Horror films have been round for the reason that starting of cinema, and their execution and tropes have shifted with time. The most effective-known early horror film was made by Georges Méliès in 1806, titled Le Manoir du Diable, and it could even be thought-about the earliest horror movie. In it, a historic fortress is beneath siege by a mischievous demon and his jokes. Horror movies then started to evolve because the medium continued to develop, and even Thomas Edison’s Edison Studios made their horror movie with a 1910 adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Animated films weren’t but in vogue till the discharge of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, however this marked new territory for horror films.
Animation pleases the senses in a method {that a} live-action film can not provide, so it appears solely pure to tackle fantasy and sure horror ideas with these sorts of movies. Throughout the horror style, animation permits filmmakers to create one thing inhumane, terrifying, and never human. These are the greatest animated horror films, ranked.
Up to date January 12, 2025: This assortment of animated horror movies has been up to date with brand-new entries and extra data, together with the place to stream every movie featured.
13
Lily C.A.T. (1987)
Directed by Hisayuki Toriumi, and closely impressed by the likes of Alien, Lily C.A.T. is a space-faring horror movie which will really feel acquainted to followers of Ridley Scott’s well-known franchise. Set within the deep future, the Syncam Company has despatched the crew of the Saldes, a deep-space cruiser, into the celebs in an effort to survey planets wealthy in pure sources. Nevertheless, after a chunk of errant particles is taken into the Saldes, it is revealed that an extraterrestrial power has now infiltrated its darkest corridors. This specific movie is notable for that includes English dub performances by Mike Reynolds (Depraved Metropolis, Cowboy Bebop), Julie Maddalena (Ghost within the Shell: Stand Alone Advanced), and Steve Kramer (JoJo’s Weird Journey).
Closely Impressed by Sci-Fi Classics
The comparisons between this movie and never solely Alien, however John Carpenter’s The Factor as effectively, are too quite a few to rely. Nonetheless, whereas Lily C.A.T. could lack originality, it makes up for it with some significantly gnarly animation and a reasonably modest runtime. Its characters are removed from one-note, its backgrounds and total presentation are modestly spectacular for 1987, and its slow-burning ambiance makes it a terrific look ahead to followers of science fiction going south. Stream Lily C.A.T. on The Roku Channel.
- Launch Date
-
February 21, 1995
- Director
-
Hisayuki Toriumi
- Runtime
-
67 Minutes
- Solid
-
Chikao Ohtsuka
, Eiko Yamada
, Osamu Saka
, Shōzō Iizuka
, Masako Katsuki
, Hiroyuki Okita
, Yoshiko Sakakibara
, Hideyuki Tanaka
, Hiroshi Ôtake
, Kôzô Shioya
, Mahito Tsujimura
, Masashi Hirose
, Ryoichi Tanaka
, Shigeru Chiba
, Tessyo Genda
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12
Seoul Station (2017)
Seoul Station is the prequel to the much-beloved zombie movie Practice to Busan. Whereas Practice to Busan was not an animated movie, Seoul Station selected animation to inform how the zombie outbreak started within the unique film. It begins with a homeless man who passes away round Seoul Station, and he rapidly revives as a zombie. From there, we observe the journey of three characters — a intercourse employee, her boyfriend, and her father — as they try and reconnect within the midst of insanity.
A Chilling Animated Prequel
Very like Practice to Busan, Seoul Station is loaded with social commentary about modern points in South Korea, even when its principal focus is surviving the zombie outbreak. You should know that this movie is not only a low-cost tie-in both, as Practice to Busan‘s director, Yeon Sang-ho, returned to direct and write this movie as effectively. His signature model of darkish storytelling is discovered right here in spades, and a sure haunting twist close to the movie’s finale will depart you reeling greater than the hordes of the undead ever might. Stream Seoul Station on Prime Video.
Seoul Station
- Launch Date
-
August 17, 2016
- Director
-
Yeon Sang-ho
- Runtime
-
92 Minutes
- Solid
-
Ryu Seung-ryong
, Shim Eun-kyung
, Lee Joon
, Kim Jae-rok
, Jang Hyuk-jin
, Kim Dae-heung
, Yeon Sang-ho
11
Monster Home (2006)
Thought-about each a comedy and a horror movie, Monster Home was directed by Gil Kenan in 2006 and was a business success. D.J. (Mitchel Musso) is a younger boy whose neighbor, Horace Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi), is an aggressive recluse. After trying to retrieve a misplaced toy from Nebbercracker’s yard, D.J. witnesses Nebbercracker’s sudden loss of life because of a coronary heart assault throughout a tense screaming match. Nevertheless, after a collection of unusual incidents begin to happen close to Nebbercracker’s residence shortly after, D.J. and his pals — Chowder (Sam Lerner) and Jenny (Spencer Locke) — examine his residence, solely to search out that it could be haunted.
