Top 10 Creepiest TV Theme Songs

The old school, Archie Comics origins of Sabrina Spellman are set on full display during the opening of her series, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” The opening theme sounds like a tune out of time, a wonderful throwback to both golden age horror, as well as those classic drive-in flicks of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Composer Adam Taylor includes some spooky strings and ghostly background noises alongside what appears to be a synthesized adaptation of a theremin here. It’s the sort of title theme that sounds ripped from one of those “Halloween Sounds Effects” tapes we all loved as kids: and this is definitely a compliment.

For the record, we’re referring to the original ‘90s series when we signal out the awesomeness of Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” for this list. This was another show that wore its horror influences on its sleeves, specifically with regards to its anthology format. “Tales From the Crypt” is clearly a huge influence here, and can be seen with both the visual style of the show’s opening, as well as its theme song. This is atmospheric, unrepentantly dark stuff for the kiddie set, relying upon low sonic rumbles and the creepy sound of children’s laughter to get its point across. Elsewhere, the final few moments introduce that iconically mournful melody that still lives rent-free within the minds of ‘90s kids around the world.

Writer/director David Lynch forever left his mark upon the landscape of television with the release of “Twin Peaks” back in 1990. This serial drama immediately captured the imaginations of a small, but rabid fanbase, becoming the cult show to trump all other cult shows. It’s also more than likely that these fans were hooked from the opening credits, which feature mesmerizing music from composer Angelo Badalamenti. Lynch had previously worked with Badalamenti on his film “Blue Velvet,” and this partnership seemingly resulted in a “Peaks” theme that practically drips mystery, unease and suspense. Yet, there’s also a subtle tranquility to this ominously beautiful theme, an ethereal dirge that feels like a funeral march in heaven.

Hey, did you know that both the “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th” franchises received small screen adaptations back in the eighties? It’s true! Both featured some pretty excellent opening theme music, too, but “Freddy’s Nightmares” benefitted from actually featuring Robert Englund in the title role as Freddy Krueger. The actor introduced each episode in character, while composer Nicholas Pike delivered a theme tune that nicely echoed the original music from Charles Bernstein. Pike was no compositional slouch himself, however, and utilized his experience scoring “Critters 2: The Main Course” to create a perfectly malevolent mood. This main theme of “A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series” is percussive, spooky and very eighties…in the best possible way, of course.

It’s one of the most beloved television horror anthology series of all time. “Tales From the Crypt” utilized a myriad of different composers throughout its run, but that iconic opening theme tune could’ve only come from the mind of one man: Danny Elfman. The creative stamp of this former Oingo Boingo singer is all over this introduction. The song encapsulates Elfman’s ability to sound both foreboding and totally cool at the same time. It’s a catchy, hummable melody, to be sure, yet the instrumentation used ensures that “Tales From the Crypt” never sounds too bright or cheerful. Instead, this opening theme embodies everything that endeared the old EC comic books to generations of monster kids and horror fans.

The 1980s setting of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” seemed to remind everyone of just how cool synthesizers are, although real synth heads always remembered the power of these versatile instruments. Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon were members of an electronic group called S U R V I V E prior to being called upon to compose the score for “Stranger Things.” The pair utilized their extensive expertise to craft a haunting, pulsing synth theme that immediately sets the mood for what’s about to occur. Comparisons to horror icon John Carpenter and his own musical pedigree were inevitable, but Stein and Dixon never feel like pretenders to a throne, but instead heirs for a new generation.

The resume of composer Bear McCreary is one that looms large, and frankly speaks for itself. The man knows how to write an evocative theme, and chief among them just might be McCreary’s work for “The Walking Dead.” It’s all about the strings when it comes to this title tune, reminiscent of “Psycho”’s theme with an insistent rhythmic pulse that seems to echo the desperate situation at hand. It’s slightly gothic, but also with a definable melody that makes it instantly recognizable to fans of the show. “The Walking Dead” soundtrack is perfectly suited to its grim and gory source material.

Is there any whistling effect more iconic to horror and sci-fi fans than the one front-and-center during the opening to “The X-Files?” It’s an opening theme that’s haunted the dreams of fans forever, and they probably wouldn’t want it any other way. The show’s creator Chris Carter has spoken in interviews how he was heavily inspired by the “Monster of the Week” approach of the cult ‘70s series “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” That show possessed a creepy opening theme with a featured whistle, but Carter and his vision ran with that inspiration for ALL he was worth, successfully updating it for the 1990s.

Television audiences find certain themes “creepy” for a number of reasons, including some that may actually be unintentional. That said, there is NO such ambivalence when it comes to Michael Boyd and Gary Remal Malkin’s composed title theme to “Unsolved Mysteries.” This tune is designed from jump street to get under your skin; to unnerve you and get you in the proper mood for Robert Stack and his tales of the unknown. That synthesizer melody is haunting and relentless, swirling in and out of the percussive booms that permeate the title theme with a heart-pounding intensity. Simply said? There’s nothing else quite like it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“The Leftovers” (2014-17)
Mournful Musical Desolation for This Unique HBO Series

“Hammer House of Horror” (1980)
Perfectly Captures the Spirit of This Iconic British Film Studio

“Goosebumps” (1995-98)
Totally Nineties & Totally Nostalgic

“American Horror Story” (2011-)
While Sharing Some Sonical Elements, It’s Different Every Season & Composer Charlie Clouser Always Delivers

The opening to “The Twilight Zone” received many subtle tweaks throughout its short, but hugely impactful run from 1959 to ‘64. This was another show that utilized multiple composers, but its most well-recognized opening theme debuted on the show’s second season. It’s here where that creepy and cool guitar part from French composer Marius Constant enters the cultural zeitgeist, after being lifted from a pair of library sessions Constant recorded for CBS. This wasn’t the only time “The Twilight Zone” creator Rod Serling would freak-out his audience with a spooky T.V. intro. The show’s spiritual successor, “Night Gallery,” would further explore the macabre imaginations of fans with a vibe all its own for the 1970s.

Do any of these themes still haunt you? Let us know in the comments!