Inspired by all the “Scary Movies to Watch in October” lists that pop up around Halloween, we’ve curated a mega-list of musicals perfect for spooky season. Whether you’re looking for something to listen to, something to watch, or a show to license for an October performance, this list has you covered. Alongside the darker, scarier shows, we’ve also included some non-scary but October-appropriate titles.

The shows are listed alphabetically, and divided into “originally written for the stage,” “originally written as a movie,” “musical episode of a TV series,” “not so scary October-y shows,” and “Halloween Songs in non-Halloween show” categories.

The emojis following each title provide quick details about the show’s content, availability, and performance history.


  • At least one woman on the writing team 👩‍💻
  • Suitable for children/families 👶
  • Appeared on Broadway 🎭
  • Appeared Off Broadway 🎫
  • Available for Licensing 📃
  • Written by a MusicalWriters Academy Member 🏫
  • Soundtrack Available on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. 🎧
  • Available to Watch in Full Online 📼
  • Sheet Music Available 🎵
  • Storyline centers around murder or true crime 🔪
  • Storyline centers around supernatural elements 👻
  • Storyline centers around sci fi elements 👽
  • Comedy 😈
  • Adaptation of a Classic Story 📚

DISCLAIMER: In a list this large (120 items and counting!), there are bound to be inadvertent errors, inaccuracies, and omissions. If you spot one, let us know in the comments and we’ll fix it ASAP!

Scary Musicals Written for the Stage

  1. 35mm: A Musical Exhibition 📃🎧🎵
    Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes and language)

    This song cycle features many Halloween-related themes and songs, including the haunting “The Ballad of Sara Berry” and “Twisted Teeth.”
  2. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder 🎭📃🎧🎵🔪😈
    Book by Robert L. Freedman, Music by Steven Lutvak, Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak
    Rated PG-13 (for dark humor and mild violence)
    A dark comedy about Monty Navarro’s ambitious plan to inherit a fortune by killing off his relatives, all portrayed by the same actor, making it a hilarious and energetic romp.
  3. A Very Potter Musical 🎧🎵😈📼
    Book by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, and Brian Holden, Music and Lyrics by Darren Criss and A.J. Holmes (aka Starkid)
    Rated PG-13 (for strong language and suggestive humor)

    This musical parody of the Harry Potter series gained cult fame online, blending humor and satire with iconic characters from the wizarding world.
  4. Adamandi: The Musical 🎵🎧
    book by Mel Hornyak and Elliot Valentine, lyrics by Mel Hornyak, music by Elliot Valentine
    In the haunting shadow of old institutions, a coveted prize is promised to those who deserve it most. Students go to horrific lengths to prove their worth.
  5. The Addams Family 🎭📃🎧👶👻😈
    Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
    Rated PG (for mild thematic elements and macabre humor)
    This musical about everyone’s favorite spooky family sees Wednesday Addams in love with a ‘normal’ boy, leading to hilarity and chaos as the two families meet.
  6. American Psycho 🎭📃🎧🔪
    Book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Music and Lyrics by Duncan Sheik
    Rated R (for graphic violence, sexual content, and mature themes)
    Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, this musical tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a New York banker by day and a psychopathic killer by night, blending dark humor with 1980s-inspired music.
  7. Angelmakers: Songs for Female Serial Killers 📃🎧🔪😈👩‍💻
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Molly Rice
    Rated R (for mature themes, violence, and dark subject matter)

    This haunting song cycle explores the lives and motivations of historical female serial killers, featuring folk-inspired music that delves into themes of power and control.
  8. Annabelle Broom, The Unhappy Witch 👶📃👩‍💻
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Eleanor Harder & Ray Harder
    Rated G (children’s musical)
    This children’s musical tells the story of a young witch whose love of fashion keeps her in hot water with her elders.
  9. Assassins 🎭📃🎧🔪😈
    Book by John Weidman, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
    Rated R (for violence and dark subject matter)
    A dark and satirical musical by Stephen Sondheim that examines the motivations of those who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents, blending historical fact with biting commentary.
  10. Bat Boy: The Musical 🎫📃🎧🔪👶😈
    Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe
    Rated PG-13 (for dark humor, violence, and mature content)
    This offbeat musical follows a half-bat, half-human boy discovered in a cave, whose existence causes chaos in a small town, blending humor, tragedy, and dark themes.
  11. Beetlejuice 🎭📃🎧👻😈
    Book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, Music and Lyrics by Eddie Perfect
    Rated PG-13 (the musical would likely be rated PG-13 for crude humor and some suggestive content)
    Based on the classic Tim Burton film, this energetic musical tells the story of a rambunctious demon who helps a recently deceased couple haunt their former home, known for its wild humor and visually stunning effects.
  12. Bernarda Alba 📃🎧
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes and intense emotional content)

