Halloween season means a whole host of horrifyingly fun gatherings, all of which need a mood-setting soundtrack of best Halloween songs to really lean into the vibe. As you ready your costumes for this year's festivities, you need a great stockpile of hits to make the atmosphere as haunting as possible.
In short: no Halloween party or hangout is complete without a steady stream of scary tunes playing in the background. If you're looking for the best Halloween songs to embrace a spooky mood, look no further. We've gathered up 101 of the most iconic songs, ranging from classics like "Monster Mash" and "Ghostbusters" to modern hits like Billie Eilish's "bury a friend" or Beyoncé's "Haunted." Are you a thudding beats, haunted house kind of Halloween auteur? A campy Halloween hitmaster? Someone who just really likes ghoulish ghost noises? Whatever your poison, we have a song for you.
And in case you’re looking to take your Halloween playlist to a new level, consider dressing up as the musician behind your favorite Halloween song this year. Maybe this is finally the year you go all in on that Taylor Swift costume?
Read on to discover the best Halloween songs — and feel free to subscribe to our Spotify playlist with all of the picks (that include many from your fave Halloween movies). Let's jump in, starting off with a classic.
1. “Vampire,” by Olivia Rodrigo
The name might be the spookiest part of this song, but it’ll be a nice slow-down on your playlist of Halloween music hits and perfect for anybody rocking an Olivia Rodrigo costume.
2. “Look What You Made Me Do,” by Taylor Swift
There’s a lot of reading between the lines (as with most Taylor bops), but for when you’ve got a room full of dancing people dressed up as villains and you’re looking for something edgy… well, this will do.
3. “You’re the Devil in Disguise,” by Elvis Presley
This throwback is all about someone appearing as someone they aren’t. What’s more Halloween than that?
4. “Dracula’s Wedding,” by Outkast, Kelis
Vampires can get a little shy too — and that’s exactly what this song tackles. It’s cute, it’s endearing, and it’s going to get stuck in your head.
5. “Transylvania Twist,” by Bobby "Boris" Pickett, The Crypt-Kickers
This song is especially effective when sandwiched between two more modern songs, you know, as a little surprise. It’s delightful, and the beat makes it easy to dance to.
6. “Purgatory,” by Kim Petras
This might just be the ultimate background song for any Halloween party. There aren’t many lyrics (none, really), but the beat starts out creepy before dropping into a heavy bass dance track.
7. “Bad Guy,” by Billie Eilish
While not technically about Halloween, the song lyrics are vibey and we dare you to try and not dance.
8. “Control,” by Halsey
This one deals with inner demons and while those may be a year-round thing, why not give them a special spotlight on Halloween? Plus, the vibe is extra spooky.
9. “Knives,” by Kim Petras
The sound of knives being sharpened kicks this song off — and that’s all we need to say about this one.
10. “Every Day Is Halloween,” by Ministry
The title is justification enough for being on this list, but the pop-punk style will be a welcomed wild card on your playlist.
11. “Alice,” by Lady Gaga
“Alice” is lightly themed around Alice in Wonderland and we are incredibly into Gaga’s look in the music video. Next year’s Halloween costume?
12. “Paint It, Black,” by The Rolling Stones
This song should be on everyone’s Halloween playlist for a few reasons: 1) everyone can sing along, 2) it’s easy to dance to, and 3) your parents will be impressed that you know it.
13. “No Body, No Crime,” by Taylor Swift, HAIM
Things get dark in this dream team-up between Taylor Swift and HAIM — a group of friends look to avenge their friend’s murder after they believe her husband committed the crime. It’s a horror story worthy of space on a Halloween playlist.
14. "The Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden
Set the tone of your party with a strong starter song. This may be a throwback, but it’s powerful.
15. “Can’t Be Tamed,” by Miley Cyrus
Miley plays the role of a caged bird in this angsty video, which would also make for a great costume, now that we think of it.
16. “Howl,” by Florence + the Machine
Beasts of the night will love this Halloween night anthem.
17. "Monster Mash," by Bobby Boris Pickett
The ultimate Halloween classic, enough said.
18. "Wolves," by Selena Gomez and Marshmello
A moody music video and haunting windy melody make “Wolves” a fun contemporary addition.
