Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy. It’s a season of energy, mystery, and sonic storytelling. The best Halloween music can transform a quiet night into a cinematic moment, a flicker of nostalgia, a rush of adrenaline, or that goosebump-raising tension right before something jumps from the shadows.
Every October, streaming platforms flood with playlists meant to capture that spirit, but most recycle the same handful of hits. We did the digging, the scrolling, and the late-night listening to build a definitive guide to the best Halloween music on streaming platforms in 2025.
From Spotify’s viral “Spooky Bops” lists to Apple Music’s dark-themed mixes and YouTube’s longform horror soundtracks, this is where the season’s energy truly lives. If Halloween has a heartbeat, it’s in these tracks.
Setting the Tone: Best Halloween Music in 2025
Halloween music has evolved from novelty sound effects and “Monster Mash” remixes into a full-on cultural ecosystem. Artists now release singles and even EPs around October to ride the wave of streaming energy.
Spotify reports a surge of over 1.4 billion Halloween-related streams in the last two weeks of October 2024, while Apple Music curated over 500 official playlists tied to horror themes. TikTok trends, film soundtracks, and festival sets all feed the beast — creating a seasonal soundtrack that touches every genre imaginable.
Electronic producers bring cinematic drops, hip-hop artists twist eerie samples, pop stars embrace the darkness, and rock legends keep their haunted anthems alive. This list pulls from all corners, creating a mix of timeless Halloween classics and modern favorites built for streaming.
The Timeless Halloween Music Staples
Some songs will forever define the holiday. They survive every algorithm update and playlist shuffle because they feel like Halloween itself.
Here is a list of the best halloween music over the years:
Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
No list starts anywhere else. The Vincent Price monologue, the choreography, the cinematic production — it’s the gold standard for spooky pop. On Spotify’s Halloween Party playlist, it remains the most-streamed song every October, decades after release.
Ray Parker Jr. – “Ghostbusters”
Nostalgia meets funk. It’s playful, catchy, and immediately recognizable. Apple Music has it headlining their “Retro Halloween” mix for a reason — it still sparks smiles on dance floors.
AC/DC – “Highway to Hell”
Not directly tied to Halloween, yet its energy fits the night. Loud guitars, rebellious attitude, and that sing-along chorus make it a staple for anyone who likes their scares with a dose of rock ’n’ roll.
Rockwell – “Somebody’s Watching Me”
That eerie paranoia, the haunting synths, and a chorus sung by Michael Jackson again. It’s the perfect crossover between 80s pop and horror-movie atmosphere.
These tracks dominate playlists every year on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited. They’re essential entries in the Halloween canon, songs that carry the season’s DNA.
The New-Age Halloween Wave
Streaming platforms have unlocked a new generation of artists who craft modern Halloween anthems. The production’s sharper, the bass heavier, and the vibes darker.
Billie Eilish – “bury a friend”
Billie’s whisper-pop delivery and unsettling sound design feel like walking through a haunted dreamscape. This track is a must-add for any Apple Music Halloween playlist.
Travis Scott – “FE!N” (feat. Playboi Carti)
It’s not a traditional Halloween track, but its distorted bass and chaotic energy make it ideal for the night. The song dominated TikTok horror edits in 2024, finding a permanent place in “Dark Trap” playlists.
Doja Cat – “Demons”
A cinematic, experimental cut that shows how far pop can lean into horror imagery. The visuals and production make it an instant classic for 2025’s streaming crowd.
The Weeknd – “In the Night” / “After Hours”
Both songs drip with noir energy and late-night danger. The Weeknd’s catalog might not scream Halloween on the surface, but the atmosphere fits perfectly into modern haunted-club playlists.
Spotify’s “Nightmare Vibes” and YouTube Music’s “Modern Halloween Mix” showcase how far Halloween music has expanded. The mood is no longer limited to ghosts and ghouls, it’s about embracing the dark aesthetic that defines October culture.
The Underground and Experimental Scene
Respect My Region always digs deeper. Beneath the polished charts, there’s a growing underground of producers and indie artists creating Halloween-ready sounds that hit harder than the mainstream. These are the sleepers worth adding to your next streaming session.
