“If you’re looking for some great animated horror movies, read on to find some excellent recommendations.”
Horror is a popular genre that offers an increasing amount of thrills and chills as you progress into the film you watch, and many of these movies often impact you so much that you feel the eerie atmosphere even after getting back into your daily life. However, that’s a bit exciting because we humans don’t enjoy a boring life anyways.
While live-action ghosts may be extremely scary since they are depicted by real actors and are designed in a way that could possibly exist in the present world, animated horror films also have a great history. Since many kids grew up watching cartoons, it’s natural to come across a horror animated film that must’ve scared them to their wits.
So, to bring the nostalgia back, here are the best animated horror animated movies you can watch today. Also, keep in mind that we’re strictly limiting the options to animated ones and not including Japanese anime films.
10. Dead Space: Aftermath (2011)
Dead Space: Aftermath is not a standalone film at first glance, but all it requires to get a firm grasp of its storyline is either watching the first movie, “Dead Space: Downfall,” which was released in 2008 or watching a short recap on YouTube.
While the first film is a great horror animated film in its own right, aftermath outweighs it in terms of horror representation. If you’re a fan of Dead Space video games beforehand, you’ll love it even more as it acts as the sequel to the first game in the series.
The story takes place in the year 2509 when Earth has lost contact with a spaceship USG Ishimura due to an unknown outbreak, they send another ship to investigate the issue. However, the outbreak turns into a no-way-out situation, and the people on board must try to survive these horrifying monsters (zombies).
9. Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
Resident Evil: Degeneration is an excellent zombie horror movie, and you can enjoy it even without much knowledge of the previous installments. That said, it’s recommended to go through these movies in order to get the best experience. However, if you have played Resident Evil games previously, it would enhance your experience significantly if you don’t jump in by expecting the same level of content.
Set seven years after the incident that took place in Raccoon City, the movie follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they try to stop a rogue warrior who unleashes a terrifying G-virus and to add to their problems, a mutated monster is roaming free hunting the survivors left and right.
8. Seoul Station (2016)
Seoul Station is a fantastic Korean zombie film with quality animation in the style of Japanese anime. The film, acting as a prequel to Train to Busan, is directed by Sang Ho Yeon and addresses a rather engaging story blend of zombies and societal issues. If you don’t mind blood and gore and are heavily into zombie movies, Seoul Station would serve as a great horror film.
The story takes place in Seoul, Korea, where a homeless with a bleeding neck wound spreads the violent disease, turning the entire city into ruins. Stuck in a city bustling with flesh-eating monsters rather than cars and buses, a group of survivors tries to find safe haven, with each having their own purpose beyond survival.
7. Monster House (2006)
Many of us have experienced a situation where our parents leave us alone at home, and while we didn’t necessarily encounter a Home Alone film-like scenario, we at least have an eerie story to tell, whether it’s imagination or an actual incident.
Monster House is one such film that definitely catches you by surprise with its quality story and voice acting. In the movie, when the 13-year-old DJ’s parents leave him with a babysitter to travel on the eve of Halloween, he calls in his best friend, Chowder, to play basketball. However, when they both find out that their neighbor’s house is a monster house, they try to devise a plan before it swallows them whole.
6. Frankenweenie (2012)
Frankenweenie is one of the few brilliant horror animated movies that are hard to come by these days, and its stop-motion animation makes it ten times better. It’s an adorable take on friendship and loyalty, but what makes it so much more appealing is its execution and consistency throughout.
Related: Top 13 Super Sad Anime Movies You Won’t Regret Watching!
When Victor’s beloved dog, Sparky, dies in a car accident, he finds a way to bring it back to life, and surprisingly, it works. However, there are always consequences for going against the laws of nature, and how will Victor face them?
5. ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNorman, the 2013 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominee, may not be the best animated film you will ever watch, but it will certainly leave an impression on you. Its stop-motion animation, coupled with a creepy horror ambiance, resembles many classic films we grew up watching. Even if you’re a full-grown adult, you will enjoy ParaNorman without a thought.
The story revolves around Norman, a kid viewed as an outcast by his entire town due to his delusional talks in thin air. The twist is he can see dead people, and when a catastrophe strikes the town due to a century-old curse, it is up to Norman to find a solution to save it.
4. Corpse Bride (2005)
Corpse Bride, released in 2005 and nominated for Oscar in 2006, is a beautifully crafted film that balances every aspect that makes it what it is. Despite its weird-looking premise, the movie is for anyone looking for some horror and beauty, and with it, one of the best ever takes about death; you will have the time of your life watching it.
Set in the 1800s, Victor and Victoria are betrothed due to their family status in society, but when their wedding rehearsal begins, Victor commits a grave (literally) mistake. When he practices his wedding vows in the woods alone, he finds himself married to Emily, a corpse bride. Stuck in a challenging situation, Victor must find a solution to set everything right.
3. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
If there is a person in this world who watches cartoons and doesn’t hear about Scooby-Doo, then we can safely assume that he’s an alien. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is one of the best movies from the Scooby-Doo franchise that acts as a throwback to the early episodes, which had an unfettered atmosphere that always scared us to the wits.
Related: Top 10 Funniest Animated Movies You Won’t Regret Watching!
The Mystery Gang has separated to find new careers after years of work on fake ghosts. However, when an unexpected situation brings them together, they try to uncover the secrets of Moonscar Island, hoping to find a real ghost this time, they get more than what they bargained for: zombies, werecats, and of course, a crazy ghost as a leader.
2. Coraline (2009)
Coraline is one of the few animated horror movies that are not advisable to younger children because despite the film being more of a horror fantasy and less of terror, it does etch itself in your mind for a while after watching. It has one of the best animations we’ve ever seen, and the world created by the creators is simply too captivating.
The story follows Caroline, who always feels neglected by her parents and often becomes a victim of boredom. However, when she moves to an old house, she finds a passageway to a parallel world where she can have every exciting thing she ever wanted. But we all know that when it is too good to be true, it will most likely be a trap.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Tim Burton masterpiece among many that still lives up even after three decades. The movie is remarkably crafted, with straight-out jump scares and a full-on Halloween setting. In short, it is a film that pleases both young and adults alike, although the experience may vary depending on the viewer.
The story is about Jack Skellington, who happens to be the Pumpkin King that designs the Halloween holiday. Despite designing some scary Halloween themes every year, he has always longed for one where he could see humans cheering and staying happy. When he comes across Christmas Town, his wish comes true, but with his evil powers being too strong for him to control, the happiness in the town may not last long.