19. "I Put a Spell on You," by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Another classic, with a host of excellent covers to build out your playlist.
20. "Halloween Theme - Main Title," by John Carpenter
An iconic instrumental from an even more iconic film franchise, Halloween.
21. "Superstition," by Stevie Wonder
That funky melody combined with some thrill-inducing lyrics? Perfection.
22. "Ghostbusters," by Ray Parker Jr.
Who you gonna call? This song to set the Halloween party mood from the outset.
23. "Weird Science," by Oingo Boingo
A wacky Halloween option!
24. "The Addams Family Theme," by Vic Mizzy and His Orchestra and Chorus
They're creepy and they're kooky… This iconic song would pair perfectly with a Wednesday Addams costume.
25. "Monster," by Red Velvet's Irene and Seulgi
Irene and Seulgi of Red Velvet bring ideal Halloween energy to this hit about embracing your monstrous impulses.
26. "M.I.B. Main Theme," by Danny Elfman
Keep the nostalgic hits coming.
27. "Otherworldly Concerto," by Gaylord Carter
Crank this up to 100 for some haunted vibes.
28. "Grim, Grinning Ghosts,'" by The Melomen, Paul Frees, Betty Taylor, Bill Lee, and Thurl Ravenscroft
This is actually my favorite song.
29. "The Twilight Zone," by The Ventures
I'm still afraid of entering the Twilight Zone by accident, so this song triggers instant fear.
30. "This is Halloween," by The Citizens of Halloween
The Nightmare Before Christmas, a film so great it gets two holiday celebrations. Ever played this one on Just Dance?
31. "Somebody's Watching Me," by Rockwell
The '80s were really a golden era of Halloween songs.
32. "Werewolves of London," by Warren Zevon
Awooooooo!
33. "Dead Man's Party," by Oingo Boingo
Let's rock 'n roll through this Halloween party track.
34. "Season of the Witch," by Donovan
A jammy synth-heavy song to really set the mood.
35. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," by The Blue Öyster Cult
A lighthearted Halloween anthem about facing one's own mortality. Fun!
36. "The Munsters Theme," by Los Straitjackets
An iconic cackle kicks this one off.
37. "Harry Potter Prologue," by The London Fox Players
Imagine this on the bluetooth speaker at the Halloween bash.
38. "Hocus Pocus Soundtrack," by Dr Stiig
Hocus Pocus soundtrack is always a good idea.
39. "Be True to Your Ghoul," by The Ghouls
We love a Beach Boys parody.
40. "Get Ur Freak On," by Missy Elliott
Halloween is a time for letting your freak flag fly, and no song will send people rushing to the dance floor more than “Get Ur Freak On.”
41. "Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme," by Mark Snow
Put this one on repeat.
42. "Spooky Scary Skeletons," by Andrew Gold
The title says it all.
43. "Time Warp," by Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O'Brien (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Dance the night away to this Rocky Horror classic.
44. "The Purple People Eater," by Sheb Wooley
It had a one long horn, and one big eye…
45. "She Wolf," by Shakira
An important moment for pop culture.
46. "bury a friend," by Billie Eilish
Billie's vibe always fits well at a Halloween party.
46. "Haunted," by Beyoncé
High art for the Halloween party.
47. "Teeth," by Lady Gaga
Is anything scarier than Gaga asking you to show your teeth?
48. "Disturbia," by Rihanna
“Disturbia” will creep up inside of you and consume you.
49. "Howlin' for You," by the Black Keys
Good wolf imagery, very on brand for Halloween.
50. "wHo," by ZAYN
Fresh off the Ghostbusters remake soundtrack.
51. "Monster," by Lady Gaga
Lady Monster herself is queen of Halloween.
52. "Ghost," by Halsey
An existential ghost metaphor, perfect for October.
53. "Cannibal," by Kesha
You better run and put on this smash.
54. "Boris the Spider," by The Who
Nothing scarier than a spider.
55. "Heads Will Roll," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
If this song doesn't make you think of Glee, you're wrong.
56. "Toxic," by Britney Spears
In addition to inspiring a plethora of Halloween costumes, Britney's “Toxic” also screams best Halloween party of the year.