Zeds Dead – “Lights Out”
A moody electronic banger that turns any house party into a haunted rave. Heavy basslines, cinematic drops, and eerie vocal cuts make it a go-to for late nights.
Rezz – “Edge”
Industrial, dark, and hypnotic. Rezz has carved an entire aesthetic around spooky cyber-energy, perfect for anyone looking for a futuristic Halloween setlist.
Gesaffelstein – “Pursuit”
Menacing and cinematic. This track sounds like a horror film chase scene built entirely from synths.
Skrillex & Noisia – “Supersonic”
Not labeled Halloween, yet the sound design feels alien and sinister. Perfect for anyone who prefers energy over gimmicks.
YouTube Music and SoundCloud’s underground communities keep these tracks alive every season. They hit the Halloween sweet spot: dark, driving, and impossible to ignore.
The Hip-Hop Connection: From the Streets to the Spirit World
Hip-hop and Halloween share DNA — storytelling, tension, swagger, and transformation. The genre’s connection to Halloween isn’t about costumes but character shifts and sonic masks.
Tyler, The Creator – “Yonkers”
Dark, eerie, and unsettling in the best way. Tyler’s early production embodied the kind of energy that fits Halloween night perfectly.
21 Savage – “Immortal”
Released for the “Mortal Kombat 11” soundtrack, this one’s dripping with menace. It belongs on every “Halloween Trap” playlist on Spotify.
Kanye West – “Black Skinhead”
Tribal drums, growling vocals, and cinematic aggression. It brings Halloween energy without the theatrics.
Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour Llif3”
Emotionally haunted and futuristic. It’s a streaming-era classic that sits at the crossroads of sadness and darkness — the perfect emotional blend for October.
Hip-hop Halloween playlists are some of the most-played on Apple Music and Spotify during the final week of October.
The mix of confidence, chaos, and cinematic beats makes them ideal for late-night drives or parties that go till sunrise.
The Best Halloween Music Soundtracks That Define the Season
No Halloween playlist is complete without paying homage to the soundtracks that shaped the genre. These compositions set the tone for generations of horror lovers.
John Carpenter – “Halloween Theme (1978)”
The synth pattern that changed cinema. Minimal, cold, and unforgettable.
Mike Oldfield – “Tubular Bells (Exorcist Theme)”
A masterpiece that bridges classical composition with horror tension. Every note feels like a warning.
Goblin – “Suspiria”
Italian horror meets psychedelic rock. Goblin’s score is legendary among soundtrack collectors.
Charlie Clouser – “Hello Zepp” from Saw
Intense and intelligent, just like the film. It’s become one of the most streamed horror instrumentals every Halloween season.
These pieces dominate YouTube’s “Horror Soundtrack Compilations” and even appear in Spotify’s curated “Halloween Scores” playlists. They remind us that sometimes the scariest music has no lyrics at all.
Pop Culture Crossovers and Halloween Remixes
Modern Halloween playlists thrive on crossover hits and creative remixes. DJs, producers, and creators constantly re-edit iconic tracks to give them a darker edge.
Steve Aoki x Michael Jackson – “Thriller (Aoki Remix)”
A respectful rework that keeps the spirit alive while introducing heavy festival bass.
Lana Del Rey – “Season of the Witch”
A haunting cover that oozes style. It became a staple on Apple Music’s cinematic Halloween playlists.
Post Malone – “Take What You Want” (feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott)
It bridges rock, rap, and classic darkness. Ozzy’s vocals make it an anthem for spooky season.
Lady Gaga – “Bloody Mary”
Revived by Netflix’s Wednesday series, this track exploded on TikTok and re-entered Halloween playlists everywhere. Spotify reports it as one of the top five most-streamed Halloween songs of 2024.
Streaming culture thrives on nostalgia reimagined. These remixes and crossovers keep Halloween playlists fresh every year.
Global Halloween Sounds
Halloween isn’t limited to the U.S. Streaming platforms have turned it into a global music moment. From Latin trap to K-pop to Afro-house, the season’s influence stretches far beyond horror films.
