->''"...she suddenly heard unexpected music. It filled the night air as if it had been only waiting for Meggie's footsteps: strange music, a carnival mixture of bells, pipes and drums, both boisterous and sad. Meggie wouldn't have been surprised to find a whole troupe of fairground entertainers waiting for her..."''
-->-- ''[[Literature/TheInkworldTrilogy Inkheart]]''

There's something about circus music.

[[HappyCircusMusic Done straight]], it lets everyone within earshot know that they are in a world of fun for children of all ages! However, unless you're in an [[RealLife actual circus]], then you are more likely to hear this kind of music slowed ''way'' down and played in a minor [[{{Scales}} key]]. The effect is haunting, scary and maybe even sad and nostalgic. Often it will sound as if it's being played on an old, rusty calliope with wheezing pipes and unsteady pressure regulation, leading to out-of-tune notes.

To make it even scarier, it's often SourceMusic in an AbandonedArea to indicate that the area is not so abandoned as the characters thoughts – and if a circus, which is well accustomed to packing up and moving, had to leave everything behind...well, whatever's inhabiting this place ''now'' is something to run away from ''very'' quickly.

Definitely "Music To Run Away From Really Fast", if ever there was such a thing, as it usually means that there's a MonsterClown somewhere waiting to eat you. Or the circus is haunted. Or both. The other main use of this is as a cue that a character is [[SanitySlippage losing their mind]].

Instruments you might hear in this type of music include a [[OminousPipeOrgan pipe organ or calliope]], a [[OminousMusicBoxTune music box]], and, less commonly, [[ForDoomTheBellTolls bells]] or a [[CreepyChildrenSinging children's choir]].

'''Please note:''' This trope is about circus music that is ''intended'' to be creepy. Some instances of circus music might come across as AccidentalNightmareFuel, but you should use your judgment to figure out if the context in which the music plays is ''intentionally'' creepy or not. If it is not intended to be creepy, it most likely belongs on HappyCircusMusic.

Compare IronicNurseryTune, CreepyJazzMusic, SinisterWhistling and SoundtrackDissonance. See also CircusOfFear and AmusementParkOfDoom. May overlap with CircusSynths, in which case it also fits FreakyElectronicMusic. Contrast HappyCircusMusic.

Fun fact: The [[StandardSnippet "standard"]] circus theme is called [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0 "Entry of the Gladiators"]] and was composed as a military march. (History does not record whether the soldiers [[{{Bathos}} were intended to emerge from a tiny little car]].) Because the song is so recognizable, it is common to hear the familiar 10-note melody in creepy circus music.

----
!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Anime/ChargemanKen'': "Waves of the Danube" in the CircusEpisode is played in a minor key, and has a very melancholic tone. This turns out to be fitting, because [[spoiler:the circus is a trap to kill Ken]].
* A creepy little number called "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvN2EdM5Po&ab_channel=CowboyBebopHD Yuuenchi]]" plays in the ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' episode "[[Recap/CowboyBebopSession20PierrotLeFou Pierrot le Fou]]" when Spike Spiegel battles Mad Pierrot at his abandoned amusement park.
* In ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2okaf_qOqgE&ab_channel=BruceFaulconer-Topic several]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyR0AviIdK4&ab_channel=Otskreig of Majin Buu's themes]] in the Funimation score have circus motifs, which totally fits the childishly deranged and pretty unsettlingly nature of the {{Manchild}} HumanoidAbomination.
* Towards the end of ''Manga/{{Gyo}}'', the main character stumbles into a CircusOfFear where the insane ringmaster is directing a show performed by infected people and animals. There's also an orchestra of infected {{Monster Clown}}s who play an eerie tune, and the ringmaster points out that they aren't playing the instruments, but only blowing the virus gas into them, which comes out as otherworldly music on its own. The ringmaster believes it's a "march from another world", that the gas is sentient and is communicating and directing all the infected circus artists, since they move along with its rhythm. Sadly, the OVA downplays this scene a lot, and the creepy circus music is rather bland.
* The recurring number "Dream" from ''Manga/MysteriousGirlfriendX'' is definitely inspired by this.
* The ending credits to ''Anime/ParanoiaAgent''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* In ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries'', a {{Haunted House}}'s HallOfMirrors play this.
* the basement of the abandoned Sunny Days Foster Care in ''Fanfic/StarlightOverDetrot'' has this playing from seemingly everywhere.
* The vocaloid fanfic ''Fanfic/RottingCamellias'' has this playing in its {{Circus of Fear}}.
* A fan fiction/song based on ''Friendship is Magic'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAabtQZSdlE Carnival Cat vs. Ponyville]]", has this aesthetic going for it the entire time.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* "You're Only Second Rate", the VillainSong from ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'', is a swingy Broadway-style song that contains some elements of this. For example, circus-themed imagery is used throughout the song, and when Jafar sings the line "You think your cat's a meanie, but your tiger's tame", you can hear the melody of "Entry of the Gladiators" in the background.
* Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/AnimalFarm1954''. When the animals are exploring Mr. Jones' house, Benjamin accidentally starts up a record player that plays a loud, orchestral version of "Entry of the Gladiators." Benjamin is so frightened by the music that he kicks the record player with his donkey hooves, destroying it. Being a farm animal, Benjamin probably doesn't understand the concept of "circus music," but the music itself still sounded [[SensoryAbuse loud and hyperactive]] enough to scare him.
* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyondReturnOfTheJoker'' uses an offscreen music box to similar effect. We are talking about the perversion of a home created by two {{Monster Clown}}s after all.
* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheKillingJoke'': "[[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ I Go Looney]]," the Joker's written VillainSong from [[ComicBook/TheKillingJoke the original graphic novel]] about succumbing to madness in times of stress, is imagined here as a deranged carnival-ish tune, with a bit of a vaudeville showtune aesthetic as well. This is quite fitting for a MonsterClown singing about insanity to a man being forced through a carnival dark ride.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'' has an [[CreepyAwesome excellently creepy scene]] with the [[spoiler:Other]] Kangaroo Rats. Bonus points for occurring in an actual circus of sorts.
* The first part of "[[DisneyAcidSequence Pink Elephants on Parade]]" from ''WesternAnimation/{{Dumbo}}'' is a circus march played in a minor key, and made even more frightening by the [[DerangedAnimation surrealism]] of the scene. When the singing starts ("Look out! Look out! Pink elephants on parade!") the brass and xylophone are replaced by a circus-esque organ.
* "[[VillainSong Jester]]" from ''WesternAnimation/LegendsOfOzDorothysReturn'' is a creepy circus song befitting the VillainousHarlequin who sings it.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': The hyena theme sounds like a carnival of horrors that goes berserk after some time, fitting for such a group of deranged and clownish characters.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' has some pretty [[https://youtu.be/GFKWjd3KwF0?t=1m45s intense carnival-esque music]] as Oogie Boogie sics his casino-themed deathtraps on Jack.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiU2mZYunV0 This track]] from the soundtrack of ''Literature/{{Paprika}}''.
* ''WesternAnimation/PinocchioAndTheEmperorOfTheNight'': The infamous NightmareFuel scene in which [[EvilPuppeteer Puppetino]] transforms Pinocchio back into a wooden marionette by playing a sinister, chaotic carnival music with a cursed organ grinder.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* The theme to ''Film/ChildsPlay2'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmBbt_cipxM this.]]
* The theme music from ''Film/TheElephantMan'', especially the unused [[https://youtu.be/Zdm5rQaNGUw Belgian Circus track]].
* ''Film/Batman1989'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGNbE-1quX0 "Waltz to the Death"]], by Creator/DannyElfman, is ComicBook/TheJoker's {{Leitmotif}}. The theme actually sounds more like something from the 19th century (think Tchaikovsky's ''Nutcracker Suite''), but it's played on rather loud horns that remind one of a circus band; and while it's not very creepy in itself, the two scenes during which it's played certainly are (the Joker gleefully shooting a man several times and the Joker forcing the film's DamselInDistress to dance with him - at gunpoint - atop Gotham City's cathedral).
* ''Film/BatmanReturns'': Given the presence of the Red Triangle Gang, a malevolent group of criminals that were formerly a [[InvasionOfTheBabySnatchers children-stealing]] CircusOfFear, Elfman has implemented a creepy circus vibe and ominous organ grinder music whenever they appear, as observable in "[[https://youtu.be/gB7bBm-LvqU Shadow Of Doom/Clown Attack]]", "[[https://youtu.be/ge7RWZ-8S6o?t=43 Lair (Part 1)]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/Oz8aLIECqqM?t=37 The Rise And Fall From Grace (Part 1)]]".
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYDh0M3ueO0 "Carnival From Hell"]], another Danny Elfman piece for Creator/SamRaimi's ''Film/{{Darkman}}'' starts off like normal carnival music, but an underlying note of tension keeps building up until it takes over turning the music into a tune of pure chaos and menace when the protagonist loses his patience with a carnival worker who doesn't want to give him a game prize. While the pay off is played for laughs, this track remains eerie to listen to.
* The unused track "[[https://youtu.be/Ansdtg2iOeI?t=548 Circus Delire]]" for ''Film/{{Delicatessen}}''.
* There's a creepy calliope ditty called "To The Shock of Miss Louise" in ''Film/TheLostBoys''.
* The Carousel Trap music in ''Film/SawVI''.
* The title theme to ''Film/PuppetMaster'' movies sounds like it's played on a well-meaning but thoroughly evil music box.
* In ''Film/TheCompanyOfWolves'' [[https://youtu.be/JUKUYAdlr1Y?si=hcNjkbUPtx6_narQ this track]] begins to take the form of scary circus music as unsettling SoundtrackDissonance while the AssholeVictims at the wedding party freakishly turn into wolves.
