Halloween is around the corner, which calls for dressing up, trick-or-treating and costume parties — lots and lots of costume parties.
If you’re like me and struggle to find the right music to play at your spooky soiree, look no further. Here’s the perfect Halloween playlist, full 17 of the best Halloween songs that will have your guests absolutely bewitched:
- “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
- “Calling All The Monsters” by China Anne McClain
- “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift
- “bad guy” by Billie Eilish
- “bury a friend” by Billie Eilish
- “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
- “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Bach
- “Stranger Things” Theme by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
- “I’m Gonna Put A Spell On You” by Scooby Doo’s The Hex Girls
- “Ghostbusters” theme by Ray Parker Jr.
- “This Is Halloween” by The Citizens of Halloween
- “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots
- “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
- “Goosebumps Theme Song”
- “I Got 5 On It” (Tethered Mix) by Michael Abels and Luniz ft. Michael Marshall
- “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim
The perfect Halloween playlist
“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
This is a quintessential Halloween song — love it or hate it, it’s a cult classic.
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson
Every year, my family and I watch the “Thriller” music video on Halloween, because, duh. This song makes anyone and everyone want to get up and do the iconic dance moves from the video, whether you’re good at them or not!
“Calling All The Monsters” by China Anne McClain
Before you come at me for putting a Disney Channel song on this playlist, hear me out. This song is the perfect pop-y dance song with spooky vibes — what more could you want? If you are looking for a “mature” version, McClain did come out with a newer, modernized version of the song in 2021 that gives off less “Disney energy.” (Though I strongly prefer the original!)
“Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift
Though T-Swizzle didn’t come out with this song as a designated Halloween bop, that’s exactly what it turned into. The eerie lyrics and catchy beat turns this into a must-have for any Halloween get together.
“bad guy” by Billie Eilish
If you’re looking for a fun song that’s not too scary, this is the one for you.
“bury a friend” by Billie Eilish
Two Billie Eilish songs in a row? While “bad guy” is pretty upbeat and catchy, with a tinge of creepiness, “bury a friend” is straight up bone-chilling. (If you’re brave enough, listen to this song in the dark for maximum spookiness.)
“The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Feeling theatrical? This classic song is perfect for Halloween, with its haunting organ and sinister context.
“Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Bach
Any Halloween party needs Dracula’s theme song. Period.
“Stranger Things” Theme by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
Whether you watch the Netflix show or not, this song is the epitome of spooky.
“I’m Gonna Put A Spell On You” by Scooby Doo’s The Hex Girls
Scooby Doo was a huge part of my childhood, so obviously this song had to make the list.
“Ghostbusters” theme by Ray Parker Jr.
An iconic song from an iconic Halloween movie.
“This Is Halloween” by The Citizens of Halloween
Yet another song from a great movie! The question is, do you consider “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Halloween or Christmas movie? (Spoiler: it’s a Halloween movie.)
“Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots
The hair-rising lyrics and memorable beats combine for a terrifying tune — the perfect touch to your Halloween playlist.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
This well-known ’80s song will get people of all ages up on their feet.
“Goosebumps Theme Song”
I’m a sucker for nostalgia, so the “Goosebumps” theme song fits in this list perfectly. Not to mention it really is frightening!
“I Got 5 On It” (Tethered Mix) by Michael Abels and Luniz ft. Michael Marshall
Now a popular TikTok sound, this song from the horror movie “Us” will send chills down your spine.
“Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim
This song from horror movie “Insidious” will haunt your dreams forever. It’s that scary. (If you’re looking for a more pumped up, less creepy version, I like the “Official Trap Remix” of it on YouTube.)