Creepy ghouls and monsters are coming to Springfield on "The Simpsons" this week — a lot of them. For the latest Halloween-themed "Treehouse of Horror" episode, the show snagged director Guillermo del Toro, of "Hellboy" and "Pacific Rim" fame, to do the opening sequence.
The nearly three-minute scene features icons from horror movies past, including "The Shining," "The Birds," "Blade" and many more.
"There are so many references in that opening and it's brilliant," executive producer Al Jean said in a conference call with reporters in September. He also referred to del Toro as "the greatest expert on horror movies ... that I have ever encountered."
Del Toro told Reuters that there are about 30 to 40 direct horror-film references in the opening, and almost 100 tributes to the genre. "It's a love letter to things that I love, both in 'The Simpsons' and the genre," he said.
This year's "Treehouse of Horror" episode will feature Homer creating havoc while rhyming, Bart losing his head, and Mr. Burns' 1930s freak show.
"The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXIV" airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fox.