Honestly, it’s not really October until you’ve almost whacked a family member in the face trying to do the "This Is Halloween" routine.
It’s been over a decade since this track first haunted our consoles in Just Dance 3, and yet, it remains a total staple. Why? Because Danny Elfman’s masterpiece from The Nightmare Before Christmas isn’t just a song; it’s an entire vibe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Jack Skellington or just someone who likes looking like a neon skeleton for three minutes, this map is legendary.
The Evolution of a Spooky Classic
When This Is Halloween dropped back in 2011, it was actually a pretty big deal. It was the first Disney song to ever grace the Just Dance series.
Interestingly, the game credits Danny Elfman directly rather than just the movie title, which is a rare move for the franchise. If you look at the original Just Dance 3 version on the Wii or Xbox 360 Kinect, you’ll notice it has this slightly gritty, early-2010s Ubisoft charm.
The coaches are a chaotic quartet:
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- P1: A green skeleton with orange hair and a tattered red hat.
- P2: A pumpkin-headed figure (who actually shows up in other songs like "Professor Pumplestickle").
- P3: A vampire with blue hair and a red cape.
- P4: A witch rocking a pointy cyan hat.
Since then, the song has migrated to basically every modern platform. It’s been in Just Dance Now, Just Dance Unlimited, and currently sits in the Just Dance+ library for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Editions.
The Weird Difficulty Identity Crisis
Is it hard? Is it easy? Nobody seems to know, including the developers.
Back in the day, the "sweat" rating for this song was through the roof. Some older versions even flirted with an "Extreme" label because the movements are so sharp and fast-paced. But if you boot it up on Just Dance Unlimited today, it’s often listed as Easy.
That’s a bit of a lie, honestly.
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While the individual moves aren't as complex as a K-pop Extreme routine, the "Dance Crew" format means you’re constantly interacting with three other people. If you’re playing solo, you’re fine. If you have four people in a small living room, someone is getting an elbow to the ribs during the "In this town we call home" part.
The choreography, handled by Jérémy Paquet, is incredibly theatrical. It’s less about "dancing" in the traditional sense and more about musical theater. You’re acting out the lyrics. When they sing about the "creature under your bed," you’re literally crouching down.
Technical Quirks You Probably Missed
If you’re a total Just Dance nerd, you might have noticed some "remake" glitches over the years.
In the newer HD versions found on Just Dance Now, there’s a funny mistake during P3’s solo. The last pictogram (the little scrolling instructions at the bottom) is actually replaced by P1’s solo icon by mistake.
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Also, the outro is technically three seconds shorter than the original film version. Ubisoft trimmed it down to keep the energy high for the results screen.
Why We’re Still Playing It in 2026
We’ve seen newer Halloween tracks come and go. Just Dance 2025 gave us "Halloween’s Here" by The Just Dance Band, which is fun, but it doesn't have that same Tim Burton soul.
There’s a specific nostalgia that comes with the This Is Halloween map. It’s one of the few songs that bridges the gap between the "old" era of the game—where everything was a bit more literal and campy—and the new era of high-definition "Danceverses."
Plus, the tracking on the newer editions (especially if you're using the phone app or the Joy-Cons) is way more forgiving than the old Kinect days. On the Kinect, if your cat walked in front of the sensor during the bridge, your five-star run was over. Now, it’s much more about just having a good time.
Tips for Mastering the Routine
If you’re trying to hit that Megastar rank this weekend, keep these things in mind:
- Commit to the "Spook": This routine rewards big, exaggerated movements. Don't be shy with the arm swings.
- Watch P3 (The Vampire): If you're playing the quartet version, P3 has some of the most distinct "acting" moments that are easy to miss if you're just looking at the pictograms.
- Space is Everything: This is a wide routine. If you’re playing on a Switch in a cramped bedroom, move the coffee table. Seriously.
- Use the "Just Dance+" Search: Don't go looking for a specific year's disc. Just search "Halloween" in the main hub of the 2023-2025 editions, and it’ll pop right up.
The beauty of this track is that it never really goes out of style. Whether you’re playing the original 2011 Wii version for the nostalgia or streaming it in 4K on a PS5, it’s the ultimate "get everyone off the couch" song. Just try not to trip over the "creature under the stairs."