Halloween on TV in 2025 is bigger, bolder, and eerier than ever. From classic sitcoms to heart-pounding dramas, this year’s spooky season lineup promises everything from lighthearted laughs to goosebump-worthy mysteries. Whether you crave nostalgic costumes or chilling plot twists, here’s a roundup of the best Halloween-themed episodes hitting your screen — including a surprise from Tracker that fans won’t see coming.
🎃 Tim Allen’s “Shifting Gears” — Classic Laughs With a Spooky Spin
Comedy legend Tim Allen is keeping the Halloween tradition alive with Shifting Gears, which delivers a family-centered episode filled with mishaps, mischievous costumes, and a classic haunted garage gag. Allen, known for his Halloween flair since his Home Improvement days, brings his trademark mix of dad humor and chaos to what might be the funniest Halloween episode of the year. Expect fake ghosts, real scares, and a touching family moment that lands right before the credits.
👻 Justin Hartley’s “Tracker” — A Halloween Mystery with Real Chills
CBS’s hit drama Tracker trades jump scares for psychological suspense in its chilling Halloween episode, “The Vanishing Trail.”
Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw takes on a missing-person case in a fog-covered mountain town that’s hiding more than just autumn secrets. What starts as a routine job quickly turns into a story of deception, folklore, and ghostly warnings from the locals.
Hartley teased that the Halloween episode has “a different kind of fear — not from monsters, but from memory.” Fans can expect stunning visuals, a heart-pounding chase through the woods, and an ending that ties back to Colter’s haunted family past.
“It’s eerie, emotional, and a little bit heartbreaking,” Hartley said. “It’s not just a Halloween episode — it’s a ghost story about grief.”
🕸️ “Abbott Elementary” — Trick-or-Treat Chaos in the Classroom
Over at ABC, Abbott Elementary proves once again why it’s the gold standard for workplace comedy. The school’s annual Halloween party turns into a comedic disaster when costume mix-ups, candy shortages, and a surprise fire drill send the teachers into full panic mode. Quinta Brunson’s Janine dresses as an inspiring historical figure — only for her costume to get hilariously misunderstood. It’s charming, chaotic, and perfectly Abbott.
💀 “Ghosts” — The Ultimate Halloween Crossover
CBS’s Ghosts celebrates the holiday in the most fitting way possible: by going meta. In this year’s Halloween special, the spectral gang tries to “haunt” visitors at a real-life haunted house attraction — only to find themselves competing with paid actors. Expect guest appearances from stars of other CBS comedies and a clever cameo from a Tracker cast member that ties the universes together (yes, really).
🕯️ “Only Murders in the Building” — A Killer Masquerade
Over on Hulu, Only Murders in the Building drops a Halloween-themed episode that might be its best yet. Charles, Oliver, and Mabel attend a high-society masquerade ball — only for the lights to go out and a murder to occur right under their masked noses. Stylish, suspenseful, and loaded with cameos, it’s the perfect mix of elegance and edge.
🦇 “The Rookie” — Frights and Flashlights
ABC’s police drama The Rookie goes full Halloween thriller with a citywide blackout and a string of eerie crimes. Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan faces his own fears as the team chases a mysterious figure through abandoned buildings. It’s dark, cinematic, and surprisingly emotional — reminding viewers that even heroes can get scared sometimes.
🍬 “Young Sheldon” Finale Flashback
Although Young Sheldon wrapped earlier this year, CBS will air a special Halloween flashback episode that revisits the Cooper family’s early holiday traditions. Expect a bittersweet mix of nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt memories — a farewell gift for fans who aren’t ready to say goodbye.
🧙 The Spirit of Halloween TV 2025
What makes 2025’s Halloween lineup special is how it reflects the diversity of today’s television. From sitcoms to crime dramas, every show finds its own way to celebrate the season — laughter, loss, fear, or friendship.
And while Tim Allen’s Shifting Gears gives us a dose of classic comedy, it’s Tracker that truly captures the emotional heart of Halloween — reminding us that the scariest ghosts are often the ones we carry within.
So grab your candy, dim the lights, and get ready. This Halloween, your TV schedule is officially haunted — in the best possible way.
