Top Five Scariest Kids’ TV Theme Tunes

Theme tunes should be fun and catchy — a warm invitation into the world of a TV show. But sometimes, children’s TV went in a very different direction, serving up openings that were eerie, unsettling, or downright terrifying. For many of us, the first 30 seconds of a programme were scarier than anything that came after.

Here are five kids’ TV theme tunes that still give us the shivers.

5. Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990s)

The vibe: A Nickelodeon series about kids telling scary stories around a campfire.

The theme: Whispering wind, creaking swings, a rocking chair moving by itself… all underscored by a chilling, minimalist score. It felt more like the start of a horror film than a kids’ show.

Lasting trauma: Even kids who loved the show sometimes muted the opening — it was that creepy.

4. Children of the Stones (1977)

The vibe: A “kids’ drama” set in a village surrounded by ancient stone circles.

The theme: A haunting choral piece, complete with wailing voices and echoing effects. It sounded more like a pagan ritual than an ITV tea-time show.

Lasting trauma: Many viewers remember the music more vividly than the plot — it was like being hexed through your telly.

3. The Demon Headmaster (1996–98)

The vibe: A CBBC drama about a sinister headmaster with hypnotic powers.

The theme: Discordant, unsettling notes combined with hypnotic spirals and the Headmaster’s glowing eyes. The whole thing screamed “evil cult recruitment video.”

Lasting trauma: The intro made you feel like you were being brainwashed before the episode even started.

2. Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993–97)

The vibe: A kids’ spin-off of the Tales from the Crypt horror anthology.

The theme: Lightning, bats, ominous laughter, and a cackling skeleton host leaping out of a coffin. Aimed at children — but about five steps too far into horror territory.

Lasting trauma: The intro alone was scarier than most of the actual episodes.

1. The Tomorrow People (1973–79; 1990s revival)

The vibe: A sci-fi show about teenagers with psychic powers.

The theme: The original ’70s version had a theme tune that was basically a sonic assault — swirling electronics, distorted voices, and strange noises that sounded like alien transmissions.

Lasting trauma: The kind of theme that made you feel uneasy before a single line of dialogue.