As we dived into the cryptic catacombs of the best animated horror cartoons, get ready for Part 2 – the sequel that’s spookier than your grandma’s attic at midnight. We’re dusting off the cobwebs and resurrecting the laughter, because, let’s face it, what’s scarier than a good belly laugh mixed with a dash of animated frights?
The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
The Real Ghostbusters is an American animated television series that served as a spin-off/sequel to the 1984 comedy film “Ghostbusters.” The series aired from September 13, 1986, to October 5, 1991, and was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and DIC Enterprises.
The show continues the adventures of the original Ghostbusters: Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, their secretary Janine Melnitz, and their mascot ghost Slimer. The title “The Real” was added to distinguish the show from another series at the time due to a dispute with Filmation and its “Ghost Busters” properties.
The series follows the Ghostbusters as they chase and capture rogue spooks, specters, spirits, and ghosts around New York City and other areas of the world. The show underwent a title change in its fourth season to “Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters” and expanded to an hour-long time slot. This included the regular 30-minute episode along with a half-hour “Slimer!” sub-series focusing on the character Slimer.
The show’s character designs and storylines were influenced by the original “Ghostbusters” film. For instance, the episode “Citizen Ghost” explains the transition from the movie to the animated series, including changes in the Ghostbusters’ uniforms and Slimer’s role. The series also featured appearances by characters from the film, such as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Walter Peck.
Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993-1999)
Tales from the Cryptkeeper is an animated horror children’s tv show produced by the Canadian studio Nelvana. It is based on the 1950s EC Comics series “Tales from the Crypt” and the live-action television series of the same name, which aired concurrently on HBO. The animated series was broadcast on ABC in the United States and on ITV in the United Kingdom. Designed for a younger audience, it is significantly milder than its live-action counterpart, with all blood, gore, profanity, and sexual content removed.
The series was initially canceled on December 10, 1994, but returned to the air in 1999 as “The New Tales from the Cryptkeeper.” The animation style differed from the previous episodes, and it was broadcast on Teletoon in Canada and CBS in the United States. All three seasons are available for streaming on Nelvana’s “Retro ReRun” YouTube channel and are in rotation on Pluto TV.
The series features the Cryptkeeper telling more kid-friendly horror stories to the viewers, each with a teachable lesson. In the second season, the Cryptkeeper faces constant challenges from rivals, the Vault-Keeper and the Old Witch, who try to steal the show from him. The third and final season aired in 1999 under the title “New Tales from the Cryptkeeper,” with the Cryptkeeper taking a more active role in teaching frightening lessons to kids with severe character flaws.
Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
Speaking of Horror Cartoons, Beetlejuice is an animated television series that aired from September 9, 1989, to October 26, 1991, on ABC, and later on Fox. Loosely based on the 1988 film of the same name, it was developed by the film’s director, Tim Burton, who also served as an executive producer. The series focuses on the life of goth girl Lydia Deetz and her undead friend Beetlejuice as they explore the Neitherworld, a whimsical and bizarre realm inhabited by monsters, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and zombies.
The show centers on Beetlejuice, a ghostly con-man, and his best friend Lydia, as they embark on supernatural adventures in both the Neitherworld and the “mortal world,” a New England town called Peaceful Pines. Lydia can summon Beetlejuice out of the Neitherworld by calling his name three times. The series is known for its humor, which relies heavily on sight gags, wordplay, and allusiveness. Many episodes were parodies of famous movies, books, and TV shows.
The premise of the animated series differs significantly from the original Beetlejuice live-action film. In the TV series, Beetlejuice and Lydia are best friends, with Beetlejuice portrayed as more of a prankster, and Lydia is given a quirkier but positive demeanor. Lydia often travels to the “Neitherworld” to have adventures with Beetlejuice.
The series was a major success for ABC in its initial seasons and later became one of the first animated series to air concurrently on two different U.S. broadcast networks. Various merchandise was released for the series, including trading cards, sticker albums, jigsaw puzzles and coloring books, PC and Game Boy games, and PVC figures available with Burger King Kids’ Meals.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994-1997)
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is an American animated television series developed by Klasky Csupo for Nickelodeon. It was the fifth Nicktoon after “Doug,” “Ren & Stimpy,” “Rugrats,” and “Rocko’s Modern Life.” The show focuses on three young monsters—Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm—who attend a school for monsters under a city dump and learn to frighten humans. The series is known for its comedy horror genre and revolves around the zany hijinks of the monsters after making it to the surface to perform “scares” as class assignments.
