14 Halloween Cartoons From the 80s and 90s Worth Rewatching

Cartoons from the 80s and 90s gave Halloween a style of its own. These shows balanced spooky themes with humor, making them perfect for kids and nostalgic adults alike. The characters, stories, and music created a mood that was both eerie and entertaining. Watching them today still brings a sense of comfort and fun.

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The Real Ghostbusters

This animated series first aired in 1986 on ABC and continued well into the 1990s. It followed the adventures of Peter, Egon, Ray, and Winston as they captured ghosts around New York City. Based on the blockbuster film, the cartoon had its own storylines and memorable villains. Kids tuned in every Saturday morning for spooky fun. The mix of comedy and ghost-hunting action made it stand out.

Episodes like Halloween II and When Halloween Was Forever are still remembered as seasonal classics. Lorenzo Music voiced Peter Venkman at first, bringing humor to the role. The show mixed scares with jokes, making it friendly for younger viewers. Merchandising like toys and comics kept its popularity strong. It remains a must-watch for fans of both Halloween and nostalgia.

Beetlejuice

The Beetlejuice cartoon began airing in 1989 on ABC and later ran on Fox Kids. It centered on Beetlejuice and his friendship with Lydia, exploring the wacky Neitherworld. Unlike the movie, the series toned down darker elements while keeping Beetlejuice’s mischievous personality. The colorful animation style made it appealing to younger viewers. Many still view it as one of the most creative cartoons of its time.

Episodes often leaned into Halloween themes with ghoulish characters and creepy adventures. The voice acting of Stephen Ouimette brought Beetlejuice to life in an energetic way. Lydia served as the heart of the show, balancing Beetlejuice’s tricks with her wit. The cartoon mixed gothic humor with family-friendly storytelling. It is a perfect pick for a Halloween rewatch.

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

This TV special premiered in 1988 on syndication networks as part of the Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. The story followed Scooby, Shaggy, and Scrappy as they became gym teachers at a school for monster girls. Characters included the daughters of Dracula, Frankenstein, and other famous monsters. The setting was filled with cobwebs, haunted halls, and spooky charm. Kids loved the lighthearted scares paired with Scooby’s humor.

The film became a seasonal favorite because of its monster cast. It gave classic horror figures a fun and friendly twist for younger audiences. The Ghoul School characters became cult favorites among Scooby fans. The movie’s mix of comedy and Halloween themes made it rewatchable for decades. Fans continue to revisit it during October for nostalgia.

Count Duckula

This British cartoon first appeared in 1988 on ITV and was later syndicated internationally. The show starred Count Duckula, a vegetarian vampire duck who lived in a spooky castle. Instead of drinking blood, he craved vegetables, especially broccoli sandwiches. The humor was quirky and appealed to both kids and adults. The animation had a gothic style that suited its Halloween feel.

Episodes often played with horror tropes, making them silly rather than scary. Count Duckula’s butler Igor and nanny Nanny provided comic relief. The show was a spinoff from Danger Mouse, which gave it an existing fanbase. Its unique take on vampire lore kept it memorable. Many still consider it a classic for Halloween marathons.

Garfield’s Halloween Adventure

This special first aired in 1985 on CBS as part of Garfield’s seasonal programming. Garfield and Odie set out trick-or-treating in pirate costumes, only to encounter real ghosts. The animation was filled with fall colors, pumpkins, and eerie river settings. Lorenzo Music’s voice work gave Garfield his trademark sarcasm. The special quickly became a Halloween staple on TV.

What makes it memorable is the shift from comedy to genuine spookiness. The haunted house sequence still gives kids chills today. The balance of humor and suspense made it stand out from typical specials. Garfield’s Halloween Adventure even won a Primetime Emmy Award. It remains one of the most rewatched cartoons during October.

Tiny Toon Adventures Night Ghoulery

This Halloween-themed special aired in 1995 on Fox Kids. The characters of Acme Acres took part in spooky sketches and parodies of horror classics. Babs, Buster, Plucky, and Hamton each got a chance to shine in Halloween-themed shorts. The show’s fast-paced humor appealed to both kids and adults. Its style reflected the creative energy of the 90s animation boom.

