Spooktacular Halloween Campaigns That Will Haunt You (In a Good Way)
Halloween is no longer just about trick-or-treating and costume parties. For brands, it’s a golden opportunity to tap into the spooky season with creative campaigns that not only excite consumers but also leave a lasting impression. This year, some companies have truly outdone themselves by blending nostalgia, pop culture, and unexpected partnerships. Here are five Halloween marketing campaigns that have conjured up plenty of buzz in 2024.
Kelloggs’ Wednesday Addams Themed Cookies N’ Cream Cereal
Kellogg’s knew exactly how to capture the hearts of both breakfast lovers and Wednesday fans with its limited-edition Wednesday Addams Cookies n’ Cream cereal. Riding on the wave of the hit Netflix show, Kellogg’s found the perfect balance between nostalgia and modern pop culture. This cereal isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, but also a tribute to the dark and quirky world of Wednesday Addams. The black-and-white cereal even mirrors the character’s iconic style, making it a must-have for fans looking to celebrate Halloween in a deliciously eerie way.
Chipotle’s Boo-rito Costumes
Chipotle’s beloved Boo-rito campaign is back with a twist—this year, they’re releasing actual Halloween costumes inspired by their popular burritos. Fans who come to the restaurant in costume not only get a discounted burrito but can also dress up as one. This campaign taps into Chipotle’s playful brand identity and turns Halloween into an immersive experience for customers. Whether you’re a burrito lover or just want to enjoy the spooky season with some delicious food, Chipotle’s Boo-rito costumes make for an engaging (and tasty) treat.
Bratz Recreates Iconic Halloween Moments on Instagram
Bratz has taken Halloween by storm on Instagram recreating famous Halloween looks that fans can’t get enough of. By leveraging the platform’s visual storytelling capabilities, Bratz taps into the spirit of nostalgia while staying relevant with their target audience. The brand’s bold, funky style fits perfectly with the larger-than-life, iconic Halloween moments they’re recreating, from famous film characters to spooky classics. This social media campaign doesn’t just entertain—it invites fans to participate and share their own looks, creating a cycle of user engagement.
Martha Stewart and Liquid Death’s Candle Collaboration
In one of the most unexpected pairings of the year, Martha Stewart has teamed up with Liquid Death for a Halloween-themed candle collaboration. Martha Stewart, the queen of home decor, meets Liquid Death, a brand known for its edgy, offbeat humor. The result? A candle that perfectly blends Halloween spookiness with dark elegance. This collaboration is a testament to the power of unexpected partnerships—brands with completely different identities can come together to create something that appeals to a wide audience. Plus, with a candle that combines both Stewart’s eye for design and Liquid Death’s edgy vibe, it’s a guaranteed hit for Halloween fanatics and home decor lovers alike.
Target’s Viral Lewis Pumpkin Halloween Friends
Target is leaning into last year’s viral success of the Lewis pumpkin character by introducing a new lineup of Halloween friends. This campaign is a clever nod to the power of viral content and how a single product can become an internet sensation. By expanding Lewis’s universe with a series of themed Halloween decor characters, Target keeps the fun going, creating collectibles for fans of seasonal decor. This year’s additions invite customers to not only decorate but to create stories around these characters, turning Halloween decorating into an interactive and imaginative experience.
Dunkin’ Goes Feral With Holiday Menu Drop
Dunkin’ Donuts is taking an interactive approach to unveiling its holiday menu with a “click-for-click” campaign, which engages fans by gradually releasing details about the new items as more people interact. This unique strategy has captivated social media, with Dunkin’ inviting users to click, share, or comment to help unlock their seasonal offerings. This gamified release style encourages fans to engage with the brand online, creating anticipation and driving social media traction.
Dunkin’s approach builds on the excitement of seasonal flavors while leveraging the viral nature of social engagement, turning a menu launch into an experience that fans feel a part of. It’s a brilliant example of combining seasonal hype with digital engagement for maximum impact.
This campaign aligns well with recent marketing trends, where brands use interactive and social-driven methods to launch new products or limited-edition releases.
Burger King Dressed Up As McDonalds in a Ghost Costume
In New York, Burger King took Halloween spirit to new heights by dressing up one of its locations in a giant white sheet resembling a ghostly figure, complete with eye cutouts. The “costume” didn’t stop there—this ghostly BK location was humorously labeled as a “McDonald’s,” adding a clever layer to the Halloween prank and nodding at its rivalry in the fast-food world. The costume even featured a tagline at the bottom that read, “Boooo! Just kidding, we still flame grill our burgers. Happy Halloween!”
This playful rebranding of a New York outlet created a memorable, spooky-fun spectacle that generated buzz both in person and online, showcasing Burger King’s witty approach to Halloween marketing. The campaign highlights how experiential marketing can turn a physical location into a viral moment, delighting customers and fans alike.
Check out the campaign visuals on Burger King’s Instagram here.
Sarah Mulder Jewelry’s Halloween Classics
Sarah Mulder’s Halloween-themed email campaign is a clever and stylish twist on seasonal marketing. In it, she presents curated jewelry pairings inspired by classic Halloween film characters, blending pop culture nostalgia with her brand’s unique aesthetic. By selecting pieces that evoke the essence of iconic characters—from the edgy elegance of Morticia Addams to the witchy glam of the Sanderson Sisters—Sarah connects her jewelry to beloved Halloween personas, showing customers how to elevate their Halloween looks with timeless accessories.
This approach is engaging for fans of Halloween and film, creating a new reason for customers to buy jewelry for seasonal celebrations. Not only does it bring Sarah Mulder’s jewelry into the spotlight, but it also showcases how her pieces can add sophistication to costumes and everyday wear alike, encouraging customers to explore new ways to style jewelry beyond traditional events. This creative spin on product styling builds brand connection by tapping into customers’ love for Halloween and cinematic icons.
It’s a fantastic example of using themed storytelling in email marketing to inspire purchases and seasonal engagement.
LanaBetty’s Beetlejuice-Inspired Looks
On more of a local scale, we’re excited to see LanaBetty is adding a touch of spooky sophistication to your jewelry box with a Beetlejuice-themed looks. Inspired by the cult-classic Tim Burton film, this collection captures the essence of the eerie and quirky world of the newly released Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. With pieces that feature bold geometric designs, black-and-white color palettes, and pops of vivid green (reminiscent of the iconic character’s hair), LanaBetty’s collection offers a fun way to wear your Halloween spirit.
The jewelry is perfect for fans who want to celebrate the season with subtle, wearable art, making it the perfect addition to any spooky-inspired look or for anyone who loves unique, handcrafted pieces with a fun twist. Whether you’re dressing up for a party or looking for a statement piece to enhance your everyday style, this collection is bound to turn heads.
The Magic of Halloween Marketing
From pop culture-inspired cereals to viral pumpkin decor, this year’s Halloween campaigns have showcased just how innovative brands can get during the spooky season. Whether it’s through nostalgic nods or bold partnerships, each campaign has found a way to captivate audiences and keep Halloween at the forefront of their marketing efforts. As we celebrate this season, let’s give these brands a hand for their creativity—and maybe even grab a burrito costume or a Wednesday Addams bowl of cereal while we’re at it!