* The Green Goblin's theme from ''Film/SpiderMan1'', [[https://youtu.be/PhVlJq2DsgY?t=174 especially]] during his first appearance at the parade has a very unsettlingly and menacing jaunty carnival tune to it. Given the theme is done by the aforementioned Music/DannyElfman and the Goblin is often considered [[PracticallyJoker Marvel's answer to the Joker]], it's very fitting. For Goblin's return in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', the creepy circus allusions in his theme music is even more [[https://youtu.be/6wsw7yQSVAo?t=179 overt]] and when played [[SoundtrackDissonance during Norman's attack on young Spidey and Aunt May]] -- all complete with EvilLaugh, it's scary as hell.
* Opening theme to ''Film/TheFunhouse''.
* The "[[https://youtu.be/RqmQBBJf83Q Nenia Suspence]]" (meaning "suspenseful dirge") track, used as the leitmotif of the [[MonsterClown creepy clown]] [[PerversePuppet doll]] from ''Film/LaCasa3'', a dim carnival music with an eerie voice (presumably the clown's) that keeps repeating "burial" played in reverse.
* Unsurprisingly, the 2012 film ''Film/TheDevilsCarnival'' is loaded with this. Bonus points for the film taking place in Hell.
* ''Film/TheHaunting1999'' features a rotating, mirrored room which played [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmQ9EnpDif8 a sprightly circus-type song]] composed by veteran horror composer Music/JerryGoldsmith. While this was justified in-story by Hugh Crain having built and designed his mansion for children to play in, a review of the movie said it best (in paraphrase): "No horror movie can be complete without creepy circus music." As if the original tune isn't unsettling enough, Eleanor later visits the room in the middle of the night while having her requisite freak-out, and the imbalanced spinning she suffers is augmented by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ddMIfgfGg a very deep, discordant bass line running in counterpoint to the calliope]].
* ''Film/LogansRun'' uses something quite similar to this in the carousel sequences. Not exactly ''creepy'' circus music, but definitely ''demented'' circus music.
* Both adaptations of Creator/StephenKing's ''Literature/{{IT}}'' have multiple takes:
** [[Film/It1990 The 1990 miniseries]] has "[[https://youtu.be/P6bJ5t8CJwk Georgie Dies]]" which is straight-up creepy circus music in the first part, whereas [[MonsterClown Pennywise]]'s leitmotif "[[https://youtu.be/Z_ryTyCZhJQ Circus Source]]" is used more as SoundtrackDissonance, but even a happy carnival tune just feels creepy because of the association.
** In [[Film/It2017 the 2017 movie]], Pennywise dances to a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF5krjVVcso deranged, distorted circus music]] in front of Bev when she awakens in his lair, while ''[[Film/ItChapterTwo Chapter 2]]'' has "[[https://youtu.be/Hu30X3m3EXE Dirty Little Secret]]" in which Pennywise sings to Richie while an eerie circus waltz is heard.
* Music/TheBand's eponymous theme to ''Film/TheLastWaltz'' is a calliope-accompanied funhouse tune in, yep, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin waltz time]]. Instead of creepy, though, the effect is wistful and elegiac. And mighty damned pretty!
* In ''Theatre/AStreetcarNamedDesire'' the Varsouvania Polka is an example of this, showing up every time Blanche loses her mind a little more.
* The [[https://youtu.be/H6sABN8SupM opening credits theme]] for ''Film/EyesWithoutAFace'' sounds like a demented circus tune.
* The title theme of ''Film/KillerKlownsFromOuterSpace'' features the abovementioned "Entry of the Gladiators" as a metal guitar riff, to match with the tongue-in-cheek evil circus theme of the titular creatures.
** The tracks "[[https://youtu.be/YmqpTXVbYO8 The Inevitable (Pt. 1)]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/aJzgq0VtMPc Klownfrontation]]" fit the bill as genuine creepy circus music.
* ''Film/ApocalypseNow'' has a calliope theme as the background music of Do Lung Bridge, the "ass hole of the world." Unusually for this trope, there's no actual circus in the movie (although the carnival-like lights of the bridge invoke that visual). Instead, the music is used to imply that the residents here have [[SanitySlippage gotten out of the proverbial boat]] and treat the warzone like a carnival game.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* Featured intermittently in Ray Bradbury's ''Literature/SomethingWickedThisWayComes''.
* An early hint that something really ''weird'' is going on in ''Literature/FullTilt'' is "the sound of calliope music and screams."
* In Creator/StephenKing's ''Literature/{{IT}}'', during his encounter with Pennywise at Derry's Standpipe, Stan Uris hears "Camptown Races" coming up from the dark staircase of the building. [[https://youtu.be/SRY5let69Bs This]] is how it probably sounded like...
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* Shows up in a few ''Series/AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'' episodes. Namely in "The Tale of Laughing in the Dark" and "The Tale of the Dark Music."
* ''Series/SesameStreet'': The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Rhm7kp-tk "Mechanical Technology"]] segment, which includes several horrifying close-ups of [[CreepyDoll dolls with lifeless eyes]], is set to Janko Nilovic's "Portrait d'un robot".
* ''Series/DoctorWho'' uses this to great effect in the Seventh Doctor story [[CircusOfFear "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy".]] It's just similar enough to some well-known circus tunes to be off-putting, seems to come from nowhere inside the circus tent, plays during [[SoundtrackDissonance some of the most surreal and creepy scenes in the story]], is used to drown out a young woman's screams, and is just catchy enough to stay in your head...
* ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryFreakShow'', which takes place at a circus, uses a variation of the standard ''AHS'' opening theme that fits this trope to a T. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFLKPMLdR2c Just listen]].
* ''Series/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents2017'':
** In one scene of "The Wide Window: Part 2", the Baudelaires, Mr. Poe, and a disguised Count Olaf are heading to a KitschyThemedRestaurant called "The Anxious Clown" so Olaf can trick Poe into handing the children into his care over brunch. As they drive to the restaurant, the camera lingers on a sign advertising it, with a picture of a SadClown, as creepy circus music plays in the background.
** Naturally, this type of music is prominent in "The Carnivorous Carnival", especially when Olaf, posing as the ringmaster of Caligari Carnival, sings [[https://youtu.be/PU4lE62_nUg a song]] during the freaks' performance.
* Shows up in several ''Series/TalesFromTheCrypt'' episodes, namely "Dig That Cat... He's Real Gone", "Lower Berth", "Strung Along" and "Food For Thought".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* OlderThanTelevision: "Alabama Song" from ''Theatre/TheRiseAndFallOfTheCityOfMahagonny'', first performed in 1930. A wasted flapper and a derelict-looking man in a rumpled suit joylessly chant the nihilistic lyrics as they ride in the back of a clunky old pickup truck - and the discordant musical accompaniment is effectively sinister and disreputable in sound, describable only as "circus music being played in a junkyard." When they covered it on their debut album in 1967, Music/TheDoors played up the creepy angle in the arrangement, featuring Ray Manzarek playing both staccato organ notes and a Marxophone, an old zither connected to bouncing hammers that produces a jittery, chimey sound.
* The first two Music/MrBungle albums are chock full of horrifying moments of off-key, sinister circus music, played on keyboards tuned to sound like a calliope or pipe organ. Their first album even features a MonsterClown on the cover.
* "Come See the Meatboy" by Calibretto.
* Music/{{Vocaloid}}:
** "Dark Woods Circus" by {{Machigherita}}
** "Circus Monster" by Luka, which features the slowed-down variety. The song itself is actually rather sad, and the circus music adds to that effect. The tune in question sounds more sad then creepy.
* "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!" by Music/TheBeatles. Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''LOVE'' takes this to its logical conclusion by making this song the centerpiece of a CircusOfFear, representing the controversies the group triggered in both the U.K. and the U.S. after Beatlemania's initial wave. As the scene climaxes, the music becomes a sinister combination of "Helter Skelter" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".
* Music/{{Creature Feature}}'s "The Greatest Show Unearthed"
* Unsurprisingly featured in Music/MelanieMartinez's "Carousel".
* When Music/TomWaits isn't doing Creepy Blues, Creepy Bluegrass, or Creepy Jazz, it's usually this. Especially once he gets ahold of that calliope-organ of his. His Concept Album ''Music/TheBlackRider'' contains a lot of it, including an old carnival tune "sung" by Creator/WilliamSBurroughs.
* Experiment 16 by Mentally Detached
* ArcAttack's aptly-titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcaf9Qb4ncA "Creepy Circus Song"]] (complete with creepy children laughing)
* The Dark Cabaret act "Circus Contraption" is, yet again, made of this trope.
* Music/TheTigerLillies use this trope quite often.
* "Lions Roar" by The Hush Sound is a great example.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HUUNCu86e0 ''The Carny of Mr. Dark'']] by Deathwatch Beetle Repairman.
* Music/PinkFloyd's "Poles Apart" contains a brief segment composed of this.
* Many Years Ago by Music/AliceCooper.
* Music/NoxArcana's ''Carnival of Lost Souls'' is a whole ''album'' of this stuff! For example, see [[https://youtu.be/rZcF8QpEH18 Hall of Mirrors]], in which a creepy organ waltz is backed up by the sounds of maniacal laughter.
* The Music/{{Eels}} song ''Trouble with Dreams''. "Flyswatter" also has a similar feel to it - both have verse sections that juxtapose a creepy minor key toy piano riff with surprisingly aggressive drumming.
* The Music/BarenakedLadies' track [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel"]] has some major clown-vibes, used to create a sense of eerie detachment from the events of the song. It's a different kind of creepy from the classic {{monster clown}} effect.
* Music/DavidBowie's "After All" (from 1:56 - 2:18).
* "Put A Straw Under Baby" by Music/BrianEno.
* "Spinning In Daffodils" by Them Crooked Vultures has a very dark circus riff.
* On "Random 2", a Gary Numan tribute album, somebody uses this to remake "Down in the Park". You know, that song about a combination jail/extermination camp that's also been covered by Marilyn Manson.
* Music/{{Nightwish|Band}}'s song Scaretale certainly counts, at least from about 4:10 onwards, while also appearing to homage ''[[Ride/TheHauntedMansion Grim Grinning Ghosts]]''.
* The "Big Top" section of Music/KingCrimson's "Lizard" suite could qualify, closing the piece (and the album) with the sound of a circus riff slowly spinning out of control.
