By Evan Crowther
Turn the lights out and gear up for spooky season! This is our collection of some of the most iconic horror movie tracks. From nostalgic favorites to spine-tingling soundtracks, this playlist is the perfect way to set the tone for pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating.
- I Put a Spell On You (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins) – Hocus Pocus
“Hello Salem!” Bette Midler’s witchy delivery made this rock and roll track a Halloween classic.
- Tubular Bells – The Exorcist
Mike Oldfield released this track on his debut album, but it became a horror movie icon when it served as the opening theme for 1973’s The Exorcist.
- This Is Halloween – The Nightmare Before Christmas
Would any Halloween playlist be complete without the opening number from Tim Burton’s stop motion classic?
- Tiptoe Through the Tulips (Tiny Tim) – Insidious
Tiny Tim’s unique high-pitched voice and ukulele became the soundtrack for one of the most prolific horror film franchises in 2011.
- Halloween Theme – Main Title – Halloween
The main musical theme from John Carpenter’s seminal slasher is the horror movie soundtrack.
- Red Right Hand (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) – Scream
In addition to Wes Craven’s Scream franchise, Nick Cave’s Southern gothic tune appears in Hellboy and Peaky Blinders.
- The Addams Family (Vic Mizzy) – The Addams Family
Don’t forget to *snap, snap* along to the theme for everyone’s favorite spooky family.
- Main Title (John Williams) – Jaws
As Jack Black says in The Holiday, “Two notes and you have a villain.” John Williams’ panic-inducing score terrified an entire generation of moviegoers.