10 kooky and spooky animated Halloween specials from the 1970s

These colorful and funky specials could only come from the 1970s!

Images: The Everett Collection

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown remains the gold standard of animated Halloween specials. That 1966 production has aired annually for more than half a century.

But it is hardly alone when it comes to trick-or-treating animated treats.

The 1970s churned out dozens of Halloween specials, both live-action and animated. Here are some forgotten and overlooked cartoon television specials from the era.

1. Festival of Family Classics: Jack O' Lantern

1972

Thanks to perennial favorites Rudolph and Frosty, Rankin/Bass Productions is best known for its Christmas specials. But the animation studio loved Halloween, too, dating back to its stop-motion feature film Mad Monster Party? in 1967. Rankin/Bass launched a television series called Festival of Family Classics in 1972-73, retelling classic fairy tales and celebrating holidays. This toon managed to tie  Halloween into St. Pat's Day, as it explained that talking jack o' lanterns (with Irish accents) were born from leprechauns hibernating as pumpkin seeds during the winter.

Image: NBCUniversal Television Distribution

2. Mad Mad Mad Monsters

1972

This Rankin/Bass animated television movie had it all: Frankenstein, Dracula, a werewolf, a mummy, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. They all got together for the wedding of Baron Henry von Frankenstein and his fiancée. But things don't go as planned, as his assistant Igor wants to steal the bride-to-be.

Image: Rankin/Bass Productions

3. The Scooby-Doo Show: "The Headless Horseman of Halloween"

1976

Really, all of Scooby-Doo could be considered Halloween fare, what with all the monsters and creepy costumes. But this episode in particular of The Scooby-Doo Show sticks out in our mind, when Shag and Scoob encounter the headless horseman at a Halloween party. Of course — spoiler alert — the "headless horseman" is merely a disgruntled relative looking for a diamond necklace. And he would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those meddling kids!

Image: Hanna-Barbera / Warner Bros.

4. The Fat Albert Halloween Special

1977

Hey, hey, hey! This was one of three prime-time specials spun-off from the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids cartoon series (the others celebrating Easter and Christmas). 

Image: The Everett Collection

5. Halloween Is Grinch Night

1977

Eleven years after the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! stole America's hearts, this Dr. Seuss sequel hit ABC. It's a wonder it took so long, as the Grinch seems tailor-made for Halloween. The story explains that Whoville has a Grinch Night when the "Sour-Sweet Wind" blows. It would go on to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program.

Image: DePatie–Freleng Enterprises

6. Bugs Bunny's Howl-oween Special

1977

The Looney Tunes all-stars gathered together for a series of classic shorts, including "A-Haunting We Will Go," "Broom-Stick Bunny" and "Hyde and Hare."

Image: The Everett Collection

7. Witch's Night Out

1978

Two of the original members of Saturday Night Live, Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner, lent their voices to this animated special. The story centers around two kids who recruit a witch to help them find the scariest Halloween costumes around. But chaos ensues when the witch (Radner) loses her wand. The vibrant, monochrome characters remind us of Inside Out or a pack of Spree candy in your trick-or-treat bag.

8. Casper's Halloween Special

1979

With its laugh track and groovy human fashions, this was typical of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons of the era. Casper refuses to join Hairy Scarey, Winifred Witch and Screech Ghost in scaring children. Instead, the Friendly Ghost disguised himself a boy to give trick-or-treating a try.

Image: The Everett Collection

9. Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile

1979

That title is more of a mouthful than three fun-sized Snickers. Produced by Looney Tunes master Chuck Jones, this special was a follow-up to 1978's Raggedy Ann and Andy in the Great Santa Claus Caper, which brought the stuffed dolls to renewed popularity half a century after their debut.

Image: The Everett Collection

10. The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone

1980

After winning a game show, Fred and Wilma head to Rocksylvania, where — surprise, surprise — they encounter classic monsters with punny names. The voice cast was impressive. Ted Cassidy, best known as Lurch from The Addams Family, gleefully grunted as Frankenstone, in one of his final roles. He had died in early 1979. Though it aired in 1980, we included this overlooked Halloween gem for that reason.

Image: The Everett Collection

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33 Comments

Michael 17 months ago
Some of the regular PBS animated shows have specials. There was a Curious George Christmas special some years back. This year I see a Halloween Arthur and obe for Curious George.

I"'ve not noticed a Molly of Denalli Halloween special.