* Music/{{Nine Inch Nails}} - "Pilgrimage" starts out as an IndustrialMetal instrumental, but partway through transitions into an eerie marching band style arrangement of the same melody backed by wordless chanting, suggesting either a creepy circus parade or some sort of fascist rally.
* "Music/PsychoCircus" by Music/{{KISS}} opens with some very creepy circus music playing.
* Music/BruceSpringsteen has a little calliope figure at the beginning and end of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCVJny3Va4I Magic]]" and some faint hurdy-gurdy in the bridge... while Bruce wanders through a CrappyCarnival. [[WordOfGod According to the Boss]], people who think it's about the [[http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=9137 the Bush Administration]] are mostly correct.
* ''Music/MiracleOfSound'':
** The tune of [[ComicBook/TheJoker Joker's Song]] is built on a carnival/circus theme, befitting the MonsterClown that's singing it.
** His song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_zisUSfWDY "Call of Duty Circus"]] also uses this trope.
* Music/DiabloSwingOrchestra has dabbled in this a couple times, as well as [[GenreBusting pretty much everything else]].
* Music/AliceCooper's ''ComicBook/TheLastTemptation'' features this type of music in the outro of it's first track, "Sideshow" complete with a creepy carnival barker.
* Both Leo Sayer's and Three Dog Night's version "The Show Must Go On" features this prominently, although Three Dog Night's version features much slower circus music that flows with the rest of the song.
* Music/NoDoubt's song Tragic Kingdom has a prominent carnival sound that gets faster and more chaotic by the end, until it explodes into a {{Big Rock Ending}}.
* Brian Wilson/the Beach Boy's ''Music/{{SMiLE|TheBeachBoys}}'' has a linking piece between "Wind Chimes" and the ominous "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" with a creepy circus-y calliope.
* Website/YouTube composers Derek & Brandon Fiechter have a whole series of this type of music, and most of the songs are even labelled word-for-word as "Creepy Circus Music". Look [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9-TDHt7Tco&index=27&list=PLy_Q-5e78AnwCpp-M2T3aDzeYlnwF3W4r here]]. However, they also wrote a song called "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JzDySYPxLc Circus Performers]]", a joyful song that completely averts this trope and is instead labelled as simply "Circus Music". It's still placed in their "Halloween Music" playlist, though, probably to keep it together with the ''creepy'' circus music.
* Bensound.com offers up ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin with the royalty free track ''[[http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/creepy Creepy.]]''
* Dot's ''Calliope EP'' is full of this, particularly the tracks "Calliope" and "Freakshow".
* Music/KevinMacleod has written a few songs in this style, such as his "Tenebrous Brothers Carnival" series, and "Waltz of the Carnies".
* Zomboy's song [[https://youtu.be/5CVxC0j1wK0 Organ Donor]] blends this with {{Dubstep}} and SpeedMetal via an [[OminousPipeOrgan overclocked caliope]], best described as ideal music for [[EscapeFromTheCrazyPlace fighting your way out]] of a CircusOfFear. (the boss MonsterClown shows up at 2:31.)
* ''Music/SiIvaGunner'': "[[https://youtu.be/Su4o4CxqAI0 Mad Jack Battle (Beta Mix)]]" combines the frantic brass and strings of [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong64 Mad Jack]]'s battle theme with the equally frantic melody of "[[VideoGame/{{Deltarune}} The World Revolving]]." Mad Jack's creepy laugh is heard multiple times throughout the video to add to the effect.
* "[[https://youtu.be/vt8wQ8StziA Sadly Go Around]]" by Bruno Alexiu is an eerie piece with an undercurrent of fast notes on a calliope and a music box melody. The song's title is an ironic twist on "merry-go-round."
* ''Music/TheCogIsDead'' has "[[https://youtu.be/-XhuD4vt_3s The Circus of Clowns]]," a song about a CircusOfFear containing several {{Monster Clown}}s. The tune prominently features a creepy music box melody and a swingy chorus.
* Music/{{Eminem}}'s SubvertedKidsShow SignatureStyle involves elements of this, especially on ''Music/TheEminemShow'', ''Relapse'' and ''Music To Be Murdered By''.
* Unsurprisngly, "Carnival" by Rachel Rose Mitchell makes heavy use of this.
* Music/FiveFingerDeathPunch's "Welcome to the Circus" uses the off-key, creepy circus music at the beginning, during the bridge, and at the end.
* The album ''Free to Be… You and Me'' uses this in the song "Girl Land," about the closing of the titular amusement park where "good little girls" pick up after the boys and are forbidden to climb trees, a [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything thinly-veiled metaphor for tradition gender roles.]] It turns sinister when the ringmaster announces that "You go in a girl, and you never get out! [[spoiler:It's revealed in the last verse that Girl Land will be replaced by a park where "You'll do what you like/And you'll be who you are."]]
* Project Pitchfork have a BreadAndCircuses-themed song with a CircusSynths main riff appropriately titled "[[https://youtu.be/J6IQVK3KffY The Circus]]".