A Refreshing Horror Movie
Monster Home is refreshing because of its humor and its shocking maturity in relation to its topic. It additionally contains a surprisingly glorious forged with loads of recognizable comedic abilities, together with Jason Lee, Fred Willard, Nick Cannon, and Catherine O’Hara. Whereas its visible presentation could not maintain up in addition to different movies on this assortment, the standard of its writing and its finally heartfelt ending make this movie a longtime favourite for a lot of. Monster Home would go on to earn each a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Greatest Animated Movie, along with almost doubling its funds of round $75 million in field workplace returns. Purchase or Hire Monster Home on Prime Video.
- Launch Date
-
June 30, 2006
- Runtime
-
91 Minutes
- Solid
-
Mitchel Musso
, Sam Lerner
, Spencer Locke
, Steve Buscemi
, Maggie Gyllenhaal
, Kevin James
, Nick Cannon
, Jon Heder
, Jason Lee
, Catherine O’Hara
, Fred Willard
, Kathleen Turner
, Ryan Whitney
, Woody Schultz
, Ian McConnel
, Erik Walker
, Matthew Fahey
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10
Vampire Hunter D (1983)
Primarily based on the novel of the identical identify, Vampire Hunter D is well one of the vital beloved animated horror movies up to now, not to mention among the best anime movies ever made. Set within the distant future, the place society has reverted right into a distinctly darkish fantasy setting, a younger girl named Doris Lang (Michie Tomizawa) is attacked and bitten by a robust vampire lord. In want of help, Lang contracts D (Kaneto Shiozawa), a mysterious vampire hunter, in an effort to search out and kill her assailant earlier than she turns into a vampire herself. The movie was directed by Toyoo Ashida, whose credit within the anime trade embody Fist of the North Star, House Battleship Yamato, and Yatterman.
A Darkly Entertaining Anime Movie
Accepted right now as one of many earliest anime productions focused completely at older audiences, Vampire Hunter D would change into one of the vital beloved variations of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s quite a few works. You may virtually really feel Hammer Movie Productions’ affect oozing from each body, because it melds violent motion scenes with classical depictions of vampiric monsters and grim worldbuilding. A sequel, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, could be launched in 2000, arguably incomes much more acclaim than its predecessor. Vampire Hunter D is presently unavailable on streaming.
9
Unicorn Wars (2022)
A Spanish and French co-production, Unicorn Wars places you on the forefront of a tense battle between teddy bears and unicorns, all going down inside a colourful animated setting. In a horrifying subversion, nevertheless, this battle is way from cold. As two bear siblings are despatched to a magical forest to tackle the unicorns, what you will discover is a gore-filled examination of brutal techniques, army politics, and extra in a scathing critique of struggle. The movie was directed by Alberto Vázquez, who beforehand rose to prominence together with his work on 2015’s Birdboy: The Forgotten Kids.
A Gory Conflict Movie
Whereas Unicorn Wars is predominantly a struggle movie, let’s not overlook that struggle is without doubt one of the most inherently horrifying ideas on the market. The colourful presentation of its forged, setting, and the animation starkly distinction towards the grotesque battles and uncooked drama going down. The rising tensions between the 2 brothers are a sight to behold, making the horror going down within the foreground all of the extra palpable consequently. The movie would later obtain a Goya Award for Greatest Animated Movie in 2023. Purchase or Hire Unicorn Wars on Prime Video.
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8
Corpse Bride (2005)
The Corpse Bride blends comedy, terror, and musical numbers into a whole bundle. The movie tells the story of Victor (Johnny Depp), a lonely man in Victorian England who fumbles an organized marriage ceremony within the worst method potential. Nevertheless, when his marriage ceremony ring unintentionally finally ends up on the finger of Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), an undead girl, Victor faces a disaster as he is out of the blue whisked away to the Land of the Useless for his everlasting vows.
A Colourful Story within the Land of the Useless
With a definite colour palette that is break up between the movie’s two main settings, The Corpse Bride melds an trustworthy protagonist with an earnest story about love and letting go. With a rating composed by Danny Elfman, the whimsical model of Tim Burton, and official recognition by the Nationwide Board of Evaluation for Greatest Animated Characteristic, it is no shock that many place The Corpse Bride up there as one in every of Tim Burton’s greatest animated tasks. It isn’t as overtly spooky as different entries on this checklist, however it actually embodies the morbid with loads of gusto. Purchase or Hire The Corpse Bride on Apple TV.
