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FILMMAKER GUILLERMO DEL TORO SCARES UP A HISTORY OF HORROR IN THE OPENING CREDITS OF "THE SIMPSONS'" TREEHOUSE OF HORROR XXIV AIRING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, ON FOX

Director, screenwriter, producer and novelist Guillermo del Toro ("Pacific Rim," "Pan's Labyrinth") resurrects some historic Halloween goblins and ghouls in THE SIMPSONS' opening couch gag on this season's terrifyingly hilarious "Treehouse of Horror XXIV," airing Sunday, Oct. 6 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. In the couch gag opener, director del Toro throws the crypt wide open with a sequence that features monsters and classic characters from horror films throughout history. Then, in the first of three spine-tingling tales in the annual "Treehouse of Horror" episode, Homer travels around Springfield wreaking havoc in a rhyming take on a popular children's tale. In "Dead and Shoulders" Bart is beheaded during a kite accident, his head is attached to Lisa's body and they must live together as one. The final frightening tale, "Freaks no Geeks," features Mr. Burns' traveling circus, The Burnsum and Bailey Circus, which has stopped in Springfieldland in the 1930s. Trapeze artist Marge and Strong Man Homer are performers, and things go awry when circus freak Moe starts to make advances towards Marge.

A former special effects makeup artist in his home country of Mexico, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro's credits include "Cronos," "Mimic," "The Devil's Backbone," "Blade II," "Hellboy" and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army." He is best known for his 2006 film "Pan's Labyrinth," which earned three Academy Awards, and he most recently directed the summer hit "Pacific Rim."

About THE SIMPSONS:

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently in production on its record-annihilating 25th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 28 Emmy Awards, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short "The Longest Daycare." It has been the subject of a hit feature film, created a revolutionary virtual coaster ride at Universal Studios, received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by creator Matt Groening. Named the "Best Show of the 20th Century" by Time magazine, THE SIMPSONS was also named "Greatest American Sitcom" by Entertainment Weekly in 2013.

About "Treehouse of Horror":

THE SIMPSONS "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween episodes are an annual tradition. Each episode is a trilogy of separate, self-contained tales. These pieces involve horror, science fiction or a supernatural setting, and always take place outside the normal confines of the show. Regular characters from THE SIMPSONS play humorous special roles, occasionally being killed in gruesome ways by zombies, monsters or even each other. The Halloween episodes also parody many classic horror and science fiction films and television series, such as "The Shining," "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," "Dracula," "Living Doll," "Paranormal Activity," "The Twilight Saga" and "28 Days Later."

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman, a Starz Media Company, is the animation house.