* Music/TheHumanLeague's "[[https://youtu.be/KEvxexPWVO4 Circus of Death]]".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Podcasts]]
* Creepy Circus Music serves as the Leitmotif of ''Podcast/TheThrillingAdventureHour'' villain [[MonsterClown Nightmares the Clown]] whenever he appears. It's immediately followed by Sadie Doyle delightedly shouting "Clown!"
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* Wrestling/DoinkTheClown's entrance theme as a {{heel}} was a low-pitched rendition of "Entry of the Gladiators" overlaid with EvilLaughter.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theater]]
* Alban Berg's ''Theatre/{{Wozzeck}}'' -- always a great source for horror music tropes -- gestures towards this pretty strongly with the [[https://youtu.be/eHNDX7-Qucg military parade music]].
* ''Theatre/{{Assassins}}'' opens with a corny circus waltz arrangement of "Hail to the Chief" as the curtain rises on a shooting gallery of American presidents.
* As mentioned under Film-Live Action, ''Theatre/AStreetcarNamedDesire'' features a Varsouviana Polka that plays whenever Blanche reminisces about her late husband, Allen Grey; it's a sign that her [[SanitySlippage mind is gradually slipping]]. We eventually find out why: [[spoiler: The two were dancing to the Varsouviana when Blanche, in a fit of rage, told Allen that she'd seen him in bed with a man earlier that day. Allen was so ashamed and terrified of his true sexuality being revealed that he [[DrivenToSuicide ran out and shot himself]]. Blanche [[ItsAllMyFault blames herself for his death]], which was the catalyst to her own mental breakdown, and so the Varsouviana Polka has run endlessly through her head ever since.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReAlOU0cinQ This type of music]] can be heard in ''VideoGame/BendyAndTheInkMachine'' Chapter 4, when Henry is [[BossFight fighting]] [[spoiler:Bertrum Piedmont]].
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvrY1mTbslM&ab_channel=firefeure Creepy Docks music]] in ''VideoGame/BioShock1''.
* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' also features an apparently-cheerful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZTNqIIHi3I&ab_channel=Cz%C5%82owiekDrzewo calliope tune]] that plays while Booker and Elizabeth are at Battleship Bay. The problem? Listening closely reveals it's an instrumental version of [[Music/CyndiLauper Cyndi Lauper's]] "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," originally released in 1979 and made famous with Lauper's 1983 version...and the game takes place in ''1912''. It's one of the clues that [[spoiler: the "tears" in time-space caused by the quantum particles which suspend the city of Columbia in the air are actually windows into years ahead, and that there are forces working to rewrite the past by stealing from the future.]]
* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
** ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'': "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FH99_W3qn4 Merry Go Round]]" would sound happy under normal circumstances, but it's downright ''[[SoundtrackDissonance disturbing]]'' when heard in the lower levels of the BigBoosHaunt level.
** ''VideoGame/LuigisMansionDarkMoon'': [[https://youtu.be/AiGqRdMhY0M The music]] used in the level "Ambush Maneuver" is a creepy calliope waltz befitting the toy train set where the level takes place.
** ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' uses this type of music in association with the sinister MagicalClown Dimentio:
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mfH_yZoyrs Dimentio, Charming Magician]] is Dimentio's {{leitmotif}}, which combines a sort of swanky, circus/magic show tune with a feeling of power and dread.
*** "[[https://youtu.be/xst5I01nFOs It's Showtime]]," Dimentio's BossRemix, starts out with chaotic fast notes, creating a feeling of overwhelming power. However, the more "magical" elements from "Dimentio, Charming Magician" slowly come in, and this trope comes into full effect later (0:47 in the linked video), as the song switches to a dark waltz-like reprise of "Dimentio, Charming Magician"'s main melody.
** In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioKart'', the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okAMB-4VPRg Ranked Out]]" jingle is a dark version of the first 10 notes from "Entry of the Gladiators".
* The music in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t45Xz1ziq8o Chortlebot Challenge]] in ''VideoGame/WarioLandShakeIt''.
* The main menu music of ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' and the final level, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEfcgr9cQWk&ab_channel=PeterMcConnell-Topic The Meat Circus]].
* Although it isn't your standard circus tune, the creepy theme from the ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie'' level Witchyworld fits the mold.
* ''Franchise/BatmanArkhamSeries'' unsurprisingly most of Joker's themes are creepy circus tunes inspired by the Music/DannyElfman and Shirley Walker scores, Scarecrow's theme in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'' has [[https://youtu.be/cyW6qwiiNdo?t=80 demented carnival music]] as well.
* ''VideoGame/EpicMickey'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPlAZR-FMus The Clock Tower's theme]] in the first game is a ''very'' dark version of "It's a Small World".
** The music that is emitted from the run down floats in ''VideoGame/EpicMickey2ThePowerOfTwo'''s Floatyard, creatively named "Floats" in the soundtrack, definitely fits this trope, though the area itself is on par with Mickeyjunk Mountain for being both DownInTheDumps and creepily nostalgic.
* ''VideoGame/KillingFloor'' has a circus-themed map dubbed "Abusement Park", with slowed-down or creepified renditions of "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze", "The Entertainer", and "Entry of the Gladiators" to accompany the survival horror.
