31 Spooky Cartoons to Watch This Halloween

[@plagueoftruthvideo]

When you randomly stumble on a youtube video with an imposing level of writing quality, cleverness and scholastic heft and it's about Halloween cartoons.

[@gingerjak7928]

I know, right?

[@darkdial]

Can you post a link? Kidddiiiiing

[@julesotis13]

yeah....and.....lol

[@MR.VAN1979]

The spooky animation script is impressive. Thanks.

[@CanonessEllinor]

I was supposed to sleep. Instead I watched over an hour of cartoon recommendations. No regrets.

[@CrabsOfSteel-2024]

I know, right?! I’d never seen any of the Wallace & Gromit before. But I just stayed up all night watching them because I watched A Close Shave

[@pussycats456]

Time well spent in my book! 🎃👻

[@pussycats456]

I just want to see the cartoons without the chatting! 😩

[@lucybuck8373]

I can relate: love cartoons; they're a great stress-reliever for me.

[@MR.VAN1979]

The script is very impressive.

[@Fairytaleenthusiat86]

When the world needed him the most, he returned in this chilling, ghostly season ❤.

[@josephmartinez5698]

You know what this video needs more of? Windy Leaves. 😄👍

[@CrabsOfSteel-2024]

😂😂😂😂

[@gwimyeon]

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁💨

[@GlennCloseButNoCigar-x2g]

Roses are red Jello has gelatin Who's at the door? *shrug* A skeleton ☠

[@MiroFloydtan]

This video was amazing ride through 31 of spookiest cartoons imaginable. In a youtube landscape full of discourse and cynicism, seeing this video really reignited my love for animation. And your excellent analysis of each short and its background really spoke to me and inspired me. I especially love your analysis of Bimbo in the very last short. That poor dog deserved a happy ending, and I feel Bimbo's Initiation is a fantastic short overall. Out of the ones I wasn't familiar, Possession is definitely up there for being such a surprisingly heartwarming work of art. You have more than EARNED my patreon subscription. You focus on such a wide variety of animation and you never look down on the works, and I really can't wait to see what else you have in store.

[@kylefrank638]

1971 Christmas Carol's sequence of Scrooge walking back to his room on the fateful night is one of my favorite bits of animation, period. 'tis my favorite version of the tale.

[@eeddieedwards3890]

To me, no one gets near Alistair Sim's performance as Scrooge, live action or animated.

[@mechakirby9576]

man that little history lesson on both bimbo and betty was sad and weirdly enoguh a good demonstration of how early animation lost part of its orginal egde after the jump into the color era.

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

I've seen a surprising amount of these, largely because my mom would find these tapes full of old cartoon shorts for cheap and I'd watch the hell out of them. Seen most of the Popeye ones and quite a few others. Most were in black and white, including ones that should have been in color which is kinda weird

[@SnailNailsWA]

Now I just have to watch this video 30 more times until it's Halloween!

[@moreanimals6889]

This is the best documentary I've seen about animation outside of Turner Classic Movies or Film school! Happy Halloween!

[@clintonlykins3161]

BRO!! Where the hell did you come from. I'm speechless! I just took a walk,run,sprint, and then crawl down memory lane. The most amazing thing is I've seen most of these before. But not like this. You nailed the Grinch 2. BROVO!!!!😂❤😢😮

[@Azumadofu]

17:22 oh, that transition is smoothing.

[@clydenorthrup5484]

Did you say smooth or soothing?

[@Azumadofu]

@@clydenorthrup5484 Smooth.

[@FireSurge]

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Rabbit Ears Productions was one of my favorites when I was young. It's more of a storybook style as well, barely animated but still has a spooky vibe.

[@Reciticus]

The art by Robert van Nutt (while not animated), is superb!

[@PrincessPeachyyyy]

Halloween is grinch night is such a treat! Grinch is gonna get ya still gives me chills to this day, great vid as always Fudd!! 👍💀👻🎃🐈‍⬛

[@Maria_Miciano_5]

I’m almost finished with the video. But I have to say this my favorite video of yours! I’ve never watched any of these short films. I had a few chilling feelings watching these especially the UPA segment. Amazing video!

[@otaking3582]

I'm not sure which surprises me more, a Walt-era Disney short with the word "Hell" in the title, or the fact that their depiction of Satan clearly looks like the inspiration for Cuphead's Devil.

[@JPf8]

This is that Oct 1st vibe. Spooky stuff. YES

[@maxlox80]

The pacing on this video is incredible! It's almost feature length but you barely notice it. I've watched it in full four times already.

[@jameszimmerschied9200]

A video that refreshes the memory of the thousands of cartoon shorts hidden in our minds and masterfully lays them out in a theme of Halloween related segments counting down each day of October. The video also briefly compares the work of the many artists represented. A great job that is fun and entertaining.

