Saturday Night Live has never shied away from poking fun at all things current events and pop culture, and there’s nothing better than them putting their own timely spin on things, especially when spooky season rolls around. Here, take a look at some of the funniest and most beloved Halloween SNL sketches from over the years.
‘Stranger Things’ parody (2016): SNL pokes fun at the hit show
This laugh-out-loud sketch from 2016 features Lin Manuel-Miranda playing the part of Dustin, Sasheer Zamata as Lucas and Kyle Mooney as Mike from the hit sci-fi show Stranger Things, and pokes fun at the lack of parental figures present for Lucas in the first season of the show. Enter Leslie Jones and Kenan Thompson in the roles of his mom and dad, and this sketch is sure to give any Stranger Things fan a good belly laugh.
Firelight (2013): Taylor Swift takes on ‘Twilight’ in a hilarious spoof
None other than Taylor Swift takes the lead on this parody of the hit Twilight films. Instead of vampires, however, Swift’s character is falling for one of Frankenstein’s monsters—complete with green skin and bolts coming out of his neck, of course. Swift brings her comedy chops to this hilarious play on the hit vampire movie franchise.
Spirit Halloween (2024): SNL’s take on the ubiquitous pop-up store
No matter where you are, no matter where you go, no matter where you turn, throughout October, there’s sure to be a Spirit Halloween store somewhere nearby. This recent sketch gave us a good laugh when it referenced how these pop-up stores seemingly spawn out of nowhere in hundreds of strip malls across America, only to disappear within a few weeks.
Hallmark Horror (2023): When love blossoms amidst a scary plot
This sketch from 2023 featuring Nate Bargatze poked fun at the Hallmark films we can’t help but love. A big city girl returns to her small hometown, and moments before being murdered by an intruder, learns the man behind the mask is her high school crush. Love, of course, blossoms, and this sketch takes a few lighthearted jabs at the tropes we often see in these beloved films.
A Girl’s Halloween (2016): A hilarious night gone wrong
SNL greats Cecily Strong, Vanessa Bayer and Aidy Bryant bring this hilarious sketch to life showcasing the before and after of what was supposed to be a “chill” night celebrating the holiday. Try not to laugh at this one!
Chad Horror Movie (2019): Pete Davidson’s laid-back take on scary movies
Pete Davidson brings the all-too-relaxed Chad to life in this recreation of the horror movies we love so dearly during this season. John Mulaney plays a killer threatening him over the phone, who gradually becomes more and more frustrated with Chad’s inability to take the bait of his taunts.
Haunted Elevator with David S. Pumpkins (2016): Tom Hanks delivers a fan-favorite
A couple on a haunted elevator ride must confront a series of frightening scenes on each floor, but one floor in particular features someone a little less than scary: David S. Pumpkins, of course. Played by Tom Hanks, this singing, dancing, pumpkin suit-wearing character has long been a fan favorite. Any questions???
