As fall rolls in and Halloween gets closer, brands have a scary good opportunity to tap into the fun, spooky energy of the season. Halloween’s playful vibes make it a perfect time for creative marketing that really stands out. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite Halloween campaigns that hit all the right notes.
Good Choices - GEICO Horror Movie Commercial
GEICO’s “Good Choices” Horror Movie ad is a masterclass in using humor and familiar horror tropes to grab attention right away. By riffing on the classic bad decisions people make in scary movies, GEICO delivers a smart and memorable message about making better choices. It’s the perfect balance of Halloween fun and brand reinforcement. The ad’s timing and lighthearted approach make it super shareable, helping GEICO’s message stick with a wide audience.
#ScaryClownNight by Burger King
Burger King’s #ScaryClownNight campaign was a clever jab at McDonald’s iconic Ronald McDonald, capitalizing on the viral clown trend of 2016. Remember that weird time when people dressed up as clowns to scare others? Burger King jumped on it, offering free Whoppers to anyone dressed like a clown for a limited time. They gave out 115,000 free Whoppers—success for both sales and virality. It’s the kind of bold, fun marketing that people love to talk about.
AdWatch: Skittles / Giant Talking Spider
Skittles brought the spooky and the laughs with their “Giant Talking Spider” ad. In this spot, trick-or-treaters get caught in a spiderweb trap, with Skittles as bait. We see the giant spider form an unexpected bond with one of the kids—at least, that’s what we’re led to believe. The dark humor comes at the end when the spider, casually reading from a storybook, reveals he ate both of the kids! It’s the kind of mix of spooky and funny that captures the spirit of Halloween perfectly, making it one of our favorites.
Sticky Situations – Gorilla Glue Halloween Commercial
Gorilla Glue’s Halloween ad follows the same path as GEICO, playing with horror movie clichés. Picture this: a masked killer is chasing a guy through the woods with a hatchet. Classic. Except the hatchet breaks. Enter the gorilla (yes, Gorilla Glue in hand) who helps glue the weapon back together, while the intended victim cheers them on. The gorilla strolls back into the woods, leaving the chase to resume. The ad is packed with twists and hilarious moments, all in under a minute.