    Based on Federico García Lorca’s play, this musical tells the story of a strict mother imposing control over her daughters, set in a haunting atmosphere intensified by flamenco-inspired music.
  13. Blood Brothers 🎭📃🎧👶🔪
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Willy Russell
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes including death, class conflict, and emotional tension)
    A gripping story of twin brothers separated at birth, whose lives become tragically intertwined by fate and class differences, known for its emotional intensity and dramatic themes.
  14. Buried: The Musical 📃🎧🔪😈👩‍💻
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Tom Williams and Cordelia O’Driscoll
    Rated R (for dark humor, violence, and adult themes)

    A dark romantic comedy about two serial killers who meet on a blind date and discover they are perfect for each other, blending humor and dark themes.
  15. The Canterville Ghost 📃🏫📚
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Darryl G. Bojanowski, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Seth Jordan Butler
    Based on a short story by Oscar Wilde, this small musical comedy is set in England in 1887. After haunting it for 300 years, Sir Simon’s castle is invaded by a brash American family set on making his home theirs.
  16. Carrie: The Musical 🎭📃🎧🔪😈
    Book by Lawrence D. Cohen, Music by Michael Gore, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
    Rated R (for violence, bullying, and mature themes)

    Based on Stephen King’s novel, this musical tells the story of an outcast high school girl with telekinetic powers, leading to a notorious prom night filled with horror.
  17. Captain Louie 👶📃🎧
    Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Anthony Stein.
    Rated G (written for kids)
    Based on the book The Trip by Ezra Jack Keats, the musical tells the story of a young boy on Halloween night who escapes into his own imagination as a means of coping with the loneliness he feels when he moves into a new neighborhood.
  18. Clue: The Musical 🎫📃🎧🔪😈👶
    Book by Peter DePietro, Lyrics by Tom Chiodo, Music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci
    Rated PG (for mild violence and humor)

    Based on the classic board game, this musical allows the audience to help solve a murder mystery with a different outcome each night, offering a fun and interactive experience.
  19. Coraline the Musical 👶👻
    Music and Lyrics by Stephin Merritt, Book by David Greenspan
    Rated PG (for spooky themes and mild peril)
    Based on Neil Gaiman’s beloved novel, this musical follows a young girl who discovers a parallel world behind a mysterious door, which turns out to be far more sinister than it first appears.
  20. Damn Yankees 🎭📃👻📚
    Book by George Abbot and Douglass Wallop, Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
    Rated PG (for mild suggestive content and family-friendly humor)
    This classic musical comedy tells the story of Joe Boyd, a middle-aged baseball fan who makes a deal with the devil (disguised as Mr. Applegate) to transform into a young baseball star in order to help his beloved Washington Senators defeat the Yankees.
  21. Dance of the Vampires 🎭📃🎧🔪👻
    Book by Jim Steinman, Michael Kunze, and David Ives, Music by Jim Steinman, Lyrics by Michael Kunze
    Rated PG-13 (for mild horror themes and suggestive content)
    Based on the film The Fearless Vampire Killers, this musical comedy follows a vampire hunter and his assistant as they try to stop a vampire count from seducing a young woman.
  22. Darling 🎧👻📚
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, violence, and mature content)
    This reimagining of Peter Pan is set in the underworld of Boston and explores the dark and gritty side of J.M. Barrie’s classic story.
  23. Disco Inferno 📃📚
    1970s jukebox musical written by Jai Sepple
    Set in the East End of London in 1976, the show features songs from the era and is loosely based on the story of Faust.
  24. The Dolls of New Albion 📃🎧👻👽
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Paul Shapera
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes and fantasy violence)
    A steampunk opera spanning generations, this show explores the attempt to bring the dead back to life using mechanical dolls, set against a clockwork dystopian backdrop.
  25. Dracula: The Musical 🎭📃🎧🔪👻 📚
    Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Music by Frank Wildhorn
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, sensuality, and violence)
    This adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel focuses on Count Dracula’s attempt to seduce Mina and the group of people who band together to stop him.
  26. Eating Raoul: The Musical 🎧📃🔪😈🎫
    Writers: Book by Paul Bartel, Richard Blackburn, and Boyd Graham, Music and Lyrics by Boyd Graham
    Rated R (for dark humor, sexual content, and violence)
    A dark comedy about a couple who stumbles into a lucrative side hustle by accidentally killing swingers and selling their bodies to a restaurant, leading to murder and cannibalism.
  27. Evil Dead: The Musical 📃🎧🔪👻😈👩‍💻
    Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt, Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, and George Reinblatt
    Rated R (for strong language, violence, and campy gore)
    This horror-comedy musical is based on the Evil Dead film series and is known for its over-the-top gore, humor, and audience “splatter zone” where fake blood flies during the performance.
  28. Get Jack 📃🎧🔪😈
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jeffrey Thompson
    Rated R (for violence, mature themes, and strong language)
    A dark thriller that imagines Jack the Ripper’s victims returning from the dead to exact their revenge, blending historical fact with supernatural elements.
  29. Ghost: The Musical 📃🎧👻🎭
    Book and Lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin, Music and Lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard
    Rated PG-13 (for supernatural elements and emotional themes)
    Based on the 1990 film, this musical tells the story of Sam, a ghost who stays on Earth to protect his girlfriend Molly, with impressive special effects showcasing ghostly interactions.
  30. Ghost Quartet 📃🎧👻🎫
    Written by Dave Malloy (Book, Music, and Lyrics)
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, mild horror elements)
    A haunting song cycle that weaves together four interconnected stories across time, exploring themes of love, death, and betrayal in a surreal, supernatural atmosphere.
  31. The Grinning Man 📃🎧🔪👻
    Book by Carl Grose, Music by Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler, Lyrics by Carl Grose, Tim Phillips, and Marc Teitler
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes and violence)
    Based on Victor Hugo’s The Man Who Laughs, this gothic musical follows Grinpayne, a disfigured man searching for the truth about his past, blending puppetry, dark humor, and tragedy.
  32. The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals 🎧🎵📼
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jeff Blim, Matt Lang, and Nick Lang (Team StarKid)

