When I published my review of 1920’s The Scarecrow, it became my 1,050th published post! To commemorate this milestone, I wanted to create a list article. But, with Halloween just around the corner, I decided to make my post more festive. Recently, a Youtuber named Cameron (from the Youtube channel, Cameron Chaney – Library Macabre) created a tier rank list of sixty-six classic Halloween commercials. Inspired by his video, I made my own tier rank list! For my list, however, I curated a collection of thirty-one commercials, since there are thirty-one days in the month of October. With the exception of one advertisement, I purposefully chose ads that weren’t on Cameron’s list. This was done to make my list look and feel distinct from Cameron’s video. Since Halloween is what you make it, my tier rank list showcases the different ways a Halloween commercial can be festive. Throughout this list article, I will provide links to the videos of the commercials, in case my readers are interested in watching any of the ads I discussed. If a commercial is from a compilation video, I will include the time stamps for that commercial. I even numbered the commercials on each tier to make it easier for my readers to follow along with the tier rank list. Before I reveal which commercials I chose and which tiers I placed them in, let me explain each of the five tiers and what they mean.
- Nightmare Fuel – Sometimes, Halloween festivities can be scary, from watching horror movies and visiting a haunted house. These commercials on this tier highlight the “scarier” side of Halloween. If you choose to watch the ranked commercials as you follow along with the list article, please view the commercials from the “Nightmare Fuel” tier at your own discretion, as these commercials can be disturbing for a variety of reasons.
- Binx Approved – This tier references Binx, the memorable black cat from the 1993 film, Hocus Pocus. For many people, this movie is a beloved and iconic part of their Halloween celebrations. Any commercial placed on the “Binx Approved” tier earned that spot either by being the perfect representative of Halloween, “iconic” (because of the commercial itself or because of what the commercial is advertising), or possessing the right amount of Halloween spirit.
- Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating – When I wrote my editorial about Harris Trinsky (from Freaks and Geeks) and Eddie Munson (from Stranger Things) being two sides of the same coin, I referenced Freaks and Geeks’ Halloween episode, ‘Tricks and Treats’. In that episode, Harris joined the “geeks” (Bill, Sam, and Neil) on their trick-or-treating excursion. For this tier, the Halloween commercials are festive in a light-hearted, hilarious, or sweet way (as Freaks and Geeks is classified as a comedy on IMDB). It’s also possible for the commercials in the “Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating” tier to contain less Halloween spirit than the ads from the “Binx Approved” tier.
- McDonald’s Boo Buckets – Since 1986, Boo Buckets have served as a special treat for children around Halloween. Providing a festive way to hold a Happy Meal, the Boo Buckets became McDonald’s signature way of celebrating the Halloween holiday. Commercials on this tier are child/family-friendly, either because of the nature of the commercial or because the advertised product has children’s wellbeing in mind. Out of all the tiers on this list, the most adorable commercials can be found on the “McDonald’s Boo Buckets” tier.
- Brick Heck in a Corn Maze – In the season one episode of The Middle, ‘Thanksgiving’, all Brick Heck wanted was to walk through a corn maze. Inspired by this simple wish, as well as this Fall/Autumn tradition, the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier recognizes the commercials that are more complimentary of the Halloween season. However, these advertisements are either not Halloween themed or Halloween is not the central focal point. For various reasons, though, it would have made sense to see these commercials from the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier air around Halloween.
Nightmare Fuel
1. When A Stranger Calls – “Movie Trailer”
Year Aired: 1979
(38:02 – 38:32)
I’ve mentioned before on 18 Cinema Lane how the most effective “scary movies” are the ones that involve real-life situations. This trailer for When A Stranger Calls addresses that concept by showing a scene where the movie’s protagonist, Jill, discovers an intruder has entered the house she’s babysitting at, as well as making a call from inside that house. Including that scene in the trailer plays into the fear of someone violating a safe place like home and manipulating that safe place for their own advantage. What makes the trailer even more frightening is the addition of suspenseful music and the reactions from the audience, “filmed during actual performance” according to the trailer itself. Seeing the looks of concern and fear on the faces of the audience, while also hearing their screams, creates a sense of relatability for the featured audience and the viewer of the trailer, emphasizing a situation on screen that would be terrifying for anyone.
