Halloween Cartoons to Get You Into the Spirit

Every year, my family and I find ourselves watching the same Halloween cartoons. It has become a tradition that we really enjoy. I find myself looking forward to watching these same shows over and over, despite knowing most of them word for word.

To go along with Rankin and Bass' Christmas specials is Mad Monster Party. This stop-motion Halloween special is over 90 minutes long and features the voice talents of Boris Karloff as the voice of Baron von Frankenstein. This special is frequently overlooked, but is worth putting into your yearly "must see" list. All the usual suspects make an appearance, including the Invisible Man(as much as he can), Frankenstein's monster and his bride, the hunchback of Notre Dame, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, the werewolf, the mummy, and the creature from the black lagoon. Even King Kong! It gets a little, OK very, silly near the end, but watch the beginning and then relegate it to background noise.

There is a slightly risque scene between the bride and a redhead, but it is very brief.

KABOOM!

Probably my favorite Halloween cartoon, overall. Charlie Brown is his Charlie Browniest (this is a word, right?). Snoopy portrays a World War II flying ace searching for the Red Baron. Linus insists on staying out all night in a pumpkin patch waiting for The Great Pumpkin, who brings presents every Halloween. A perennial favorite.

Starts a little slow, but the payoff at the end is worth it. A good chase scene, and the headless horseman is downright spooky. This animated short never really explains what actually happened to Ichabod Crane, and the unanswered questions really set a good mood for Halloween.

Few people realize that the Grinch had a Halloween special. While not at as amazing as the Yuletide classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it is still worth watching due to its obscurity.

Tim Burton certainly has a style that you either love or hate. I happen to really enjoy almost everything he does. This really sets a good tone for Halloween. The Nightmare Before Christmas has now become a cult classic, with a big following.

"This is Halloween" is also a really great song to play at parties and for trick or treaters.

At some point very close to Halloween, we watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. This works as kind of a bridge between Halloween and the start of the Christmas Season.

Both Filmation's Ghostbusters and The Real Ghostbusters deserve mention here.

Filmation's version features two humans and an ape fighting the supernatural. It is definitely sillier and campy.

The Real Ghostbusters is based on the 1984 movie, and features many of the same characters from the classic film. Slimer becomes friends with the protagonists and acts as comic relief.