When it comes to horror movies, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of an excellent animated horror movie. These films draw you in with their captivating graphics, spine-tingling soundtracks, and gripping storylines. Whether you’re looking for a good scare or want to watch something unique, these top 10 best animated horror movies will surely deliver.
From classic cartoons to modern masterpieces, each of these films will leave you with a sense of awe and terror that you won’t soon forget. So, grab some popcorn and prepare to be scared as we explore the 15 best animated horror movies you shouldn’t miss.
Best Animated Horror Movies
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who discovers a portal that leads him to Christmas Town. While there, he becomes fascinated with Christmas and attempts to bring the holiday to Halloween Town. The film follows Jack as he uncovers the true meaning of Christmas and realizes that he has to choose between his old life in Halloween Town and the new life he’s discovered in Christmas Town. One of the best animated horror movies you should watch.
This film is unique because it can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. With its captivating storyline and amazing animation, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a true masterpiece that can’t be missed. This film is often regarded as one of the top class animated horror movies of all time, so it’s sure to leave an impression on even the pickiest horror fans.
2. The Corpse Bride
The Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animated movie that tells the interesting story of a young lad named Victor who accidentally marries a corpse while attempting to wed his true love. As Victor tries to correct his mistake, he discovers that he must fight a group of evil creatures to prevent the corpse bride from rising from the dead. The Corpse Bride is a charming, visually stunning film and emotionally touching. With its lovely storyline and unique animation, this film is a must-see for fans of animated horror.
3. Coraline
This one may not be big classic horror animated movies but it still a interesting story that give you jumb scrare. Coraline is an animated film that follows a young girl named Coraline as she moves into a new home with her parents. When Coraline discovers a mysterious door in her new home, she finds a parallel world that looks exactly like her old neighborhood. As Coraline explores this world, she becomes obsessed with finding a way back to her old home and reuniting with her parents. However, this parallel world has dark secrets that could prove dangerous for Coraline and her family. Coraline is a thrilling animated film that will leave you with chills. With its gripping storyline and beautifully animated graphics, this film is a must-see for all horror fans.
4. The Book of Life
The Book of Life is an animated film that follows Manolo, a young musician trying to win the love of his life, Maria. When a band of mischievous spirits challenges him to win Maria’s heart in a competition, Manolo finds himself in trouble. Manolo must overcome these spirits and prove that his love for Maria is stronger than ever. The Book of Life is a truly unique film that has been praised for its storyline and stunning computer-animated graphics. This film is perfect for all horror fans looking for a movie that combines elements of classic Mexican films with modern computer animation.
5. ParaNorman
ParaNorman is a genuinely unique animated film that has been praised for its detailed storyline and dynamic approach to horror. ParaNorman tells the story of a young boy named Norman who can speak with the dead. When zombies suddenly rise in his town, Norman must use his paranormal powers to save his community. With its beautiful visuals and intriguing storyline, this film is perfect for anyone who loves animated films and is searching for a movie that stands out from the rest.
6. Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie is a stop-motion animated film that tells the story of a boy named Victor who is inspired to become a scientist after his dog is killed in a tragic accident. Decades later, Victor attempts to bring his best friend back to life using a new science experiment. However, when this experiment goes wrong, Victor finds that he has created a monstrous problem. Frankenweenie is a unique film praised for its captivating storyline and stunning visuals. With its intriguing storyline and unique animation, this film is a must-see for all horror fans.
7. The Boxtrolls
The Boxtrolls is an animated film that follows a young boy named Eggs who a group of boxtrolls mistakenly raises after being left in a box by his parents. As Eggs grows up, he discovers that he is not a box troll, as everyone believes, but a boy. Eggs must find a way to reunite with his real family before it’s too late. The Boxtrolls is a truly unique film that has been praised for its gorgeous animation and emotional storyline. With its original storyline and stunning visuals, this film is a must-see for all horror fans looking for a movie that stands out from the rest.
8. Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell is a cybernetically enhanced woman named Major who leads a special task force that hunts down criminals using technology and advanced abilities. When Major and her team attempt to stop a dangerous hacker from taking control of society, they discover that this hacker has much more in store for them than they ever expected. Ghost in the Shell is an animated film praised for its intriguing storyline and stunning visuals. This film is perfect for all horror fans interested in futuristic storylines and a mix of science and horror.
9. Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania is an animated film that follows a famous vampire named Count Dracula, who owns a hotel specially designed for monsters like himself. When Drac attempts to bring his human-craving daughter back home before her 16th birthday, he discovers that she fell in love with a man. Now, Drac must find a way to get rid of the human without losing his daughter. Hotel Transylvania is a family-friendly animated film full of thrilling elements and creatures that will keep even the youngest horror fans on the edge of their seats.
10. The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH is an animated film about a group of lab rats discovering a group of intelligent mice after escaping their lab. While the rats try to help the mice find a home, they discover a dark secret that could end their lives. The Secret of NIMH is a unique animated film that has been praised for its stunning visuals and intriguing storyline. This film is perfect for all horror fans interested in a story that combines sci-fi and horror elements.
11. Monster House
Monster House is a 2006 American stop-motion animated film directed by Gil Kenan in his first feature length movie and written by Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, and Pamela Pettler. It tells the story of a spooky house that comes to life and haunts a neighborhood during Halloween. Every human character in the movie was animated using live action motion capture, the same technique used in The Polar Express from 2004. This production was the first computer animated film ever developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
12. 9
When character 9 awakens, they find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans, populated only by sentient rag dolls like themselves and the machines that prey on them. Despite being the youngest, 9 is able to persuade their companions that their only hope for survival is to cease their hiding, take the fight to the machines, and discover why they want to obliterate them. 9 and their allies quickly learn that the future of their civilization rests on the success of their mission.
13. Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic
Following the death of both his father and his fiancee, a hero is forced to make a journey through the various levels of Hell in order to save his beloved Lucifer. This film is adapted from Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy”, an Italian poem that he began composing roughly around 1308 and was finished in 1321, not long before his own death. Well done animation and an intriguing story that will vouch for the hero. One of the best animated horror movies all time.
14. The House
‘The House’ is a 2023 British anthology movie created through stop-motion animation. It is composed of three different stories, which are all connected and take place within the same house. Each of the tales deals with themes of insanity, prosperity, and the longing to achieve real joy. Stop-motion animation creates a spooky atmosphere throughout the film, which is now available for streaming on Netflix.
15. Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!
It’s time for the holiday that Scooby-Doo and Shaggy can’t get enough of – Halloween! From the faux monsters to the candy-coated goodness, it’s a paradise for these two food-loving buddies who love to go from door-to-door. But, this year, their sweet celebration takes a sour turn when a toxic sludge contaminates the local pumpkin patch, generating airborne pumpkins that have a giant-sized leader taking out everything in its path. It’s up to Scooby-Doo and the gang to resolve this massive mystery and rescue Crystal Cove with the help of their buddies, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
Senior Writer, has been with Rottenpanda.com since 2017. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, Nick specializes in finding interesting topics, gathering details, checking facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. In addition to writing articles, Nick loves traveling, pets and happily married to Lucy.