2. Taco Bell – “Monster Eyes”
Year Aired: 1997
(8:55 – 9:25)
This commercial becomes more disturbing the longer you think about it. In an attempt to create a backstory for their Monster Eye Straws, Taco Bell presents an ad where a man owns a collection of sentient dismembered monster heads for the purpose of collecting their eyes in order to create the straws. These monster heads appear terrified when the man arrives to retrieve their eyes, with one of the heads saying, “I hate this part”, implying this situation has happened before. As the man reaches for the eyes, he has a gleefully sinister look on his face. Even the man’s dog appears to know something doesn’t seem right. The straws themselves are a creative and visually unique souvenir for Halloween. But I don’t think a backstory was necessary, especially a backstory as disturbing as the one featured in Taco Bell’s 1997 ad.
3. DiGiorno Pizza – “Bates Motel”
Year Aired: 2000
(1:06:02 – 1:06:32)
In this commercial from 2000, DiGiorno Pizza decided to parody the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film, Psycho, to promote their “new” Half & Half pizza. Two characters from the film, Norman and his mother, are having a conversation about the pizza off-screen, emphasizing how two people can enjoy the half cheese and half pepperoni pizza being advertised. The only times Norman and his mother appear on screen are when Norman can be seen as a silhouette in a window and when his mother goes into the kitchen to cut the pizza in half. But what makes this commercial unsettling is the idea of the commercial’s events taking place within the context of Psycho. I won’t spoil this movie for any of my readers who haven’t seen the 1960 film. But if you have seen it, you would know why I placed DiGiorno’s advertisement in the “Nightmare Fuel” tier.
4. Anti-smoking PSA – “Tobacco is Whacko”
Year Aired: 2002
(4:01 – 4:31)
I know some PSAs (public service announcements) are intentionally created to scare viewers away from doing something (smoking in this case). However, that doesn’t take away from how disturbing the message’s delivery is in this anti-smoking PSA from 2002. The combination of the darkened alley, eerie music, and little dialogue create an atmosphere that looks like it came straight out of a horror movie. The sinister man with discolored teeth randomly giving a tongue piercing to a teenage boy adds to the disturbing nature of the PSA. Piercings, in the context of the PSA, are intended to visually represent cigarettes leaving their mark on the smoker. But when I saw it while researching commercials for this tier rank list, I immediately knew the “Nightmare Fuel” tier was a deserving place for the PSA to go.
5. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – “The Director”
Year Aired: 2003
(1:45:51 – 1:46:18, 1:47:03 – 1:47:33)
When the Youtube channel, Expedition Theme Park, claimed The Director was the “most extreme” and “controversial” icon at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, they were not overexaggerating. What sets The Director apart from other Halloween related characters is how he craves putting his “actors” in pain. His reasoning is that the creative decision “tells the story truthfully”. In the “To be continued” ad, The Director talks about his “work” with a mixture of pride and nonchalance, his attitude adding disturbance to his persona. While the “To be continued” ad shows glimpses of a jester being held against his will, the “You Oughtta Be in Pictures” ad clearly presents The Director inflicting pain on that same jester. The purpose of these ads (promoting the thirteenth edition of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights) isn’t revealed until the end of the commercial, forcing viewers of the advertisement to wonder, “What the heck am I watching?”. To put it simply, the ads featuring The Director certainly put the “horror” in Halloween Horror Nights.
6. Snickers – “November 1st”
Year Aired: 2007
(6:01 – 6:45)
Similar to Taco Bell’s “Monster Eyes” commercial, Snickers’ ad from 2007 becomes more disturbing the longer you think about it. The featured man in the ad is in danger due to a ladder falling while he’s removing Halloween decorations from his home, leaving him hanging onto the roof’s edge. This situation presents a relatable fear for the advertisement’s viewers. What makes the commercial more frightening is how the featured children unanimously agree not to help the man. As he’s yelling for someone to assist him to safety, the children just stare at him with blank looks on their faces, even watching him fall. While the man’s fate isn’t revealed, on-screen text tries to provide an explanation why the children didn’t help him, stating “Next Halloween Give Out the Good Stuff”. Victim-blaming and the children allowing the man to remain in danger for a petty reason make the commercial feel mean-spirited in a disturbing way. I, honestly, don’t want to know what Snickers was thinking when they were making this ad.
