October is when mobile gaming really wakes up, seasonal maps drop, sessions stack, and that one-more-run energy returns. Our take at Kidoz is clear: lean into spooky, not scary on safety, PII (Personally Identifiable Information) free, human reviewed inventory so performance compounds instead of creating brand-safety debt.
But first, some fast stats and why this matters
- Halloween momentum is real: In the U.S., October spend on horror-themed mobile games jumps 13% and installs recover 5%, an early wave that rolls into Q4.
- Holiday tailwind is building: U.S. online holiday sales are forecast to reach $253.4B in 2025 (+5.3% YoY), with AI-assisted discovery accelerating shopping behavior, so capturing attention in October pays off in November–December.
- Advertisers are selective: IAB just trimmed its 2025 U.S. ad-spend outlook amid macro pressures, meaning brand-safe, efficient channels win more budget scrutiny.
- The format to beat: Rewarded video remains a workhorse, now responsible for 40% of in-game ad revenue and known for strong completion rates, ideal for short, seasonal bursts.
Kidoz picks: spooky and safe, not scary and dangerous
1) Temple Run 2 - Spooky Summit
Why it is hot now: The Spooky Summit Halloween map is live on mobile apps (and even playable in-browser), making creative planning and reference grabs effortless. Endless-runner loops (short, repetitive gameplay cycles of running and dodging) = short, repeatable sessions and naturally high completion potential for rewarded video.
Creatives that will shine:
- 5-8s tap-to-dodge micro-playable: A short, interactive ad where you play a mini-version of the game.
- Rewarded video + clean end-card: An optional ad for in-game perks, followed by a simple screen with a clear call-to-action like ‘Beat the ghost’.
Safety fit: Fast-paced, non-gory, spooky, not scary. Target contextually (runner + Halloween cues), no personal data.
Why it moves the needle: Huge familiarity cuts ‘explain time’, so you go straight to message + CTA, and protect CPV/CPM stability through October.
2) Stumble Guys - Spooky Party Chaos
Why it’s hot now: The Sept 24’ 2025 update added Spooky Scramble (haunted-school course and big Custom Party/Grand Prix upgrades, light, social chaos that encourages replay without intensity spikes. Official notes confirm timing and content.
Creatives that will shine:
- Short social-energy teaser: A brief, exciting video showing the fun of playing with friends.
- End-card challenge: A final ad screen that dares the user with a goal like ‘Finish before the bell!’
Safety fit: Humor > fear. Human QA (manual safety check) keeps placements in age-appropriate party maps (game levels designed for group play).
Why it moves the needle: Party mechanics create organic frequency; with smart caps, replay converts into efficient, brand-safe reach (great for family entertainment).
3) PK XD - Halloween Dark Pets
Why it’s hot now: The official channel teased new dark pets on Oct 3, 2025, a cute-spooky collectible loop (the cycle of collecting in-game items) inside a bright sandbox world that invites return visits.
Creatives that will shine:
- Collectible style video frame: A video ad formatted like an unboxing or card reveal for new pets.
- Gentle tap-to-collect mini-playable: A short, interactive ad where you tap-to-collect an item.
Safety fit: Whimsical, non-gory. Keep contextual alignment to sandbox/social play (not combat).
Why it moves the needle: Collectible beats are perfect for sequential storytelling (tease → reveal → redeem) and pairing with brand mascots or limited-time ‘treat’ offers.
4) Talking Tom Gold Run - October Build
Why it’s hot now: A fresh Oct 3, 2025 App Store version keeps this mainstream runner current for the season, useful when you need scale and comfortable frequency for family audiences.
Creatives that will shine:
- 5-7s cheerful runner montage: A quick, upbeat video showing fun gameplay highlights.
- Friendly end-card with a soft seasonal CTA: A final ad screen with a gentle, holiday-themed prompt like ‘Treat yourself to…’
Safety fit: Keep copy light; avoid ‘chase-fear’ language. Conservative caps preserve comfort.
Why it moves the needle: Huge recognition + upbeat tone = easy brand-safe reach at a high-demand moment.
5) Plants vs. Zombies 2 - Seasonal Lawn of Doom
Why it’s hot now: The North America 12.6.1 build (late Sept’ 2025) underlines the active fall cadence; the franchise’s Lawn of Doom window typically spans late Oct → mid-Nov, prime timing for playful, cross-generational creatives.
Creatives that will shine:
- Humor-led video frame: A video ad that uses comedy to engage, like a zombie saying ‘Brains? No, treats!’
- Thematic end-card: A final ad screen with visuals (pumpkins/ghosts) that match the game.
Safety fit: Cartoon-spooky with a wink. Pair with contextual (tower-defense + event banners) and pre-flight human review.
Why it moves the needle: Beloved IP drives ad recall and cleanly bridges Halloween into early holiday pacing.
Kidoz safety check: what we stand behind
- Brand-safe by design: Contextual only, no PII, mapped to gameplay + seasonal cues (Halloween maps, party modes, collectibles).
- Human QA before scale: We validate tone, art style, suitability upfront and spot-check as events rotate.
- Attention-first formats: Rewarded video, video frames, micro-playables with conservative frequency to protect comfort and budget.
- Better economics: With holiday ecommerce set to $253.4B and marketers getting choosier on ROI, brand-safe attention in October sets up durable Q4 outcomes, not just clicks.
Ready to spook up your Halloween play with a brand-safe haunting? Get in touch with us today.
Aashna Seth
