7 Best Tales from the Crypt Episodes – One From Each Season | Crypt Keeper Speed-Art
Hey ghouls and gals, I'm back, and with me is another Speed-Art! I recently brought the Crypt Keeper back to life in an animation and covered five of my favourite episodes from the Tales from the Cryptkeeper cartoon in my previous Speed-Art. But this time, I wanted to turn my attention to the original HBO live-action series, Tales from the Crypt!
Unlike the Saturday morning cartoon, HBO's Tales from the Crypt is a much more violent and adult-oriented horror anthology, packed with twisted stories, dark comedy, gruesome practical effects, and plenty of memorable guest stars. There are so many creepy tales to choose from, so I've picked one episode from each of the show's seven seasons.
So, in chronological order, let's exhume the crypt and discover seven of the best Tales from the Crypt episodes worth watching!
1. Season 1, Episode 2 – And All Through the House
My first recommendation is the Christmas episode from Season 1, And All Through the House. This story was also featured in the original British Tales from the Crypt film, but the HBO version adds a little more dark humour, some wonderfully over-the-top characters, and, of course, the skeletal Crypt Keeper bookending the episode.
The story follows a woman who decides to eliminate her husband on Christmas Eve, all while a psycho killer dressed as Santa Claus is lurking outside, looking to get in. There's a lot of fun to be had here! Larry Drake plays the Santa killer, who you might recognize as the star of Dr. Giggles or the villain in Darkman. It's a great horror-comedy episode and a perfect watch around Christmas.
2. Season 2, Episode 2 – The Switch
Season 2 is stacked with great episodes, but my recommendation is The Switch, directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who even appears in the opening alongside the Crypt Keeper.
The story follows an elderly man who, in an attempt to win the heart of a much younger woman, begins spending his fortune to transform his body into a younger version of himself. Though he might be wasting his money!
This is one of the more comedic episodes of the season, and it's worth watching just to see William Hickey, who appeared in plenty of anthology horror productions, but you probably know him best from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. He also seems to be having a blast in this role. The episode has a real summer-day vibe, so if you're looking for some fun summertime horror, The Switch has you covered.
3. Season 3, Episode 14 – Yellow
Season 3 has so many good episodes, but I recommend checking out Yellow. It was originally produced for a spin-off show that never happened, so the segment was instead included in Tales from the Crypt, complete with Crypt Keeper bookends.
The story follows a cowardly Army lieutenant who tries to get out of military service, while his father, a general, offers him a special mission. But, of course, things don't exactly go as planned.
Even though this episode lacks some of the humour and horror elements that most Tales from the Crypt episodes feature, it's still a fantastic watch and feels much more cinematic than the usual instalment. And did I mention the cast? Kirk Douglas, his son Eric Douglas, Lance Henriksen, and Dan Aykroyd! What a lineup!
4. Season 4, Episode 6 – What's Cookin'
Season 4 is another strong season, with plenty of episodes that could have made this list, but I'm going with Episode 6, What's Cookin'.
This episode follows a chef and his wife who hire a mysterious drifter, only to discover that he's opened up an entirely new type of meat for their restaurant menu... human!
Starring Christopher Reeve, Judd Nelson, and Meat Loaf, this episode is dark, twisted, and a whole lot of fun, with an ending that only Tales from the Crypt could deliver. And if you're a fan of Superman, seeing Christopher Reeve take on much darker material is a real treat.
5. Season 5, Episode 3 – Forever Ambergris
Season 5 is another season packed with bangers, but I have to go with the episode featuring some of the creepiest special-effects makeup in the series: Forever Ambergris.
The story follows two photographers: one who's just starting and another who's on his way out. But when one of them contracts a mysterious disease, the surviving photographer sees an opportunity to move in on his former friend's girlfriend.
The episode stars Roger Daltrey from The Who and Steve Buscemi, and features some of the grossest special-effects makeup you'll find in Tales from the Crypt. If you're a fan of practical horror effects, this one's definitely worth checking out!
6. Season 6, Episode 1 – Let the Punishment Fit the Crime
Season 6 takes a bit of a dip in quality, but there's still plenty of fun to be had. My pick, and a little tribute to the great Catherine O'Hara, is Let the Punishment Fit the Crime.
She plays a low-rent lawyer who finds herself arrested for an unusual reason in a town where the entire legal system seems rigged against her. This episode puts the comedy front and centre, delivering a hilarious satire of the judicial system.
It might not be as spooky as some of the other Tales from the Crypt episodes, but it's an absolute blast and well worth watching.
7. Season 7, Episode 11 – Confession
Season 7 saw production move to the UK, apparently to save money on the budget while bringing in a different cast and crew. Unfortunately, it feels like a bit of a downgrade compared to the previous six seasons.
There's still fun to be had, but the added British flavour makes this season feel a little closer to the original 1972 Tales from the Crypt film than the earlier HBO episodes.
For my final recommendation, I'm going with Episode 11, Confession. This story follows a serial killer who's been beheading his victims, while a horror screenwriter finds himself at the centre of the investigation as the prime suspect.
It's a lot of fun, feels like a classic Tales from the Crypt story, and is easily my favourite episode from the season. Though I have to give the animated episode a shoutout, too!
What Are Your Favourite Tales from the Crypt Episodes?
So, what do you think of my picks? What are some of your favourite Tales from the Crypt episodes? Have you watched the original HBO horror series before? Feel free to leave a comment and tell me your opinion!
And if you haven't already, check out my animation covering the Crypt Keeper, where I explore his evolution across comics, movies, television, cartoons, and beyond. I know this video is a little late, just like my other Crypt Keeper Speed-Art, but I wanted to get these out for you this year!
Until next time, I've been Aaron, and I'll tell you something later!