The series premiered on October 29, 1994, on Nickelodeon and ended on November 16, 1997. It was set in New York City, as demonstrated by the presence of the Empire State Building and the IND Subway System. The dump the monsters inhabit is implied to be Fresh Kills Landfill. The monster community includes a working economic system using toenails as currency.
Created by Gábor Csupó and Peter Gaffney, “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” was the third animated series produced by Csupó’s company Klasky Csupo, which also created “Rugrats” and “Duckman” on USA Network. The character design in the show was partially inspired by “Yellow Submarine,” a 1968 animated film inspired by The Beatles. The character Gromble, in particular, bears a resemblance to the Blue Meanie characters from that film.
The show received positive reviews for its animation and sense of humor. It was praised for its “outrageous characters” and “distinctly European style” reflecting Gábor Csupó’s Hungarian background. However, not all reviews were positive, with some criticism for its graphic and scatological content.
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn (1997-1999)
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn also known as “Spawn: The Animated Series” or simply “Spawn,” is an American adult animated superhero television series that aired on HBO from 1997 through 1999 and couldn’t be ignored from our Horror Cartoons’ collection. It was also rerun on Cartoon Network’s Toonami programming block in Japan and has been released on DVD as a film series. The show is based on the character Spawn from Image Comics and won an Emmy Award in 1999 for Outstanding Animation Program (Longer Than One Hour).
The series revolves around the story of Al Simmons, a former Marine Force Recon Lieutenant Colonel who worked as a government assassin in covert black ops. Betrayed and killed by a close friend, Simmons’ soul goes to Hell. To see his wife Wanda again, he makes a pact with the devil Malebolgia to become a Hellspawn, a soldier in Malebolgia’s army. However, Simmons is tricked and returns to Earth five years after he died, in a decayed body with a living red cape attached to it.
Upon his return, Spawn seeks out Wanda, who has remarried Al’s best friend Terry Fitzgerald and had a daughter, Cyan. Realizing he is no longer the man in Wanda’s life, he swears to protect her and her new family.
Invader Zim (2001-2006)
Invader Zim is an American animated science fiction dark comedy television series created by comic book writer and cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Zim, an extraterrestrial from the planet Irk, and his mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race along with his malfunctioning robot servant GIR. Zim is antagonized by Dib, a young paranormal investigator determined to stop Zim’s plans.
Nickelodeon approached Vasquez about pitching ideas for an animated series, and “Invader Zim” was the first concept he presented. The show aired on Nickelodeon from 2001 to 2002, and despite its eventual cancellation, it received positive reviews for its humor, writing, animation, art style, and boundary-pushing content. It has since been regarded as a cult classic.
The series won an Annie Award, an Emmy Award, and a World Animation Celebration Award, and received nominations for additional Annie Awards and Golden Reel Awards. “Invader Zim” has inspired a fan convention, InvaderCON, and a wide range of merchandise, including video games, toys, and clothing.
Creepy Crawlers (1994-1996)
Creepy Crawlers is an animated Horror Cartoons’ series from 1994, produced by Saban Entertainment, that aired in syndication in the United States. The show’s ownership passed to Disney in 2001 when Disney acquired Fox Kids Worldwide, which also includes Saban Entertainment.
The series is about Chris Carter, a “normal kid” interested in magic, who works at the Magic Shop of the discredited stage illusionist Professor Googengrime. Chris designs and builds a device called “The Magic Maker,” which, due to a rare planetary alignment, becomes capable of creating strange, man-sized bug/magic trick composite mutant creatures, known as “Goop-Mandos.” These creatures, despite their bizarre appearance, turn out to be friendly and join forces with Chris. However, Googengrime keeps the Magic Maker when Chris and the Goop-Mandos escape from the shop. Each episode revolves around Googengrime’s attempts to gain power and conquer the world with a Magic Maker-created “Crime Grime” monster, and Chris and The Goop-Mandos’ efforts to stop him and retrieve the Magic Maker.
The Creepy Crawlers TV Show was based on ToyMax’s Creepy Crawlers Activity toy. A line of 12 action figures was made by ToyMax in conjunction with the show, as well as the Goozooka Assault vehicle.
The show aired sporadically on weekends through the spring of 1996, airing a total of 23 episodes during its two-year run.
These horror cartoons offer a spectrum of spooks and laughs, proving that the genre is versatile and endlessly entertaining. Whether you’re into mysteries, aliens, supernatural beings, or magical monsters, there’s something in the world of horror cartoons for you. So why wait? Dive into these animated adventures and let the chills and thrills begin!
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