Thriller by Michael Jackson: Hands down, this is probably one of the best music video and song by the King of Pop. It can either excite you or scare you. The classic video starts with Jackson in a movie hall with his love interest. His partner walks out of the hall as the movie is too scary. The video then takes a scary turn, with Jackson and (what looked like) the zombies pulling off the sickest dance routine ever. You can only hope that your partner is around to comfort you when you’re faced with such a scary situation but this is Jackson at his best. The single as well as the album Thriller both become diamond-certified records.
Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden: Has there ever been a time when someone smiles and stares at you for minutes and you begin to wonder if there is something on your face? Well, the video of Black Hole Sun makes you feel like that... but 10 times more. In the video, everyone has this exaggerated smile while doing basic household duties. Everything about the video shows how a “fake” happy world looks like.
Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys: There’s something scary about ghosts dancing in music videos. In the classic Backstreet Boys video, the members of the band find themselves taking shelter in a creepy-looking mansion after they are stranded. The concept of ‘don’t go into that room’ had not struck them yet. While taking a nap, the members become ghosts or mummies... or just scary-looking beings. The video has a fun dance sequence that kids from the ’90s mastered effortlessly.
Heathens by Twenty One Pilots: We know what you’re wondering. Why would a song from Suicide Squad be considered “scary” and not “awesome”? The video itself has scenes from the movie where all the members from Suicide Squad are showcased but other than that the footage of the band members were actually shot in a real state penitentiary. In the video, Tyler Joseph is dressed in an orange jumpsuit that prisoners wear. He is manhandled by the guards in a very dimly-lit area. By definition, a heathen is someone who, from a religious standpoint, is considered an outsider but the lyrics indicate that Tyler is speaking to heathens, asking them to accept each other.
Kids by MGMT: Sonically this song has a fun electronic rhythm but in the video there is a baby who’s terrorised by monsters while the mother, who carries the baby around, is unaware of the monsters. The video ends with an animated sequence of different worlds and dimensions. When MGMT were asked about the idea behind the video and song they said: “We were just happy-go-lucky, going crazy on campus. But at the same time, we were nostalgic for childhood and there was the threat of post-college life coming.” Kids is an ode to simpler and uncomplicated times.
Every Marilyn Manson video ever: How can one not include Marilyn Manson on this list?! All his videos come with a load of creepiness and let’s not forget those scary eyes that almost look into your soul, From Beautiful People to Sweet Dreams, Marilyn Manson doesn’t fail to... scare!