Animation is the perfect place for horror stories. This medium, which allows creatives to unleash their darkest, scariest imaginings to their fullest creative extent, has been the producer of some of the greatest horror TV shows in history. From series that are dominantly part of the horror genre, to ones that mostly belong to other genres but borrow plenty of horror elements, these are some of the most outstanding animated shows ever.
Whether they’re for kids or for grown-ups, Saturday morning cartoons or elite Netflix productions, adaptations of other horror media or entirely unique creations, the best animated horror shows all have elements in common: They’re scary, they’re visually striking, they’re well-made, and they’re absolutely unforgettable.
10
‘Spawn’ (1997–1999)
Developed by Alan B. McElroy
Based on the iconic Image Comics antihero, and produced by HBO’s short-lived animation division, Spawn is one of the best animated series of the 1990s. It was released in the same year as the movie adaptation of Spawn, and was sadly swept under the rug for a while due to the film’s disappointing reception. Over the years, however, people have become aware of the high quality of this cult classic show.
The animation is stunning, the voice acting and music are great, and the writing is of much higher quality than what you see in most animated superhero shows. The horror elements are perfectly implemented, offering an abstract aesthetic and unique style that make the whole thing feel incredibly distinct.
9
‘Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’ (2010–2013)
Created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears
The question of what the best Scooby-Doo TV show is is quite the topic of conversation, but there are a couple of answers that are the least likely to receive resistance, and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is definitely one of them. Exploring the early days of Scooby and the gang, offering plenty of winks to past installments that fans of the franchise are guaranteed to love, it’s the perfect show for those who like their television horror funny, creepy, and not particularly traumatizing.
The show as a whole is one big tribute to the horror genre, making constant references to classic movies, TV shows, and books from the genre. This referential humor never gets old. But Mystery Incorporated is far more than just nostalgic: It offers plenty of inventive ideas of its own, making it an amazing introduction to the world of Scooby-Doo for the uninitiated.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
- Release Date
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2010 – 2013-00-00
- Network
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Cartoon Network
- Directors
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Lauren Montgomery, Curt Geda
- Writers
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Jed Elinoff, Joe Ruby, Mitch Watson
8
‘Courage the Cowardly Dog’ (1999–2002)
Created by John Dilworth
For people who like horror television that’s particularly trippy and psychedelic, there are few shows better than Courage the Cowardly Dog. One of Cartoon Network’s most legendary cartoons, it saw its origin in an Oscar-nominated Hanna-Barbera short film that was later greenlit to become the series that fans know and love today.
It’s funny, it’s entertaining, and it’s deeply imaginative, but Courage the Cowardly Dog is also surprisingly horrifying and surreal for a kids’ show, which is precisely the source of its unique charm. Surprisingly full of violence, weirdness, and the occasional life lesson, it’s the kind of Cartoon Network show that everyone should watch, no matter their age.
7
‘Invader Zim’ (2001–2006)
Created by Jhonen Vasquez
Aimed at a slightly older audience than their usual programming, Nickelodeon’s Invader Zim is a delight for horror fans of all ages. Over the years, critics have praised the way it constantly pushed the envelope of what could be acceptable in animated children’s shows, which is what has allowed the series to age like fine wine.
With some incredible animation and a perfect blend of genres—including comedy, sci-fi, and horror—this is any geek’s dream show. It can be weird, it can be twistedly dark, but what it never ceases to be is creative and transgressive. Its cult following has only kept growing with time, and that’s unlikely to stop anytime soon.
Invader Zim
- Release Date
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2001 – 2005
- Network
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Nickelodeon
6
‘The Owl House’ (2020–2023)
Created by Dana Terrace
Disney doesn’t often produce horror shows, but when they do, they can only hope they’re even half as great as The Owl House. One of the best animated series of the 2020s so far, it’s primarily a fantasy adventure show, but horror elements are interspersed into so many episodes that it’s easy to consider this an animated horror comedy, too.