Rosalía – “Di Mi Nombre”
Flamenco fire meets dark energy. Perfect for moody October nights.
Bad Bunny – “Yo Perreo Sola”
The beat alone transforms any Halloween party into a supernatural reggaeton set.
BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”
A global streaming phenomenon that channels confidence and cinematic flair. It’s dramatic, theatrical, and perfect for Halloween playlists worldwide.
Burna Boy – “Last Last”
Its emotional weight and vibe fit perfectly among the season’s darker tones.
Global Halloween playlists on Apple Music and Spotify show how this holiday became an international sound. Horror transcends language — rhythm and emotion do the work.
How to Build the Perfect Halloween Playlist
Every streaming platform approaches curation differently, but the best playlists share a few core ingredients. To build a setlist that holds up across Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music:
- Start with Atmosphere
Use instrumentals and cinematic tracks to create tension before introducing full songs. - Blend Eras
Pair 70s rock with 2020s trap to keep listeners engaged. “Highway to Hell” into “FE!N” works better than you think. - Add Surprise Moments
Drop an unexpected throwback like “Ghostbusters” in between dark trap or techno cuts. It keeps energy alive. - Close Strong
End with a slower or cinematic track to give listeners that movie-credit feeling.
Spotify’s algorithm rewards playlists that keep users listening longer, and Halloween mixes benefit most from dynamic contrast — highs, lows, tension, and release.
Streaming Platform Highlights
Spotify
Spotify dominates Halloween streaming thanks to its curated playlists like “Spooky Bops,” “Haunted Hits,” and “Fright Night Faves.” Its algorithm surfaces seasonal tracks starting in early October, making discovery easy. Premium users get immersive cross-fades and spatial-audio updates, perfect for parties or car rides.
Apple Music
Apple’s curation leans cinematic. Playlists like “Haunted House Party” and “Halloween Soundtracks” combine chart-toppers with deep cuts. Apple’s Dolby Atmos mixes give classic tracks new depth — “Thriller” and “Tubular Bells” sound reborn in 2025.
YouTube Music
YouTube thrives on visuals. Halloween playlists there include live performances, lyric videos, and fan-made remixes that never make it to other platforms. Perfect for background ambience at events or live streams.
Amazon Music & Tidal
Amazon leans into family-friendly classics, while Tidal caters to audiophiles with high-resolution versions of iconic Halloween albums. Each platform has a niche, and knowing where to listen shapes the experience.
Why Halloween Music Matters
Halloween soundtracks aren’t background noise; they’re a cultural mirror. The season celebrates creativity, escapism, and shared emotion. These playlists reflect our fascination with the dark and our joy in confronting it together. Streaming made it accessible, now anyone can score their own horror movie night, solo drive, or house party in seconds.
Music defines the energy of October. It moves from nostalgia to innovation, from the scream to the silence right before it. It’s ritualistic, and for millions of people, it’s tradition.
Respect My Region’s Halloween Playlist Picks (2025 Edition)
- Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
- Billie Eilish – “bury a friend”
- The Weeknd – “In the Night”
- Rezz – “Edge”
- Post Malone feat. Ozzy Osbourne – “Take What You Want”
- Doja Cat – “Demons”
- AC/DC – “Highway to Hell”
- Tyler, The Creator – “Yonkers”
- Goblin – “Suspiria”
- Lana Del Rey – “Season of the Witch”
- BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”
- 21 Savage – “Immortal”
- John Carpenter – “Halloween Theme”
- Steve Aoki x Michael Jackson – “Thriller Remix”
- Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour Llif3”
Each track plays a role. Some bring nostalgia, some set the mood, and others push Halloween into the future.
Stream them all to feel the season’s pulse in real time.
It’s the tension of a horror movie soundtrack, the rebellion of trap, the attitude of rock, and the atmosphere of electronic production all blending into one shared moment. Every October, new generations rediscover the feeling, and every stream keeps the spirit alive.
Halloween is about energy, emotion, and escape. These songs, from “Thriller” to “Demons” to “Suspiria”, remind us that sound is one of the most powerful ways to feel something real.
Turn the lights low, open your favorite platform, and press play.
The night is waiting.
