Spooky Soundtracks: Music in TV & Movies This Halloween Season
Spooky season means spooky movies, TV, and music! Ahead of Halloween, Tunefind highlights scary soundscapes, hard rocking horrors, and terror filled tunes. Check out the list below for the popular Fall content in October 2022.
Music Supervisor: Linda Cohen
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was released on Netflix on October 5th and is based on a Stephen King novella of the same name. The story may be spooky and supernatural but the movie’s soundscape feels like a mix of fresh indie and a few throwbacks. The music is youthful as it pulls viewers into the story that follows the main character’s school years and beyond. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone features music from artists such as K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Tame Impala, and Battles.
Popular Song:
Music Supervisors: Laura Webb & Lindsay Wolfington
Monster High: The Movie was released on Nickelodeon/Paramount+ on October 6th and is a live-action musical fantasy film. Based on the fashion doll franchise of the same name, this film is musical theater meets coming of age classic. The plot is propelled forward by frequent musical numbers that involve storytelling, dancing, and original music. In addition to the original cast performances, the soundtrack also features artists such as Moonwater, NOISY, and Scotch Ellis Loring. The popular song below is a fun introduction to the monster-filled school where this high energy story takes place. This monster-centric soundtrack is a spooky family treat.
Popular Song:
Music Supervisor: Justin Kamps
The Winchesters premiered on The CW on October 10th and is a prequel to the fan favorite, Supernatural. The Winchesters is set in the ’70s and the first two episodes have featured an assorted selection of what some might consider golden oldies. The series premiere features artists such as Ten Years After, Free, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Popular Song:
Walkin' After Midnight
by Patsy Cline
from The Winchesters Soundtrack · Season 1 · Episode 1 · Pilot
Ada is attacked and possessed by a demon at her…
Music Supervisor: Dave Jordan
Werewolf by Night was released on Disney+ on October 7th and is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe phase four. The soundtrack features artists such as Vera Lynn and Judy Garland, however, the original score steals the show in this dark and shadowy monster tale. Composed by the film director and Oscar-winning composer, Michael Giacchino, the score is fantastical and ominous. These instrumentals harken back to the scary sounds one might hear in a black and white film from yesteryear.
Popular Song:
Music Supervisor: Andrea von Foerster
Hellraiser (2022) was released on Hulu on October, 7th and is the second film adaptation of the 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker. The recent soundtrack includes artists such as Warm Drag, moa moa, and Sorry. The films original score is composed by Lovett, and is the through line in the storytelling. This spooky score feels almost romantic in contrast to the dark and sinister setting and with 23 tracks total, provides over an hour of musical storytelling. Heavy on the strings and not lacking in choir vocalizations, this score could simultaneously set the mood for a dramatic dinner party and a chilling haunted house. This new rebooted score adds a fresh spin, but also pays tribute to the 1987 versions gothic score by Christopher Young.
Popular Song:
Music Supervisor: Justine von Winterfeldt
The Midnight Club premiered on Netflix on October 7th and is an American horror, mystery-thriller series created by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, Doctor Sleep). The series first season is packed full of an eclectic group of fun syncs and features artists such as Harvey Danger, Stereo MC’s, and Pixies. This paranormal adventure also features an eerie track from the 1800’s that serves as the recurring theme; ‘Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming’ by John McCormack, can be heard in a total of four episodes. The series original score is composed by The Newton Brothers, who have composed the scores for a number of Flanagan’s projects.
Popular Song:
No Rain
by Blind Melon
from The Midnight Club Soundtrack · Season 1 · Episode 2 · The Two Danas
End credits.
Music Supervisors: Gabe Hilfer & DeVoe Yates
Halloween Ends premiered in theaters on October 14th, in addition to being available to stream on Peacock. Halloween Ends is the thirteenth installment in the Halloween franchise, and the final film in the trilogy of sequels that started with 2018’s Halloween film. The soundtrack includes artists such as Dead Kennedy’s, Johnny Goth, and Boy Harsher. The original score is composed by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies. John Carpenter is credited with the original Halloween theme that is recognizable to fans all over the world. This soundscape is everything a Halloween lover could ask for in a slasher film and in addition to the killer score, offers old school Halloween party tunes, etherial indie vibes, and even some classic rock nods.
Popular Song:
Midnight Monsters Hop
by Jack & Jim
from Halloween Ends Soundtrack
Audio from the Wurg 94.9 playing the song is he…
Music Supervisor: Trygge Toven
The Curse of Bridge Hollow was released on Netflix on October 14th and is a fun, family-filled Halloween event. This soundtrack plays like the ultimate Halloween playlist with classic songs about monsters, freaks, and that creepy feeling like someone is watching you. It includes artists such as Rockwell, AC/DC, Thulani, and much more. The films original score is composed by Christopher Lennertz.
Popular Song:
Hit the Road Jack
by Ray Charles
from The Curse of Bridge Hollow Soundtrack
Opening; (repeats) End credits.
Music Supervisor: Amanda Krieg Thomas
The Watcher was released on Netflix on October 13th and follows a family that moves into their dream home, only to be plagued by ominous letters, strange neighbors and sinister threats. Even more creepy, this series is based off a true story that is based on a 2018 article for New York‘s “The Cut” by Reeves Wiedeman. The series soundscape includes plenty of classical music by composers such as Frédéric Chopin and Richard Wagner as well as artists including Stan Getz and Bob Moses, to name a few. The original score is composed by Morgan Kibby and David Klotz and provides a subtle ambiance to a situation that most would call a waking nightmare.
Popular Song:
Monster Mash
by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
from The Watcher Soundtrack · Season 1 · Episode 3 · Götterdämmerung
Halloween party.
Music Supervisor: Erica Weis
The School For Good and Evil was released on Netflix on October 19th and offers entertainment to a myriad of different audiences. The soundscape is full of youthful anthems that have just the right amount of imagination. The soundtrack features artists such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and STRIKING VIPERS and the original score is composed by Theodore Shapiro. The School For Good and Evil features a fitting anthem in the form of an original song that has been growing in popularity since the film’s release.
Popular Song:
Music Supervisor: Rob Lowry
Wendell & Wild will premiere on Netflix on October 28th. The animated feature follows the two devious demon brothers Wendell and Wild as they face their arch-enemy. The movie is directed by Academy Award-nominee Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, James and the Giant Peach) and written by Oscar-winner Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope, Us). Wendell & Wild is Selick’s first stop-motion project since 2009’s Coraline. Main character, Kat, rocks green hair and carries around a large boombox with punk rock blasting from its eyeball speaker. The video below includes some of Kat’s punk playlist which features artists such as Death, Big Joanie, and SATE. The original score is composed by Bruno Coulais.
Hocus (Bonus) Pocus
Bonus time! The original Hocus Pocus was released in 1993 and has since become a Halloween tradition for many. The original movie featured a memorable cast performance of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins‘ ‘I Put A Spell On You’ sang by Bette Midler, who starred in the movie. Young millennials and kids of today were excited to stream Hocus Pocus 2 when it aired on Disney+ this September, over 29 years after the original. The recent sequel includes even more cast performances, including an original cover of Blondie’s ‘One Way Or Another’, sang by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The original score for both movies is composed by John Debney.