- Launch Date
-
September 23, 2005
- Runtime
-
77 Minutes
7
Watership Down (1978)
Watership Down is usually a e-book reserved for English literature lessons, however this animated adaptation of the novel was an instantaneous success. The film is a couple of group of rabbits that depart their residence behind to flee a horrible destiny, forcing them to navigate an unfamiliar and harmful world with little exterior steerage. John Damage, Richard Briers, Michael Graham Cox, John Bennett, and Ralph Richardson are only a handful of names connected to the movie’s expansive forged.
Not Your Common Kids’s Movie
Whereas the story of the film is simplistic and appears geared in the direction of youngsters, the gory, bloody violence depicted within the film isn’t fitted to younger youngsters. It is considerably extra violent than the supply materials, pairing some shockingly shocking deaths with better themes discussing evil, hopelessness, and perseverance within the face of overwhelming odds. Although the movie is fairly condensed in comparison with the unique e-book, there is no doubt an equal quantity of magnificence and horror to be discovered on this basic animated movie. Stream Watership Down on Max.
Watership Down
- Launch Date
-
November 1, 1978
- Director
-
Martin Rosen
, John Hubley - Runtime
-
91 Minutes
- Solid
-
John Damage
, Richard Briers
, Ralph Richardson
, Michael Graham Cox
, John Bennett
, Simon Cadell
, Terence Rigby
, Roy Kinnear
6
The Plague Canine (1982)
The Plague Canine was written by the identical creator of Watership Down, Richard Adams, with the identical director for the Watership Down film, Martin Rosen, returning to direct its animated adaptation. The movie is about two canines that escape a analysis laboratory, the place they have been the topics of intense and ethically-dubious experiments. After they head out into the actual world, they’re going to need to deal with the difficulties of surviving in an uncontrolled atmosphere, all whereas being hunted by their former captors. John Damage and Christopher Benjamin play the titular protagonists.
A Haunting Journey
The Plague Canine is primarily horrifying due to its glimpse into animal experimentation and torture. The movie itself is not that a lot happier, because the journey the 2 canines bear is one loaded with strife, violence, and fixed wrestle. The movie’s ending does not even lighten the temper, famously deviating from the novel’s unique ending in favor of the creator’s unique, extra ambiguous conclusion. It is a bleak movie all through, not essentially outright terrifying, however sufficient to provide the identical uneasy feeling in your insides. Stream The Plague Canine on Pluto TV.
The Plague Canine
- Launch Date
-
October 21, 1982
- Director
-
Martin Rosen
- Runtime
-
103 minutes
- Solid
-
Christopher Benjamin
, John Damage
, James Bolam
, Nigel Hawthorne
, Warren Mitchell
, Judy Geeson
, Patrick Stewart
, Brian Stirner
, Penelope Lee
, Geoffrey Matthews
, Barbara Leigh-Hunt
, John Bennett
, John Franklyn-Robbins
, Invoice Maynard
, Malcolm Terris
, Rosemary Leach
5
ParaNorman (2012)
Laika is legendary for his or her work within the stop-motion house, with 2012’s ParaNorman persevering with their streak of horror-laden animated movies. On this movie, Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a younger boy obsessive about the macabre, as he is been in a position to talk with the useless for fairly a while. Whereas no person believes his supernatural talents at first, the arrival of an historic curse on his hometown could convey the worlds of the dwelling and the useless collectively not less than. Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, and Elaine Stritch are only a handful of names connected to this movie’s massive forged.
A Cease-Movement Spectacle
Whereas ParaNorman‘s efficiency on the field workplace fell under expectations, it is laborious to disclaim the quantity of craft abilities that went on in each scene right here. The movie makes use of its medium to the fullest potential, that includes delightfully exaggerated character designs and a few significantly dazzling results that’ll startle you as a lot as they dazzle you. Its themes of battling the undead whereas coming of age are simply as prevalent now as they’re right now. As a plus, it could go on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Greatest Animated Movie, a BAFTA Award nomination for Greatest Animated Movie, and quite a few accolades on the Annie Awards. Purchase or Hire ParaNorman on Prime Video.
- Launch Date
-
September 13, 2012
- Runtime
-
93minutes
4
Mad God (2022)
A primarily solo effort by Phil Tippett produced over three many years, Mad God is not a lot a standard horror movie as it’s a sensory expertise. Advised principally with out dialogue, Mad God follows the journey of the “murderer,” a determine who wanders a devastated Earth till descending into its deep underbelly, discovering a bevy of horrors and untold evil as they try and ship a mysterious suitcase to its supposed vacation spot. Phil Tippett directed, wrote, and produced the movie, whereas sharing cinematography duties with Chris Morley.
