The spookiest night of the year will creep up before you know it and to avoid the jump scare of your Halloween party checklist stacking up ahead of October 31, it's never too early to start planning. After deciding whether you want to wear matching costumes with your besties or DIY your own using your sick makeup skills, you have to line up the treats, movies, and decorations for your night of frightful festivities.
Ofc, no party is complete without a sick playlist stacked with all the hottest songs of 2023 and the best Halloween songs. After all, tunes set the vibe for the entire night. If you're unsure where to start with compiling the right mix, we've curated the *perfect* playlist ahead with tracks from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to Kim Petras' spooky szn-inspired album, Turn Off The Light. Ahead, find the ultimate Halloween party playlist to blast during your festivities on All Hallow's Eve.
"Haunted (Taylor's Version)" by Taylor Swift
Thankfully, Tay releasesd her version ahead of spooky szn.
"Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo
Everyone say thank you to O-Rod for dropping this on-theme banger riiight in time for Halloween.
"Still Alive" by Demi Lovato
Demi sang this track for the soundtrack of Scream 6, the latest installment of the iconic horror franchise.
"All My Ghosts" by Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy's track "Ceilings" went viral on TikTok, and this song from her album Five Seconds Flat is just as amazing.
"There Will Be Blood" by Kim Petras
Kim Petras actually has an entire album dedicated to the spooky holiday, so you can definitely add every song to your party playlist.
"One That Got Away" by MUNA
MUNA is back with another banger, and the music video is a wicked good time.
"Run" by Maisie Peters
Maisie Peters' sophomore album, The Good Witch, is full of great tracks, and her latest single "Run" is an upbeat bop about the jumpscare of a relationship that moves too quickly. Name something spookier, we'll wait.
"Breakfast" by Dove Cameron
I mean... what other reason do you need to listen to this song than the ~iconic~ lyric "I eat boys like you for breakfast"?
"Let's Kill Tonight" by Panic! at the Disco
This upbeat 2011 hit from Panic! at the Disco will be sure to get the whole room dancing.
"No Body No Crime" by Taylor Swift feat. Haim
Taylor's Evermore track with the Haim sisters is perfect for spooky szn.
"fmk" by GAYLE feat. Blackbear
The "abcdefu" singer teamed up with Blackbear for "fmk," which stands for the one party game we all know and love.
"Dead" by Madison Beer
While this is a tongue-in-cheek track about an on-again, off-again relationship, it's a bop that definitely fits the Halloween vibe.
"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" by Andrew Bird feat. Phoebe Bridgers
Andrew Bird and Phoebe Bridgers joined forces to create a haunting musical reimagination Emily Dickinson's poem, "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain." Once you hear their harmonies over the soft guitar strumming, you'll feel chills crawl up your spine.
"Glory and Gore" by Lorde
Lorde's debut album, Pure Heroine, was written when she was a teen and this song from it is equal parts haunting and catchy as hell.
"Dead Right Now" by Lil Nas X
This deep cut from Lil Nas X's debut album is great when the party is winding down a lil bit.
"Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras
Sam Smith's latest track with Kim Petras made waves on TikTok before it was officially released because it's just that good.
"Bad Bad Place" by HYRA
Nobody wants to be in a bad place for Halloween, but this song will almost make you want to be.
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
Hands down, this is the ultimate Halloween song. And zero judgment if you want to listen to it any time of year.
"A Nightmare on My Street" by DJ Jazzy & The Fresh Prince
Who knew that '80s hip-hop, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween would go together so well?
"Spooky Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold
This children's song from 1996 has wormed its way into the hearts of TikTokers for the past couple of Halloweens.
"She Wolf" by Shakira
Calling all werewolves — this dance song is dedicated to you furry folks.
"Monsters" by All Time Low feat. Demi Lovato and blackbear
Zombies, vampires, and monsters — oh my! This catchy song comes with a super fun animated music video. Watch party, anyone?
"Haunted" by Beyoncé
Bey slays this scary-good track that's accompanied by an equally as eerie music vid.
"Monster" by Kanye West feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver
I think we can all agree that queen Nicki Minaj's verse kills the most on this horror-themed rap track.
"E.T." by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West
Take a walk on the supernatural side with this 2010s throwback from Katy Perry and Kanye West.
"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow
Consider this your Trick-or-Treating theme song.
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
This song is supposed to be a love song, but tbh lyrics like "Every step you take, I'll be watching you," make it super creepy.
"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
A dash of paranoia with over three minutes of spooky-as-heck lyrics makes this a must-play.
"Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush
Thanks to that intense and terrifying scene in Stranger Things, Kate Bush's 80s hit has had a huge revival in 2022.
"Monster" by Lady Gaga
Any song that mentions a monster, a ghost, or magic, is totally on theme with Halloween.
