My Hallowe'en Guide to Cartoons

When I was much younger, I used to watch several of these cartoons when I came home from school -- right before my candy adventures with friends and family. It's hard to find and purchase some of these Hallowe'en specials due to their age, but if you are able to obtain a copy, they will be an added treasure in your holiday collection.

Cartoons and Animated Specials

• Disney's Halloween Treat (1982) - In kindergarten (yes, that long ago), I came home from school and this special became a staple to my Hallowe'en traditions. A long time ago we had a copy of it on VHS, but it has been lost for over a decade now. From my recollection, the Disney Channel would air this on Hallowe'en Day for the youngsters.  The special played clips from older Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto cartoons.  Again, this was before Disney turned to the dark side. The little ghouls will love this special (and so will the big kids who remember it)!

• Donald Duck's Treat or Treat (1952) - I believe it's part of the Disney's Halloween Treat, but it's one of my favorite cartoons. Donald Duck's nephews come to trick-or-treat at their uncle's house, but they seem to unable to retrieve any treats. A witch and a perky broom come to the little ducks aid! It's a short film and a cute one, at that. 
  
  
• Garfield's Halloween Adventure (1985) - I watch this every Hallowe'en! If you don't already know the lasagna eating cat, this is a perfect introduction to this animated character. Gafield wants candy, candy, candy, candy! He dsesses up as a pirate and drags Odie, the dog, through the streets to obtain is sugary treasure. Based off of the book Garfield in Disguise, you'll definitely get a kick out of this musical special! I also read an hilarious review by X-Entertainment (refer here), which gives a comical in-depth review about Garfield's Halloween Adventure.
  
  
• Halloween is Grinch Night! (1977) - Another favorite! We all know about how the Grinch stole Christmas, but did you know that he had his own special night where he frightens the inhabitants of Whoville? The Whoville citizens lock up their homes on this one, terrifying night when the Sour-Sweet wind blows! However, Euchariah isn't scared! He tries to stall the Grinch in the mountains to protect the Whos. In 1977, the special received an Outstanding Animated Program Emmy Award. Sing along with the Grinch and the Whos this Hallowe'en! 
  
  
• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966) - This is a Hallowe'en classic and if you haven't seen it before, you need to. Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin, a holiday figure who would be more popular if he had some publicity. As long as you sit in the pumpkin patch on Hallowe'en night, the Great Pumpkin may grace you with presence and some gifts. While most of Charlie Brown's friends believe Linus to be hokey, Sally waits with Linus in the pumpkin patch. Certainly, this is a Hallowe'en staple that my whole family watches every year and you will, too! It's a shame that this is the only animated program they air during Hallowe'en primetime.
  
  
• Raggedy Ann and Andy and The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile (1979) - Lost the shadows of time, I believe this animated special should be included still in Hallowe'en tv programming. Who can forget Raggedy Ann and Andy? I love this holiday animated feature! Raggedy Ann and Andy bring together a child and a abandoned pumpkin on Hallowe'en night.  Don't fear Aunt Agatha, she may surprise you. if you can find a copy of it, watch it this Hallowe'en.
  
  
• South Park: Halloween Specials (1997 - 2006) - If you are one for adult humor, you will find South Park's Halloween Specials to satisfy your need for ghoulish comedy. "Pinkeye (1997)," "Spookyfish (1998)," "Korn's Groovy Ghost Pirate Mystery (1999)," and "Hell On Earth (2006)" are awesome episodes that take Stan, Cartman, Kyle, Kenny, and the town of South Park through some strange, creepy adventures. Of course, it's great to watch after the trick-or-treaters turn in for the night and the grown-ups begin their Hallowe'en parties. Reminisce with early South Park and laugh your way through Hallowe'en.

• King of the Hill: "Hilloween" S2E4 (1996) - One of the funniest Hallowe'en animated episodes. Hank wants Bobby, his son, to experience the same fantastic Hallowe'en extravagance as he once did. So Hank, Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer build a haunted house at the middle school. Things go haywire when Junie Harper, an overly opinionated church member, tries to rid of Hallowe'en -- telling the youngsters and teens that it's a Satanist holiday. Hank Hill has none of this! Fun to watch with friends during you Hallowe'en festivities.

• The Halloween Tree (1993) - Based off of Ray Bradbury's novel The Halloween Tree, Cartoon Network this animated special in the early 90s. Bradbury even narrates the story! Four children, Tom, Jenny, Ralph, and Wally, wait for their dear friend Pipkin to complete their Hallowe'en Night, yet he never shows. They think he may be pulling a prank on him so they go to the edge of town to continue their tricks and treats. On their way, they notice that Pip's house is bare and dark. An omniscient ambulance waits curiously in the shadows. The four friends take a shortcut to the hospital, after the ambulance recedes into the night. Will Pip be alright to enjoy this Hallowe'en? Great for all ages, though it may seem scary to the very little ones. The made-for-TV movie follows the traditions and history of Hallowe'en.

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949) - When Disney came out with their animated version if Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, they really did a superb job scaring the life out of me! Bing Crosby voices Ichabod Crane. Irving's ghost story is an American Classic and it's become a favorite in my Hallowe'en collection. The story has all the elements of greatness: romance, rivalry, and supernatural occurences -- Disney really recaptures such eerieness with a family-friendly rendition.

• The Simpsons: Tree House of Horror (1990 - 2010) - Of course, there is Tree House of Horror, which I absolutely love and enjoy. There are so many episodes, it is hard to recount each Simpson moment, but I try to rewatch all of them come this time of year. They used to sell a Tree House of Horror compliation, but I suppose it was hard to keep up with the Simpsons series since its an ongoing program. Although I wasn't allowed to view The Simpsons as a child, I am glad I went ahead and discovered them in high school (I know, it's weird).

• Witch's Night Out (1978) - One of the rarest animated Hallowe'en specials to grab a copy that is not an extremely expensive VHS! To my knowledge, they have not released it to DVD yet. Though it aired on NBC, it was created in Canada. Tender and Small, two children who want to go to the Hallowe'en party at an abandoned mansion, encounter a witch who turns them into a werewolf and ghost. She even transforms their babysitter, Bazooey, into a Frankenstein monster! However, an angry mob appears when they uncover the monsters in the town. This movie encourages that we embrace the true spirit of Hallowe'en -- having fun. For the kids and the kids-at-heart, you will enjoy this unique cartoon.