Beyond the candy and costumes, the perfect Halloween atmosphere is set by a killer soundtrack and even better visuals. A truly great Halloween music video can turn your party into a cinematic experience or simply give you the perfect spooky season thrill. From ghoulish dance numbers to genuinely terrifying short films, the art of the spooky music video is a genre all its own.
To save you the search, we've curated the definitive list of the best Halloween music videos ever made. Our ranking is based on cultural impact, thematic relevance, visual storytelling, and sheer re-watchability every October. Get ready to press play on the ultimate Halloween haunt.
Part 1. Your Ultimate Countdown of Spooky Halloween Music Videos
Here are the top 10 music videos that belong on every Halloween playlist.
10. The Weeknd - "Too Late" (2020)
Kicking off our list is a modern masterpiece of body horror. Part of The Weeknd's cinematic After Hours saga, "Too Late" feels like a slasher film condensed into five minutes. The video follows two plastic-surgery-obsessed women who discover the artist's severed head and take it on a disturbing joyride. With its slick, neon-drenched visuals and genuinely unsettling premise, this video proves that the spirit of horror is alive and well in modern music.
Did You Know? The video is part of a larger narrative that runs through multiple music videos from the album, heavily inspired by films like Joker and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll" (2009)
This indie classic proves that horror can be stylish. The video features the band performing in an underground club when a werewolf suddenly appears and starts a massacre. But instead of blood and gore, every attack results in an explosion of red glitter. It's a brilliant, artistic take on a classic monster trope, turning a werewolf attack into a violent, must-see dance party.
Did You Know? The Halloween themed-music video was directed by Richard Ayoade, who is also known for his acting role as Moss in the British sitcom The IT Crowd.
8. Rob Zombie - "Dragula" (1998)
No one embodies the spirit of B-movie horror quite like Rob Zombie, and "Dragula" is his anthem. The music video for Halloween is a gritty, high-energy mashup of Zombie and his ghoulish band performing inside a demonic-looking hot rod, intercut with clips from classic horror films. Driving the iconic Munster Koach from The Munsters, Zombie created a video that serves as the ultimate tribute to vintage horror culture, and it remains a heavy-hitting staple for any Halloween party.
Did You Know? The song's title, "Dragula," is a direct reference to the dragster of the same name built by Grandpa Munster in the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.
7. Backstreet Boys - "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (1997)
As a spiritual successor to "Thriller," this video is a spectacular tribute to classic movie monsters. After their tour bus breaks down, the boys spend a night in a haunted mansion where they transform into Dracula, a werewolf, a mummy, the Phantom of the Opera, and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. The incredible costumes, gothic set design, and unforgettable synchronized dance sequence make this one of the most iconic videos of the 90s and a perfect pick for any list of top Halloween videos.
Did You Know? The group's American record label didn't think the song was a good fit for the US market, so the band had to personally fund a large portion of the video's expensive production.
6. Marilyn Manson - "The Beautiful People" (1996)
While it doesn't feature ghosts or goblins, the music video for "The Beautiful People" is pure nightmare fuel. Directed by Floria Sigismondi, its unsettling visuals, jerky movements, and medical-themed prosthetics create an atmosphere of deep unease. Manson's imposing, almost inhuman presence makes this video a masterclass in industrial gothic horror that can still send shivers down your spine decades later.
Did You Know? The video's distinct visual style was heavily influenced by 1930s German Expressionist films, known for their distorted and nightmarish aesthetics.
5. This Is Halloween Song Video (1993)
As the opening anthem for Tim Burton's stop-motion masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas, this song is essentially the official anthem for the holiday itself. Performed by the ghoulish residents of Halloween Town, the song is a bombastic, spooky, and incredibly catchy introduction to their world of delightful frights. The visuals are a masterclass in gothic design, with every frame packed with creepy creativity. It has rightfully become a modern classic and an essential part of any Halloween celebration.
Did You Know? Composer Danny Elfman wrote all the songs for The Nightmare Before Christmas, including this one, based solely on Tim Burton's original poem and character sketches before a full screenplay was even written.
4. Rockwell - "Somebody's Watching Me" (1984)
This video is the ultimate anthem for Halloween paranoia. It perfectly captures the feeling of being watched, following a terrified Rockwell through a haunted house filled with zombies, floating heads, and creepy crawlies at every turn. It's a fun, campy tribute to classic haunted house tropes that remains one of the most beloved hits of the 80s.
Did You Know? The iconic, soaring chorus was sung by Michael Jackson, who was a childhood friend of Rockwell. His uncredited vocals helped make the song a massive international hit.
3. Ray Parker Jr. - "Ghostbusters" (1984)
Who you gonna call for the perfect Halloween party song? The "Ghostbusters" theme is an absolute essential. The music video, directed by Ivan Reitman who also directed the film, is a blast of 80s fun. It features Ray Parker Jr. exploring a haunted house, intercut with iconic scenes from the movie and a parade of celebrity cameos all shouting the famous catchphrase. It's pure, infectious fun and guaranteed to get everyone singing along.
Did You Know? The video features cameos from over a dozen stars who were famous at the time, including Chevy Chase, John Candy, and Danny DeVito.
2. Michael Jackson - "Thriller" (1983)
Was there ever any doubt? Nearly 40 years after its release, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is not just the best Halloween music video—it is a global cultural phenomenon. Directed by John Landis, this 14-minute short film changed music videos forever. With its feature-film-level production, groundbreaking special effects, legendary Vincent Price narration, and a zombie dance that is still imitated today, "Thriller" is the undisputed king. It's more than a video; it's a tradition.
Did You Know? In 2009, "Thriller" became the first-ever music video to be inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress's National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
1. Monster Mash – Bobby Pickett (1962)
"Monster Mash" is a classic Halloween music video that instantly gets you in the festive spirit. The catchy grooves and lively animation draw you in, making it hard to look away. As the story unfolds, you can't help but feel the urge to dance along with the characters, especially when they gather around the cauldron. It's the perfect video to get you moving and ready for a fun-filled Halloween season.
Did You Know? Despite its campy nature, the song was initially banned by the BBC in the UK upon its release in 1962 for being "too morbid."
Part 2. How to Watch Scary Halloween Song Videos Offline
Music videos for Halloween are a great way to get into the holiday spirit, offering a chance to dance and celebrate the season. Many of the best ones are inspired by classic horror films, but they provide the full story in a condensed format—often just a few minutes long—so you don't need to commit to a full-length movie.
A key challenge with many of these digital videos is that they are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). This can limit where and how you can play the files. To watch these videos freely on any device or to create a backup for offline viewing, you'll need to remove the DRM protection using third-party software.
One such tool is the DRmare M4V Converter. It can strip DRM from iTunes movies, TV shows, music videos, and podcasts, and quickly convert the original M4V format to MP4 while preserving the original quality, metadata, and ID3 tags. After that, you can watch your favorite Halloween song videos anywhere offline. For more information, you can download a free trial.
Part 3. In Conclusion
This Halloween, make your celebrations truly memorable with the ultimate playlist of iconic and spooky music videos. From the fun-filled party anthems of "Ghostbusters" to the cinematic masterpiece of "Thriller," these Halloween music videos will bring excitement and visual thrills to every moment of your festivities. Get ready to dance, sing, and spook your way through a Halloween you'll never forget!
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