Binx Approved
1. It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – “Original CBS Promo”
Year Aired: 1966
For sixty years, It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been an iconic staple in Halloween entertainment programming. In fact, it has become one of the most popular and marketable pieces of Halloween media. So, you can imagine my shock when Cameron didn’t put any commercials featuring the Peanuts on his tier rank list. That gave me an opportunity to place an ad for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on my list, especially the “Binx Approved” tier. Out of all the commercials available on Youtube, I decided on the original promo from 1966, pleasantly surprised by how it was archived at all. Though the footage is grainier than other versions of the advertisement, it perfectly captures both the Fall/Autumn season and Halloween season. From Lucy tricking Charlie Brown into kicking the football to Snoopy (as the Red Baron) crashing the Halloween party, the timeless and wholesome nature of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has helped the 1966 presentation earn the title of “classic”.
2. Hallmark – “Halloween Boo Bazaar – Skeleton”
Year Aired: 1986 & 1987
Though Cameron included four Hallmark commercials on his tier rank list, this “Halloween Boo Bazaar” ad featuring a rapping skeleton was not one of them. What’s interesting about this commercial is how there are two different versions, each airing a year apart. While the changes make the advertisements look distinct from one other, they share the same purpose: showcasing the various products offered through Hallmark’s Halloween Boo Bazaar collection. The skeleton’s rap song, as well as the visuals, make viewers aware of the available costume apparel, like beanies, tails, and headbands. There are also wands, plush pumpkins, and decorations that appear to flow through the wind. Balloons are even present in the 1987 version of Hallmark’s commercial. The quicker procession of the products from Halloween Boo Bazaar makes Halloween seem unstoppable, with the holiday spirit constantly thrown at the viewer. Both versions of Hallmark’s commercial possess an authentic quirkiness that is rarely seen in marketing today.
3. Carvel Ice Cream Bakery – “Halloween Cake”
Year Aired: 1991
(3:28 – 3:58)
Cameron selected a Halloween Carvel Ice Cream ad for his tier rank list. But the version he picked featured a talking pumpkin cake named Dumpy. Carvel’s commercial from 1991, the advertisement I chose for my tier rank list, is, in my opinion, leagues better. The first half of the TV spot looks and feels like scenes taken from a Universal Studios Monster movie. This is achieved through a combination of black-and-white photography, cinematography, suspenseful music, and inclusion of lightning. When Carvel’s Halloween ice cream cake is shown on-screen, it presents a more classic pumpkin design. Turning vanilla ice cream cones into “Ghosty Cones” was such a creative idea! Even Carvel’s logo changing colors from red, yellow, and purple to black and white when lightning struck added a touch of spookiness to the commercial. Compared to the “Dumpy the Pumpkin” ad, the 1991 television spot appears to be cinema.
4. Hocus Pocus – “Movie Trailer”
Year Aired: 1993
With a tier named “Binx Approved”, of course I was going to include a trailer for Hocus Pocus on my tier rank list. Like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the 1993 movie has not only become an iconic staple in Halloween entertainment programming, it has also become one of the most popular and marketable pieces of Halloween media. Anyone who has seen Hocus Pocus would know the film is packed with Halloween spirit, despite the trailer making little to no references to the holiday. Though the movie features suspenseful, frightening, and even sad moments, the TV spot places more emphasis on the movie’s light-hearted tone. The announcer refers to Hocus Pocus as “a bewitching new comedy” as well. With both Hocus Pocus and It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown earning the title of “classic”, I now wonder what a crossover between the two films would look like?
5. Big K-Mart – “Star Wars Halloween”
Year Aired: 1999
(27:05 – 27:35)
Anyone who has dressed up for Halloween has likely chosen a costume based on their favorite character at least once in their life. That character may have been so popular, their popularity influenced which Halloween costumes would be sought after. This Big K-Mart ad from 1999 beautifully emphasizes this concept more than other Halloween commercials featuring character-based costumes I’ve seen. With Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace being a new and popular movie at the time the advertisement aired, it makes sense for Big K-Mart to showcase the costumes they had to offer by having the featured children dress up as some of the characters from the film. But the star of the ad is a young girl whose favorite character is Queen Amidala, inspired by the knowledge that girls can be heroes too. This part of the commercial captures that childhood belief that when you have a really cool costume, anything is possible.