[@itsthedeek234]

dracula wake up new TWBF just dropped for Halloween!

[@Blair-r8k]

* Disney's Halloween Treat * (the Original version) is still to this day, a must-watch every Halloween. & now I get to share its magic with my 5yr old daughter.. Happy Halloween everyone!.. 🎃 👻 💛🖤

[@littlesongbird1]

Agreed.

[@mav2544]

i love the way you make each piece transition into the next!!! and the contextual commentary makes each one seem so cool!!! i've seen a few of these but this October is gonna be wild if i can keep up with this advent calendar

[@AvatarYoda]

"A group of skeletons...dance their cares away." Does that mean they're from Fraggle Rock?

[@laceyw476]

Richard Williams Christmas Carol is my nightmare. A Christmas Carol is my all-time favorite Christmas story. While it is a beautiful piece of artwork, every scene gives me such an uneasy feeling. I've had literal nightmares about that short, its horrifying.

[@KaminoKatie]

A Christmas Carol is essentially a Victorian Era horror

[@once4608]

The "Old Mill segment really awakened some hidden memories of watching it as a really small child on our littke box of a TV. Great video, as always💜

[@fireflocs]

Honestly, you convinced me that the world is finally ready for Bimbo. A guy who's only real ambition in life is to loyally stick by his girl (and have tons of sex with her), despite the world being downright eager to come down on him at every possible opportunity? That's a character that modern audiences can absolutely get behind, identify with, and root for.

[@NartheonlyWhal]

You should do one of these every october!

[@sharonparker9623]

Number 12! The Peter Lorre character is still shockingly frightful.

[@Monkey.Wizard]

The wishbone mention deserves a like of it’s own

[@Metronoma1]

This was great! I love your videos!🙌🙌🙂 I’m glad you are back, and I’m looking forward to more video essays about Dumbo and Bambi🙌😀

[@abbieananas]

surprising amount of arse slapping in this one, was not expecting it

[@Externica]

Adding A Christmas Carol to the list is actually very justified. Something I didn't know untiol recently but a tradition in the UK is telling ghost stories around christmas time. If you look deep enough you can find a few british stories set at this time of year. For example Susan Hill's "The Woman in Black", released in 1983 starts on christmas eve before the main characters tells the story about the woman in black. (Some might now the movie with Daniel Radcliffe. It's an adaption, though premise and ending is changed.) On another note, there's Grant Allen's Wolverden Tower published in 1896. It plays during Christmas Eve and involves ghost seeking a new sacrifice. A Christmas Carol fits perfectly in.

[@christopherhughes3895]

Skeleton Dance is GOATed!!!!!! 💀☠️

[@garfsstuff3614]

The Fudd is back in town

[@rexevans5477]

although I am disappointed that disney cartoon trick or treat and Garfield's halloween adventure, you more than make up for it with the inclusion of the incredible BILL PLYMPTON who is one of the most underrated animators of all time. also fun fact when I asked him if he could work on any ralph bakshi film he said felix the cat.

[@omnitrix1279]

Seeing Wishbone referenced totally made my day. lol

[@gooeydude574]

I used to watch that paraphernalia wagon scene over and over as a kid

[@KaminoKatie]

Babe wake up, new There Will Be Fudd video just dropped

[@geraldmartin7703]

Roger Ebert voiced the problem with Casper the Friendly Ghost: "He's a dead kid".

[@Bomb-Bit_Genesis]

There Will Be Fudd video!?!? Hell yeah

[@Delcat42]

Sorry if the engagement is all over the place on this one, I want to watch everything and not get spoiled so I took down the list! I also subscribed and I'm sharing it around because I watched enough to absolutely fall in love with your style

[@Capm_Jack]

I remember how scared The Old Mill always made me as a kid. I'd add the Porky Pig and Sylvester Trilogy of Horror. Genuine spooks in those.

[@Fangarius]

Though I'm not certain if this qualifies, because it's a one-shot special, but my favorite Halloween animation is Witch's Night Out. Basically a sequel to The Gift of Winter, this tells of how two kids, Small and Tender attempt to scare people on Halloween, while the adults (based on emotions) decide to throw a more non-juvenile party at the old house. Turns out the old house belongs to a witch, who is upset because nobody has called her on Halloween night. When she finds out a party is going to be held in her house, she plots some mischief. Meanwhile, Small and Tender's Babysitter, Bazooie, decides to read them a bedtime story. However, fed up over not scaring anyone they request a story with a fairy godmother. Afterwards the kids wish they were real monsters, witch hears them and goes to their house. She grants their wishes, and even Bazooie, after a bit of reluctance. Naturally things don't go according to plan. The reason I love this one is because they entire animation was painted on cels themselves than just being transferred from illustrations. And the fact the Witch appears more like a 1920s star, rather than the typical Halloween witch with green skin, black hair and pointed hat. In fact, she implements her wand to fly rather than a broom. Despite not really being scary, it becomes just something fun to watch.

