Halloween

Image of Bette Midler from the movie "Hocus Pocus," a movie full of Halloween songs
Disney
18 Spooky Disney Songs To Make The Ultimate Halloween Playlist

From The Nightmare Before Christmas to Hocus Pocus, these Disney movies offer up spooky tunes for a scary-fun Halloween night.

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What could possibly make Halloween more fun than buckets of candy, imaginative costumes, and late bedtimes? How about a scary good playlist filled with Disney’s greatest, spookiest hits? From modern classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus, to kid-favorite cartoons like Sofia the First and Vampirina, these productions are bursting with songs perfect for a holiday dance party. There’s a mix of thumping, raucous tunes and eerie ballads that’ll set the tone and create a haunting mood. And the songs here are perfectly ordered to just download and play. So whenever you decide to kick off the festivities — be it at the beginning of October or the day of trick-or-treating — a playlist of Disney Halloween music is an easy way to get everyone in the spirit.

If you’re having a festive little Halloween party, or simply sitting around the dinner table with the family, you can also add a fun game element to the night: Just let this playlist run and offer a piece of candy as a prize to the first person who correctly identifies from which movie each tune originated. Bonus points (or M&Ms) if the person can correctly name the character who sings the song. Because what’s more sugar on the year’s (literally) sweetest night?

Where to find Disney Halloween music

The good news if you want to cue up some spooky season hits is that Disney Halloween music playlists can be found in a ton of different places. You can access the official Disney Halloween playlist on streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, Pandora, and more. If you’ve exhausted that playlist and want to switch it up, there are also countless mixes out there made by individuals featuring deep cuts and well-curated song selections. Regardless of what method you choose, there are plenty of ways to listen to all of the sinister and spooky songs Disney has to offer this October. And if you’re in the mood to create your own, below are some major must-haves for any Disney Halloween music playlist.

1

“This Is Halloween” by Danny Elfman from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Kick off your chilling playlist with this spooky tune, sung by Jack Skellington of Halloween Town. With crashing symbols and eerie versus sung (and sometimes shouted) in harmony, it’ll surely put you in the mood to get into costume. “Boys and girls of every age, wouldn’t you like to see something strange?”

2

“I Put A Spell On You” by Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus

In this 1993 modern classic Hocus Pocus, the wicked Sanderson Sisters (played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) sing this song to an unsuspecting crowd of Halloween partiers. They’ve come back from the past to spellbind the town’s children and, save for this comic performance, nothing is going to slow down their mission.

3

“Poor Unfortunate Souls” by Pat Carroll from The Little Mermaid

Halloween movies aren’t the only sources of scary songs. This Disney classic finds Ursula, the magical underwater dweller, singing about saving the sad souls that come to her for help. Does she help them? Yes, she does. Before she ruins them. And if you want to hear a more rocked-up version of the tune, just know that there’s a (very early) Jonas Brothers cover of this song out there, too.

4

“Friends on the Other Side” by Keith David from The Princess and the Frog

What’s spookier than a song about dark voodoo spirits sung by one of the creepiest Disney villains, Doctor Facilier? Channel the creepy aura of this upbeat and festive witch doctor tune from The Princess and the Frog as you get into all of your Halloween activities this year.

5

“Come Little Children” by Sarah Jessica Parker from Hocus Pocus

Let’s not forget this soft little lullaby, which witchy Sarah Sanderson sings to beckon the local children to unwillingly surrender themselves to the sisters’ quest for immortality. It’s so beautiful and innocent-sounding, which is what makes it oh-so terrifying.

6

“Grim Grinning Ghosts” by Barenaked Ladies from Disney’s The Haunted Mansion

Companion to the Disney Parks Haunted Mansion ride, on which this tune can also be heard, the movie version presents a spin on “Grim Grinning Ghosts” sung by the pop group Barenaked Ladies. The group gives the tune a decidedly comic tone that’s spooky fun.

7

“I’ve Got A Bag Feeling About This” by Michael Giacchino from Disney Pixar Toy Story of Terror

The instrumental piece has the quivering strings and spooky, atmospheric sounds that have become a hallmark of Halloween movies. It’s short and tenuously tight, perfect for creating suspense in the middle of your seasonal playlist.

8

“Last Midnight” by Meryl Streep from Into The Woods

Even if your children haven’t yet become familiar with this classic haunting ballad, sung and acted here superbly by Meryl Streep, it won’t fail to give them chills. The lyrics powerfully explain that there are consequences to your actions, in fairy tales and in life. Unsettling to think about, no? “...soon it will be boom squish...”

9

“Super Spooky Night” from Sofia The First

How spooky can you be on this super spooky night? A young trick-or-treater tries to prove she can scare and send chills just like her older friends in this little tune from the royal Disney cartoon.

10

“The Halloweentown Theme” by Mark Mothersbaugh from Halloweentown

The scored theme from this 1998 Debbie Reynolds film is familiar to all who know Aggie and rewatch her family’s adventures annually.

11

“Count Mikula” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Perfect for a little kiddo Halloween dance party, this bopping organ-led tune features the immediately recognizable voices of Mickey and Minnie, as Count Mikula promises he won’t bite and welcomes all to his castle home.

12

“Into the Unknown” by Idina Menzel from Frozen 2

What’s scarier than the unknown? With those haunting ah-ah-ah-ahhhs repeating throughout the ballad, and strings pulsing to the tense chorus, the song’s culmination comes with a crash-bang that feels nothing short of exhilarating. The sounds of blowing, gusting winds add to the eerie vibe.

13

“Ghostly Gala” from Sofia The First

A party for ghosts? Everyone RSVP yes and dance to this happy, piano-thumping song, with lyrics that describe a once-in-100-years gala thrown exclusively for ghouls.

14

“Vampirina” from Vampirina

A family of vampires from Transylvania take flight, and now “…a ghoulish girl in a human world…” is sharing her adventures with friends. The Vampirina theme song is sure to elicit cheers and prompt a sing-a-long.

15

“Oogie Boogie’s Song” by Ken Page from The Nightmare Before Christmas

The lumpy, stitched-together Oogie Boogie talk-sings a scary song while holding Santa captive, proclaiming to the red-suited hostage, “...you’re not going anywhere...” The horn-filled composition feels right at home in this spooky set.

16

“Once Upon A Dream” by Lana Del Rey from Maleficent

So haunting, so lilting, so whisper-sung is this melody that it’ll send chills at first play. Heard in a peppier, more joyful iteration in Disney’s animated Sleeping Beauty, this version for the live-action film is far more adult. Sometimes, it’s the quietest, most understated sounds that are the spookiest.

17

“Heffalumps and Woozles” from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

If you have little ones around, this Winnie the Pooh classic is a great addition to any Halloween playlist. This song depicts Pooh’s nightmare about Heffalumps and Woozles, which he is terrified will steal his honey: “They're green, they're blue, they're pink, they're white / They're round, they're square, they're a terrible sight / They tie themselves in horrible knots / They come in stripes or polka dots / Beware, beware / Be a very wary bear.”

18

“Be Prepared” by Jeremy Irons from The Lion King

An iconic villain tune, “Be Prepared” brings all the sinister vibes you’ll need for your Disney Halloween song playlist. While any villain song is apt for a spooky list of songs, there’s something about Scar’s solo about overthrowing his brother’s lion kingdom that’s pure evil and perfect this October.

With the help of any and all of these Disney Halloween songs, you’ll be able to conjure up major spooky vibes. Whether you’re getting ready for an evening of pumpkin carving or DJing on October 31, these festive tunes will definitely set the ghoulish mood.

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