My Top 15 Picks for Must See Horror Cartoons
#15 Ruby Gloom
Description:
In the show, Ruby is a positive minded gothic girl who hangs out in a creepy looking mansion (her home) with the rest of her friends (most of whom are not human).
Review:
Love the cute gothic theme to the show. The family dynamic is unique and makes for some very fun, hilarious (sometimes sad) and entertaining episodes. My favorite aspects of the cartoon: Ruby lives in a Victorian mansion (My 2nd favorite type of house, a gothic castle being #1), she lives in a town called Gloomsville, and the show is full of beautiful irony. I love the concept of this gem of a cartoon. Definitely worth watching!
#14 Count Duckula
Description:
A hilarious classic horror cartoon. During a reincarnation ritual, a mistake is made which brings Count Duckula back into the world as a good natured duck who prefers broccoli sandwiches over blood. Duckula’s butler, Igor, deplores his master’s newfound benevolence, while the ditzy Nanny showers him with love.
Review:
The jokes are fast and the laughs just keep coming. My favorite aspects of the cartoon: He lives in a castle (my absolute favorite place to live), he’s a vampire (who doesn’t love vampires), he’s a vampire duck (yep, you heard that right), he’s a vegitarian (yep, again, you heard that right. No blood for this duckula), a wise cracking and corny joke telling cuckoo clock, this cartoon is a spin off from Danger Mouse (Love that cartoon! Didn’t make this list as I do not consider it horror. Think James Bond). A definite must see for those who love comedy horror (and for those who don’t).
#13 The Real Ghostbusters
Description:
The team (Venkman, Egon, Ray, Winston, Janine and Slimer) continues to protect the city by taking down paranormal apparitions and threats (ghosts, spirits, paranormal activity) around New York City.
Review:
If you loved the movie, you’ll love the cartoon. Memorable characters brought to life, yet again, in the cartoon world. Each episode is as entertaining as the movie. Familiar characters and we get to see a whole lot more of Slimer and his contributions to the team (when he isn’t distracted by food). Since it is a cartoon, they can take more paranormal liberties and it pays off. If you loved the movie you will love the cartoon (it was worth repeating). A must see for Ghostbuster fans, fans of the paranormal, Slimer fans… the list could go on. If you haven’t seen it (shame on you) then you need to watch it!
#12 Gravity Falls
Description:
Twins Dipper and Mabel are sent to spend the summer with their huckster “Grunkle” who runs The Mystery Shack in the northwestern town of Gravity Falls.They will soon learn that there is a dark and mysterious side to this seemiingly quite town.
Review:
What makes Gravity Falls so special? The intriguing mysteries that unfold with each episode. It is like a cross between Scooby Doo and Tales From the Crypt (who doesn’t like those cartoons?). There are monsters, clues, secrets, mysteries, an epic battle with a multidimensional foe. The show has everything and covers all the bases. Gravity Falls is a hilarious, spooky and a bit creepy animated mystery.
#11 Gargoyles
Description:
“One thousand years ago superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was the age of gargoyles. Now, here in Manhattan, the spell is broken and we live again! We are defenders of the night! We are Gargoyles!” ~Goliath
Review:
The opening narration by Goliath, the leader of the gargoyle pack, sets the stage for this amazing cartoons. Good vs Evil is an age old dilema done many times, however, Gargoyles does it perfectly. Monsters and humans stand on both sides of the line. You get invested in the characters and the storylines. Without a doubt, you must add this to your own watch list!
#10 Archie’s Weird Mysteries
Description:
Things are getting weird in Riverdale. Ever since an experiment in the high school physics lab went awry, Riverdale has become a magnet for the stuff of which “B-Movies” are made. A swamp creature has taken up residence in the old swimming hole, Frankenstein’s monster is hanging out in Lover’s Lane and mad scientists, werewolves, and vampires are invading Riverdale.
Review:
Archie’s Weird Mysteries has a nice darkness to it. Monsters of all kinds come to invade Riverdale. If you love B movies (I know I do), you will enjoy this cartoon series. Stories are tongue in cheek, has a
Tales from the Crypt” vibe and is quite entertaining. Without a doubt… a must see.
#9 School for Little Vampires
Description:
The series follows Oskar von Horrificus , a young vampire who’s afraid of blood and has a crush on a mortal girl. His vampire friends, who repeatedly cause mischief, along with Oskar attend a school for vampires run by the mysterious Count Alarich. They all try to protect the vampire secret from Paulus Polidori, a vampire hunter.
Review:
I must admit, I really liked this cartoon. It’s fun, entertaining and refreshing. The stories are engaging. There is a darkly cuteness that makes this cartoon highly addictive. This one will always be on my watch list.
8. Growing Up Creepie
Description:
What do you get when you combine a teenage girl raised by bugs with a new school infested with humans? Creeped out, that’s what! And that’s just how Creepy Creecher feels when the loving parents that took her under their wings (literally) inform her that she’s adopted… and that she’s, dare I say it, human!
