The latest Family Guy Halloween special, now streaming on Hulu, keeps up the tradition of hilarious and chaotic Halloween celebrations in the town of Quahog. This episode is extra special, as it not only marks the spooky season, but also celebrates Family Guy hitting its 25th season!
And while we enjoy the Halloween fun, fans can look forward to a Christmas-themed episode later in season 23.
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In this episode, the Griffin family and the whole town are diving into the Halloween spirit, with tons of laughs around costumes, crazy side adventures, and, of course, some wild pumpkin-growing drama. Let’s break down the episode and explore what makes this Halloween special stand out.
A Halloween Celebration in Quahog
All of Quahog is buzzing with excitement for Halloween. For the Griffin family, it means different things. Chris Griffin is overly excited, swinging his novelty nunchucks around in pure Halloween energy.
Meg Griffin chooses a nurse’s costume, but she doesn’t stop there, she even carries around fake urine samples to complete the look. Then, there's Peter Griffin, who has his own priorities getting Joe Swanson to stop obsessing over his pumpkins.
But, Joe’s not letting that go. Every Halloween, he enters a local pumpkin-growing contest, and every year, he’s defeated by Patrick McCloskey. McCloskey isn’t just a random rival, he’s got the best soil in town, a PUMPKING license plate, and some seriously good hair.
Joe Swanson’s Pumpkin Dilemma
Joe Swanson, voiced by Patrick Warburton, takes his pumpkin-growing seriously. This year, he has managed to grow a 307-pound pumpkin, which is quite huge! He’s hoping this will finally be his year to beat McCloskey.
But, of course, Peter and the guys (Cleveland and Quagmire) can’t just sit back. They plan to mess with Joe’s pumpkin, leading to the inevitable chaos that we have grown to expect and love from Family Guy.
The pumpkin mischief spirals into a disaster, but Peter has got one thing working for him, he weighs the same as Joe’s massive pumpkin! Naturally, this leads to even more ridiculous moments, including Peter getting involved in the town’s Great Pumpkin Contest, judged by none other than Sam Elliott.
Stewie and Brian’s Halloween Adventures
Meanwhile, Stewie and Brian are having their own Halloween drama. Stewie’s all dressed up as Cher, complete with a long black wig and halter top, looking for some Instagram likes and engagement.
But, Brian has other plans like he’s more interested in using his phone’s “Find My Friends” feature in order to track down signs of life instead of trick-or-treating with his buddy Stewie.
Stewie, feeling betrayed by Brian, decides to take drastic measures. He messes with the Griffin household’s electricity and bandwidth, channels his inner Gene Wilder from Young Frankenstein, and even steals mustaches right off people’s faces! Stewie’s over-the-top antics are a big part of the Halloween special’s charm and add to the hilarity of the show.
Family Guy’s Humor
As Family Guy celebrates 25 seasons, you might wonder if the show’s humor has changed. Has the outrageous, often crass comedy of the past mellowed over time? This Halloween episode seems a bit more relaxed compared to earlier seasons. The show still has its wild, low-brow jokes, but in the past few years, it feels like there’s a bit more heart.
For example, Joe Swanson’s pumpkin obsession is the butt of many jokes from Peter, Cleveland, and Quagmire. But, instead of being mean-spirited, the teasing feels more lighthearted. Maybe Family Guy is growing a little, like its characters, it’s learning to laugh at itself without going too far.
However, don’t get it twisted. The show still loves its meta-humor and self-aware jokes. Peter’s commentary from inside Joe’s giant pumpkin is classic Family Guy. It’s still the same irreverent show we know and love, just with a few extra layers of wit and reflection, so the audience has something to take away with them after watching.
Guest Stars: Glen Powell and Derek Jacobi
One of the cool parts of this Halloween special is the guest stars. Glen Powell, known for his roles in Twisters and Hit Man, plays Patrick McCloskey, Joe’s pumpkin-growing rival. His role as the champion of Quahog’s Pumpkin Contest adds a fun competitive edge to the episode.
Derek Jacobi, famous for Gosford Park and Gladiator, also appears in the show, providing the voice for Stewie’s beloved teddy bear, Rupert. These guest stars add a little extra flair to the episode, making it even more enjoyable for fans.
Family Guy Halloween Special
This Halloween episode of Family Guy may surprise fans who expect the usual crass humor. It’s funny, but it feels a little more laid-back, almost like the show is letting its characters (and its jokes) breathe a bit more.
Joe Swanson’s pumpkin obsession is played for laughs, but it doesn’t come off as mean-spirited. Instead, it feels more like gentle teasing among friends.
Maybe this episode shows that Family Guy is evolving, even if just a little. There's no doubt it’s still irreverent, it’s still hilarious, but there’s a hint of self-awareness that wasn’t as prominent in earlier seasons.
But, don’t worry – Family Guy isn’t going soft. There are still plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and ridiculous antics, like Peter stuck inside a giant pumpkin and Stewie’s wild schemes to get back at Brian.
The Family Guy Halloween special streaming on Hulu is the perfect way to kick off the show’s 25th season. With its mix of quirky costumes, pumpkin drama, and hilarious side quests, it delivers the kind of laughs fans have come to expect from the long-running series.
As the Griffins and the town of Quahog embrace the Halloween spirit, the episode reminds us why Family Guy as a show has stayed relevant and beloved for over two decades.
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