6. Party City – “Halloween Costume Warehouse”
Year Aired: 1999
(9:46 – 10:16)
Staying on the subject of Halloween costumes, this commercial claims Party City is the “Halloween Costume Warehouse”. Through the straight-forward nature of the 1999 ad, a voice-over and the visuals inform the viewer how Party City is not only the costume destination, but also the decoration hotspot. Shots of dancing skeletons, happy ghosts, and even an outer space alien are sprinkled throughout the commercial to give viewers a sample of the types of decorations Party City had to offer at the time. When it comes to costumes, the announcer excitedly states that there are “over four hundred children and adult costumes to choose from”. Images of character-based costumes are brought up in the advertisement, providing a nice time capsule of what was popular during 1999’s Halloween season. A wall of costume accessories and a spooky looking room full of masks place emphasis on the various offered items to help customers complete their Halloween look. Dressing up in costumes and displaying decorations are two of the most beloved traditions of the Halloween holiday. Party City’s ad captures that belief in a simple yet effective way.
7. Disneyland – “Halloween Time”
Year Aired: 2009
When Halloween and Disney theme parks are put in the same sentence, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party usually comes to mind. But, according to my research, this event only takes place in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, with the event itself being conceived because of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Disneyland’s “Halloween Time” commercial from 2009 showcases how the California park adapts to the holiday. Brief shots of The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror and The Haunted Mansion highlight established attractions typically associated with Halloween. Space Mountain adopts a “Ghost Galaxy” version of its ride and “all new fireworks” are incorporated into the park’s collection of festivities. Assisting the commercial in presenting Disneyland’s Halloween spirit is a group of eight of the most well-known villains from the world of Disney animation. What I like about Halloween themed theme park advertisements, including Disneyland’s ad, is seeing how a park approaches the holiday. With Disney possessing a collection of recognizable attractions and characters, Disneyland gave viewers a commercial that, within the realm of Halloween themed amusement park ads, is “iconic”.
Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating
1. Easter Seals – “Halloween Safe Coupons”
Year Aired: 1985
(29:18 – 29:48)
Vincent Price is no stranger to 18 Cinema Lane, as I have reviewed several of his films prior to this post. Therefore, I had to put one of Vincent’s commercials on my tier rank list. I selected Easter Seals’ “Halloween Safe Coupons” commercial from 1985 for a few reasons. The first is how, at the time the advertisement aired, the coupon booklets were available at AMC Theatres (now I wonder if AMC Theatres offered any coupons in those booklets?). The emphasis on a light-hearted tone, especially when Vincent says, “Halloween doesn’t have to be spooky” and “Halloween should be warm and friendly”, is the second reason. Even though these coupon booklets were intended for trick-or-treaters, Vincent’s dialogue is delivered directly to the viewer, assuming they will be handing out candy at their doorstep. While thinking about this commercial, it makes me wonder what reaction Harris and the “geeks” would have had if they received these coupons on Halloween?
2. Roy Rogers – “Halloween Big Chicken Deal”
Year Aired: 1987
(3:10 – 3:39)
When I think of Halloween, Roy Rogers and chicken dinners don’t come to mind. But because Roy Rogers commercials were far and few between in my research for this post, I figured including this 1987 commercial would be a unique addition to my tier rank list. The advertisement is bursting with Halloween festiveness; from a man dressed up as a chicken yelling “Trick or Treat” to a Halloween party taking place and even a party guest wearing a costume based on Universal Studios’ version of Frankenstein. But so much emphasis is placed on Roy Rogers’ “Big Chicken Deal”, Halloween feels more like a backdrop than a focal point. With all that said, including the commercial’s light-hearted tone, I thought the “Harris Trinsky and the “Geeks” go Trick-or-Treating” tier was the right place to put the advertisement.
3. USPS – “Universal Monsters Stamps”
Year Aired: 1997
(27:42 – 28:13)
The Universal Monsters and Halloween typically go hand in hand (or stamp, in this case). So, dedicating special edition stamps to these cinematic icons makes sense. Featuring the Universal Monsters stamps in a commercial where the featured people are watching a scary movie adds festiveness to the television spot. But I wish there was more Halloween spirit in this advertisement. Sure, one of the men in USPS’s (United States Postal Service) ad calls the stamps “spooky”. However, when other special edition stamps are showcased toward the end of the commercial, maybe Halloween themed or Fall/Autumn related stamps could have been offered as well.