The special remains fun because of its clever references to pop culture. Parodies of The Twilight Zone and The Exorcist gave parents inside jokes. The animation captured the playful yet creepy Halloween feel. Fans still remember this as one of the best Tiny Toons episodes. It is a cartoon that captures 90s Halloween perfectly.

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein

This direct-to-video special came out in 1999 and later aired on networks like Fox Family. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore found themselves in a theme park where Dr. Frankenstein was hiding. The Chipmunks accidentally bring Frankenstein’s monster to life. The story mixed musical numbers with lighthearted scares. It became a seasonal family favorite.

The characters’ voices and songs added charm to the Halloween theme. Alvin’s mischief often led to funny and spooky situations. Younger audiences could enjoy monsters without feeling too scared. The special later inspired Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman. Both remain go-to rewatches for seasonal fun.

Creepy Crawlers

This cartoon aired in 1994 on the UPN network. It was based on the popular toy line that let kids make bug-shaped figures. The show followed Chris, who could transform into insect superheroes. Episodes featured monsters, villains, and plenty of creepy adventures. The bizarre premise made it fit perfectly with Halloween vibes.

Although short-lived, the cartoon holds nostalgic value for 90s kids. Its strange monsters and gooey visuals made it memorable. Fans of Halloween enjoy its mix of action and gross-out humor. The show never gained huge success but developed a cult following. It is a fun watch for those wanting something weird and spooky.

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Nickelodeon premiered this show in 1994, featuring Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm as monster students. They trained at a scare school under the guidance of The Gromble. The show combined gross-out humor with strange monster designs. Its underground setting gave it a spooky edge. Children loved the blend of comedy and creepiness.

Episodes often involved the monsters venturing into the human world. The animation style fit perfectly with the Halloween atmosphere. The series ran until 1997 and became a Nicktoons classic. Many fans still revisit it during October marathons. Its monster-focused storytelling makes it a perfect seasonal rewatch.

Halloween Is Grinch Night

This Dr. Seuss special first aired in 1977 but continued running on networks like ABC into the 80s and 90s. It told the story of the Grinch returning to Whoville during a spooky Halloween night. Unlike the Christmas special, this one leaned into eerie visuals and haunting music. The animation carried the unique style of Seuss adaptations. Kids who watched often remembered its darker tone.

The special became known for its surreal visuals and catchy songs. It even won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program. For many, it felt scarier than expected from a Seuss cartoon. Its unique blend of spooky humor makes it worth revisiting today. Fans of classic animation still treasure this special.

Courage the Cowardly Dog

While it first premiered in 1999 on Cartoon Network, Courage quickly became a Halloween favorite. The show followed Courage, a timid dog living with Muriel and Eustace in a creepy farmhouse. Episodes often featured ghosts, monsters, and surreal storylines. Its eerie music and animation style set it apart from other cartoons. Courage’s fear-driven antics made it entertaining and unsettling.

The series is remembered for balancing genuine scares with humor. Some episodes, like King Ramses’ Curse, remain infamous for their creepy atmosphere. Courage’s love for Muriel gave the show heart amid the scares. It ran for four seasons and built a loyal fan base. Even today, it is one of the most rewatched Halloween-friendly cartoons.

Bump in the Night

This claymation series aired from 1994 to 1995 on ABC Saturday mornings. It featured Mr. Bumpy, a green monster who lived under the bed. Alongside Squishington the bathroom monster, they caused mischief in everyday places. The clay animation gave the show a strange but fun vibe. Its odd humor made it stand out from other cartoons of its time.

Fans remember it fondly because of its unique animation style. The characters were silly but perfect for a spooky theme. Halloween episodes fit the monster motif even more. While short-lived, reruns made it a nostalgic classic. Watching it today brings back quirky seasonal memories.

Tales from the Cryptkeeper

This animated spinoff of Tales from the Crypt aired in 1993 on ABC. It featured the Cryptkeeper hosting spooky stories for kids. The tales were creepy but toned down compared to the live-action version. Episodes explored haunted houses, monsters, and Halloween adventures. The Cryptkeeper’s ghoulish humor became a highlight.

Viewers enjoyed it because it offered chills without being too scary. Each episode carried a moral lesson hidden within the story. The animation style was dark and atmospheric. Guest voices and clever writing gave it replay value. It remains a perfect watch for fans of 90s horror cartoons.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.