by Vivian DiSalvo
Looking for some chilling songs to add to your Halloween playlist? We’ve got you covered – the best spooky songs might be hidden in your favorite movie soundtrack! These are all the perfect songs for your Halloween party, made from your favorite Halloween movie soundtracks!
“This is Halloween”
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) might just be one of the most iconic Halloween movies of all time, it’s in no way short of musical bangers! This song can spice up any Halloween playlist and put you in a spooky mood.
Hocus Pocus: “I Put a Spell on You”
Hocus Pocus (1993) is another Disney Halloween classic, and a Halloween playlist is simply incomplete without “I Put a Spell on You.” This song is perfect for a party atmosphere, but, if you’re looking for something creepier, you can always listen to the original by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins!
Halloweentown: “Halloweenown Theme”
If you’re looking for some background noise, Halloweentown (1998) has some excellent instrumental ambiance featured in its soundtrack. The “Halloweentown Theme” is excellent for immersing you in a whimsical world of magic!
Ghostbusters: “Ghostbusters”
Ghostbusters (1984) is known for its archetypally 80’s bop of the same name. It’s fun, and easy to sing along to, but still fits the Halloween theme.
Beetlejuice: “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”
Originally a Jamaican call-and-response song sung by dockworkers in the early 20th century, “Day-O” was popularized by Harry Belafonte in 1956. Belafonte described “Day-O” as a song that highlighted black struggle in a colonized world while doing the most back-breaking labor. Belafonte, however, took the song and gave it new life, saying in 2011: “I took that song and honed it into an anthem that the world loved.” [sic].
The song is well-known among modern audiences thanks to its infamous feature in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988).
Halloween: “Halloween Theme”
Would this be a Halloween playlist if I didn’t mention Halloween (1978)? The “Halloween Theme” is the pinnacle of Halloween and should be included on every Halloween party soundtrack.
Monster Mash: The Movie: “The Monster Mash”
This song is so ghoulishly spooky, that it was actually banned in the UK by the BBC! It was originally released as a single by Bobby “Boris” Pickett in 1962 and later inspired the film, Monster Mash: The Movie (1995). This song is frightening, fun, and funky in all the best ways!
Honorable Mentions:
“Goosebumps Original Theme Song” and “The Twilight Zone Main Theme”
The Goosebumps movies as well as The Twilight Zone have some pretty iconic instrumental themes as well – perfect for creating a chilling party atmosphere!
“The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing”
BeetleJuice The Musical might not be a movie, but it definitely has a perfect soundtrack for spooky season. “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” would fit in quite well on a Halloween playlist. With eerie production, spine-chilling lyrics, and Alex Brightman’s fantastic vocals, this song is excellent!
“Girls Talk Boys”
The 2016 Ghostbusters movie has some non-traditional Halloween songs that can spice up your playlist! Five Seconds of Summer’s “Girls Talk Boys” might not be the spookiest song, but it sure is a catchy one.
There are a plethora of spooky songs out there for Halloween playlists, but looking through a movie soundtrack might be the best place to start! From eerie instrumentals to catchy bangers, Halloween movie soundtracks offer a little bit of everything. Be sure to let us know what songs are featured on your Halloween playlist!
Cover photo by David Menidrey