4. Craftsman – “Skeleton”
Year Aired: 2007
(46:06 – 46:21)
I don’t recall ever seeing a holiday commercial specifically for hardware tools. That is why I wanted to place this Craftsman ad from 2007 onto my tier rank list, as it was another unique addition. Even though the commercial is short and straight to the point, it still possesses festiveness. Using tools to create a skeleton was such a creative and visually memorable idea. Even having a Craftsman toolbox opening to eerie music looks reminiscent of Dracula opening up his casket. Craftsman’s commercial now makes me wonder what other ways hardware tools could be presented in a holiday advertisement?
5. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – “Ripped from the Silver Screen”
Year Aired: 2009
(46:21 – 47:05)
For the 2009 edition of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights event, a movie theme called “Ripped from the Silver Screen” was adopted. So, it was fitting for this commercial to take place at a movie theater. But because the advertisement is for a Halloween event, the theater’s concession stand is left is disarray. Even the muffled version of the “Let’s All Go to the Lobby” jingle gives eeriness to the space created in the commercial. As the ad continues, it’s alluded the Wolfman (from Universal Studios’ collection of their Monsters), Chucky (from the Child’s Play/Chucky franchise), and Billy (from the SAW franchise) were the reason for the state of the theater’s concession stand. While Universal Studios’ commercial perfectly captures the horror movie approach they chose for their Halloween Horror Nights event and even though there was good mise-en-scène (such as a close-up shot of Chucky hiding in a popcorn machine), the ad was light on Halloween spirit. Compared to other Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights commercials, however, the “Ripped from the Silver Screen” TV spot is not as tonally dark.
6. Party City – “The Way You Look Tonight”
Year Aired: 2017
(1:10:28 – 1:11:28)
Remember when I discussed Easter Seals’ “Halloween Safe Coupons” commercial and I included Vincent’s quote about how “Halloween should be warm and friendly”? Well, in this 2017 ad, Party City took that idea and sprinted with it. Throughout the commercial, the featured people are either spending Halloween with the loved ones or feeling good about themselves because of “the way they look tonight” (yes, directly referencing the song in the advertisement was definitely intentional). The various scenes effectively showcase the types of costumes Party City offered at the time of the commercial’s airing. Selecting a sweet, wholesome tone also helps the ad put the “happy” in Happy Halloween. When I saw the young zombie boy wearing a knife headband, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Harris Trinsky’s costume in the Freaks and Geeks Halloween episode, ‘Tricks and Treats’, “a guy with a knife through his head.”
McDonald’s Boo Buckets
1. General Mills – “Count Chocula and Franken Berry”
Year Aired: 1971
With how iconic General Mills’ Monster cereals have become within the Halloween season, I was surprised Cameron didn’t put any commercials featuring Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and even Boo Berry on his tier rank list. That made me want to place, at least, one of these commercials on my list, as I originally considered putting it in the “Binx Approved” tier. But when I discovered the very first Monster cereals commercial had been archived on Youtube, I decided to place that advertisement on the tier of “McDonald’s Boo Buckets”. The 1971 commercial appears to be created with parents in mind, as the words, “vitamin charged”, lay over footage of both the Count Chocula cereal and the Franken Berry cereal. However, the commercial also seems created with children in mind, with a young boy ending Franken Berry’s and Count Chocula’s argument over who’s cereal is better by happily walking away with both boxes. Throughout the fifty-five year history of General Mills’ Monster cereals, another iconic face, Boo Berry, was introduced in 1972, followed by lesser-known characters, Fruit Brute, Yummy Mummy, and Carmella Creeper making their debuts in 1974, 1988, and 2023 respectively.
2. McDonald’s – “Halloween Safety Cup Cuffs”
Year Aired: 1971
(6:35 – 7:04)
This is another ‘70s commercial I was surprised to see absent from Cameron’s tier rank list. So, I chose to put McDonald’s ad on my list! Through my research for this post, one trend I took note of was how some commercials capitalized on trick-or-treaters’ safety. This was achieved either by delivering safety tips or creating products that would help keep children safe. In the case of the 1971 commercial, McDonald’s made safety cuffs that were given to customers wrapped around soft drink cups. According to Ronald McDonald himself, the cuffs are coated in “shiny aluminum foil with bright orange stripes so they reflect light”. But because of the quality of the advertisement, it’s difficult to see how effective the safety cup cuffs are. I’ve never seen McDonald’s safety cup cuffs in person either, so I don’t know how reflective the “shiny aluminum foil” truly is.
