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Top Picks for Halloween Cartoons on DVD

Spooky Fun for Fans and Newbies

By , About.com Guide

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Holidays, even Halloween, are accompanied by traditions. Airing cartoon specials is a yearly TV tradition. These DVD picks feature Halloween episodes from my favorite animated TV shows. Watch these Halloween cartoons at parties or give them as spooky gifts.

1. 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie BrownPricegrabber.com
I don't care how old you are, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is the best Halloween cartoon you will ever see. It remains a classic after decades of viewing. Many consider it to be the quintessential kick-off to Halloween. Poor Charlie Brown learns the ins and outs of being spooked on Halloween, all while Linus is waiting for the Great Pumpkin to appear.
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2. 'The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror'

The Simpsons - Treehouse of Horror DVDPricegrabber.com
The "Treehouse of Horror" episodes of The Simpsons are some of my all-time favorite Halloween specials. This DVD includes "Treehouse of Horror V," "Treehouse of Horror VI," "Treehouse of Horror VII" and "Treehouse of Horror XII." There's also a featurette with goofy aliens Kang and Kodos. My favorite vignettes from these episodes are "The Shinning," "Nightmare Cafeteria" and "Wiz Kids" (because I love Harry Potter).
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3. 'The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad'

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. ToadPricegrabber.com
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow cartoon that is included on this DVD is a Disney classic. Bing Crosby narrates this funny and spooky story featuring the hilariously scrawny Ichabod and his plump horse. The Headless Horseman is fairly scary, though, so take care watching it with youngsters. The other cartoon included on this DVD is Wind in the Willows. Definitely worth the buying price.
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4. 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Halloween

SpongeBob SquarePants HalloweenPricegrabber.com
SpongeBob SquarePants is not just for kids. Spongebob and Patrick scare up a lot of laughs in this hour-long DVD of Halloween episodes of Spongebob Squarepants. The DVD includes "Scaredy Pants," "Imitation Krabs," "Frankendoodle," "I Was a Teenage Gary" and "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost." Most of these spoof Halloween movies, or at least their villains.
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5. Cartoon Network: Halloween Vol. 3 - "Sweet Sweet Fear"

Cartoon Network: Halloween Vol. 3 - Sweet Sweet FearPricegrabber.com
This is the third installment of Cartoon Network's Halloween DVDs, and they finally got it right. Previous DVDs included cartoon episodes that were not related to Halloween, but just a bit spooky. All of the Halloween cartoons on this DVD hit the mark and are safe to watch with the kids. My favorites include Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episode "Bloooo" and Johnny Bravo episode "Going Batty."
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6. 'South Park' - Ghouls, Ghosts and Underpants Gnomes

South Park - Ghouls, Ghosts and Underpants Gnomes Pricegrabber.com
These episodes show the strength of South Park humor, which is parodies of pop culture. In one Halloween episode, the band Korn comes to South Park, and ends up helping the boys defend themselves against the fifth graders and some ghosts. Of course, the whole episode is a hilarious take on Scooby Doo. The set also includes two of my favorite South Park episodes of all time: "Underpants Gnomes" and "Trapper Keeper." Scary!
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7. "Pink Eye" on 'South Park'

South Park - The Complete First SeasonPricegrabber.com
The first Halloween episode on South Park has Kenny dying (of course) and then turning into the undead thanks to some Worcestershire sauce. It's fun to see the boys dress up and brag about their costumes. This episode is part of South Park - The Complete First Season DVD.
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8. 'Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Season One'

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Season OneShout! Factory

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on Nickelodeon from 1994 to 2000 and returned in 2002 on the Nicktoons Network. In 2006, the show began airing on Nick Rewind. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in Outstanding Achievement in Animation. You'll meet Ickis, Oblina and Krumm, three young monsters at a creepy monster school. But when they’re not learning the best methods of frightening humans from their headmaster, The Gromble, the trio is facing off against a determined monster-hunter named Simon.

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9. 'Casper, the Friendly Ghost' Collection

Casper the Friendly Ghost CollectionShout! Factory

Casper, the Friendly Ghost was only ever met with screams, but just wanted someone to play with. he was created by Joseph Oriolo, who also revived Felix the Cat for TV. However, Paramount Pictures only paid him $175 for the inital pilot, then went on to make millions from the cartoon. Even with bad blood in his background, Casper is a safe choice to play for little ones at Halloween. The 3-disc DVD set will include all 81 cartoons created between 1945-1963, as well as extensive bonus features.

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