    Rated PG-13 (for dark humor, language, and mild violence)
    A horror-comedy musical about an apocalyptic event that turns everyone into singing and dancing musical performers, except for one reluctant hero, blending humor and meta-commentary on musical theater.
  33. Hadestown 🎭🎫👩‍💻📃🎧🔪
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
    Rated PG-13 (for thematic elements and mature content)
    A modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where love and politics collide in the depths of the underworld, known for its folk and jazz-infused score.
  34. Heartbreakers in Hell 🎧👻📚
    Book and Lyrics by Benjamin Halstead, Music by Joey Contreras
    Rated PG-13 (for adult themes, language, and dark humor)
    There are exactly nine ways to break a heart, and there’s a special place in Hell for each type of heartbreaker, as shown in this modernized, pop music adaptation of “Dante’s Inferno.”
  35. Heathers: The Musical 🎫📃🎧🔪😈📼
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy

    Rated R (for dark themes, violence, and strong language)
    Based on the 1989 cult classic film, this musical tells the story of high schooler Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the Heathers’ clique, leading to mayhem, murder, and dark comedy.
  36. High Spirits 🎭📃🎧👻
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray
    Rated PG (for mild thematic elements and supernatural content)
    A supernatural comedy based on Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, where a séance accidentally conjures the spirit of a writer’s late wife, leading to ghostly mischief and chaos.
  37. Into the Woods 🎭📃🎧👶📼
    Book by James Lapine, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

    Rated PG (for some thematic elements and dark humor)
    This beloved Sondheim musical intertwines several fairy tales, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood, to explore the consequences of the characters’ wishes and desires.
  38. It Happened in Key West 📃🎧👻👩‍💻
    Book and Lyrics by Jill Santoriello, Jason Huza, and Jeremiah James, Music by Jill Santoriello
    Rated PG-13 (for dark humor and mature themes)
    Based on the bizarre true story of Carl Tanzler, this musical blends romance and macabre as Tanzler attempts to preserve his deceased love’s body in a tale of obsession and undying love.
  39. Jasper in Deadland 📃🎧👻🎫
    Book by Hunter Foster and Ryan Scott Oliver, Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, violence, and mature content)
    Jasper journeys through a modern version of the afterlife to save his friend, encountering elements of both Greek and Roman mythology in this dark, comedic rock musical.
  40. Jekyll & Hyde 🎭📃🎧🔪📚
    Book by Leslie Bricusse, Music by Frank Wildhorn, Lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse, and Steve Cuden
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, violence, and mature content)
    This musical adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells the story of a man struggling with his inner demons, leading to a violent transformation that threatens everyone around him.
  41. Lend Me a Chainsaw 🏫😈📃
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Brian Christensen
    Rated R (for sexual humor and extreme, campy violence)
    A horror-comedy musical about a group of unsuspecting characters who find themselves in a remote location stalked by a chainsaw-wielding killer, blending humor, gore, and slasher tropes.
  42. Lestat 🎭🎧🔪👩‍💻
    Book by Linda Woolverton, Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
    Rated PG-13 (for themes of violence, immortality, and romance)
    Based on The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, this musical follows the vampire Lestat as he navigates love, power, and his struggle with his vampire identity.
  43. Lizzie 🎫📃🎧🔪
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt
    Rated R (for mature themes, violence, and strong language)
    This rock musical tells the infamous story of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother, with a punk rock twist and feminist themes.
  44. Little Shop of Horrors 🎭🎫📃🎧🔪😈📼
    Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Music by Alan Menken

