These 10 Iconic Spooky Dances Will Get You in the Halloween Spirit

October 26, 2021

Vampires, witches, sickled feet…oh, my! This is the week to indulge in all things spooky and scary, and the dance world doesn’t disappoint. Here are our favorite spooky dances that haunt our minds rent-free.

1. Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold, “Dancing with the Stars”

Dancing a heart-pounding paso doble, Jordan Fisher, Lindsay Arnold and a gang of rave zombies are a spellbinding combo, bewitching the judges into awarding a perfect score…and eventually the mirror-ball trophy.

2. “Ramalama (Bang Bang)”, “So You Think You Can Dance”

Had to dust off some cobwebs here (was this really 15 years ago?! ), but Wade Robson’s Emmy-winning “SYTYCD” opening number is still just as spine-tingling as it was back in 2006.

3. “Sexy,” from Mean Girls: The Musical

This female-power anthem is on our playlist year-round, but it does a particularly good job of getting us pumped for spooky season. If you need some costume inspiration, Halloween Queen Karen Smith has got you covered.

4. “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson

The actual definition of iconic: Michael Jackson’s 13-minute musical nightmare is obviously required viewing this week. (Hint: You don’t want to miss the famous dance break, which starts at 8:36.)

5. Michael Dameski, “World of Dance,” Season 2 Finals

With gravity-defying leaps and paranormally perfect pirouettes, “World of Dance” Season 2 runner-up Michael Dameski sure puts the “trick” in “trick-or-treat.”

6. Giselle Act II Pas de Deux, Royal Ballet

This ballet may be boo-tiful, but the plot is downright spooky, with Wilis, graveyards, and exes wanting revenge…enough said. It’s only fitting that American Ballet Theatre chose this ballet to open its fall season at Lincoln Center this year.

7. “Beautiful Sound,” from Beetlejuice: The Musical

We hope the Marquis Theatre has a powerful ghostlight….Beetlejuice: The Musical‘s spooktacular cast is returning to Broadway on April 8, 2022. For now, though, enjoy this snippet of Connor Gallagher’s drop-dead–demanding choreography.

8. “Monster,” Kaycee Rice and Gabe de Guzman

This power duo may have looked tiny and cute back then, but their devilish dance moves already show off serious star potential.

9. “Prom Queen,” from “Dance Moms,” Season 5, Episode 6

If “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom beauty Jojo Siwa covered in fake blood isn’t spooky enough, you should’ve seen how many creepy-themed Abby Lee Dance Company numbers we had to choose from for this roundup.

10. Dracula, Tulsa Ballet, 2018 Season

Bram Stoker’s timelessly terrifying classic is a hallmark of Halloween. Tulsa Ballet’s dancers are equal parts gorgeous and ghoulish, not to mention there are vampire brides flying across stage for much of the show…pretty fang-tastic.