Every Halloween party needs a spooky playlist to help get the guests out there on the dance floor. But as classic as the theme song from Ghostbusters and "The Monster Mash" are, sometimes a playlist needs something a little more theatrical to give the tunes a little extra oomph.
Horror isn't bound to just slasher films and monster movies, sometimes a goofy and gory musical can go a long way, as well as pack a punch in the soundtrack department. Whether it's to break the tension with a little bit of levity or simply perform horrific acts with a musical accompaniment, these numbers will get spines tingling and toes tapping.
10 Zydrate Anatomy (Repo: The Genetic Opera)
When the likes of Sarah Brightman, Anthony Head, and Joan Jett are featured in the cast, there's no doubt viewers are in for some seriously great tunes. But if there's one song this gory musical is known for, it's this one performed by The GraveRobber and his chorus of Zydrate junkies.
It might be circulating further thanks to the TikTok sound, but this catchy ditty about a glowing, addictive anesthetic drug will definitely make veins chill in more ways than one. But that might be partially due to Terrance Zdunich's extra creepy vocal performance.
9 The Landlord’s Daughter (The Wicker Man)
When one hears the words "horror-musical," The Wicker Man is probably not the one that comes to mind for most viewers. That being said, the film comes with an underappreciated folk soundtrack, and singing plays a huge role in many of the film's iconic scenes.
Although "Corn Rigs and Barley" might be the film's theme, "The Landlord's Daughter" is easily the most memorable tune in the production. The song serves two purposes in the plot, as it's a boisterous drinking song to break up the tension of a murder investigation, but it's also a warning about the seductive Willow, the island's resident man-eater. It's perfect for a spooky pub crawl.
8 Shock Treatment (Shock Treatment)
Shock Treatment is what would happen if Riff-Raff, Magenta, and Columbia all ditched Frank-N-Furter's castle in favor of careers in medicine. Billed as "Not a sequel, but an equal" to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the movie is a strange and unusual continuation of Brad and Janett's perilous adventures.
While it might not match the thrill of "The Time Warp" and a "Science-Fiction Double Feature" it is not, it's still got the creepy infectiousness only Richard O' Brien can provide. It's as snappy as a song about shock therapy can be, anyway
7 Overture (The Phantom Of The Opera)
While many theatre buffs might be quick to put down the theme song from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical down, the overture really does a better job at setting the mood. Going from that classic horror pipe organ to an all-out '80s guitar riff is definitely one way to get the party started.
With hits like Jesus Christ Superstar under his belt, Webber knows how to lay down a hit to rock out too, and this is no exception. The Phantom might be better at shredding on a six-string than on the organ.
6 Faust (Phantom Of The Paradise)
While this Brian de Palma cult classic takes more from Goethe's Faust than Phantom of the Opera, the bittersweet melody at the film's core sounds like what would happen if Elton John collaborated with John Denver, but with a dark twist.
But whether it's sung by Winslow or the insidious Swan, it's a haunting love song about giving the world and more for someone to love. Anyone worth the price of someone's immortal soul must be an absolute dynamite individual. So long as they don't get involved with a demonic music producer, they should be fine.
5 Alive! (Jekyll And Hyde)
Jekyll and Hyde is a fascinating and underrated musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous horror story, and it gives incredible detail and insight into Jekyll's evil alter ego. That concept is no better demonstrated than the number that accompanies the doctor's first transformation.
As Mr. Hyde, Jekyll loses all sense of conscience, judgment, and inhibition. His primal instincts are released and he's able to act on his more carnal and violent desires, and the song evokes that feeling of freedom and power. Sometimes, it's good to be bad.
4 Day-O/The Banana Boat Song (Beetlejuice)
It might make the list by a technicality but since the Tim Burton masterpiece got a stage adaptation in 2018, there's no way any spooky dinner party could be complete without this tropical tune. Originally performed by Harry Belafonte, but made famous by its use in Beetlejuice, it's a catchy bit that everyone will know.
In both the film and the stage adaptation, the song is what interrupts the Deetzes' dinner party with an impromptu song and dance number. While it's not a major plot point, it helps set the tone for the overall feel of the movie.
3 A Little Priest (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street)
In retrospect, Tim Burton really should direct more musicals, a factor that is clearly demonstrated by this Sondheim slasher. Like the director, the film has a habit of blending the gruesome with the goofy, and "A Little Priest" is a perfect example of the idea.
It's literally a song about turning various people of various vocations into meat pies, not exactly a subject that warrants a happy tune. But that's what makes it all the more delicious and dark.
2 The Time Warp (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
If there's one spooky song guaranteed to get people dancing, it's this jam from the iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Whether it's during restagings of the stageplay or midnight screenings of the movie, fans have been doing "The Time Warp" since the Transylvanians first landed.
It's just a jump to the left, a step to the right, and a great way to pump up the party. If guests have grown tired of "The Monster Mash," this musical number is truly a crowd-pleaser, especially if there's a healthy helping of theatre kids at the party.
1 This Is Halloween (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Most probably saw this one coming, but it's practically the anthem of the spooky season. Whether it's the Disney original or one of the various covers, no Halloween is complete without it. With so many verses that capture the fun and frightening nature of the holiday, it's hard not to hear at least one variation.
It's creepy, it's catchy, and it's practically played on repeat year after year. Whether listeners are familiar with the stop-motion classic or not, the signature song of Jack Skellington and his friends from Halloween Town has certainly become a holiday tradition.
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