    Rated PG-13 (for dark comedy, mild violence, and some mature themes)
    This darkly comedic musical centers around a nerdy florist who raises a man-eating plant with an insatiable appetite for human blood, blending humor and horror.
  45. Lizard Boy 🎧👽
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Justin Huertas
    Rated PG-13 (for mild language and thematic elements)
    A folk-rock musical following Trevor, who was turned into a lizard-like creature, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, blending superhero elements and heartwarming themes. Lizard Boy features a small cast of actor-musicians, with the actors playing their own instruments as part of the show’s intimate, concert-style presentation.
  46. Lucky Stiff 🎫📃🎧👶😈👩‍💻
    Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty
    Rated PG (for mild humor and farcical situations)
    A musical farce where a meek shoe salesman must take his dead uncle’s body on a whirlwind trip to Monte Carlo to fulfill the conditions of his inheritance, leading to hilarious misadventures.
  47. Make Me Bad 🔪
    Music and Lyrics by Drew Gasparini, Book by Alex Brightman
    Rated R (for adult themes, strong language, and violence)
    A psychological thriller that delves into morality, power, and manipulation, exploring the transformation of a seemingly good person into someone morally compromised through edgy, contemporary rock music.
  48. Marie Christine 🎭📃🎧🔪📚
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
    Rated R (for mature themes, violence, and dark content)
    A retelling of the Medea myth set in 1890s New Orleans, this musical explores themes of love, betrayal, and vengeance, blending operatic influences with Creole music.
  49. Matilda the Musical 🎭📃🎧👶📼
    Book by Dennis Kelly, Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin

    Rated PG (for some dark themes and mild peril)
    Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, this musical follows Matilda, an extraordinary young girl with telekinetic powers, as she stands up to her cruel parents and headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
  50. Monster Songs 📃🎧👻
    Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki, Art by David O’Neill
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, mild violence, and horror elements)
    A rock musical song cycle that gives voice to classic monsters like vampires, zombies, and witches, exploring their inner lives in a blend of humor, heart, and horror.
  51. Murder Ballad 📃🎧🔪👩‍💻
    Book and Lyrics by Julia Jordan, Music and Lyrics by Juliana Nash
    Rated R (for sexual content, language, and violence)
    This rock musical about a dangerous love triangle takes place in an immersive setting, where dark passions lead to deadly consequences.
  52. The Mystery of Edwin Drood 🎭📃🎧👶📚
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rupert Holmes
    Rated PG (for mild suspense and dark humor)
    Based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, this interactive musical invites the audience to vote on the murderer each night, leading to a different ending every time.
  53. Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe 📃🎧🔪👻📚
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Christenson
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes and mild horror elements)
    A gothic, surreal musical exploring the tragic life of Edgar Allan Poe, blending biography and fiction with a haunting, visually striking aesthetic.
  54. Otherbody: A Brief Musical Allegory
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes and mature content)
    A work still in development, Otherbody explores identity and the supernatural through dark, introspective music and an eerie atmosphere.
  55. Passion 🎭📃🎧🎵
    Book by James Lapine, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes and intense emotional content)
    This Sondheim musical tells the dark and intense love story of a young soldier and a sickly woman obsessed with him, exploring themes of love, obsession, and sacrifice.
  56. Phantom of the Country Opera 📃👶
    Book by Kathy Santeen, Sean Grennan, Music by Michael Duff, Lyrics by Cheryl Coons
    Rated PG
    Operatic sensation Chrissy Joseph leaves a promising career and a devoted boyfriend at La Scala and returns to her roots in Nashville Tenessee, where she finds a mysterious mentor and an aging Country-Western diva enemy.
  57. The Phantom of the Opera 🎭🎵🎧👻
    Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart
    Rated PG-13 (for sensuality and violence)
    Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical about a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a young soprano.
  58. Rebecca: The Musical 📃🎧👻📚
    Book and Lyrics by Michael Kunze, Music by Sylvester Levay
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes and mature content)
    Based on Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, this musical tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, only to find herself haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca, and tormented by the sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers.
  59. Reefer Madness: The Musical 🎫📃🎧😈
    Book by Kevin Murphy, Music by Dan Studney, Lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney
    Rated R (for drug-related content, strong language, and adult humor)
    A satirical take on the 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film, this musical blends over-the-top humor and catchy songs to mock the original’s exaggerated warnings about the dangers of marijuana.
  60. Ride the Cyclone 🎧📃👻
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, mild language, and macabre humor)
    A dark comedy about six high school students who die in a roller coaster accident and are given a chance to compete for the chance to return to life.
  61. Return to the Forbidden Planet 🎫📃🎧👽
    Book by Bob Carlton
    Rated PG (for mild sci-fi themes and humor)
    Loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the 1956 sci-fi film Forbidden Planet, this jukebox musical mixes 1950s rock ‘n’ roll music with a space-age storyline.
  62. Ruthless! The Musical 🎧🎫📃🎵
    Book and Lyrics by Joel Paley, Music by Marvin Laird
    Rated PG-13 (for dark humor and mild violence)
    This satirical musical follows an ambitious eight-year-old girl who will do anything, including murder, to land the lead role in her school play, poking fun at showbiz clichés and over-the-top theatrical personalities.
  63. The Scarlet Letter: The Musical 🎧📃🔪👩‍💻🏫
    Book and Lyrics by Christine Hand Jones, Music by Kenady Sean
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes including adultery and societal judgment)
    Based on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, this musical explores the consequences of Hester Prynne’s public shaming and personal struggles as she endures the harsh judgments of Puritan society.
  64. Scream’d: An Unauthorized Musical Parody 🔪👻
    Written by Troy Heard and Brandon Scott Grayson
    Rated R (for gore, horror themes, and adult humor)
    A parody of the Scream movie franchise, this musical playfully mocks slasher tropes as a group of teenagers is targeted by a masked killer, blending humor, horror, and catchy songs.
  65. Scotland, PA 🎧📃🔪📚
    Book by Michael Mitnick, Music and Lyrics by Adam Gwon
    Rated PG-13 (for dark comedy, violence, and adult themes)
    A modern retelling of Macbeth set in a 1970s Pennsylvania diner, this dark comedy musical follows Mac and Pat as they conspire to murder their boss and take over his burger joint.
  66. Silence! The Musical 📃🎧🔪🎫
    Book by Hunter Bell, Music and Lyrics by Jon Kaplan and Al Kaplan
    Rated R (for language, violence, adult content, and gore)
    An unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, this dark comedy follows FBI agent Clarice Starling as she enlists Hannibal Lecter’s help to track down serial killer Buffalo Bill.
  67. Starmites 🎭🎫📃🎧👽👶
    Book by Stuart Ross and Barry Keating, Music and Lyrics by Barry Keating
    Rated PG (for family-friendly action and mild thematic elements)