Review:
Love, love, love this one. Cute, creepy and hillarius all rolled into a neat little spiderweb! Wonderfully, wonderfully entertaining. I’m so not a fan of bugs (roaches mostly) which gives this cartoon a shudder effect to it for me. Regardless of all the bugs, this is a well done, well written and well thought out cartoon! You have to watch this… even if you have a fear of bugs or certain bugs!
#7 Beetlejuice
Description:
The show centers around the friendly, but somewhat scheming, Beetlejuice and his Gothic best friend Lydia. Beetlejuice resides in the Neitherworld, Lydia lives in the Living World. She can enter the Netherworld and visit him by chanting: “Though I know I should be wary, Still I venture someplace scary; Ghostly haunting I turn loose … Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!”
Review:
Beetlejuice… what can I say? Funny, gross, fun and spooky… what more can you ask for? You got the ghost with the most, giant worms, brooding goth girl, land of the living and land of the dead… adventures galore. Enjoyable and entertaining… a twistedly fun roller coaster ride!
#6. Costume Quest
Description:
Wren, Reynold, Everett and Lucy face off against ferocious, nougat-munching monsters that lurk in the shadows of the sleepy town of Auburn Hollow. They must learn to use their imaginations to unlock the magical powers of their homemade costumes and save the universe on a night where monsters reign… Halloween!
Review:
This is a fun cartoon. Raise your hand if you NEVER wished that they could turn into whatever costume they were wearing plus have supper powers? I see no raised hands… good for you! This is such a cute novelty cartoon. You have to, repeat, have to watch this one. You will not be disappointed!
#5. Groovie Goolies
Description:
The Goolies were a group of hip monsters residing at Horrible Hall (a haunted boarding house for monsters) on Horrible Drive. Many of the Goolies were echoes of the classic horror film monsters created in the 30s & 40s. The goolies included Frankie, Wolfie , Mummy, Drac, Batzo and Ratzo, Boneapart, Dr. Jekyll & Hyde, Hagatha, Bella La Ghost, Broomhilda, Hauntleroy, and Orville.
Review:
A totally trippy cartoon. What a fun ride. Classic horror icons jammin’ and groovin’. The haunted boarding house is a trip all its own. This flashback was truly a joy to watch. The characters are endearing and the stories are fun. This is a “make you feel good” kinda’ cartoon. You really need to watch it… negativity will fade away and you will be left with a positive calm and happy feeling. Go watch it… you won’t regret it!
#4. 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo
Description:
It begins when Scooby, Shaggy, Daphne and Scrappy end up in Tibet by plane crash and Scooby and Shaggy are tricked into opening the Chest of Demons The chest contains 13 powerful, terrifying ghosts each bent on world domination. The team is helped by Flim-Flam and guided by mysterious mystic Vincent Van Ghoul.
Review:
You gotta’ love this one. Scooby Doo and the gang (Shaggy, Daphne, Scrappy Doo, Flim-Flam), real ghosts (instead of people wearing masks), serious paranormal activity and the LEGENDARY Vincent Price as Vincent van Ghoul. What can I possibly say about this one? Scooby Doo… Rocks, Vincent Price… Amazing, Ghosts galore… Awesome! Permenantly on my must watch list!
#3. Monster High
Description:
In the town of New Salem, the teenage children of famous monsters attend a school for monsters called Monster High. Monster High features a variety of fictional characters at the titular high school. The female characters are classified as “ghouls” & the male characters are classified as “mansters”.
Review:
One of my absolute favorites! Fun adventures and chaos, engaging stories and loveable characters (my favorites are Abbey Bominable and Ghoulia). I could rant/preach about this one all day/night long. Great, great cartoon….awesome. If you haven’t seen it… crawl out from under your rock and go watch it!
#2. Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated
Description:
Mystery Incorporated keeps receiving strange clues and messages from a mysterious “Mr. E” about the origins of their apparently haunted town, as well as the disappearance of four teens and their pet bird, the original Mystery Inc. This spin off is by far the most creative, clever, and entertaining version of the iconic Mystery Machine gang out there.
Review:
Scooby Doo is awesome and this newer version does not disappoint. It takes us to their hometown and more into their personal lives and relationships. The mysteries are more intense and more real. You can NEVER go wrong with Scooby Doo! Watch and enjoy! (There’s no way you couldn’t enjoy a Scooby Doo series… am I right?)
#1. Tales from the Cryptkeeper
Description:
One of the more cult classic horror animated series of the hit show Tales from the Crypt. The show continued the format of the original live-action series, with the infamous Cryptkeeper greeting the audience and introducing original horror stories.
Review:
What can one say? A classic, a cult classic! The Cryptkeeper shines as the storyteller of doom and gloom, scary horror. The stories are spooky and exceptionally told. An animated classic that stands side by side with the original live version. Tales from the Crypt and the Cryptkeeper do not disappoint (as usual). A must see for all horror fans… #1 on the list (as it should be).