Playlists & MusicNo. 8181 · The 2026 edition
54 Best Halloween Songs to Add to Your Costume Party Playlist
Spook up your soirée with the ultimate soundtrack.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at rd.com.
Curated list of 54 essential Halloween songs to set the mood at your costume party, from creepy classics to danceable hits.
About this
Reader's Digest rounds up 54 songs for a Halloween playlist, mixing classics like "Thriller" and "Monster Mash" with film themes, creepy pop and rock, and tracks that simply fit the holiday's mood. Each entry includes a short note on why the song belongs at a costume party and a link to listen on Spotify. The piece also explains that songs need not be written for Oct. 31 to work.
The list
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01
"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
Catchy track with paranoid lyrics; Rockwell's biggest hit, still a Halloween staple.
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02
"Stranger Things" by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
Creepy Netflix series theme; adds ambiance and 1980s nostalgia.
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03
"Theme from Child's Play" by Bear McCreary
Haunting, menacing horror movie theme that builds like a scary scene.
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04
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads
Ominous title; used in the film My Friend Dahmer.
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05
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
Iconic must-have; Vincent Price narration and monster-filled music video.
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06
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
Fun, silly movie theme that always brings a smile.
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07
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon 1978
Came from a joke with Phil Everly; top 40 hit.
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08
"Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte
On the Beetlejuice soundtrack; commands everyone to dance.
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09
"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett 1962
Classic graveyard smash with The Crypt-Kickers and its dance.
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10
"Halloween" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Really about missing carefree childhood, but still Halloween-worthy.
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11
"Breathe Me" by Sia
Delicate vocals and haunting melody; used in Six Feet Under finale.
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12
"A Rush of Blood to the Head" by Coldplay
Chris Martin sings of unexpected behavior; fits the holiday's spirit.
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13
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult
Used in the original Halloween film; allegedly inspired Stephen King's The Stand.
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14
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police
Upbeat, magical tune; used in the 2005 film Bewitched.
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15
"I Put a Spell on You" by Nina Simone
Moody, iconic; Bette Midler performed it in Hocus Pocus.
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16
"Magic" by The Cars 1984
Music video showed Ric Ocasek appearing to walk on water.
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17
"Pet Sematary" by The Ramones
Written for the film based on Stephen King's novel; King is a fan.
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18
"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969
Warns of trouble on the way; screams scary stuff ahead.
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19
"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley 1958
More silly than scary; the creature just wants to be a rock star.
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20
"Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones
Taps humanity's dark side; used in Interview with the Vampire.
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21
"Day-O (Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte
From the Beetlejuice dinner party possession scene.
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22
"Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Heard in the first three Scream films; rerecorded for Scream 3.
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23
"Zombie" by The Cranberries
Intense sound; memorializes young victims of the 1993 Warrington bombings.
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24
"The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash
Apocalyptic Judgment Day tale; opens the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake.
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25
"Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead" by Ella Fitzgerald
With Billy May & His Orchestra; tells the Wicked Witch's story.
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26
"Happy Phantom" by Tori Amos
Whimsical take on the afterlife being light and free.
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27
"People Are Strange" by The Doors
A cover appeared in the 1980s vampire film The Lost Boys.
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28
"Demons" by Imagine Dragons
About inner demons and evil spirits tied to Halloween.
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29
"Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)" by Concrete Blonde 1990
Horror-themed video; sounds made for marching vampires.
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30
"Hot Blooded" by Foreigner 1978
Fun throwback giving love to the living.
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31
"Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf 1968
Catchy and magical; an alternate version has a nearly unrecognizable first verse.
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32
"Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra
Sinatra croons about feeling bewitched by an adored love interest.
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33
"A Nightmare on My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Comical take on Freddy Krueger and the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.
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34
"Anthem" by Michael Abels
Haunting score from the thriller Us; instrumentals alone are skin-crawling.
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35
"This Is Halloween" by Danny Elfman and The Citizens of Halloween
Fan favorite from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.
More photos
Photos hosted by rd.com.
