What’s this? What’s this? Springfield is turning into Halloween Town, and The Simpsons is celebrating spooky season with a very special tribute to one of Disney’s most beloved Halloween classics!
The Simpsons is bringing its annual Halloween tradition back to FOX tonight, Sunday, October 25, 2026, with Treehouse of Horror XXXVII, and this year’s special has a particularly exciting surprise for fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The episode opens with a handcrafted stop-motion sequence that transforms familiar Springfield residents into characters inspired by the 1993 animated classic. And this isn’t simply a computer-generated animation designed to resemble stop-motion. The sequence was created using physical puppets, miniature sets, and traditional animation techniques. Following the opening, viewers will get three brand-new horror-comedy stories featuring Marge, Bart, Homer, and some very unfortunate situations.
Treehouse of Horror XXXVII airs tonight at 8/7c on FOX, with streaming expected on Hulu beginning Monday, October 26. Here’s everything you need to know before the spooky fun begins.
The Simpsons Gets a Nightmare Before Christmas Makeover
For Disney fans, the biggest surprise may be the special’s opening sequence, which pays tribute to Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Rather than using the show’s familiar 2D animation style, the opening recreates Springfield through stop-motion animation, giving the characters an appearance inspired by the handmade world of Halloween Town. And the character transformations are wonderfully fitting.
Bart Simpson takes on the role of Jack Skellington, complete with the Pumpkin King’s signature skeletal appearance and pinstriped suit. Marge becomes Sally, while Homer transforms into Halloween Town’s two-faced Mayor.
Santa’s Little Helper appears as Zero, Jack’s ghostly dog, and Ned Flanders gets a particularly entertaining makeover as Oogie Boogie. The sequence also features a musical parody inspired by the unforgettable opening number, This Is Halloween. For longtime fans of both franchises, it’s a playful crossover that brings together two very different styles of animated comedy while celebrating their shared love of Halloween. The creative team even incorporated visual details inspired by the original film’s lighting, colors, and character designs to help Springfield feel like it truly belongs in Halloween Town.
It’s important to note that the Nightmare Before Christmas tribute is the episode’s opening sequence, not one of the three main stories. The rest of the special returns to the traditional Treehouse of Horror format.
The Opening Was Created With Real Stop-Motion Animation
One of the most impressive details about the opening is the studio responsible for bringing it to life. The sequence was produced by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the animation studio known for its work on Robot Chicken and other stop-motion projects. Instead of relying on digital shortcuts, the team constructed physical puppets and miniature environments, then photographed the characters frame by frame to create the finished animation.
The production includes carefully sculpted versions of familiar Springfield residents, miniature scenery, and visual references to The Nightmare Before Christmas. That handmade approach is especially meaningful given the original film’s place in animation history.
Released in 1993 and directed by Henry Selick, The Nightmare Before Christmas became famous for its intricate stop-motion artistry and distinctive visual style. Bringing that same technique into The Simpsons feels like a particularly fitting tribute, especially for a Halloween special that has spent decades experimenting with different animation styles and storytelling formats. And if you’re a fan of the craftsmanship behind Disney animation, the opening alone could be worth tuning in for.
Three Twisted Stories Are Coming to Treehouse of Horror XXXVII
After the stop-motion opening, the special shifts into three separate horror-comedy stories. Each takes a familiar member of the Simpson family and places them in a bizarre situation inspired by supernatural fiction, classic horror, or the show’s own particular brand of absurdity.
Marge Gets More Husbands Than She Bargained For
The first story gives Marge Simpson a terrifying new perspective on marriage. Inspired by Holly Gramazio’s novel The Husbands, the segment centers on a strange situation in which Marge’s shed begins producing replacement husbands. The premise turns the idea of having endless romantic options into a supernatural nightmare, with Marge facing an increasingly absurd series of marital possibilities. It’s the kind of setup that feels perfectly suited to The Simpsons, combining a recognizable relationship dilemma with a supernatural twist. And considering how unpredictable life with Homer already is, Marge might discover that having more choices isn’t necessarily an improvement.
Bart and Santa’s Little Helper Switch Bodies
The second story combines the body-swapping premise of Freaky Friday with the unsettling supernatural consequences of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. After a bizarre series of events involving Homer, Bart and Santa’s Little Helper end up returning with their identities switched. That means Bart finds himself in the family dog’s body, while Santa’s Little Helper occupies Bart’s. Naturally, the situation creates chaos for the Simpson family.
The story plays with the contrast between Bart’s mischievous personality and the instincts of the family’s beloved dog, adding a darkly comedic twist to a familiar body-swap concept. It’s also a particularly appropriate premise for Treehouse of Horror, where the show’s usual rules rarely apply, and characters can find themselves in situations that would be impossible during a regular episode.
Homer Faces the World’s Worst Driver’s Ed Lesson
The final story takes Homer into a nightmare involving driver’s education films and his sisters-in-law, Patty and Selma. In this segment, Homer becomes trapped inside a terrifying instructional-film world controlled by witch-like versions of the Bouvier sisters.