    A nerdy teenager is pulled into an intergalactic adventure with a group of teen superheroes called the Starmites, where they must save the galaxy from the evil villainess Shak Graa.
  68. Stranger Sings: The Musical Parody 🎧👻🎫
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Hogue
    Rated PG-13 (for mild violence and suggestive humor)
    This parody musical humorously revisits Stranger Things Season 1, with musical numbers that highlight iconic characters and moments from the show in a playful, nostalgic way.
  69. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 🎭📃🎧🔪👻📼
    Book by Hugh Wheeler, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
    Rated R (for graphic violence and dark themes)
    This dark, operatic tale follows a vengeful barber who partners with a pie shop owner to turn his victims into meat pies, all while seeking revenge on the corrupt judge who wronged him.
  70. Tarrytown 🎧👻📚🎫
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Adam Wachter
    Rated PG-13 (for mild horror elements and mature themes)
    A modern retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this musical explores the intertwined lives of Ichabod, Katrina, and Brom as they navigate love, fear, and mystery in the small town of Tarrytown.
  71. Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story 📃🎧🔪
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff
    Rated R (for mature themes, violence, and language)
    This dark and chilling musical recounts the infamous 1924 crime committed by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, exploring themes of power, manipulation, and moral depravity.
  72. The Toxic Avenger 🎧📃👽😈🎫
    Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro, Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
    Rated PG-13 (for campy violence, crude humor, and mild sexual content)
    Based on the 1984 cult film, this musical follows Melvin Ferd, a janitor turned mutant superhero, as he fights environmental crime with humor, gore, and rock music.
  73. Tomorrow, the Island Dies 🎧
    Music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
    This”folk horror” musical tells the story of “Widow Clark, 18 and pregnant, who lives an exiled live running a lighthouse with her brother on a storm-crushed island set to be uninhabited in two days.”
  74. We Are the Tigers 📃🎧🔪😈🎫
    Writers: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Preston Max Allen
    Rated R (for strong language, violence, and mature content)
    A dark comedy horror musical about a high school cheerleading team’s sleepover that turns deadly, as the team must uncover the murderer among them while facing their own issues.
  75. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 🎭📃🎧👶
    Writers: Book by David Greig, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
    Rated PG (for mild thematic elements)
    Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, this musical adaptation follows young Charlie Bucket as he wins a golden ticket to tour the magical chocolate factory run by the mysterious Willy Wonka.
  76. Whisper House 🎧📃👻
    Writers: Music and Lyrics by Duncan Sheik, Book and Additional Lyrics by Kyle Jarrow
    Rated PG-13 (for spooky elements and mature themes)
    Set in a lighthouse during World War II, this haunting musical follows a young boy who begins seeing ghosts after the death of his father, blending atmospheric music with themes of fear and loss.
  77. White Girl in Danger 🎫🔪
    Writers: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson
    Rated PG-13 to R (for mature themes, strong language, and satirical content)
    In a soap-opera-inspired world, this satirical musical explores the lives of three archetypal white girls alongside Black residents of a fictional town, critiquing race, privilege, and popular culture.
  78. Wicked 🎭📃🎧👶👻📚
    Writers: Book by Winnie Holzman, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
    Rated PG (for some darker themes, but overall family-friendly)
    This wildly popular musical reimagines the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West, focusing on the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. Movie to be released in November of 2024.
  79. The Wild Party (Lippa) 📃🎧🔪🎫
    Writers: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
    Rated R (for sexual content, violence, and mature themes)
    Set in the Roaring Twenties, this dark and intense musical follows a volatile couple during a wild party that spirals out of control, exploring themes of jealousy, passion, and tragedy.
  80. The Wild Party (LaChiusa) 🎭📃🎧🔪
    Writers: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
    Rated R (for sexual content, violence, and mature themes)
    Another adaptation of Joseph Moncure March’s poem, this version tells a similarly dark story set during a decadent party, with a complex and jazz-influenced score.
  81. Witches of Eastwick 📃🎧👻😈📚
    Writers: Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey, Music by Dana P. Rowe
    Rated PG-13 (for mild sexual content and dark humor)
    Based on John Updike’s novel, this musical follows three women who accidentally summon a mysterious man who unlocks their magical potential, leading to chaos in a small New England town.
  82. The Woman in White 🎧📃👻👩‍💻🎭👶
    Writers: Book by Charlotte Jones, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by David Zippel
    Rated PG (for dark themes and mild suspense)
    This gothic musical, based on Wilkie Collins’ novel, follows a young tutor as he uncovers dark family secrets and encounters a mysterious ghostly figure dressed in white.
  83. Young Frankenstein 🎭📃🎧👻
    Writers: Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
    Rated PG-13 (for crude humor and suggestive content)
    A parody of the Frankenstein legend, this musical brings the classic monster to life with a humorous twist, full of big-budget special effects and comedic numbers.
  84. Zombie Prom 📃🎧👽🎫😈👶
    Writers: Book by John Dempsey, Music by Dana P. Rowe, Lyrics by John Dempsey
    Rated PG (for light horror and campy humor)
    Set in a 1950s high school, this horror-comedy musical follows a teenage girl whose dead boyfriend returns as a zombie to attend prom, offering humor and catchy 50s-style songs.

