Buzz
Halloween brings tales of the supernatural, eerie outfits, sweet treats, and, naturally, chilling commercials. Each October, as children plot their disguises and parents reluctantly purchase oversized candy packs, brands engage in their own tradition: leveraging the spooky season to promote their goods.
Over the decades, some Halloween ads have paid homage to legendary horror movies, while others have simply been outlandish. From Mrs. Bates promoting Bud Lite to Elvira endorsing soft drinks, here’s a look at our top picks for Halloween commercials from the last six decades.
Mug Root Beer
In this 1989 Hitchcock-inspired root beer ad, audiences had the opportunity to win a chance to “Go Psycho” alongside Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
Bud Lite
From the same period as the Elvira ad, Bud Lite’s dog-themed spoof of Psycho feels like the Wishbone
Target
Casper the Friendly Ghost unintentionally frightens Target customers while browsing the store—and showcasing its candy promotions—in this early ’90s advertisement.
Pizza Hut
In this special Halloween edition of The Pizza Head Show, Pizza Hut’s 1990s mascot with googly eyes ventures into a spooky haunted mansion.
Woolworth
A 1978 ad for the now-closed Woolworth store promotes superhero and Star Wars-inspired costumes, starting at just $2.38. While Halloween outfits haven’t evolved much since 1978, the cost certainly has.
Miller Lite
This 1980s Miller Lite ad offers a unique take on the zombie classic Night of the Living Dead. Here, the undead crave beer instead of brains.
Solar Calculators
Texas Instruments demonstrates that even calculators can get a Halloween makeover in this vampire-inspired advertisement.
Honey Nut Cheerios
In the ’90s, the Honey Nut Cheerios bee often found itself in sticky situations. Luckily, in this eerie ad, Frankenstein’s monster is soothed by a bowl of Cheerios made with “real golden honey.”
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
According to this 1986 ad, Frankenstein’s monster had a serious craving for sweets. In this spot, the iconic creature unveils his own groundbreaking invention: a chocolate-peanut-butter treat.
Monster Cereal
Monster Cereal is inherently Halloween-themed year-round. This compilation is a nostalgic delight for fans of vintage ads, showcasing the evolution of Count Chocula, Frankenberry, and others through a mix of Monster cereal commercials from the 1970s to the 2000s.