But they aren't in prime time, so don't get the same attention.
Michael 17 months ago
No Heathcliff Halloween? No Garfield special?
Pacificsun Michael 17 months ago


LOCATION:
https://www.metv.com/stories/which-decade-had-the-best-halloween-candy

LOCATION:
Answers for Quiz (STOP if you want to play)
https://www.ultimatequizquestions.com/back-to-the-future-quiz/

jerseygurl68 17 months ago
I am so upset that Comcast Xfinity removed METV from its list of showings!!!!! How can I steam MeTv?
Michael jerseygurl68 17 months ago
Get toilet paper and use it on their headquarters. Eggs worktoo, and it's Halloween

That will really steam them.
OldTVfanatic 17 months ago
Even as a kid in the early 80, late 70s, I knew Witch’s Night Out looked extremely bizarre.
bagandwallyfan52 17 months ago
https://youtu.be/5Ol1K5NXLYI
Alfalfa from The Little Rascals singing Let Me Call You Sweetheart
With Darla Hood playing the piano.
Barry22 17 months ago
I thought Fat Albert had a Halloween special much earlier, like the late 60's or early 70's, before the CBS Saturday morning show.
Pacificsun Barry22 17 months ago


LOCATION:
https://www.metv.com/stories/which-decade-had-the-best-halloween-candy

LOCATION: For Trivia Quiz (Stop if you're going to play first)
https://www.ultimatequizquestions.com/back-to-the-future-quiz/
MrsPhilHarris 17 months ago
Don’t recall any of these.
Michael MrsPhilHarris 17 months ago
Age is a factor. By the time these aired, I'd lost interest in Halloween (it was before it became an adult thing) and probably cartoons to a certain extent
KJExpress 17 months ago
Hmmmm....somehow I missed these. All I really remember watching for Halloween was the Charlie Brown special. "I got a rock."
texasluva 17 months ago
I must have missed the boat. Only seen The Scooby-Doo Show: "The Headless Horseman of Halloween" and Halloween Is Grinch Night 🎃. This goes back 4 years ago. I see some of you below.
Moody texasluva 17 months ago
Same here, I've only seen the Scooby Doo one.
Pacificsun texasluva 17 months ago


LOCATION:
https://www.metv.com/stories/which-decade-had-the-best-halloween-candy

LOCATION: Trivia Quiz answers (STOP if your gonna play first)
https://www.ultimatequizquestions.com/back-to-the-future-quiz/
texasluva Pacificsun 17 months ago
Thanks for the invite. I've just returned from the hospital on a scheduled procedure. I will not be able to attend tonight. I am fine so no worries. I will check it out soon though.
idkwut2use 53 months ago
I LOVE Halloween Is Grinch Night. Like the Casper, Bugs, Scooby, & Rankin/Bass ones. Think I've seen most (thanks, Holiday Special Podcast!)
jamesreyes65549 65 months ago
The only ones I've seen are Casper, The Grinch, Bugs Bunny, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and best of all Fat Albert. They're all memorable for me during my childhood years.
RobCertSDSCascap 66 months ago
#7- Gilda is so NUDE!


LOCATION:
https://www.metv.com/stories/which-decade-had-the-best-halloween-candy

LOCATION: the URL for Quiz Answers (STOP if you want to play).
https://www.ultimatequizquestions.com/back-to-the-future-quiz/

SheriHeffner 66 months ago
I don't remember watching any of these specials.
daDoctah 66 months ago
"Halloween is Grinch Night" had Hans Conried replacing Boris Karloff as the voices of the Grinch and the narrator.
CraftyScribbles 66 months ago
Witches' Night Out is kooky and well worth a watch, if you get a chance.
Barry22 66 months ago
I really don't remember any of these, but I'm surprised they don't show The Grinch one. And Didn't Fat Albert have a Halloween special even before the cartoon series started?
MrsPhilHarris 66 months ago
I don't remember any of them but I would watch The Grinchy one and The Flintstones.
Pacificsun 66 months ago
Looking to celebrate more Classic TV Halloween fun? Then please visit us at the Fan Club Cafe and join the "Best Classic TV Show Halloween Episode CONTEST!" There are nearly 40 nominations (Sitcom & Drama). A Disqus Channel, all family friendly. Please click on this link:

https://disqus.com/home/discussion/channel-finbot/contest_best_halloween_classic_tv_show_episode/

Dawn 66 months ago
The bugs bunny one, always makes me laugh.
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