(Season 1, Episode 1, 1993)
The premiere episode of Tales from the Cryptkeeper, “While the Cat’s Away,” remains one of the show’s most memorable and deliciously spooky tales. Airing in 1993, it set the tone for the entire animated spin on HBO’s cult horror classic — eerie, ironic, and just scary enough for younger audiences.
The story follows two greedy teenage burglars who decide to rob a creepy old mansion — only to discover it’s filled with supernatural surprises they definitely didn’t plan for. Guided by the ghoulishly charming Cryptkeeper, the episode delivers a classic moral twist: those who steal from the dead might just end up joining them.
With its gothic art style, witty narration, and a moral wrapped in mischief, “While the Cat’s Away” stands as the series’ perfect introduction — equal parts fright and fun.
