Every year when Halloween grows near, it’s always a lot of fun binging the spookiest TV series one can find. That being said, it can be hard finding something that matches the eerie atmosphere of the season that isn’t too scary, gory, or mature for the youngsters. Because of that, here’s a list of some of the best spooky shows appropriate for younger audiences.

Courage the Cowardly Dog

Courage the Cowardly Dog is an animated series that aired on Cartoon Network. It follows the adventures of a dog who’s afraid of everything as he protects his family’s farm from monsters, aliens, and all kinds of creepy paranormal creatures. It’s a fantastic blend of spooky, funny, and heartfelt that many who grew up with it are nostalgic for.

Scooby-Doo

There are a LOT of Scooby-Doo TV shows and movies out there. Take your pick. Mystery Inc. and their iconic talking dog Scooby-Doo solve all kinds of creepy mysteries revolving around ghosts and monsters who usually end up being bad guys in masks trying to scare folks. The franchise has existed since the 60s and is still going strong, so there’s no shortage of Scooby-Doo content to pick from. For a classic feel, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is the perfect Scooy experience, but more modern takes like Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated are just as excellent.

Danny Phantom

Danny Phantom is a cartoon that aired on Nickelodeon about a 14 year-old who gains ghost powers and becomes a superhero. He uses his newfound abilities to defeat evil ghosts who escape the Ghost Zone to wreak havoc on our world. It’s far from the scariest show, but it’s perfect for any superhero fan who wants to watch something spookier to prepare for Halloween.

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Another classic Nicktoon, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters showcases the lives of three young monsters, Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm, who attend Monster Academy so they can learn to be the scariest monsters they can be. Of course, hilarious shenanigans always get in their way while they’re trying their best to be scary. This has a somewhat similar concept to Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University, but hit TV screens years earlier. 

Over the Garden Wall

Over the Garden Wall was a mini-series that aired on Cartoon Network and starred big names like Elijah Wood, Christopher Lloyd, and John Cleese. Two young brothers travel through a mysterious forest to find their way home. Along the way, they encounter a slew of bizarre and fantastical characters and occurrences. It’s only ten short episodes, making it an easy watch. This one has such strong autumn vibes throughout that it’s become a staple of the season for a lot of fans.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Are You Afraid of the Dark? is essentially The Twilight Zone for kids. Made by Nickelodeon, a group of kids who call themselves the Midnight Society meet around a campfire to tell spooky ghost stories. Each episode is a different story they tell to each other. It’s a young-horror anthology series, meaning that episodes don’t really need to be watched in any order, but they’re all quite entertaining. Even the theme song intro is surprisingly scary.

Goosebumps

Goosebumps is an anthology series based on the classic horror-comedy novels by R.L. Stine. The books were geared toward teens and so is the show. Each episode adapts a different book in the series with all of them being quite spooky. From the terrifying ventriloquist dummy named Slappy to the Haunted Mask taking control of a young girl, there are a number of monsters and creatures that are quite nightmarish and shockingly memorable.

The Real Ghostbusters

Most folks have seen the movie Ghostbusters. The Real Ghostbusters is exactly that, but as an animated series. This show has Venkman, Spangler, Stantz, and Zeddemore going on zany missions to take down some of the wackiest ghosts around. It’s a solid series for anyone who loves the Ghostbusters film franchise.

The Haunted Hathaways

For sitcom fans looking for an eerie time, look no further than The Haunted Hathaways. A family moves into a new house that happens to be haunted by a family of ghosts. The two families live together and bond over time. It’s mostly a hilarious family comedy, but spookier. It’s like The Brady Bunch, but with ghosts.

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy aired on Cartoon Network during the 2000s. Two children trick the Grim Reaper into being their best friend for life. Now, Grim reluctantly takes them on all kinds of otherworldly adventures. Of course, he softens up over time as he gradually bonds with them. Together, Grim, Billy, and Mandy face off against demons, giant spiders, an invisible farting duck, and much more. It’s the perfect dark comedy that’s safe for young viewers. 

The Addams Family

There are several versions of The Addams Family, and each of them offer something great and unique. The 1964 TV series is nothing short of iconic. The fan-favorite family is just creepy and kooky as ever in this old-school comedy for audiences of all ages. As the theme song points out, they really are a scream. Check out the original Addams Family TV series, based on the classic comic strip, for big laughs and a spine-tingling time.

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