[@tinajseemann]

I actually had a cel paint test for tgis Leach & Rankin film: a whole bunch of cels featuring the orange werewolf- lots of pointy edges- crazy!

[@johnblue5399]

I'd have never guessed that what my life was missing was a wonderfully curated and presented selection of spooky animation perfect for these dark October evenings. Really nicely researched and wonderfully edited.

[@goodlydraws6007]

I really apreciate the transitions between the different cartoons. Some of them were really creative.

[@KopaXTani]

32:27 This one is one of my favorites! I crack up every time I think about one specific scene from it. I also the fact that Billy Bletcher, the old voice of Pete, voiced the detective in this one.

[@kylefrank638]

A Close Shave definitely lent itself to some of my childhood trauma, for all the bulletpoints you gave. But The Wrong Trousers was even more effective for me. The penguin's soulless stare, and the whole thing with the stake being driven between Wallace and Gromit because Gromit feels replaced really kind of upset me.

[@pumpkinpatch5]

That Sandman short from the 90’s. That’ll give you nightmares.

[@therewillbefudd]

Love that one too! If I do another list next year that'll probably be on it

[@charlottepoppy-dh8ey]

Thanks so much!! I look forward to the next Disney video essay but I’m glad to have videos like these to watch in the meantime

[@MaryHatake97]

Yessssss I’ve never heard anyone else talk about the 1972 Sleepy Hollow. We had both versions on VHS and I still like to watch them every year. While the Disney version definitely has better animation, the narration of the 72 version is unbeatable.

[@InfamousStudios.]

As someone who's a fan of all things animated, I'm astounded by your almost encyclopedic knowledge of these cartoons' existence. I recognize most of these but some of them I've never heard of and genuinely peaked my interest, especially the Jasper Morello cartoon. Loved this video!

[@exodous02]

I have all the 'Walt Disney Treasure' DVD sets(all except Zorro, doh!) and ripped all the cartoons to individual files and collected all the fall spooky and winter ones for Halloween and Christmas and play them on repeat during their respective holidays. I was going to expand with WB but man, you have some really good ones I have never even heard of. I am making a list and look for physical releases.

[@tonyscheinman3538]

There's a great collection of Halloween cartoons on Internet Archive (I can't access the url just now), which includes WB, Disney and Fleischer.

[@gingerjak7928]

I share your worry of being crushed by heavy machinery, but pet betrayal? New fear unlocked!! 😂

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

I have never felt the need to wait for seasonal events to watch great animations. A nice warm summer night out on the deck is a perfect time to watch anything.😁

[@CStep-ff1hu]

I have already started awatch the recommendations I didn´t know about, and so far so good! Thanks

[@Whoremembersusa]

When my two sons were little, they used to fight over the TV and animated movies. Now everything has changed, but my nieces and nephews still love to compete for each other's toys. Kids are always so entertaining!

[@ThePhantomSafetyPin]

Who Killed Who walked so Clue and Scream could run. Also I thought nobody else but me remembered Halloween is Grinch Night. I thought it was a fever dream I saw once as a kid. I thought it wasn't real. Then you reminded me and a core memory got unlocked.

[@bluepikmingaming]

The spookiest thing about it this video is that I don't remember clicking on it.

[@sumo-ninja]

Best channel name ever!!! Lmao instantly subscribed because of that

[@skug9bob]

An excellent selection, including some stuff I have never heard about and will be sure to track down. Bravo!

[@JDFDSD]

didn't expect there were this many butt focused ones

[@RayPointerChannel]

The man on the right at 12:35 is George Rufle. He replaced Crandall as Max's sidekick around 1926 and continue for the next three years. If you have any further questions, contact me. I am the Author of THE ART AND INVENTIONS OF MAX FLEISCHER: AMERICAN ANIMATION PIONEER (2017).

[@therewillbefudd]

Wow, thanks so much! I just ordered your book, can't wait to read it! Will for sure hit you up if I run into any further Fleischer mysteries!

[@a.z.p.]

aAAh!! You SPOOKED me!

[@CrabsOfSteel-2024]

Every time I search one of these cartoons I end up wanting to watch the entire series. Now I’m behind in my calendar 😅 I’d forgotten exactly how great Courage is! I didn’t remember his whole face off with the chicken where they fight like gentlemen 🤣🤣🤣

[@clydenorthrup5484]

Let us be honest this is a better idea than tv episodes - and even if it was, Over the Garden Wall wins, no contest.

[@JPf8]

Courage was such a great show

[@gooeydude574]

A few of the gags in Bimbo’s Initiation were used in an episode of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog decades later

[@clydenorthrup5484]

Which episode?

