Fans love to indulge in the horror genre with movies and games. However, one medium that fans may be surprised to see horror delving into is the animated television arena.
When it comes to horror, animated shows can even go further than live-action offerings because the sky is the limit when it comes to animating ghouls, goblins, and all things scary. From scary shows geared towards kids to terror-filled animated offerings for adults, there is plenty to offer anyone wanting a good scare. Between children’s programming and more adult-themed horror shows, the world of animated television is filled to the brim with classic and entertaining horror series.
UPDATE: 2022/10/26 21:04 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS
In 2022, the world of horror television saw Marvel bring a horror series to Disney+, with a special presentation of Werewolf by Night, allowing the MCU to delve into their monster world. Over the years, the world of animated television has grown and what was once just considered cartoons have become as important a part of TV as any sitcom, drama, or action series.
Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
Stream now on Disney+ & Hulu
Gravity Falls aired from 2012 through 2016 on Disney Channel, and while it was geared toward kids, it was a very scary series at times. The show saw twins Dipper and Mabel moving to the town of Gravity Falls to live with their great-uncle Sam. It is then that they learn there is something very wrong with this town.
It seems shocking to know that Gravity Falls was rated for kids seven and up because there were a lot of disturbing moments in the series. It even got darker as the show moved on. The show is about monsters, murder, and betrayals, and by the end of its run, it gets as dark as any adult animated series.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013)
Stream now on HBO Max
For decades, Scooby-Doo featured those meddling kids and their dog solving crimes by disproving the supernatural and unmasking bad guys in elaborate monster costumes. It was never meant to be scary, although it might be for little kids. However, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated was the first series in the franchise meant to be scary.
That is because the monsters in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated are real, and these monsters aren't like the old crooks, just trying to rip people off or scare them away. These monsters will kill, and they aren't just chasing the gang, they want them dead. This series ruined the dreams of an entire generation.
Constantine: City of Demons (2018)
Stream now on HBO Max
Constantine aired on NBC for one season, bringing the DC supernatural mystic John Constantine to the small screen a decade after the misunderstood big-screen version starring Keanu Reeves. In this case, Matt Ryan was a great comic-accurate version of Constantine, and the show was building well before NBC canceled it.
What happened next was that CW Seed brought it Ryan back for a five-episode miniseries called Constantine: City of Demons. This was a frightening series that did things the live-action series couldn't do due to financial restraints. The series was so successful that Ryan got to return again, this time to live action on The CW's Legends of Tomorrow.
Love, Death & Robots (2019-)
Stream now on Netflix
is almost more sci-fi than anything, but it has some of the scariest moments of any recent animated series. Released on Netflix and produced by David Fincher, this series brought in various animators, so every episode looked and felt different. It also adapted several authors' works for the episodes.
For people who just want to find to watch, check out "Beyond the Aquila Rift" and "The Witness" in Volume 1, "All Through the House" and "The Tall Grass" in Volume 2, and "In Vaulted Halls Entombed" and "Jibaro" in Volume 3. A fourth volume will arrive, possibly in 2023.
Primal (2019-)
Stream now on HBO Max
Anyone who misses Samurai Jack should check out Genndy Tartakovsky's latest scary animated series, Primal. The show is a series that follows a caveman and his dinosaur, a T. Rex named Fang, living in a barbaric primal world. Airing originally on Adult Swim, it is also a very adult-orientated animated series.
There is very little dialogue, and the stakes are very high for the heroes. This might be the most terrifying animated series to ever hit Adult Swim, and it is definitely the best of its kind.
Ruby Gloom (2006-2008)
Stream now on Prime Video
Ruby Gloom was originally marketed to the goth girl subculture but provided a unique twist with its titular character. In the show, Ruby is a positive-minded girl who dresses like a goth and hangs out in a creepy-looking mansion with the rest of her friends.
The show plays fast and loose with the preconceived notions of happiness by drenching each episode in dingy darkness that is designed to be viewed in a positive light. Unorthodox to say the least, but it's one of the most charming features of the show by far.
Mummies Alive! (1997)
Not available to stream at this time
This single-season animated series focused on a group of Mummy protectors sent forth to protect a modern-day boy named Presley from the evil machinations of the wicked sorcerer Scarab. If his plan is completed, Scarab will successfully draw out the spirit of the ancient Prince Rapses and achieve immortality.
Each of the protectors has powers based on a different creature, including a snake, a ram, a falcon, and a cat. The show was notable for showcasing battles with beings from Egyptian mythology, including Anubis, Sekhmet, and Bast.
Count Duckula (1988-1993)
Not available to stream at this time
The UK cranked out this hilarious classic horror-themed children's cartoon that played on the classic vampire tropes while creating something entirely new. 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.
Each episode is loaded with laughs as Duckula's butler Igor bemoans his master's newfound benevolence, while the ditzy Nanny showers him with love. The jokes are fast and the humor is typically British, but underneath it all is a deep horror theme that reverberates through every cell.
My Pet Monster (1987)
Stream now on Prime Video
Comical family-friendly horror was the name of the game with My Pet Monster, a show that centered around a magical monster who comes to life whenever his shackles are removed. He soon befriends two boys and gets them into plenty of trouble as they attempt to hide him from the world.
At the same time, a ferocious monster named Beastur makes it out of Monsterland with the intention of grabbing Monster and taking him back. Equal parts comedy, funny scares, and an upbeat tone made My Pet Monster a short-lived but beloved hit.
