Music from the Movies

Planning a big Halloween party or smaller soiree? A movie theme is guaranteed some great costumes and iconic songs. I've compiled a playlist of the most popular music from your favourite Halloween classics, perfect to complement your night. Grab some friends, popcorn and some face paints and prepare yourselves for the spookiest night of the year.

"I Put A Spell On You" from the movie Hocus Pocus and performed by the amazing Bette Midler in the movie is always guaranteed to have people singing along. Originally sung by Nina Simone, The Sanderson Sisters want to make sure everyone has a glorious time at a Salem Halloween bash ensuring that everyone wants to dance the whole night away when they literally put a spell (see what they did there?) on the whole town.

From the 90's slasher movies Scream 1 and 2, and also the opening theme of Peaky Blinders, "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave and the Bad seeds has dark undertones giving off a skin-crawlingly creepy vibe from the first note as we are welcomed into Woodsboro, a town from which the ultimate final girl hails! Sidney Prescott has survived attacks from loved ones and psychopaths over the course of 4 movies so far, making the franchise the ultimate movie marathon on Halloween night.

The Citizens of Halloween Town are third on our list performing "This Is Halloween" from the 1993 movie Nightmare Before Christmas. The movie is about Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, who tires of his life and whilst searching for more meaning stumbles upon Christmas Town and tries to make the festive season a lot more spooky. Plenty of costume and music inspiration for your movie party!

"Living Dead Girl" by Rob Zombie from 1998's comedy horror movie Bride of Chucky. The story of Tiffany, a woman determined to free her psychopathic boyfriend from the doll that his soul possesses, until she is also trapped within a dolls body and together go on a murderous spree trying to possess a young couple and steal their bodies. Comedy, gore and the late John Ritter make this a must watch on Halloween evening with friends.

Do I believe that Labyrinth belongs on a list about Halloween songs and movies? No, but that's because I have watched this movie at least 3 times a year since I was a child. However my six year old daughter made the very good argument that the movie is filled with goblins and magical creatures. It also has one of the greatest original songs ever featured in a movie (I will die on this hill) with "Magic Dance" performed and written by David Bowie. Absolutely guaranteed to get people singing along if you pop this on your Halloween movie playlist.

Probably the most recognisable theme tune on Planet Earth and on all movie themed playlists every created, "Who you gonna call?" It's the 80's megahit song by Ray Parker Jr "Ghostbusters" created for the megahit movie..."Ghostbusters". Every Halloween party is most likely to have Ghostbuster and this song will give them their chance to shine on the karaoke.

The next song is not so obviously spooky, sang with a cheery tune "Mr Sandman" by The Chordettes at first doesn't seem like it would belong on a Halloween playlist, but not only was it featured in the movie Halloween II, a film where a child who was committed to an insane asylum for the murder of most of his family escapes years later and massacres everyone in his way of his true target, his sister Laurie. It also refers to the creepy mythical man who would enter children's rooms, throw sand in their eyes and render them unconscious.

Last on our list is "Jeepers Creepers" the movie was named after the song first released in 1938 and earned an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Song". The movie spawned 2 sequels, with a reboot on the way. If you hear the lyrics "Jeepers Creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?" you better run and hide as the demon Creeper might be hot on your tail. A delightfully morbid song perfect for your Halloween movie playlist.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have found some fun and spooky inspiration for your Halloween bash. I have popped all the songs on a handy playlist for you below. Have a happy spooky season!