The Perfect Danny Elfman Playlist for Halloween

As Halloween arrives, Tim Burton films take center stage with their uniquely spooky stories, characters, sets, and especially music. Jam out with Burton’s main musical collaborator, Danny Elfman, in a delightfully frightful playlist fit for the holiday.

Tim Burton and Danny Elfman have basically been yin and yang with the multitude of films they’ve created together. From their shared minds sprouted iconic and culturally significant characters, looks, and songs, all donning the trademark haunted appeal with its sharp edges. Spanning over thirty years across six spookily gothic films Burton and Elfman collaborated on, enjoy these 21 handpicked songs and musical scores that exude the holiday’s whimsical spirit.

1. “Death!” – Edward Scissorhands Soundtrack

2. “Castle On The Hill” – Edward Scissorhands Soundtrack

3. “Edwardo The Barber” – Edward Scissorhands Soundtrack

Settle into the Halloween season with three classic songs from Edward Scissorhands, one of Burton’s earlier films. With the peculiar music notes and compelling string instruments used, these timely scores will get listeners in the festive mood as well as remind them of their favorite person with scissors for hands. These specific tracks offer a mystical tone to start off one’s listening experience, and they can be found on Spotify.

4. “This Is Halloween” – The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack

5. “Oogie Boogie’s Song” – The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack

Sing along to the first songs of the playlist with the citizens of Halloweentown from the iconic Halloween/Christmas crossover movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. Listeners can relive their childhood as they sing about the monsters under their bed and stairs, the clown with the tearaway face, and the wind blowing in one’s hair. Feel at home in Halloweentown and get in a frightful mood with the kooky lyrics and signature Elfman flair, as well as dance along with the film’s scary characters. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

6. “Into The Woods/The Witch” – Sleepy Hollow Soundtrack

7. “Sweet Dreams” – Sleepy Hollow Soundtrack

8. “The Tree Of Death” – Sleepy Hollow Soundtrack

Venture into the darker tones of the holiday with these eerie tracks from Sleepy Hollow, a chilling adaptation of the urban legend. These tracks offer a stark contrast to the family fun of the previous songs, bringing a dash of unease to the listener’s mood. They can find comfort in the uncomfortable with the jarring piano keys and faraway background vocals throughout, feeling almost like they themselves are running from the Headless Horseman as the tempo accelerates in “The Tree Of Death.” The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

9. “Casting A Spell” – Corpse Bride Soundtrack

10. “Moon Dance” – Corpse Bride Soundtrack

11. “Tears to Shed” – Corpse Bride Soundtrack

12. “The Piano Duet” – Corpse Bride Soundtrack

Fall back into the whimsical yet still mysterious feel of Halloween with these scores and songs from the beloved Corpse Bride. Dance through a forest with the beautiful piano melodies in “Moon Dance” and “The Piano Duet” before heading to the Land of the Dead to comfort Emily as she sings about the pain of being dead and Victor not loving her. Blending romance and the supernatural, these tunes will grant listeners a happy medium while going through this playlist. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

13. “Main Titles” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack

14. “Augustus Gloop” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack

15. “Violet Beauregarde” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack

16. “Veruca Salt” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack

17. “Mike Teevee” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack

Step into the wacky and zany world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with these five creatively catchy songs that are bound to get stuck in listeners’ heads (only they won’t be mad about it). Listeners can step back into their childhood again with these tunes fit for the kid in all of us. Loaded with clever lyrics and notable instrumentals to represent each child’s demise as they venture through the factory, these songs offer the right amount of fun for Halloween. They even make listeners forget about the lasting effects the factory leaves on the children and their parents. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

18. “Alice’s Theme” – Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack

19. “Drink Me” – Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack

20. “The Cheshire Cat” – Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack

As another childhood gem, listeners can explore Wonderland with Alice through the beautiful and memorable opening score from Alice in Wonderland. With its choral vocals throughout and orchestral sound, this is a stellar tune to get into the Halloween spirit. Listeners will feel like they, too, are chasing the white rabbit with Alice as they fall into the rabbit hole of this particular music score. The feeling persists with the other two scores, evoking mystery and unease through the fractured string instruments. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

21. “Looking Glass” – Alice Through the Looking Glass Soundtrack

Rounding out the playlist is the lone sequel of the bunch, Alice Through the Looking Glass. Through Elfman’s trademark use of orchestras, listeners can amp up their Halloween spirit through the clashes of instruments and the returning haunting background vocals in this track. With the chaotic sound mixed with familiar eerie feels, listeners are sure to step into another world (through a looking glass, no less) from this musical score. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

A perfect playlist for the season

Tim Burton and Danny Elfman collaborated on numerous films that wowed audiences and became cultural classics over the decades. Through their creations came iconic characters, distinct aesthetics, and memorable songs, most notable in these select films. Elfman’s musical contributions helped create the perfect dark and haunting atmosphere in Burton’s films that are still alive and well today in pop culture and simultaneously match the festive Halloween season.