3. Romper Room – “Weebles Haunted House”
Year Aired: 1976
(15:25 – 15:54)
When I found this commercial from 1976, I knew I had to incorporate it on my tier rank list. That’s because the commercial, as well as the playset itself, overflows with cuteness! The “glow in the dark Weeble ghost” looks reminiscent of Casper the Friendly Ghost. There’s even an adorable, smiling ghost in a mirror on the playset’s wall. The other Weeble figures featured in the advertisement boast sillier faces, emphasizing the fun and whimsical side of Halloween. Playing over the commercial is a light-hearted jingle describing the Weebles Haunted House. The tone of the jingle, as well as the singer and announcer toward the end of the commercial, doubles down on how Halloween can be enjoyable even for the youngest of children. Two children who are shown in the commercial appear to have a good time playing with the Weebles playset. Close-up shots of the Haunted House show the children helping their Weeble figures explore the house, such as the ghost Weeble pushing a bookshelf to reveal a secret room. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched this commercial because of how it exudes joyfulness!
4. Pumpkin Kutter – “Pumpkin Kutter, Scoop, and Light”
Year Aired: 1989
(2:26 – 2:54)
While conducting research for this tier rank list, I noticed very few commercials revolving around carving pumpkins, even though this is a popular activity around Halloween. That’s the reason why I chose to put this 1989 commercial on my list. Similar to the Weebles Haunted House advertisement, the two children featured in the Pumpkin Kutter tv spot appear to have a good time carving pumpkins. Also similar to the McDonald’s Halloween Safety Cup Cuffs commercial, the Pumpkin Kutter, Scoop, and Light were created with children’s safety in mind. As both a voice-over and on-screen text point out, the Pumpkin Kutter doesn’t have sharp edges, making it safer for children to carve their own pumpkins. Though the commercial does remind viewers through on-screen text that adult supervision is advised and how “improper use could result in injury”. The aforementioned voice-over acknowledges how the Pumpkin Light “replaces dangerous candles with glowing results”. These products, along with the Pumpkin Scoop, help children gain a little bit of independence while also strengthening their fine motor skills.
5. McDonald’s – “Halloween Happy Meal”
Year Aired: 1993
(15:58 – 16:13)
The McDonald’s Boo Buckets have been a beloved tradition for forty years, adopting different looks while still retaining their festive spirit. There was even a Boo Buckets commercial in Cameron’s tier rank list video, earning a place in his highest tier. I chose the 1993 version of McDonald’s Boo Buckets commercial for my tier rank list because of the ad’s emphasis on the products’ versatility. A small collection of scenes shows the different ways the Boo Buckets can be used, ranging from storing a Happy Meal to holding Halloween candy. A little girl uses her Boo Bucket’s lid as a cookie cutter in one scene, a feature confirmed by the commercial’s narrator. Like the faces of the Weebles figures from the Weebles Haunted House commercial, the sillier faces on the 1993 version of McDonald’s Boo Buckets highlight the light-hearted, fun, and whimsical side of Halloween.
Brick Heck in a Corn Maze
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – “Movie Theater”
Year Aired: 1984
(1:09 – 1:39)
Because I am a movie blogger, I had to put this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercial on my tier rank list, as it takes place in a movie theater. Even though the young man and woman appear to be watching a scary movie (based on their body language and the sound effects within the commercial) and even though trick-or-treaters can receive Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on Halloween, the commercial itself is not Halloween themed. The voice-over and the jingle toward the end of the commercial emphasize the candy being advertised. Plus, there are no direct references to the holiday. But it would make sense to air this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercial around Halloween because of the type of movie the young woman and man are supposedly watching and the random fog surrounding the theater’s concession stand.
2. PLUS (Project Literary US) – “Stephen King – Check it Out”
Year Aired: 1992
(31:02 – 31:32)
Stephen King’s stories and adaptations have usually been associated with Halloween, especially IT. This commercial from 1992 even incorporates spooky elements to highlight that fact, such as the sound of heavy breathing, suspenseful music, and a woman in a darkened aisle appearing frightened (before realizing Stephen just wanted to enthusiastically tell her “hi”). But Halloween is not prioritized within this advertisement. In fact, the central focus is the services a library has to offer, with these services pointed out by Stephen himself. Since I’ve never seen a library commercial before, I figured the PLUS (Project Literary US) commercial would be a unique addition to my tier rank list. Putting it in the “Brick Heck in a Corn Maze” tier was also fitting, considering Brick loves to read.
