8 Unforgettable Halloween Ad Campaigns to Spark Your Creativity
October brings with it more than just crisp air and falling leaves – it’s the season when brands unleash their most creative and hauntingly memorable Halloween marketing campaigns. From eerie storytelling to spine-tingling visuals, some of the best Halloween campaigns have left a lasting mark, not only for their creativity but for the way they embrace the spooky spirit of the season.
As we dive into the world of creative Halloween ads, let’s revisit the best marketing campaigns of all time that are sure to inspire your next big idea.
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Why Brands Create Halloween Ad Campaigns: The Power of Seasonal Marketing
Halloween marketing campaigns are a fun, creative way for brands to get in on the seasonal excitement. They give brands the perfect chance to connect with their audience in a lighthearted way, tapping into that festive Halloween vibe. The best Halloween ad campaigns blend humor, creativity, and a touch of spookiness, making them stand out from the usual brand messaging.
With Halloween spending in the U.S. expected to hit $11.6 billion in 2024, it’s clear that consumers are more engaged than ever with this spooky season, making it a prime opportunity for brands to boost engagement and build brand awareness. Brands that nail their Halloween marketing efforts often see increased visibility as audiences eagerly share seasonal content. When the Halloween spirit is fully embraced, brands create something memorable that resonates with their customers. In the end, Halloween ad campaigns demonstrate the powerful impact seasonal marketing can have, helping brands boost both recognition and results.
From Spooky to Fun: 8 Best Halloween Ad Campaigns of All Time
Snickers – Halloween Grocery Store Lady
In this eerie yet humorous ad, a mysterious “grocery store lady” wearing a disturbingly oversized mask approaches a shopper and begins filling her cart with Snickers. The twist? The woman is actually two kids stacked in a bizarre costume. This creative ad puts a spooky spin on the traditional trick-or-treat experience, blending fright with comedy. The unsettling character and unexpected encounter made this one of the best Halloween campaigns, capturing the playful spirit of Halloween while reminding audiences that Snickers is a must-have for the season.
Bacardi – Raising Spirits
Bacardi took the Halloween spirit virtual with their Raising Spirits campaign, which featured a virtual party hosted by spirits. This creative Halloween ad campaign was a smart move during the pandemic, keeping the brand relevant and fun despite social distancing. The blend of spooky visuals, vibrant energy, and social connection made it one of the more innovative Halloween marketing campaigns of recent years, showcasing how brands can adapt seasonal marketing to unexpected circumstances.
Booking.com – Haunted Hotels
This ad by Booking.com dares travelers to “Stay if you dare” at some of America’s most infamous haunted hotels. It follows a woman alone in her room as a series of spooky events unfold—her TV turns on by itself, and a mysterious figure lurks just outside her door. The suspense builds like a scene from a horror movie, drawing viewers into the chilling experience. This bold and clever campaign transformed a typical hotel stay into a thrilling adventure, making it one of the most memorable Halloween marketing campaigns in the travel industry.
Heinz – Vegetarian Vampire
Perhaps this ad on our list might be one of our favorites. As one of the cutest Heinz’s ads, this Vegetarian Vampire ad took a playful approach to the vampire trope, with a humorous vampire character who drinks Heinz Tomato Blood ketchup instead of “real” blood. This funny Halloween commercial worked well because it cleverly tied the brand’s product to Halloween in a lighthearted and unexpected way. The witty concept and humorous execution made it one of the most talked-about Halloween ad campaigns of 2022, helping Heinz connect with audiences through humor and the holiday’s spooky vibe.
Skoda – A Different Halloween
Škoda’s A Different Halloween ad took a fresh and imaginative spin on the holiday. It begins with a nostalgic scene of a young boy carefully carving a pumpkin, his focus and creativity on full display. Meanwhile, an older man is seen intently crafting something as well. As the story unfolds, the connection between the two becomes clear—the man is that same boy, now grown up, but still fueled by the same creativity. Only this time, instead of a pumpkin, he’s carving and painting his Škoda car to mirror the jack-o’-lantern he once crafted. Though Škoda isn’t your typical Halloween brand, this campaign cleverly captures the essence of nostalgia and creativity, proving that Halloween marketing can be more than just spooky—it can be heartwarming and inspiring.
M&M’s – Early Trick or Treat
M&M’s Early Trick or Treat campaign embraced the chaos and excitement of Halloween with a humorous twist. In this funny Halloween commercial, two M&M’s candy friends prepare for trick-or-treating a bit too early, much to the confusion of their neighbor. As one of the top three most-purchased Halloween candies, M&M’s used this playful and lighthearted ad to reinforce its status as a Halloween favorite. The campaign’s humorous take on the anticipation of Halloween made it one of the best Halloween marketing campaigns, effectively promoting M&M’s as a must-have treat for the season.
Burger King – The Call
For those who aren’t fans of horror, this ad might feel surprisingly intense at first! Burger King’s The Call ad takes the spooky season to the next level with a suspense-filled storyline straight out of a horror flick. The 60-second spot follows a young woman watching TV alone, when a sinister call warns her, “It’s back. It’s coming for you.” What seems like a classic horror setup quickly turns playful as the woman rushes for milk to combat the heat of the Ghost Pepper Whopper and Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries lurking in her backseat. Combining classic horror tropes with Burger King’s signature humor, this Halloween ad campaign struck the perfect balance of spooky and fun. With its unexpected twist and clever use of suspense, Burger King delivered one of the best Halloween campaigns of the recent years.
Six Flags – Tick Tick Tick
A sense of suspense and tension builds as a clock ticks down, leaving viewers anxiously awaiting the terror that’s about to unfold. In true horror fashion, the final reveal is none other than a thrilling Six Flags Halloween attraction, daring guests to face their fears. The Tick. Tick. Tick. short film cleverly ties Halloween’s classic fear and excitement to the park’s pulse-pounding haunted offerings. With its cinematic approach and intense buildup, this campaign perfectly captured the essence of the season while driving anticipation for Six Flags’ hair-raising attractions. It became a standout in the amusement park industry, blending entertainment and thrills.
Conclusion: Spark Your Own Creative Halloween Campaign
These unforgettable Halloween ad campaigns prove that with the right mix of creativity, humor, and spooky fun, brands can leave a lasting impression during the Halloween season. Whether you’re aiming to evoke laughter or suspense, tapping into the festive spirit offers a powerful opportunity to connect with your audience in new and exciting ways.
So, as you plan your next campaign, remember the tricks and treats these brands used to captivate their audience—and don’t be afraid to embrace the thrill of the season!
