's just funny. The humor in Zack and Cody still holds up. The show is perfectly casted. There are some cool practical effects. And a haunted hotel is a setting Disney does well.
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