How Television Networks Are Celebrating Halloween in 2021

Selome Hailu
·4 min read

Television networks are unveiling slates of Halloween-themed content including new and classic horror films, reality competition shows, live specials and more.

Among this year’s programming options is Freeform’s annual “31 Nights of Halloween,” with up to 10 films a day including many family favorites from “Shrek” to “Casper,” plus an in-person event in Los Angeles called Freeform’s Halloween Road. Additionally, horror streaming service Shudder has kicked off “61 Days of Halloween,” with weekly film and series premieres, 24-hour jack-o-lantern stream “The Ghoul Log” and a “Halloween Hotline” where every Friday in October, subscribers can call Shudder’s head of programming Samuel Zimmerman to discuss horror favorites and receive new recommendations.

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Read a full list of Halloween programming below. (More programming will be added to the list as networks announce titles.)

“Superhost” (Shudder, Sept. 2) – As travel vloggers Teddy (Osric Chau) and Claire (Sara Canning) notice their internet fame dwindling, they pivot from sharing their experiences at vacation homes to creating viral content around their most recent host, Rebecca (Gracie Gillam). But soon enough, something goes very wrong. Brandon Christensen writes and directs. Barbara Crampton also stars.

“Martyrs Lane” (Shudder, Sept. 9) – A ghost visits 10-year-old Leah at night and helps her piece together a dangerous puzzle that may just explain why her mother is so distant. Ruth Platt directs while Denise Gough, Steven Cree, Kiera Thompson and Sienna Sayer star.

“Creepshow” Season 3 (Shudder, Sept. 23) – In the third season of this anthology series based on the 1982 horror comedy film of the same name, a comic book comes to life in a series of vignettes about murder, monsters and more. Greg Nicotero serves as showrunner. Guest stars include Michael Rooker, James Remar, Johnathon Schaech, Reid Scott, Hannah Fierman, King Bach and Ethan Embry.

“Seance” (Shudder, Sept. 29) – A group of students at Edelvine Academy for Girls summon the spirit of a dead former student who supposedly haunts the halls — only for one of them to end up dead before morning. The film is written and directed by Simon Barrett and stars Suki Waterhouse, Madisen Beaty, Ella-Rae Smith, Inanna Sarkis, Seamus Patterson and Marina Stephenson-Kerr.

“V/H/S/94” (Shudder, Oct. 6) – In the fourth installment of found footage horror anthology, a SWAT team raids a remote warehouse and discovers a cult compound with a collection of pre-recorded tapes that reveal a larger conspiracy. “V/H/S/94” is a Shudder original film and includes segments directed by Simon Barrett, Timo Tjahjanto, Jennifer Reeder, Ryan Prows and Chloe Okuno.

“Joe Bob’s Halloween Hoedown” (Shudder, Oct. 8) – Film critic Joe Bob Briggs presents a surprise Halloween double feature. Briggs’ film selections will be announced live.

“The Medium” (Shudder, Oct. 14) – A documentary team follows Nim, a shaman based in the Isan region of Thailand, and her niece Mink, whose behavior becomes more extreme. The horror film is directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and produced by Na Hong-jin.

“The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” Season 4 (Shudder, Oct. 19) – Ten drag artists from around the world compete for a $100,000 grand prize. Guest judges this season include Vanessa Hudgens, Harvey Guillén, Kristian Nairn, Misha Osherovich, Orville Peck, Poppy, Ray Santiago, Bob the Drag Queen and more. The Boulet Brothers write and produce with executive producer David Sigurani and director Nathan Noyes.

“Behind the Monsters” (Shudder, Oct. 27) – Classic horror characters such as Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Candyman, Chucky and Pinhead are explained from the perspective of horror experts and the casts and crews of the original films in this docuseries. Gabrielle Binkley and Anthony Uro write and direct, with Stage 3 Productions producing and Phil Nobile Jr., Kelly Ryan and Mark Shostrom executive producing.

“Horror Noire” (Shudder, Oct. 28) – Following up on the 2019 documentary “Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror,” this film showcases horror stories from emerging and established Black directors and writers. Writers include Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Victor LaValle, Shernold Edwards, Al Letson and Ezra C. Daniels. Cast members include Lesley-Ann Brandt, Luke James, Erica Ash, Brandon Mychal Smith, Sean Patrick Thomas, Peter Stormare, Malcolm Barrett and Rachel True among others.

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