57. "Vampires," by The Midnight
Love this saxophone vampire energy.
58. "Uma Thurman," by Fall Out Boy
A pop-punk throwback.
59. "Pulp Fiction," by Motion City Soundtrack
Adding to the playlist ASAP.
60. "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," by Dead or Alive
Another oldies classic.
61. "Ghost Town," by Adam Lambert
Another good ghostly metaphor.
62. "Demons," by Hayley Kiyoko
Love this relatable energy.
63. "Halloween," by Phoebe Bridgers
The saddest song about Halloween ever written.
64. "Highway to Hell," by AC/DC
Self-explanatory addition.
65. "Dracula," by Bea Miller
“If you were Dracula, I'd be letting you take that bite…”
66. "The Monster," by Eminem and Rihanna
An intense duet.
67. "Sympathy for the Devil," by The Rolling Stones
No better song about the devil!
68. "Strange Brew," by Cream
The psychedelic Halloween vibes are in top form here.
69. "Zombie," by The Cranberries
A true classic.
70. "Psycho Killer," by Talking Heads
Come for the anxiety-induced Halloween anthem, stay for the bass line so good even Selena Gomez sampled it for “Bad Liar.”
71. "Witchy Woman," by The Eagles
A perfect title.
72. "Tusk," by Fleetwood Mac
The vibes here are particularly spooky.
73. "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)," by David Bowie
Add Bowie to the playlist ASAP.
74. "A Wolf at the Door," by Radiohead
This winding melody… chilling.
75. "Thriller," by Michael Jackson
What can be said about the Halloween power of “Thriller” that hasn't been said already?
76. "Dragula," by Rob Zombie
Surrealist horror for your existential crisis.
77. "Creep," by Radiohead
The creepiest Radiohead song of them all.
78. "Black Magic," by Little Mix
One of the best Little Mix songs.
79. "I Want Candy," by Bow Wow Wow
Me going trick-or-treating.
81. "Maneater," by Daryl Hall and John Oates
The original man-eating hit.
82. "A Nightmare on My Street," by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
So many layers to this song and music video.
83. "Maneater," by Nelly Furtado
The re-imagined classic in its own right.
84. "I'm in Love with a Monster," by Fifth Harmony
Straight from the Hotel Transylvania 2 soundtrack.
85. "Enter Sandman," by Metallica
Killer video.
86. "Heathens," by Twenty One Pilots
A fun one from the Suicide Squad soundtrack. (Harley Quinn costume encouraged.)
87. "Hungry Like the Wolf," by Duran Duran
The '80s were really obsessed with wolves. Wild.
88. "Ghost Town," by The Specials
Nothing more Halloween energy than a ghost town — and some ghoulish organ sounds.
89. "Demons," by Imagine Dragons
Demonic metaphors abound here.
90. "Hells Bells," by AC/DC
Another rock classic.
91. "Tales from the Crypt," by Danny Elfman
Instrumental spookiness is the vibe.
92. "Remains of the Day," by Danny Elfman
Instrumental spookiness is the vibe, part 2.
93. "Double Trouble," by John Williams
Instrumental spookiness is the vibe, part 3.
94. "Get Ghost," by Mark Ronson, Passion Pit, and A$AP Ferg
Another Ghostbusters riff, we love to see it.
95. "Dracula's Wedding," by OutKast and Kelis
This is pure haunted poetry.
96. "Feed My Frankenstein," by Alice Cooper
Glam Halloween indeed.
97. "Pet Sematary," by Ramones
Lots to unpack here.
98. "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," by The Cramps
Move over, Teen Wolf.
99. "Bad Moon Rising," by Creedence Clearwater Revival
A ubiquitous classic that hits even harder on Halloween.
100. "Love Potion No. 9," by The Clovers
Good witch energy.
101. "Hellevator," by Stray Kids
“Hellevator” is one of Stray Kids' best, though much of their thrilling music would send people to the dance floor on Halloween.
Listen to the Best Halloween Songs on Spotify
Check out all these Halloween songs on Spotify. Press play and turn up the October vibes! While you're there, make sure to subscribe to Teen Vogue on Spotify—we've got a playlist for every mood, from prom hits to breakup songs. Happy listening!