"Supernatural" by Kesha
Who said you can't fall in love during Halloween?
"Season of the Witch" by Lana Del Rey
Remade for the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark soundtrack, this version is haunting and perfect for this season.
"Willow (Dancing Witch Version)(Elvira Remix)" by Taylor Swift
Speaking of witches, Taylor Swift enlisted the help of spooky queen Elvira for the Dancing Witch Version of her evermore hit, "Willow."
"Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show
Remember, it's just a jump to the left.
"Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The men cried out, the girls cried out when this song came on.
"Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots
If all your friends are heathens, then take it slow.
"Maniac" by Conan Gray
This song reigned on TikTok for a reason. Plus, its music video takes place on Halloween night.
"I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead" by Nessa Barrett
The Seventeen cover star did what she had to do with this one (and her entire Pretty Poison EP, TBH).
"Psychofreak" by Camila Cabello feat. WILLOW
The turning effects, flashing lights, and haunting vocals from WILLOW are more than enough to get the party going.
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
Who you gonna call?
"Psycho" by Maisie Peters
While this song is upbeat and peppy, the campy music video is loosely inspired by Patrick Bateman in the movie American Psycho.
"This is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas
It's two holidays in one movie! What's not to love?
"Fetish" by Selena Gomez
The sultry pop-trap track has a music video that looks like it could be an A24 horror film.
"Sociopath" by Olivia O'Brien
The music video for this song is inspired by the slasher films that took over the '70s and '80s and features influencers like Claudia Sulewski, Anastasia Karanikolaou, and Sydney Carlson.
"Ways to Be Wicked" from Descendants 2
Once you hear Evie, Mal, Carlos, and Jay chant "W-I-C-K-E-D," you can't help but burst into song along with the crew.
"Girls Make Me Wanna Die" by The Aces
Of course, we had to include this track from our faves, The Aces.
"Bones" by The Killers
This music video takes place at a drive-in movie theater and has all the skeletons you could possibly need for a Halloween classic.
"Halloween" by Phoebe Bridgers
While this is a slower track, the song's title is literally "Halloween," so it's a must.
"Problem (The Monster Remix)" by Becky G feat. will.i.am
If you're a fan of Hotel Transylvania, then you'll love this one!
"Got My Scream On" by China Anne McClain
Watch China Anne McClain slay in an episode of A.N.T. Farm.
"Do You Believe in Magic" by Aly & AJ
This Aly & AJ hit song can get you in the Halloween spirit all year long.
"Disaster" by Conan Gray
There's just something about Conan Gray and Halloween that makes sense — he also refers to the holiday in these lyrics.
"BAMM" from Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
Realistically speaking, every song from the Z-O-M-B-I-E-S soundtrack should be on here.
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" from Descendants 2
We've all heard the Little Mermaid song, but this version brings things to a whole other spooky level.
"Rotten to the Core" from Descendants 2
If you're feeling a little mischievous, this is definitely worth a listen.
"Girls Talk Boys" by 5 Seconds of Summer
Rent was due when 5SOS dropped this track for the Ghostbusters soundtrack in 2016.
"I'm in Love With a Monster" by Fifth Harmony
The girls may be on hiatus, but this song will live on forever.
"Monster Mash" by The Tombstones
Whether your dance moves are good or bad, you have to jam out to this one.
"Disturbia" by Rihanna
Rihanna haunted our dreams when this song first came out.
"Shinigami Eyes" by Grimes
Inspired by the Shinigami from Death Note, this song will surely get you on your feet.
"Ghosts" by Michael Jackson
Not as iconic as Thriller, but still just as incredible!
"I Put a Spell on You" from Hocus Pocus
Like the Sanderson sisters from the most iconic Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, put everyone under your spell with this song.
"Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga
I mean, she's called Mother Monster for a reason. Tap into this haunting song for your next Halloween party.
"Phantom of the Opera" from Phantom of the Opera
Remember, the Phantom of the Opera is always there.
"Black Magic" by Little Mix
If you're a true #Mixer, then you probably know every word of this song.
"Calling All the Monsters" by China Anne McClain
And another one from Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm.
"The Addams Family" from The Addams Family
At this point, I think we can all agree the Addams family is the best family and this song is peak Halloween.
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" by The Backstreet Boys
If anyone tries to tell you that this is not a Halloween song, make sure to show them this iconic music video.
"Little Shop of Horrors" from Little Shop of Horrors
Fun fact: Ariana Grande is a big fan of this Broadway classic.
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't catching a concert or live-tweeting awards shows, you can likely find her judging DJ sets at parties.
Tamara Fuentes is the current Entertainment Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers TV, movies, books, celebrities, and more. She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she was the entertainment editor over at Seventeen. She is also a member of the Television Critics Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she's not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup.