* ''VideoGame/Blood1997'' uses this sort of music, titled ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIksYWaZKA Dark Carnival]]'' on the soundtrack, for its circus levels. The sounds of barkers and children throughout make it even creepier.
* Trevor hears a distorted version of this in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' during the "Grass Roots" mission after [[MarijuanaIsLSD smoking a joint and hallucinating a wave of]] [[MonsterClown Monster Clowns.]]
* From ''VideoGame/BillyHatcherAndTheGiantEgg'', the Circus Park night theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYKMvoLgsKo Odd March]]-- which itself is a remix of "Child's Song", the Speed Slider boss theme from ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix''. Both songs were created by Mariko Nanba, who also composed the "Circus Park" theme from ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog''.
* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** In addition to the aforementioned "Child's Song", the series also has Mystic Cave Zone from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'' and Carnival Night Zone from ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', which both also use the prototypical circus music "Entrance of the Gladiators". Doesn't sound so creepy, until you get to that GuideDangIt part in Carnival Night where many players were trapped until they Game-Overed.
** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4'' uses a circus-esque theme for its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uivgblx8CrA boss music]]. It's not exactly creepy, but it certainly sounds deranged.
** ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'' uses an upbeat variation of this theme for Circus Park.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** More or less played straight with Calobrena's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_PB2WsuUP4&feature=related intro theme]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''.
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cGvzrNoEtY&ab_channel=gamemusicisgood Kefka's theme]], a sorta circus/militaristic march mix, actually averts this trope. Instead, the creepiness comes in when you see what [[OmnicidalManiac Kefka]] gleefully will do while his theme is playing... Suffice to say, you will come to associate Kefka's theme with very, very bad things. No surprise, then, that his theme is present throughout the entirety of the final boss theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O-9U_QKhgA Dancing Mad]]," particularly the fourth movement.
* [[spoiler: The BigBad's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaSITY8NBVw Leitmotif]]]] in ''VisualNovel/{{Ace Attorney Investigations|MilesEdgeworth}} 2''.
* The CircusOfFear level in ''VideoGame/TimeSplitters2'' features an appropriately worrying [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wKgBxyyD3U circus theme]].
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'':
** There is a music box house in Ikana Valley which constantly plays circus music to keep away the undead... successfully. This song is similar to the one in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''.
** Another possible example is the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNWYm3wsOk Song of Storms]].
* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
** "Waltz of the Lazy Chair" from ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaCurseOfDarkness'' could be seen as an example.
** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' has two circus levels with creepy music.
* ''VideoGame/SilentHill1'' has its own amusement park [[https://youtu.be/rhaBRQKZXvM?t=68 with creepy carnival music]], which is [[https://youtu.be/rhaBRQKZXvM?t=68 revisited]] in ''VideoGame/SilentHill3''.
* The "Puzzles" room in ''VideoGame/Shivers1995'' has its own horrific [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlO1kyWA3Tk&feature=related music.]]
* The Makin' Magic expansion pack for ''VideoGame/TheSims'' has circus music as its musical theme, and it's also the spookiest expansion pack, though only at DefangedHorrors level.
* Gore's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlM2eGRVZfA "Madness Visitor"]] from ''VisualNovel/GoreScreamingShow'' is this. Makes sense, [[NightmareFuelStationAttendant considering]] [[PerversePuppet what]] [[MonsterClown he]] [[EldritchAbomination is]].
* One of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxa_4R_2RWs trainer encounter themes]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver''; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8N_V9KfqLs its version]] from the remakes ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' sounds less circuslike though.
* ''VideoGame/BatmanDoom'': The "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RC1yHNorBo Scarecrow]]" track, which plays on the "House of Fear" level set in [[AmusementParkOfDoom a haunted house attraction]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCeFkjEAD3E The Kingdom Of Endless Dreams]] from ''[[VideoGame/DeathSmiles Deathsmiles IIX]]''. It's the Extra Field theme, the most terrifying Christmas carnival ever.
* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'''s Dark Carnival campaign is set almost entirely in a carnival, and the overlying style of the music matches it accordingly.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qeIwSkzR3k Peanut Gallery Music]] while not exactly "creepy" It's just kinda weird.
** When powering up a Merry-Go-Round (and alerting a horde of zombies) to get through to the other side of the carousel, the song that it starts playing is stereotypical creepy carnival music that's very slow-paced and ominous-sounding. Makes you question how well it did back when the carnival was still actually in operation.
* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has "[[https://youtu.be/9QpmfOLaUcw Misfortune Teller]]", used in main menu startup music for the ''Scream Fortress 2014'' update.
* Averted throughout the "Carny" stage of ''VideoGame/HouseOfTheDeadOverkill'', which instead uses the fun rockabilly number [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apruos3GEo "One Night in Bayou"]]. We do get a properly [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4sXf6pEsBU demented, carnival-flavored track]] during the boss fight, though.
* ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'':
** In the 5.x release time frame, ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' added a carousel to the Darkmoon Faire. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqj-p6zEgy8 happy little circus tune]] that plays while you're riding it is eerily reminiscent of something Creator/DannyElfman would write.