[@gooeydude574]

@@clydenorthrup5484 Robotnikland

[@clydenorthrup5484]

​@@gooeydude574Thanks, that was an amazing sequence.

[@BagMonster]

Fear Will Be Fudd

[@NartheonlyWhal]

31:33 wow feeling very called out here. (this is great btw)

[@MonteCarey]

Paula Allmand here (his mom): Awesome cartoons!

[@ToonGal12]

This was such an informative video! I've seen about five or so on this list, and heard of about ten more of them, but there were also quite a few I had never heard of before now. Looks like I'll be eatin' good this October!

[@TheNecessaryEvil]

The Old House, 1936, is an exquisite scary house cartoon. Have to watch the right upload to see the lovingly rendered animation.

[@therewillbefudd]

Haven't seen that one, I'll check it out, thanks!

[@charliemacsart]

The transitions between shorts are fantastic!! I love how you connected them.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

This arriving the perfect time! So far the shorts I have seen this year are Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny shorts one from 20s to 60s. Sleepy Hollow will be probably my 70s pick

[@eeddieedwards3890]

Excellent countdown! Well done!

[@HeistheTruthWayLife]

Your enthusiasm for animation is infectious. This was very, very good. God bless.

[@nathanielmartins5930]

He's actually on time?!

[@Lambodopio]

Welcome Back Sir Fudd 😊

[@nooctip]

Apparently Bimbo was just born to be Betty's lapdog. I'll show myself out.

[@AT7outof10]

That Bimbo life story segment felt like its own video! Rest in peace, your screwed pooch.

[@anniefinch6843]

I remembered that both cartoons The Skeleton Dance and Lonesome Ghosts are on Disney plus.

[@I.c.epicdub]

fantastic video on not just spooky cartoons but the all little stuff that goes into them, your very entertaining to listen to and you really know your stuff man, I would take a whole animation history 101 if you we're the professor in it, keep up all the hard work, you've earned my sub

[@AWGD1]

Your content is really great, Keep it up! 👍

[@CacctusCacctus]

yipee some more Fudd :DD (wonder how much of it there will be in this video)

[@sarahhenry3607]

stumbled on your vid and im really happy. I initially thought , judging by length time, that this was a video of 31 halloween cartoons lol. And while it is that, its in a format that im glad to be watching. you got a very chill presentation style, and easy to listen to voice. gonna sub, im chuffed.

[@CrabsOfSteel-2024]

Just watched To Boo or Not to Boo. There really was a good twist at the end! Day 2 down!

[@Neyebureturns]

As a fan of animation and Halloween this video was made from me. It is great, and I have learn a lot about animation, popular and obscure. Keep the good work 😁

[@LillyVonetwoonethree]

oh YAY commenting for the algo then ill watch it lol. this looks GOOD

[@MegaLivingIt]

Thanks for this and Donaldo Duck! What's special is all the handmade comic work which is charming before everything was digitized. 🧡

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

Lets Go! Halloween content is the best!

[@miticaBEP07]

16:50 o hai Cuphead

[@maura5373]

What a mountain of work went into this! Hooray for Hedgehog in the Fog! Was that the face-of-Fudd himself purrsuing prey on (in) the screen?

[@Account_Not_Applicable]

The ghostly figures in the Richard Williams short remind me heavily of the art of Käthe Kollwitz. At 21:31 the two figures look as if they were pulled from "The Survivors". I'd be intrigued to know if the team took some inspiration, as I always love the idea of art of one medium inspiring a different medium. On a side, one of my personal favorite shorts for October is one I found here on YT called "Midnight Dance". The classic story of bunch of skeletal corpses coming out to dance and enjoy themselves to the classic "Danse Macabre", while the main skeleton ventures out to bring a sleeping young woman out to the graveyard to join them. It has shockingly low views for something with dancing skeletons and Danse Macabre featured in it.

[@therewillbefudd]

Haven't seen that one, I'll have to check it out, thanks!

[@jennifercatherinekarel8925]

Love how you put words together

[@catcher881]

I'm late but AWW HELL YEAH, NEW FUDD VIDEO! ❤❤:'D

[@lavieestunsonge4541]

So delighted at this! Love Halloween 🎃 And, the nostalgic feeling of it.

[@ladygreenwithenvy]

The lovely Fudd has risen back from the dead! Spooooky! (Welcome back dear!)

[@vonhatred3826]

I just stumbled on this channel after going down a rabbit hole of people talking about the upcoming live action Snow White movie and finding your video on the original Snow White from like 4 years ago. (Great video btw, it literally made me say "wow" and brought me to a new understanding of the movie.) I'm impressed with how much you have to say about film in general, and your videos are currently helping me get through work. Thank you!

[@janeann3331]

Mr. Fudd, this was great! I love anything related to cartoons and history.