Family Guy Will Release Halloween Special on October 5

Hulu has unveiled the trailer for the new holiday episode featuring Kieran Culkin as the Devil.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Television

Horror-themed graphic illustration featuring a stylized pitchfork and jack-o'-lantern silhouette against a dark, moody autumn night.
The upcoming Family Guy Halloween special, 'Happy Hell-o-ween,' premieres October 5 on Hulu, featuring a holiday-themed narrative set in the afterlife. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The upcoming Family Guy Halloween special, titled Happy Hell-o-ween, will premiere on October 5, 2026. The episode follows Brian and Stewie as they are sent to Hell after 24 seasons of bad behavior.

Why it matters

The special marks a significant expansion for the long-running animated franchise as it experiments with standalone holiday event episodes. It also coincides with the lead-up to the network's planned Christmas special.

The Halloween special Happy Hell-o-ween is set to arrive following 24 seasons of the flagship series. A secondary holiday installment, The Peter's Clause, is confirmed for release later in 2026.

The players

Kieran Culkin

He is an award-winning actor who voices the character of the Devil in the upcoming special.

Seth MacFarlane

He is the creator of the Family Guy franchise and is currently overseeing the development of the new Stewie spinoff.

Kirker Butler

He is a writer and producer who is co-overseeing the production of the new spinoff series.

The details

In the new special, Brian and Stewie navigate the afterlife after being condemned to Hell. Additionally, a new spinoff series titled Stewie is in development, featuring a cast that includes Kenan Thompson, Melissa O'Neil, Vanessa Bayer, Mike Henry, Aaron Lee, and Jessica Lowe.

Timeline

  1. October 5, 2026: Premiere of the Halloween special Happy Hell-o-ween.

  2. Late 2026: Premiere of the holiday episode The Peter's Clause.

Industry Dynamics

The expansion of the Family Guy franchise follows the current growth strategy of the Hulu streaming platform's animation library. These new projects highlight a move toward diversifying established IP through spinoffs and specialized event programming.

Viewers can access the new Halloween special directly through their Hulu subscription when it debuts in October. The spinoff series will also be available on the platform, though official premiere dates for that project have yet to be announced.

The takeaway

The franchise continues to evolve by leveraging long-term character arcs to support new, genre-bending holiday specials. Fans should look for the premiere in early October as the network prepares for a busy holiday schedule.

What happens next

The Halloween special Happy Hell-o-ween is scheduled to premiere on October 5, 2026, while the Christmas episode The Peter's Clause is expected to follow later in 2026.

Further reading

For more on the latest developments in streaming and broadcast, visit the Television section.

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