Gargoyles (1994-1997)
Stream now on Disney+
Gargoyles represented a very different take on animated children's shows brought forth by Disney in the past. It featured mature storylines and very dark subject matter that incorporated elements of gothic horror with fantasy and science fiction. The result was a beloved cartoon that went way before its time.
The story centered around a family of ancient Gargoyles frozen in stone for centuries until a wealthy businessman manages to crack their curse and resurrect them in the modern age. The serialized nature of the storytelling was practically unheard of and helped draw audiences into the larger narrative.
The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy (2001-2007)
Stream now on HBO Max
One of the first shows that incorporated the horror genre into its programming is Cartoon Network’s The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. The show premiered in 2001 and focused on two young children named Billy and Mandy. After cheating and beating the Grim Reaper at a game of Limbo, the Reaper was forced into servitude for the children.
The show ran for six seasons and often featured the Jamaican-accented Grim Reaper being forced to use his supernatural powers to explore areas like the Underworld, or to even meet famous monsters like Dracula and the Wolf Man.
The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
Stream now on Prime Video
Originally airing on ABC, The Real Ghostbusters began in 1986. The show focused on the original Ghostbusters after the events of the first movie, seeing the team take down paranormal apparitions and threats around New York City.
After the fourth season, the show was rebranded as Slimer! And the Real Ghost Busters. This new setup for the show focused on the infamous green ghoul Slimer from the original film, haunting the Sedgewick Hotel and having adventures with various other ghosts and characters, facing his antagonist Professor Norman Dweeb.
Tales From The Cryptkeeper (1993-1999)
Stream now on Prime Video
One of the more cult classic horror animated series to air was Tales from the Cryptkeeper, an animated continuation of the hit show Tales from the Crypt. Airing for only three seasons, the show continued the format of the original live-action series, with the infamous Cryptkeeper greeting the audience and introducing original horror stories.
Each story would impart some sort of lesson to the viewer, but the show’s mythology expanded in season 2 with the introduction of the Cryptkeeper’s rivals, the Vault-Keeper and the Old Witch, who continuously tried stealing his show, as they had no show themselves.
Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
Not available to stream at this time
Another popular animated horror series based on the works of a live-action series has to be Beetlejuice. Loosely based on the iconic horror movie from 1988, the film follows Beetlejuice and his “best friend” Lydia as the two explore the Neitherworld and the “real world”, a small New England town called Peaceful Pines.
As in the film, Beetlejuice is a con man who is constantly trying to pull one over on the residents of both Neitherworld and Peaceful Pines. He would often scam people and supernatural creatures alike, from sitting on babies of the Neitherworld to auto racing victims.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994-1997)
Stream now on Paramount+
One of the most popular kids shows to ever feature the horror genre has to be Nickelodeon’s Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. The show ran for four seasons, airing 52 episodes starting in 1994 and running until 1997.
The show focused on three monsters named Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm. Attending a school for monsters in New York City, namely in a dump in the city, the monsters were taught by The Gromble how to become perfect monsters, scaring people all around the world. It is definitely considered one of the best horror comedies of all time.
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn (1997-1999)
Stream now on HBO Max
One of the most adult horror genre animated series of all time has to be Todd McFarlane’s Spawn. Spawn followed a former commando and government assassin in a covert black ops division who was betrayed and lost his life to a close friend.
Vowing revenge and hoping to reunite with his wife, the man made a deal with the devil Malebolgia to become one of his soldiers, the Hellspawn or just Spawn, in exchange for returning to Earth. He becomes a rotting corpse called Spawn.
Invader Zim (2001-2006)
Stream now on Paramount+
While considered closer to the sci-fi/dark comedy genres, the animation style and horror elements incorporated into the show make Invader Zim one of Nickelodeon’s best shows to feature horror genre elements. The show focused on Zim, an alien part of Irken Empire who is often mocked for his failures as an invader.
Sent to Earth in an attempt to get rid of him, Zim makes Earth his home and makes several attempts to conquer it, all while battling his human nemesis Dib. The show was for older audiences and featured some scary visuals.
Creepy Crawlers (1994-1996)
Stream now on Roku
The horror genre animated series Creepy Crawlers was a major hit for the time. What made this show unique was that it was based on a popular children’s toy action figure series from the company ToyMax. Beginning in 1994 and run by popular company Saban Entertainment, the show ran for two seasons.
The show followed a normal kid named Chris Carter, who worked in a magic shop and designed a device called the Magic Maker. One night the machine produced three mutant/bug creatures called Hocus Locust, Volt Jolt, and T-3, who fought evil with Chris.
Courage The Cowardly Dog (1999-2002)
Stream now on HBO Max
Cartoon Network’s greatest horror-based animated series has to be Courage the Cowardly Dog. A series that followed an anthropomorphic pink dog named Courage, the show aired starting in 1996 and aired for four seasons. The show incorporated several genres, from sci-fi to heavy influences of horror themes throughout the series.
Following Courage along with his owners Eustace and Muriel in Nowhere, USA, Courage was abandoned as a pup when his parents were sent into outer space. Muriel found him and brought him home. Constantly yelled at by Eustace, Courage protects the couple from supernatural and horrifying monster threats.
Castlevania (2017-2021)
Stream now on Netflix
Probably the most popular modern-day horror series in the animation genre has to be Netflix’s Castlevania. Premiering in 2017, the show is based upon the popular video game series from Konami of the same name.
After the passing of his wife after being accused of witchcraft, the powerful vampire Count Dracula seeks revenge and determines to punish the people of Wallachia by sending an army of demons to overrun the nation. Monster hunter Trevor Belmont gathers allies to battle the vampire’s forces.
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