5 Iconic Ghost Cartoon Characters From the 70s Until Now
- YT
- Nov 13
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Table of Content
Introduction
It’s funny how certain ghosts stick with us. Not the ones from actual haunted houses — the ones from TV. The ghost cartoon characters we met as kids, or teens, or whatever stage we were stumbling through.
They shaped us quietly. They taught us things we didn’t notice at the time. And now Kisah Bawah Tanah joins that lineage, stepping into the world of supernatural storytelling with something far more cultural than your usual cartoon with ghost formula.
Let’s walk the timeline a bit and see how each era’s spirits left their mark.
1970s – 1980s: Casper the Friendly Ghost
Studio: Hanna-Barbera / Harvey Films
Country of Origin: United States
Casper was probably the softest of all ghost cartoon characters. He wasn’t scary. If anything, he felt like the ghost kid who showed up at school with snacks and just wanted a friend.
He changed the tone for what a kid cartoon about ghosts could be — gentle, emotional, even warm.
Synopsis
Casper follows a lonely ghost who wants friendships more than frights. Every episode circles around him proving he’s harmless while helping people who assume otherwise.
1990s: The Real Ghostbusters
Studio: DIC Entertainment
Country of Origin: United States
Then the 90s arrived and said, “Enough softness.” The ghost cartoon characters from this era were loud, chaotic, and honestly pretty gross sometimes — but in that fun, weird way only 90s animation could pull off.
It gave kids a very different kind of cartoon with ghost energy. More slime. More action. More “don’t run from the weird thing, deal with it.”
Synopsis
Based on the film series, the show follows the Ghostbusters team as they chase down spirits across New York City. Expect action, comedy, and some of the most iconic ghost designs in TV history.
2000s: Danny Phantom
Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Country of Origin: United States
This was the turning point. Danny Phantom wasn’t just another spectral hero — he was a teenager stuck between being human and ghost. One of the most relatable ghost cartoon characters ever made.
It hit teens especially hard because Danny’s struggles mirrored real life: identity, belonging, pressure, and figuring out who you’re supposed to be.
The show even scored multiple Annie Award nominations, which tells you the industry noticed.
Synopsis
Teenager Danny Fenton becomes half-ghost after a lab accident and suddenly has to save his town from supernatural threats. He learns to balance school, relationships, and hero life — all while figuring out his powers.
2010s: Adventure Time (Ghost Episodes)
Studio: Cartoon Network Studios
Country of Origin: United States
Adventure Time wasn’t a traditional cartoon about ghost stories, but it treated spirits with surprising emotional weight. Some ghosts represented regret. Some represented memory. Some were just… confusing, honestly, but in the best way.
It expanded what ghost cartoon characters could symbolise, especially in a kid cartoon that wasn’t afraid to get weird or introspective.
Synopsis
Ghosts appear throughout different episodes, usually connected to past trauma, old wars, or the strange emotional landscape of Ooo. Finn and Jake deal with them in ways that blend humor and oddly deep symbolism.
2020s: Kisah Bawah Tanah
Studio: Animasia Studio
Country of Origin: Malaysia
By the 2020s, something interesting happened.Animation wasn't just inventing ghosts — it started returning to folklore. Real stories. Real superstitions. The kind of tales people whisper when the power goes out.
That’s where Kisah Bawah Tanah fits in.
It’s produced by Animasia Studio, one of Malaysia’s award-winning and internationally recognised studios. So right away, it enters the global arena with credentials — not excuses.
And the ghosts here? Not random monsters.These ghost cartoon characters come from Malaysian urban legends — stories that existed long before TV ever touched them.
Most modern shows create lore.This one inherits it.
It also rides the wave of Southeast Asia’s growing animation presence. Countries in the region are finally getting global eyes on their work, and Kisah Bawah Tanah feels right on time.
Synopsis
Tales Down Below follows Zack and Sam, two undead teens who stumble through the afterlife as the most chaotic ghost cartoon characters in the town of Down Below. Their day job? Surviving The Mart — a magical convenience store run by Tok Mart, a cheapskate zombie boss with suspiciously flexible labour standards.
Inside The Mart sits an interdimensional portal that drags the pair into ridiculous errands, strange creatures, and folklore-fueled disasters they’re definitely underpaid for. Between bizarre dimensions, new enemies, and their own questionable choices, Zack and Sam try to climb from lowly workers to “successful adults”… whatever that even means when you’re already dead.
Why Ghost Cartoon Characters Stay With Us
Ghosts in animation aren’t really about the dead.They’re about us.
They represent the things we avoid thinking about — fear, memories, identity, belonging. And every generation gets a new set of ghost cartoon characters to help them navigate those feelings.
That’s why these stories last.That’s why they hit harder than expected.
Where Kisah Bawah Tanah Fits in All This
Kisah Bawah Tanah doesn’t pretend to be Western. It doesn’t try to be “global” by watering itself down. It shows that a cartoon with ghost themes can be deeply Malaysian and still compete with giants like Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network.
It gives today’s kids something we didn’t get: a kid cartoon that reflects our own legends — not borrowed ones.
Conclusion
From Casper to Danny Phantom to the strange spirits of Adventure Time, ghost cartoon characters shaped how we understand fear, courage, and the unknown.
Now Kisah Bawah Tanah enters that legacy with confidence, cultural depth, and a voice that finally feels like home.
Maybe that’s the real magic of any cartoon about ghost stories:they don’t just haunt us. They help us figure ourselves out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a ghost cartoon character memorable?
Usually it’s a mix of personality and timing. A ghost lands with audiences when it reflects something the generation cares about — innocence, rebellion, identity, or even cultural heritage.
Are cartoons with ghosts suitable for kids?
Most of them, yeah. Shows like Casper or The Real Ghostbusters are classic options if you want a ghost cartoon for kidsthat stays light and fun. Others get a bit deeper, so age ratings matter.
Why do so many cultures turn their folklore into animated ghosts?
Because animation softens the fear. It lets creators explore myths, regrets, and the afterlife without overwhelming younger viewers. And honestly, some ghosts are easier to understand in 2D than in real life.
Is there a Malaysian cartoon with ghosts?
Yep — Kisah Bawah Tanah. It blends urban legends with modern storytelling, turning familiar spirits into characters you can actually relate to instead of just fear.
Which ghost cartoons shaped the biggest generations?
Casper shaped the ’50s. Slimer defined the ’80s. Beetlejuice ruled the ’90s. Danny Phantom owned the 2000s. And Malaysia’s Kisah Bawah Tanah is carving out its own space in the 2020s.
Popular ghost cartoon shows for kids on streaming services
Titles like Casper, Danny Phantom, The Real Ghostbusters, Scooby-Doo ghost arcs, and some Adventure Time episodes are often found on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or YouTube Kids depending on region.
Which companies produce ghost cartoon content for streaming?
Studios like Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and Malaysia’s Animasia Studio all produce ghost-themed animated content.
Best platforms to watch ghost cartoon series online
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube Kids regularly host ghost-themed cartoons, though availability shifts based on region and licensing.