Horrifying Sensory Overload
Produced nearly fully in stop-motion, Mad God actually is a movie that solely a single imaginative and prescient might produce. Uncompromising in its experimental concepts and unsettling dreamscapes, you possibly can actually see all of the years of effort poured into the manufacturing from begin to end. Sure, for those who’re searching for a standard narrative, you may stroll away disillusioned. Nevertheless, for those who do not thoughts one thing a bit extra visceral and unconventional, Mad God is well up there as one of the vital intense animated horror movies ever made. Stream Mad God on Shudder.
- Launch Date
-
June 16, 2022
- Runtime
-
84 Minutes
- Solid
-
Alex Cox
, Niketa Roman
, Satish Ratakonda
, Harper Taylor
, Arne Hain
, Jake Freytag
3
Depraved Metropolis (1987)
The Japanese horror and darkish fantasy movie Depraved Metropolis is a wild journey all through. Set in an alternate model of the late 1900s, people irregularly come into contact with an alternate dimension crammed with demons. There’s a peace treaty between the 2 worlds, and a corporation referred to as the Black Guards maintains order between the 2. Nevertheless, after a human unintentionally has intercourse with a radical demon, it units off a really violent and sadistic chain of occasions. The movie is one other adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s tales, this time helmed by one of many co-founding members of Madhouse, Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
The Begin of One thing Unbelievable
An instrumental movie for not solely horror anime, however for Yoshiaki Kawajiri himself, Depraved Metropolis‘s affect could be felt in a plethora of animated productions each domestically and internationally. Whereas the movie’s remedy of ladies is questionable at factors, its glistening and neon-soaked ambiance is downright attractive, with its animation high quality highlighting its grotesque animation and its sleazy, grungy model. You probably have ever needed to see a neo-noir movie sort out the horrifying world of the supernatural, Depraved Metropolis is a serviceable choice. Stream Depraved Metropolis on Prime Video.
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2
Coraline (2002)
Launched in 2009, Coraline is an adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel of the identical identify. After transferring into a brand new residence, a younger, disillusioned lady named Coraline (Dakota Fanning) discovers a door to a parallel universe. There, she meets variations of her mother and father that she likes higher and will get no matter she desires. Nevertheless, what appears to be an harmless portal to a different world rapidly turns terrifying as Coraline unravels its darkest secrets and techniques and the sacrifices made to inhabit it. Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Daybreak French, John Hodgman, and Keith David co-star.
The Stuff of Nightmares
Coraline is a film that consists of nightmares, of sinister witches lurking beneath the guise of one thing as soon as acquainted to us. The movie was produced by Laika as their first feature-length outing, that includes the legendary Henry Selick of The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas and James and the Big Peach fame within the director’s chair. What you get consequently is a completely lovely but haunting movie that many nonetheless favor as Laika’s greatest movie up to now, happening to earn an Academy Award nomination for Greatest Animated Movie along with an Annie Award for its atmospheric soundtrack. Purchase or Hire Coraline on Apple TV.
- Launch Date
-
February 5, 2009
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
1
Good Blue (1997)
Satoshi Kon’s Good Blue is well one of the vital gorgeous and mind-bending horror movies ever made, not to mention on this planet of animation. It follows what occurs when a Japanese pop idol named Mima (Junko Iwao) quits her profession to change into an actress, however finds herself snarled with a stalker that appears to know her each transfer. Individuals round her begin being murdered, Mima slowly turns into extra paranoid, and actuality begins to warp with fiction. The movie is notable for being Satoshi Kon’s feature-length debut, along with being his first and solely foray into the horror style.
One of many Greatest Horror Movies Ever Made
Good Blue is iconic. A terrifying mixture of actuality, fantasy, and the traces between them that proceed to blur, it is a movie that won’t solely go on to outline Satoshi Kon’s surreal model of storytelling, but in addition increase the bar for horror in animation. It completely makes use of the medium to convey paranoia in its deepest type, successfully complicated the viewers simply as a lot as its lead protagonist, doing so with a plethora of iconic pictures which are nonetheless referenced to this present day. Even now, many nonetheless think about Good Blue to not solely be among the best anime movies ever made, however simply among the best horror films, interval. Purchase or Hire Good Blue on Prime Video.
- Launch Date
-
August 5, 1997
- Director
-
Satoshi Kon
- Runtime
-
81 Minutes
- Solid
-
Junko Iwao
, Rica Matsumoto
, Masaaki Ôkura