Halloween Archives : The Retro Network

How the 1982 Tylenol Poisonings Almost Canceled Halloween

The 1982 Tylenol murders sent shockwaves through the country and turned Halloween into a season of fear, reshaping safety, packaging, and childhood traditions overnight.

Raised by Monsters: How Horror Became Part of Growing Up Gen X

Pitfall Gary

Growing up in the ’80s was a weird time. Adults warned us about strangers, staying out too late, and hanging around places we had no business being. Meanwhile, some of the biggest movies of the

Gen X and the Golden Age of Halloween Specials

Mickey Yarber

Halloween once lived on TV schedules, not streaming menus, and every Gen X kid shared the thrill of racing home for those spooky October specials.

From Citrus Cooler to Cultural Icon: The Story of Ecto Cooler

Mickey Yarber

Hi‑C Ecto Cooler turned a simple citrus drink into a slime‑green Ghostbusters icon, a beloved flavor fans still miss long after its legendary run ended.

Retro Reel Reviews: The Fog (1980)

Mickey Yarber

The Fog delivers cozy spooky vibes and slow burn chills, a moody ghost story that’s fun to revisit when you want a lighter dose of retro horror.

Boo Buckets Set For Return to McDonald’s October 20th?

Walter King

A viral Facebook leak claims McDonald’s may celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Boo Buckets in 2026 with a new monster‑themed lineup, but none of the images or details have been confirmed.

A Retro Fan’s Guide to the Star Wars Collection at HalloweenCostumes.com

Mickey Yarber

HalloweenCostumes.com’s Star Wars collection brings back childhood magic with classic characters, fun accessories, and nostalgic designs that let fans relive the galaxy they grew up loving.

Retro Resurgence Podcast Prepares for Its 50th Episode Celebration and Announce an Epic Giveaway

Mickey Yarber

The Retro Resurgence Podcast is celebrating its 50th episode with a special Halloween show, and listeners are invited to share their own spooky memories for a chance to win a Halloween themed prize pack.

A Retro Fan’s Guide to the Marvel Collection at HalloweenCostumes.com

Mickey Yarber

HalloweenCostumes.com’s Marvel collection brings classic heroes, retro cartoons, and modern MCU favorites to life, giving fans a fun way to relive their comic book dreams.

The Top 10 Retro Inspired Costumes at HalloweenCostumes.com

Mickey Yarber

HalloweenCostumes.com brings back the fun of eighties and nineties pop culture with retro inspired costumes that spark nostalgia and make Halloween feel like the past all over again.

Drak Pack: The 80s Cartoon With a Halloween Vibe

Mickey Yarber

Drak Pack brought classic movie monsters into Saturday mornings with a spooky, superhero twist, turning Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolfman descendants into unlikely cartoon heroes.

What Are the Themes of This Year’s Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror Special?

Walter King

This year’s Treehouse of Horror leans into retro scares as The Simpsons teams up with The Nightmare Before Christmas and spoofs classic horror favorites in a new trio of spooky stories.

MeTV Announces October Lineup of Svengoolie Classic Horror Double Features

Walter King

MeTV kicks off a month of retro Halloween fun with Svengoolie, House of Svengoolie, and a lineup packed with classic horror and Oz specials.

Cover art for Elmo Says BOO! - A Muppet ghost startles Elmo in The Count’s castle

Advent Calendar House: Elmo Says BOO!

Mike Westfall

🎃 It’s Halloween in July, and it’s time to spookalize! 🎙️ Becca Petunia joins us as we creep back to 1997 for a howling good time at the spookiest address on Sesame Street, as Elmo pays a

Iconic Halloween Candy Born in the 80s

Pitfall Gary

If you grew up in the 1980s, candy was both a treat and an adventure. Walking into the corner store or the gas station you were met with a rainbow of wrappers, but that rainbow

Mad Scientist Monster Lab: When Kids Became Creepy Little Chemists

Mickey Yarber

In the neon-soaked landscape of 1980s toy aisles, where action figures ruled and slime was king, Mattel dared to go one step further into the bizarre. Enter the Mad Scientist Monster Lab…a gloriously grotesque toy