We all are crazy about horror movies, right? You will be surprised to know that there is an inclination of horror genre fans toward animated movies to get their dosage of horror. So, turn your lights off and grab some popcorn, as I have curated a list of the best-animated horror movies for you if you are also the one climbing the mountain of animation.
Animated movies aren’t just made for children or a younger audience. That’s a stereotype that we don’t need in 2022. Movies should be enjoyed for their story, plot, and execution. The medium in which they prefer to do that is secondary.
Animated movies sometimes give more room for creativity for a director to bring his vision to the screen. Another advantage of watching animated movies is, it allows you to watch horror movies with your kids if you are a parent.
Nothing is more fun than scaring the little ones, although it should be done in moderation. So without delay, let’s check out which movies make it to the list.
Table of Contents
5 Best Animated Horror Movies | From Old Classics To New Ones, Take Your Pick!
Animated movies are good to watch to wind down after a long day. They are also good to watch if you want to get in the mood for something spooky. Maybe Halloween is around the corner, or maybe your kids are being naughty, and you want a monster handy to scare them. The best-animated horror movies will have you covered.
Before we get down to the list, I would like to point out that being scared is subjective. So if you feel one movie isn’t scary enough for you, that’s okay. It might be scary for someone else. You are just built differently.
1# ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNorman is a modern classic and great viewing for any kid’s gathering. The movie is about a kid named Norman who can talk to dead people. He is basically what’s called a spiritual medium. Norman’s abilities are brought to use when he has to save his small town from a witch’s curse by negotiating with the dead.
The movie is entertaining and deals with after-death with great care. The movie also has zombies, ghosts, and other spooky stuff that will scare kids and adults alike.
Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Writer: Chris Butler
Streaming Platform: YouTube
IMDb Rating: 7/10
2# The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is another one from the classics. In a fantasy world populated by monsters and ghouls is Halloween Town. Jack Skellington or better known as the “Pumpkin King,” is the one who is responsible for organizing the celebrations for Halloween there. Jack is bored by the age-old traditions and wants something new to do this year.
Jack wants to take over other holidays besides Halloween. Aiming to take over the holiday of Christmas from a place called Christmas Town, a lot of chaos ensues. Monsters lurking in the dark are unleashed, and all hell breaks loose. The movie is a fun combination of funny as well as terrifying.
Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Streaming Platform: Disney +
IMDb Rating: 8/10
3# Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island (1998)
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is nothing like the Scooby-Doo we would watch on Cartoon Network back in the day. Every episode, there would be one bad character that the gang would unmask, and it would rinse and repeat every time.
In this movie, though, the gang faces a more real supernatural enemy in the form of ghosts of the undead pirates. The movie has a darker tone to it and a more engaging plot. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island has other supernatural elements in it, too, like voodoo dolls and shapeshifters.
Directors: Hiroshi Aoyama, Kazumi Fukushima, Jim Stenstrum
Writers: Davis Doi, Glenn Leopold
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
4# Monster House (2006)
We all have that one spooky house in our neighborhood that gives out vibes of being haunted. Monster House takes that concept up to another level. The ‘house’ has lots of disturbing rumors surrounding it. A group of three naughty kids, Mitched Spencer and Sam, decide to get to the bottom of these rumors. They soon find out how true the rumors have been.
Secrets around the death of the house’s previous owner unravel other mysteries of the house. To balance out the horror, the movie has a bit of comedic relief sprinkled in the middle to keep it from being too scary. If you are an adult, you will understand how serious the haunted stories are.
Director: Gil Kenan
Writers: Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, Pamela Pettler
Streaming Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
5# Coraline (2009)
Coraline is a movie about a girl with the same name. She hates the world she lives in and wants everything to disappear around her. Coraline’s wish seems to have been granted when she stumbles upon a door that takes her to a new world. A world where the people are a bit weird, but everything else seems perfect.
Happy in this new world, Coraline’s world comes crashing down when she finds out not everything is as it seems. Some demons want to consume her soul, and other mysteries uncover. This alternate version of the world becomes a nightmare for her as she cannot find the door to leave.
Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Henry Selick, Neil Gaiman
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Final Words
There you have it, our list for the best animation horror movies. These movies are sure to spook the daylights out of young ones. If you are an adult and want to test your fear tolerance, give it a go. What’s your favorite animated horror movie? Did it make the list of our top five or not? Let us know in the comment section below.