Each year, Dancing With the Stars transforms its ballroom into a realm of ghoulish delights and spine-tingling spectacles for Halloween Night. This fan-favorite episode consistently delivers unforgettable routines, intricate costumes, and high-stakes eliminations, cementing its place as a seasonal highlight in the quest for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Dancing With the Stars Halloween Week is not just an episode; it’s an annual tradition where celebrities and their professional partners unleash their most creative, creepy, and captivating performances. From ghostly Viennese Waltzes to terrifying Tangos, the night is a celebration of horror-themed holiday spirit, often culminating in dramatic scores and brutal eliminations.
The judges, including stalwarts like Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, alongside hosts Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro, embrace the spooky fun, adding to the spectacle. This guide delves into some of the most memorable moments from DWTS Halloween Nights, highlighting the routines that have left an indelible mark on fans and judges alike.
Recent Thrills: Season 31 Halloween Night Highlights
Season 31’s Halloween Night was packed with enchanting ensembles and over-the-top costumes, as the remaining nine couples fought to avoid elimination. The episode showcased a variety of dance styles, each infused with a spooky twist. Here are some standout performances:
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas: Despite a back injury for Mark, their Argentine Tango to “Tanguera” exuded dark, sensual energy, earning them a near-perfect score of 39. Bruno marveled at their ability to turn a nightmare into a beautiful dance expression, calling them “geniuses.”
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko: Donning a creepy killer doll costume, Shangela delivered an amazing Jazz routine to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” Their performance scored a perfect 39, with Derek calling the execution “fierce” and “sensational.”
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater: Trevor’s Contemporary dance to “Ghost (Acoustic)” by Justin Bieber was a beautiful, heartbreaking number that earned them their highest score of the season, a 39. Bruno was left with goosebumps, and Carrie Ann called it “an amazing performance” and a moment she’d “never forget.”
Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong: Kicking off the night with a Dia de los Muertos-inspired Tango to “Oogie Boogie’s Song,” Jordin showcased immense evolution, earning a 36. Len praised her, saying “sparks were flying,” and that it was her “best dance thus far.”
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev: Their Tango to “I Wanna Be Your Slave” blended Night King, zombie, and bondage chic for a scary sensuality. The precise and impressive dance scored 37, impressing judges, with Derek calling it her “best dance.”
The elimination was a shock, as two of the night’s highest-scoring couples, Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong and Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev, found themselves on the chopping block. The judges, with a 3-1 vote (Derek dissenting), chose to save Heidi, sending Jordin home.
The All-Time Spookiest and Most Spectacular Performances
Over the years, DWTS Halloween Night has produced countless iconic routines that continue to be fan favorites. These performances stand out for their creativity, technical prowess, and ability to perfectly capture the spooky theme.
Milo Manheim and Witney Carson (Season 27): Their Contemporary routine to “Toxic” by 2WEI is frequently cited as one of the show’s most memorable Halloween performances, particularly noted by SoapHub. The duo transformed the ballroom into a dark dreamscape, delivering electrifying content and ultimately earning a perfect score.
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold (Season 25): Channeling a dark twist on Little Red Riding Hood, Jordan as the Big Bad Wolf delivered a dramatic Paso Doble to Martin Garrix’s “Animals.” This show-stopping performance earned perfect 10s and contributed to their eventual Mirrorball win.
JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson (Season 30): Their Jazz routine, inspired by Stephen King’s It, brought a thrilling edge to the ballroom. Dancing to “Anything Goes,” their energy and precision secured perfect scores, marking a significant moment as the series’ first same-sex dance duo.
James Hinchcliffe and Jenna Johnson (Season 23): Their Viennese Waltz to “You Don’t Own Me,” with James as the Joker and Jenna as Harley Quinn, captivated audiences. Jenna stepped in for an injured Sharna Burgess, and their chemistry resulted in a “beautifully done waltz” that perfectly captured the characters, as noted by Collider.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach (Season 30): Drawing inspiration from Jordan Peele’s Us, their Contemporary performance was intense and unforgettable. Donning the film’s signature red jumpsuits, they moved in perfect sync to “I Got 5 on It (Tethered Mix),” earning a perfect 40 and ultimately clinching the Mirrorball Trophy.
More Frightfully Fantastic Routines
The spirit of Halloween Night on DWTS extends far beyond these top picks, with many other couples delivering memorable, spine-tingling performances:
Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke (Season 27): Their ancient Egyptian-themed Jive to “Dead Man’s Party” brought immense energy and precision, earning them a perfect 30 and praise for “sheer perfection.”
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough (Season 21): Bindi transformed into an evil queen vampiress for her Argentine Tango to “Cry Little Sister,” delivering sharp, powerful movements that earned her a perfect score.
Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson (Season 25): Witney’s ingenious choreography turned Frankie into a captivating villain for their Contemporary dance to “Every Breath You Take,” earning them a perfect score.
Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson (Season 29): Their Paso Doble, inspired by Swan Lake, set the bar high, earning the season’s first perfect score and a reprisal in the finals.
Johnny Weir and Britt Stewart (Season 29): Their emotional Viennese Waltz to Radiohead’s “Creep” featured a vampire theme, captivating judges with its elegance and intensity.
Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy (Season 23): Their sweet Viennese Waltz to “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka showcased their close bond and earned a perfect 30.
James Van Der Beek and Emma Slater (Season 28): Their devilish Viennese Waltz to “I Put a Spell on You” was hauntingly stunning, despite a small slip-up.
The Enduring Legacy of DWTS Halloween Night
Dancing With the Stars Halloween Night remains a highlight for fans because it pushes the boundaries of creativity, costuming, and choreography. The horror-themed holiday allows couples to embody dramatic characters, explore darker emotions, and showcase incredible artistry that might not fit into other themed nights.
These episodes not only deliver exhilarating entertainment but also often feature some of the season’s highest scores and most memorable moments, cementing the night’s status as a critical juncture in the competition and a beloved tradition for the DWTS community.