The story also features older versions of Bart and Lisa, who must confront the bizarre situation surrounding their missing father. For anyone familiar with Homer’s long-running relationship with Patty and Selma, the idea of the two sisters controlling his nightmare is already pretty funny. Add supernatural elements, dangerous driving scenarios, and the show’s signature dark humor, and the result sounds like an especially chaotic way to finish the episode.
Special Guest Stars Join the Halloween Fun
The 2026 Halloween special also features appearances from Tiffany Haddish and Jeff Probst, bringing some additional star power to the annual event. Probst is best known as the longtime host of Survivor, while Haddish has appeared in numerous television and film projects. Their participation adds another layer to an episode that already combines multiple horror references, unexpected character transformations, and an elaborate animated opening.
And as longtime viewers know, Treehouse of Horror episodes are also an opportunity for The Simpsons to do things that would never happen in the show’s regular continuity. Characters can transform, disappear, meet gruesome fates, or experience bizarre alternate realities without permanently changing the Springfield everyone knows. That freedom is part of what has kept the Halloween anthology entertaining for so many years.
When and Where to Watch Treehouse of Horror XXXVII
If you’re planning a spooky television night, here’s when you can catch the new episode.
| Viewing Option | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| FOX premiere | Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central |
| FOX Pacific broadcast | Sunday, October 25, at 8 p.m. Pacific |
| Hulu streaming | Expected Monday, October 26, 2026 |
| Episode | Treehouse of Horror XXXVII |
| Series | The Simpsons, Season 38 |
The episode is scheduled for a 30-minute broadcast slot, including commercials. Viewers who can’t watch the FOX premiere can look for the episode on Hulu the following day, subject to their subscription and availability. Disney+ subscribers can also revisit many earlier Treehouse of Horror episodes as part of the show’s extensive streaming library, although availability may vary by region and subscription arrangement. And if one Halloween special isn’t enough, FOX already aired another Simpsons horror-themed episode earlier this month. Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening premiered October 18, giving fans an additional dose of Springfield scares before tonight’s traditional anthology.
A Halloween Tradition That Has Lasted More Than Three Decades
The first Treehouse of Horror premiered on October 25, 1990, during the second season of The Simpsons. That means tonight’s episode arrives exactly 36 years after the original Halloween special first aired.
Over the decades, the annual tradition has become known for its horror parodies, elaborate animation experiments, celebrity appearances, and willingness to push Springfield’s familiar characters into increasingly ridiculous situations. The episodes frequently draw inspiration from classic horror films, science fiction, supernatural stories, and popular culture. And because the stories aren’t bound by the show’s normal continuity, the writers can take creative risks that wouldn’t make sense in a traditional Simpsons episode. That flexibility has allowed Treehouse of Horror to remain one of the show’s most recognizable annual traditions.
This year’s combination of handmade stop-motion animation, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and three horror-comedy stories feels like a fitting way to celebrate that legacy.
My Take
I have to admit, the moment I saw that The Simpsons was doing a stop-motion tribute to The Nightmare Before Christmas, I was immediately interested. There’s something about seeing two iconic animated worlds come together that feels especially fun during Halloween season. And I love that the creative team didn’t simply recreate the characters using the show’s usual animation style.
They actually went through the process of making physical puppets and miniature sets, which is exactly the kind of attention to detail that makes stop-motion animation so special. I think that’s a big part of why The Nightmare Before Christmas has remained such a beloved movie more than three decades after its release. There’s a texture and personality to handmade animation that feels different from what we’re accustomed to seeing in modern animated productions. The imperfections, lighting, movement, and physical details all contribute to the charm. Seeing Springfield reimagined through that same visual language is such a clever way to celebrate both franchises.
And honestly, Bart as Jack Skellington and Homer as the Mayor of Halloween Town might be two of the most fitting character choices I’ve seen in a long time. What I also appreciate is that The Simpsons continues to find ways to make Treehouse of Horror feel like an event. After 37 installments, it would be easy for the show to rely on familiar formulas. But experimenting with animation techniques and bringing in unexpected horror references gives longtime fans a reason to keep coming back.
I’m especially curious to see how the body-swap story involving Bart and Santa’s Little Helper plays out, because combining Freaky Friday with Pet Sematary is exactly the kind of bizarre idea that belongs in a Simpsons Halloween episode. But if I’m choosing the one thing I’m most excited about, it’s absolutely the opening sequence. As someone who loves the artistry behind Disney storytelling, I think there’s something wonderful about seeing traditional stop-motion animation celebrated on a major television series in 2026. And the timing couldn’t be better.
With Halloween less than a week away, this feels like the perfect excuse to settle in for a spooky evening, enjoy some Springfield chaos, and revisit The Nightmare Before Christmas afterward. Because if there’s one thing both of these franchises understand, it’s that Halloween is supposed to be a little weird, a little spooky, and a whole lot of fun.
Don’t Miss Tonight’s Simpsons Halloween Special!
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXXVII premieres tonight, Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 8/7c on FOX, with streaming expected on Hulu beginning October 26.
Between the handcrafted Nightmare Before Christmas opening, three twisted stories, and special guest appearances, this year’s Halloween anthology has plenty for longtime Simpsons fans and Disney animation enthusiasts to look forward to.
Are you watching tonight’s The Simpsons Halloween special?
Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for more Disney entertainment news, Halloween updates, streaming announcements, and spooky-season surprises!
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