Scary Musicals Released Originally as Films

  1. Anna and the Apocalypse 🎧👽📼
    Writers: Book by Alan McDonald and Ryan McHenry, Music by Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly
    Rated R (for strong language, bloody violence, and some sexual content)
    In the sleepy town of Little Haven, high school student Anna and her friends face a zombie apocalypse during Christmas, fighting off the undead with musical numbers and humor.
  2. Coco 🎧👶👻👩‍💻📼
    Writers: Music by Michael Giacchino, Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Germaine Franco, and Adrian Molina
    Rated PG (for thematic elements)
    This visually stunning Pixar film follows Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician, as he journeys to the Land of the Dead on Día de los Muertos to discover his family’s past.
  3. Corpse Bride 🎧👻👩‍💻👶📼
    Writers: Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, Music by Danny Elfman, Screenplay by John August, Caroline Thompson, and Pamela Pettler
    Rated PG (for scary images and thematic elements)
    In this stop-motion animated fantasy, Victor accidentally proposes to a deceased bride in the Land of the Dead and must navigate the consequences of this mistake between two worlds.
  4. Crossroads 🎧📼👻
    Writers: Written by John Fusco, Directed by Walter Hill
    Rated R (for language and some violence)
    A classical guitarist and an elderly bluesman journey to the Mississippi Delta in search of a lost song by legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, culminating in a musical showdown with the devil.
  5. The Devil’s Carnival 🎧👻📼
    Writers: Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, Written by Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich
    Rated R (for violence, disturbing imagery, and thematic content)
    In this horror musical anthology, three sinners find themselves trapped in a twisted carnival in Hell, where they are judged and punished for their past deeds through eerie musical numbers.
  6. The Happiness of the Katakuris 🎧👻📼
    Writers: Directed by Takashi Miike, Screenplay by Kikumi Yamagishi
    Rated R (for dark humor, violence, and adult themes)
    This bizarre musical dark comedy follows a family who opens a guesthouse in the countryside, only to find their guests mysteriously dying one by one, blending surreal humor with musical numbers.
  7. Hocus Pocus 🎧👻👶📼
    Writers: Story by Mick Garris and David Kirschner, Screenplay by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris
    Rated PG (for thematic elements and scary sequences)
    A Halloween cult classic, this film follows the resurrection of three witch sisters, the Sandersons, in modern-day Salem, and their attempts to steal children’s souls to regain their youth.
  8. The Hunchback of Notre Dame 🎧📃📼🎵
    Writers: Book by Peter Parnell, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, violence, and mature content)
    Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, this musical explores the life of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, as he struggles for acceptance and battles against the cruelty of the corrupt Archdeacon Frollo.
  9. The Nightmare Before Christmas 🎧👻👶🎵
    Writers: Story and characters by Tim Burton, Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman
    Rated PG (for some scary images and thematic elements)
    Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, grows tired of Halloween and tries to take over Christmas, leading to chaos as he brings his eerie sensibilities to the holiday in this stop-motion animated classic.
  10. Phantom of the Paradise 🎧🔪📼
    Writers: Written and Directed by Brian De Palma, Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams
    Rated PG (for some violence, thematic elements, and suggestive content)
    This cult rock-horror musical tells the story of a disfigured composer who seeks revenge on a music mogul who steals his work, leading to a twisted tale of fame and obsession.
  11. Repo! The Genetic Opera 🎧👽📼
    Writers: Book by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich, Music and Lyrics by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich
    Rated R (for strong violence, gore, sexual content, and language)
    A dystopian musical set in a future where organ transplants are controlled by a ruthless corporation, focusing on a Repo Man tasked with reclaiming organs from those who can’t pay their debts.
  12. The Rocky Horror Show 🎭📃🎧👶😈📼
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Richard O’Brien
    Rated R (for sexual content, language, and campy violence)
    A cult classic rock musical where a newly engaged couple stumbles upon the strange mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, leading to an unforgettable night of rock music, dancing, and outrageous characters.
  13. Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny 🎧📼👻
    Writers: Written by Jack Black, Kyle Gass, and Liam Lynch
    Rated R (for pervasive language, sexual content, and drug use)
    Jack Black and Kyle Gass, as their rock duo Tenacious D, embark on a quest to find a magical guitar pick that will make them the greatest rock band in history, only to discover it was created from the tooth of Satan himself.
  14. The Dead Inside 🎧👽📼😈
    Writers: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Travis Betz
    Rated R (for language, sexual content, and horror elements)
    A horror novelist and a photographer find themselves trapped in their apartment during a zombie apocalypse, and as reality and imagination blur, they must fight to keep their relationship (and sanity) alive through music.
  15. Shock Treatment 🎧😈📼
    Writers: Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman
    Rated PG (for mild language and thematic elements)
    A quasi-sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this film follows Brad and Janet as they become trapped in a bizarre reality TV world where their lives are manipulated for entertainment.
  16. Sing: Thriller 👻👶📼
    Rated G (family-friendly Halloween content)
    The beloved characters from Sing return for a Halloween special, where they perform a lively and spooky rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller amidst supernatural encounters.
  17. Stage Fright 🎧🔪😈
    Writers: Directed by Jerome Sable, Written by Jerome Sable and Eli Batalion
    Rated R (for violence, gore, and language)
    A horror-comedy musical set at a performing arts camp where a masked killer begins targeting campers preparing for a musical production, blending slasher horror with musical theater.
  18. Trey Parker’s Cannibal! The Musical 🎧🔪😈
    Book, Music, and Lyrics by Trey Parker
    Rated R (for violence, gore, and adult humor)
    This darkly comedic musical, based on the true story of Alferd Packer, a prospector accused of cannibalism in the 1800s, blends absurd situations, slapstick humor, and outrageous songs. Known for its irreverent and satirical style, Cannibal! The Musical showcases Parker’s signature comedic touch, which would later be seen in his work on South Park. The show turns a grim historical event into a hilarious and ridiculous adventure.

TV Series Musical Episodes

These individual episodes are mini-musicals in their own right, and worth a re-watch during the Halloween season!

  1. The Batman Musical Episode – “Mayhem of the Music Meister!” 🎧👶📼
    Writers: Story by Michael Jelenic and James Tucker
    Rated TV-PG (for mild cartoon violence and thematic elements)
    In this animated episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Neil Patrick Harris voices The Music Meister, a villain who controls people through song, leading Gotham’s heroes and villains into a musical showdown.
  2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Musical Episode – “Once More, with Feeling” 🎧👻📼
    Writers: Written and Directed by Joss Whedon, Music and Lyrics by Joss Whedon
    Rated TV-14 (for mild violence, sensuality, and dark themes)
    In this beloved musical episode, a demon named Sweet forces the residents of Sunnydale to express their emotions through song, leading to dramatic revelations and dangerous situations.
  3. Doctor Who: “The Devil’s Chord” 🎧👶📼
    Writers: Written by Russell T Davies, Music by Murray Gold
    Rated TV-PG (for sci-fi action, mild violence, and thematic elements)
    In this episode, the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday go to see the British rock band the Beatles in 1963, only to find out that the world has lost interest in music as they are confronted by the mysterious Maestro (played by Jinkx Monsoon)

Not-So-Scary Musicals for October

For those who love October, but not scary stuff, we’ve got recommendations for you too! These musicals are filled with October references and fall vibes.