Praised for its unique visual style, its delightful sense of humor, and its refreshing representation of LGBTQ characters, this is a show that definitely doesn’t feel like it came from the Disney Channel—and that’s said as the biggest of compliments. Scary and dark, yet undeniably perfect for younger demographics, it’s a modern fantasy classic destined for cult status.
5
‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ (2022)
Created by Joseph Pelling, Becky Sloan, and Baker Terry
Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared emerged as a YouTube web series created by Becky Sloan and Baker Terry, which immediately garnered a cult following thanks to its clever use of puppetry, philosophical themes, surrealism, and psychological horror. The follow-up series of the same name came out six years after the original ended, and it immediately proved to be just as brilliant as its predecessor.
Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared may seem vibrant and colorful, but it is most certainly not for kids. They likely wouldn’t be particularly big fans of its head-scratching surrealism, its grotesque humor, and its beautiful absurdity. Grown-ups, on the other hand, are much more likely to be able to appreciate these elements. It’s smart, it’s funny, and it’s gleefully strange.
Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
- Release Date
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2022 – 2021
- Network
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Channel 4
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Becky Sloan
Electracey (voice)
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Joseph Pelling
Red Guy (voice)
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Jamie Demetriou
Insurance Safe (voice)
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4
‘Primal’ (2019–)
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky
Genndy Tartakovsky, as one of the biggest legends in the history of animated television, is an artist who needs no introduction. Neither does his work, which includes the masterful Primal, a show that proves that even a virtually dialogue-less adventure about a man and his friend dinosaur can be a masterpiece when in the hands of a great enough creative.
There’s something in Primal for everyone. The action is gritty, bloody, and absolutely exhilarating; the horror is genuinely scary and used in all the right moments; and the story at the core of everything has heart and charm to spare, and the animated show can even get surprisingly sad. Primal is one of the best animated series, not just of the last decade, but of all time.
3
‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021)
Created by Warren Ellis
The Castlevania video game franchise is one so seminal and so influential that half of the Metroidvania genre as a whole was named after it. If it was ever going to be adapted for either the small or big screen, fans could only ask for it to be something truly special and deserving of the Castlevania name. What Netflix came up with is that, and more.
The streaming giant’s Castlevania, one of the best-ever animated series for adults, is not only a phenomenal adaptation of the source material but a masterful horror show in its own right. With a heavily anime-inspired visual style, an all-star voice cast, and some stunning writing, it’s a must-see for fans of the games and people who have never heard of them alike.
Castlevania
- Release Date
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2017 – 2021-00-00
- Showrunner
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Warren Ellis
2
‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)
Developed by Katie Krentz
Arguably the greatest show that Cartoon Network has ever made, the cult classic Over the Garden Wall is a dark fantasy adventure like no other, with so many horror elements that it can quite reasonably be considered a horror show as well. Cartoon Network’s first-ever miniseries is one of the most atmospheric and engrossing animated shows ever produced.
Over the Garden Wall is among the best fantasy miniseries in history, as funny as it is scary and as bizarre as it is entertaining. It finds the perfect balance between feeling like a fairy tale and like something entirely different and all of its own, with some stunning visuals and surprising amounts of darkness.
Over the Garden Wall
- Release Date
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2014 – 2014
- Network
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Cartoon Network
- Showrunner
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Patrick McHale
- Directors
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Nate Cash
1
‘Berserk’ (1997–1998)
Created by Kentaro Miura
Berserk is usually hailed as one of the greatest manga series ever created, and for good reason. As such, it’s rather unsurprising that its anime adaptation is usually praised as one of the greatest anime series in history. The tone is definitely bleak, and the action is definitely brutal, but for people who enjoy that kind of thing, this action-horror masterpiece is a must-see.
The storytelling is expertly written and profoundly atmospheric, as well as flawlessly coupled with some visceral violence and intricate thematic work. The characters are interesting, the horror and dark fantasy elements help boost the tone of the story tremendously, and the visuals are exceptional. For those looking for their next animated horror show, Berserk should be an obligatory watch.
Berserk
- Release Date
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October 8, 1997
- Directors
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Naohito Takahashi
