Watch THE HALLOWEEN THAT ALMOST WASN'T - A Fun Forgotten Gem That’s Perfect for Spooky Season
If you’re looking for some old-school Halloween fun this October, you’ve got to check out The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t, a made-for-TV special that first aired in 1979 and has become a cult favorite for fans of classic spooky comedy.
The half-hour special stars Judd Hirsch as none other than Count Dracula, who must rally the world’s most famous monsters including the Wolfman, the Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Witch (played by Mariette Hartley) to save Halloween.
When the Witch decides she’s done with the holiday and refuses to fly over the moon, Dracula and his monster buddies have to convince her otherwise before it’s too late.
What makes this special so fun is its mix of campy humor, classic monster tropes, and that late-’70s charm that feels like pure nostalgic comfort.
It’s got that perfect Halloween TV vibe, part Scooby-Doo, part The Munsters, with just enough cheesiness to make it delightful. Judd Hirsch completely leans into the role, and Mariette Hartley steals the show as the feisty Witch who’s had enough of being typecast.
The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t is the kind of forgotten Halloween treasure that reminds you why you fell in love with spooky season in the first place.
It’s family-friendly, funny, and packed with vintage Halloween spirit. Whether you grew up watching it or are discovering it for the first time, it’s a perfect little treat to add to your October watchlist, no tricks required.