  1. The Bridges of Madison County 🎧📃👩‍💻🎭
    Book by Marsha Norman, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes related to love and infidelity)
    Based on the bestselling novel, this musical tells the story of Francesca, an Italian-American housewife, whose life is transformed by a brief but intense love affair with a National Geographic photographer in 1960s Iowa.
  2. cleaVage 🎧📃🏫😈👩‍💻
    Music and Lyrics by Dr. Ron Friedman, Book by Laura Goodenow and Dr. Ron Friedman
    Rated PG-13 (for humor and mature themes related to breast implants)
    Conceived and written by a Dallas plastic surgeon, cleaVage tells the history of silicone gel implants. And because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s a perfect time to feature it!
  3. October Sky 🎧📃👶
    Book by Brian Hill and Aaron Thielen, Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler
    Rated PG (for mild thematic elements)
    Based on the true story of Homer Hickam and his friends who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik, build rockets in 1950s West Virginia, overcoming challenges and societal expectations to pursue their dreams.
  4. Parade 🎧📃🔪🎭🎵
    Book by Alfred Uhry, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
    Rated PG-13 (for dark themes, racial tension, and mature content)
    This Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in Atlanta wrongly accused of murdering a young girl in 1913, and his wife’s fight for justice.
  5. Side Show 🎧📃🎭🎵
    Writers: Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell, Music by Henry Krieger
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes and tragic elements)
    Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, this musical explores their journey from freak show attractions to vaudeville stars, while struggling with their desire for love and normalcy.
  6. Violet 🎧📃👩‍💻🎫👩‍💻
    Book and Lyrics by Brian Crawley, Music by Jeanine Tesori
    Rated PG-13 (for mature themes and complex emotional content)
    Set in 1964, this musical follows Violet, a disfigured woman who travels across the country to be healed by a televangelist, encountering diverse characters along the way and learning about herself in the process.

Honorable Mention: Individual Halloween Songs

Even though the shows they are from are not specifically about October or Halloween, we couldn’t leave out these individual spooky and Halloween-themed songs! Perfect for a Halloween cabaret.

  1. “Sexy” from Mean Girls 🎧🎵
    Music by Jeff Richmond, Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
    A humorous and satirical song about Halloween costumes and societal expectations of femininity, performed by Karen Smith as she dresses as a sexy mouse for Halloween.
  2. “Halloween” from Be More Chill 🎧🎵👻
    Music and Lyrics by Joe Iconis
    A song from Be More Chill where the high schoolers reflect on the chaos and freedom that Halloween night brings, using the holiday as a metaphor for their teenage struggles.
  3. “Halloween” from Rent 🎧🎵
    Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
    In this song, Mark reflects on the passage of time and his feelings of isolation as Halloween marks another milestone in his life, emphasizing the struggle to move forward amidst personal loss.
  4. “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” from The Book of Mormon 🎧🎵👻😈
    Writers: Music, Book, and Lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone
    This comedic and irreverent song takes place during Elder Price’s nightmare, where he envisions himself in a literal hell filled with pop-culture figures like Hitler and Genghis Khan, as he struggles with his guilt and faith.
  5. “The Witch” from Big Fish 🎧🎵👻
    Writers: Book by John August, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
    In this eerie number, Edward Bloom meets a witch who reveals how he will die, creating an air of mystery and magic as Edward uses this knowledge to shape his adventurous life story.
  6. “Lily’s Eyes” from The Secret Garden 🎧🎵💔👻👩‍💻
    Writers: Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon
    This haunting ballad is sung by Archibald Craven and his brother Neville as they reflect on Archibald’s late wife, Lily, whose memory continues to affect their lives and the atmosphere of Misselthwaite Manor.
  7. “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago 🎧🎵🔪😈
    Writers: Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
    A darkly humorous and seductive number, where the women of the Cook County Jail recount the murders they committed, explaining with fierce conviction why their victims “had it coming.”
  8. “Poor Jud is Dead” from Oklahoma! 🎧🎵
    Writers: Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by Richard Rodgers
    This song is a darkly humorous piece where Curly encourages Jud Fry to imagine his own funeral, manipulating Jud’s insecurities and reflecting the darker undertones of the musical’s otherwise upbeat atmosphere.
  9. “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music 🎧🎵👽
    Writer: Stephen Sondheim
    I know, I know…. but if you read the lyrics, it could totally be a horror song! (And apparently it was used in the movie Joker for just that reason)

Now It’s Your Turn!

Which of these spooky (or not-so-spooky) musicals is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Also, please let us know if you have any additions, edits, or suggestions for this list!