3. Coca-Cola – “Monsters of the Gridiron Contest”
Year Aired: 1993
(6:47 – 7:17)
With football season overlapping with Halloweentime, it would be fitting to find this commercial airing on television leading up to Halloween. But none of the people featured in the advertisement, including the announcer, ever bring Halloween up. Sure, there are two NFL (National Football League) football players dressed up in elaborate costumes. And the contest is called ‘Monsters of the Gridiron’. However, Coca-Cola’s commercial emphasizes football, with the majority of the contest’s prizes related to the NFL, such as tickets to the Super Bowl. Though the idea of seeing a player from your favorite football team dressed up for Halloween sounds like a cool, festive concept.
4. Target – “The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror Sweepstakes”
Year Aired: 1994
Unlike the commercials I’ve discussed in this tier so far, this 1994 Target commercial is Halloween themed, as the voice-over informs the viewer the Studor family’s (the family featured in the commercial) “shopping trip for Halloween supplies was unlike any other”. But that’s the only reference to the holiday made in this entire advertisement. The majority of the commercial is devoted not just to The Twilight Zone, but also the Walt Disney World ride, The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror (which was new at the time of the commercial’s airing). As soon as the Studor family receive their game card, the imagery changes from color to black-to-white. The music and sound effects playing in the background help present the illusion the commercial’s events are taking place within the world of The Twilight Zone. Even the announcer’s voice sounds similar to Rod Serling’s voice. Reflecting on the creative effort that was put into this commercial, it kind of makes me wish the 1997 TV movie, Tower of Terror, felt more reminiscent of The Twilight Zone television show.
5. Skittles – “Gargoyles”
Year Aired: 2000
(0:37 – 0:52)
Similar to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups’ “Movie Theater” commercial, Skittles’ “Gargoyles” commercial isn’t Halloween themed, yet advertises candy trick-or-treaters could receive on Halloween. Despite the lack of references to the holiday, Skittles’ ad looks and feels complimentary of the Halloween season. The combination of a darker color palette, eerie music, a bell chiming, and two gargoyles coming to life create a spooky ambience. The visually striking presentation of the commercial leaves me, as a viewer, wanting to know more about this little world Skittles created. What woke the gargoyles from their stoney slumber; the young boy’s imagination or the candy itself? I’d love to see a movie based on this commercial!
6. Phantom of the Megaplex – “Original Promo”
Year Aired: 2000
If you’ve followed 18 Cinema Lane long enough, you would know how much I love Phantom of the Megaplex. Since the film’s release in 2000, Disney Channel has incorporated Phantom of the Megaplex into their Halloween themed programming line-ups. I’ve even heard some say they like to watch this movie around Halloween. However, Phantom of the Megaplex is not Halloween themed. Not only did the film premiere on November 10th, I believe the story takes place in the summer. But I can understand why this DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) would be chosen as someone’s Halloween viewing, as Phantom of the Megaplex contains enough spooky and mysterious elements to compliment the holiday.
7. IHOP – “Fall Pancakes”
Year Aired: 2018
(5:16 – 5:49)
IHOP (International House of Pancakes) has hosted several themed promotions on their menu over the years. In 2018, one themed promotion was based on the Fall/Autumn season. As a talking pumpkin explains in the commercial, some of the menu choices included “eggs your way, hickory smoked bacon, and a side of Cinn-a-Stack Pancakes topped with cream cheese icing”. The menu also included “Pumpkin Spice Pancakes made with real pumpkin”. The talking pumpkin isn’t the only pumpkin featured in the commercial, as several orange and white pumpkins surround the entrance of someone’s house. This same entrance is decorated with other fall related décor as well, such as bales of hay, corn stalks, and even a set of lanterns. However, as I already mentioned in this discussion of IHOP’s commercial, the restaurant’s promotion was Fall/Autumn themed, with no mention of Halloween. But because the holiday falls (see what I did there?) in the middle of the Fall/Autumn season, it would have been appropriate to air IHOP’s advertisement throughout the month of October.
Have fun on Halloween!
Sally Silverscreen
