Halloween isn’t just a time for costumes and candy – it’s a goldmine for advertisers looking to tap into the thrill of the season. Over the years, brands have delivered some truly scream-worthy commercials that capture the spooky spirit and keep us entertained long after October 31st. From humorous spins on classic horror tropes to clever candy tie-ins that make trick-or-treating irresistible, these ads have become as much a part of Halloween as haunted houses and pumpkins. So, grab your popcorn and dim the lights, because these iconic Halloween commercials will give your nostalgia a serious scare!
Let us begin with a little role reversal. The Snickers “Horseless Headsman” commercial is a hilarious and clever spin on the classic Headless Horseman legend. It opens in a dark, foggy neighborhood with a tiny figure with a giant head trying to spook the local children during Halloween! The Horseless Headsman stomps through the street, bumping his head into parked cars, trying to intimidate anyone he passes by. But instead of fear, he just gets confused looks, and… laughs. A bunch of kids point out that without his horse and with a really tiny body, he’s just not that scary. Finally, the Horseless Headsman gets one of the treats from the kids – a Snickers bar. “You get confused when you’re hungry” – he hears. After biting into a Snickers, he magically transforms back into the terrifying, headless figure we all know. The ad ends with his ominous gallop into the night – this time, properly scary, thanks to the power of Snickers!
Do you know what is truly scary? A pandemic! But let’s relive just the fun side of it. The Reese’s “Trick or Treat Door” commercial! A clever, pandemic-era twist on the Halloween tradition. In the ad, Reese’s introduces an ingenious invention: a massive, orange, robotic “Trick or Treat Door” that roams the streets offering candy in a fun, contactless way. The oversized door, decked out in festive Halloween decorations, makes its way through neighborhoods, stopping whenever someone says “trick or treat.” Once prompted, the mail slot opens with a dramatic creak, delivering Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the awaiting trick-or-treaters. The ad humorously captures people’s excitement at this strange but delightful contraption, emphasizing how Reese’s keeps Halloween’s spirit alive – even during challenging times. The commercial’s playful tone and innovative concept made it stand out, offering a fun, socially distant solution while ensuring that Reese’s remains the ultimate Halloween treat.
“Halloween ads have become an integral part of the season, mixing spooky fun with memorable marketing moments”
Let’s face it, not every commercial is good, and after watching some truly terrible ads you’d sometimes wish you were dead. On the other hand, there are some commercials full of… undead! The Skittles “Skittles Zombie” TV spot is a mix of humor and the gross-out factor, perfectly suited for Halloween. It features the launch of their limited-edition Zombie Skittles, where some pieces taste normal, but others have a revolting “rotten Zombie” flavor, keeping candy lovers on edge. In the ad, the viewer (yes, you!) is playing a tennis match against a zombie. The stakes? If he wins, he’s going to eat your brains! We can see a quick tennis exchange which ends with with the zombie’s hand flying off his wrist and hitting the camera. But the kicker is that the ball was still cleanly hit and you lost the point! I’m sure you would also lose your brain, but thankfully the commercial ended there!
I don’t know about you but for me, up to this point, there were far too many sweets in this text. Let’s change it up a bit and exercise! In the famous Nike horror-themed sneaker ad the company creatively blends the tension of a horror movie with athletic footwear. Set in a creepy, eerie environment of a cabin in the woods in the middle of a misty night, the commercial showcases a female protagonist. As she is changing in the bathroom (a typical horror cliche), the murderer suddenly appears and starts chasing her with a chainsaw. The twist? Her sneakers help her escape this terrifying scenario, highlighting the durability and comfort of the shoes. The ad’s tense atmosphere, combined with a high-energy narrative, merges Halloween-themed horror with Nike’s signature performance style, making it a standout for both sneakerheads and thrill-seekers. If only the kids in “Friday the 13th” movie had heard about Nike back then!
Halloween ads have become an integral part of the season, mixing spooky fun with memorable marketing moments. From Snickers’ “Horseless Headsman” bringing humor to a classic legend, to Reese’s innovative “Trick or Treat Door” keeping the spirit alive during a pandemic, these ads have it all. Skittles’ “Zombie” commercial adds a gross-out twist, while Nike uses horror to showcase their sneakers’ power. Whether terrifying or hilarious, these commercials make sure that Halloween isn’t just for ghosts and ghouls – it’s for great advertising too. Trick or treat, indeed!
