‘Trick ’r Treat’ Returns to Regal on Halloween With Sam’s Original Short Restored in 4K

Sam is bringing a little something extra to theaters this Halloween.

Regal has announced that its October 31 screenings of Trick ’r Treat will include the new 4K restoration of Season’s Greetings, Michael Dougherty’s original 1996 animated short that introduced the world to Sam.

Before the burlap mask became a Halloween staple, Dougherty created the four-minute short while studying at NYU. It follows a seemingly ordinary trick-or-treater whose encounter with an ominous stranger takes a nasty turn. Thirty years later, audiences can revisit that first appearance on the big screen before heading into the Halloween nightmares of Trick ’r Treat.

The screening joins a much larger anniversary celebration. As we’ve been covering throughout the season, Sam: The Soul of Halloween has brought the character back to his animated roots through new shorts, artwork, and collaborations with a whole bunch of talented artists.

And Trick ’r Treat remains a perfect excuse to spend Halloween in a theater. Anthony Arrigo described it as “a burning love letter to all things All Hallows’ Eve” in his Dread Central review. Pairing it with the short that started everything makes this an especially fun way to celebrate Sam’s birthday.

Check Regal’s listing for participating theaters, showtimes, and tickets. Just don’t blow out your jack-o’-lantern before you leave.