I don’t know about you, but I’ll always look forward to revisiting my favorite animated movies every Halloween. Most of them are mysterious, whimsical, and at times downright weird, but they’re full of heartfelt stories that future generations will remember vividly.
We all enjoy the sheer terror and adrenaline rush of a spine-chilling horror movie once in a while, but watching several of them in a row (I can barely get through one) may drain the Halloween spirit on the night you need it most.
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Crunchyroll Store Australia/YouTube
Thankfully, the world of animation offers a vast catalog of iconic films that stay true to the spirit of Halloween, even without the jump scares, gore, and existential dread. If you’re in the mood for an enticing change of pace from your usual “spooky season” watch list, these feel-good animated films won’t disappoint.
Honorable Mention: Trese (2021)
Trese features Filipino mythical creatures, urban legends, action-packed sequences, quick-witted banter, and a badass female lead, all wrapped into one fantastical story. This animated series follows the titular character, Alexandra Trese, as she protects the dystopian underworld she resides in from pervasive supernatural forces.
Trese isn’t a full-length film, but all six episodes will captivate you with cinematic backdrops and dialogue you’ll keep coming back to. There’s never a dull moment in this culturally rich and dynamic show, which makes it an intriguing addition to your lineup of Halloween activities.
Monster House (2006)
Monster House is a handful, to say the least. You don’t know what you’re getting into until you sit down and watch it in full. The story follows best friends DJ, Chowder, and Jenny, whose Halloween antics are upended by an ominous entity that brings their neighbor’s house to life.
Almost every 2000s kid I know has an oddly specific memory of Monster House that they have either forgotten or still remember clearly. I have friends who love this film to pieces, and others who wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole because of the hair-raising scenes ingrained in their minds. Ultimately, though, the movie’s tragic plot twist will make you stay and give the story’s utter weirdness a chance despite the polarizing reactions.
Wendell & Wild (2022)
This psychedelic gothic comedy from Jordan Peele and Henry Selick follows 13-year-old Kat Elliot as she befriends Wendell and Wild, mischievous demon brothers on a mission to face their arch-nemeses in the Land of the Living.
Between thoughtful social commentary and character dynamics that will leave you in stitches, Wendell & Wild highlights the spunk and unapologetic energy that Halloween unveils in everyone every year.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki is a persevering and strong-willed witch-in-training. But she’s not practicing to cast spells or wreak havoc all over her town. Instead, she works every day as a diligent courier who delivers goods on a broomstick and befriends various townsfolk in the process.
This Studio Ghibli gem is a comfort film for all ages. Like most teenagers and young adults who feel stuck, burnt out, or uncertain of their futures, Kiki nurtures her own big dreams and tries her best to make sense of her true passion as she grows up.
Corpse Bride (2005)
This Tim Burton classic is a gut punch for anyone who has felt like they’re “always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” True love exists, even in the afterlife, and I’m sure we can all resonate with the themes of heartbreak, loss, and unconditional love.
You’re in for a wickedly wonderful romance starring the perpetually awkward Victor, his soft-spoken fiancée Victoria, and Emily, an eccentric woman who, after a chance encounter with Victor, rises from the dead to profess her love to him in the real world.
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Corpse Bride has become an inspiration for Halloween costumes every year. Couples around the world dress up as Victor and Emily, complete with the young man’s longing eyes and the immortal woman’s pale skin, freakish smile, and unruly blue hair.
Here are more animated films to add to your Halloween watch list:
- Coraline (2009)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- Frankenweenie (2012)
- ParaNorman (2012)
- Hotel Transylvania (2012)
ALSO READ: Let These 8 Kinds of Horror Films Be Your Guide to Hosting the Ultimate Halloween Movie Night
What’s your favorite spooky animated film? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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