** Then comes the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQjG-ffwTek trailer song]] for ''VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft'' about the same place...
* [[MonsterClown Little Clown]]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LASVTJHFyE battle music]] in ''VideoGame/MrNutz''.
* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'':
** ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'': [[https://youtu.be/A3BTZDQEPn4 Marx's battle theme]] is a chaotic and frantic tune that keeps [[UncommonTime jumping between time signatures]], played on circus-esque strings and brass. Fitting for such an evil and twisted jester.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaJIS1FvJAw Reflected Laughter]] from ''VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe'', which plays in the CircusOfFear level. As if that wasn't scary enough, it is used again in the [[BigBoosHaunt haunted mansion level.]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xsVoyunQS0 It's back]] in ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheRainbowCurse''
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byodgKjU0MI Necrodeus' Theme]] from ''VideoGame/KirbyMassAttack'' also qualifies.
* ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLNklguPhY8 Facade & Blade]], [[VillainousHarlequin Joka]]'s battle theme from ''[[VideoGame/KlonoaDoorToPhantomile Door to Phantomile]]'' starts out with this type of music, but quickly switches to dark, techno-ish music. This is symbolic of Joka going from being [[LaughablyEvil incompetent and buffoonish]] to being a full-fledged MonsterClown.
** The boss theme for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACA1ry9rNps Leptio the Flower Clown]] from ''[[VideoGame/Klonoa2LunateasVeil Lunatea's Veil]]'' also qualifies.
** Creepy Circus Music plays in ''Empire of Dreams'' in the cutscene before each boss battle, except for the FinalBoss.
* ''VideoGame/CarnEvil'' contains quite a bit of this, although this is to be expected, considering [[AmusementParkOfDoom the game's setting]]. Some good examples include [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTZPFMyvVdQ Select Your Doom]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RP-0HPrZas Ludwig von Tökkentäkker's Big Top]].
* In the beginning of the arcade game ''VideoGame/NinjaClowns'', there is a shot of [[NonIronicClown the main character]] standing on a building at night, surveying the city just like ComicBook/{{Batman}}. During this shot, the background music is a slow, eerie version of "Entry of the Gladiators"
* Considering that the main character is a circus performer and the BigBad is a MonsterClown, it should come across as no surprise that ''VideoGame/AeroTheAcroBat'' contains some examples of this. For example, see [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EokMjPZ3JLw Circus 2]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEXjQV1RKM the boss theme]] (the latter of which is a creepy-circus-themed remix of the classical tune "Flight of the Bumblebee".)
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301s-GDML5w Big Top Bop]], the first boss theme from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'' is an epic metal song that uses some very circusy sounding instruments in some parts. Although the effect is more empowering than creepy, it's still played in a minor key.
* Mary's {{Leitmotif}} in ''VideoGame/{{Ib}}'' is a sad-sounding waltz played on a [[OminousMusicBoxTune music box]], giving it this sound. One Website/YouTube user made [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz9bD_Dmqwc a remix]] that makes it sound even more like circus music.
* The AmusementParkOfDoom level in ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon|1}}'' has some segments featuring circus music played as if it is was on a broken record.
* The entire soundtrack of ''[[VideoGame/MysteryCaseFiles Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate]]'' fits this trope.
* In ''VideoGame/SamAndMaxHitTheRoad'', some of the carnival music has elements of this trope. [[https://youtu.be/yMjwdddpkzg Carnival of the Odd]] highlights how the carnival is a bit of a CrappyCarnival while still remaining somewhat pleasant, and [[https://youtu.be/t5n-oKOQOkE Hall of Oddities]] sets the mood for the carnival's FreakShow.
* The ''Twisted Circus'' slot machine. The circus is less scary looking than you'd expect but the slowed down version of "Entry of the Gladiators" that plays throughout the game has a creepy sound.
* In ''VideoGame/HauntTheHouse: Terrortown'', the Ghost Train level, which is basically a carnival on wheels, fittingly has [[https://youtu.be/lo6Ou0SwSqU creepy carnival music]].
* The song "[[https://youtu.be/QVhkyh5OYSU Coin-Op Bop]]" on ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'''s soundtrack (the song was written for a minigame that was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen cut from the final game]]) is a fast-paced tune that sounds like it was played on a fairground organ. The song starts out cheerful, but eventually switches to a minor key, and then gets faster and much more frantic in tone.
* The mobile version of ''VideoGame/FallenLondon'' has [[https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/mrs-plentys-carnival very distorted]], [[https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/carnival-at-midnight very creepy]] circus music that plays in Mrs. Plenty's Carnival.
* ''VideoGame/PacManWorld'': The first game has a level called "Clown Prix" where you race some evil clowns. Fittingly, the level has some [[https://youtu.be/0qm1DU8jdKU frantic, minor-key carnival music]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'': An eerie waltz tune, simply titled "[[https://youtu.be/G26vBwgHdXo The Circus]]" plays during the buildup to the battle against [[spoiler:Jevil, a twisted jester]]. His battle music itself is a frantic carnival-ish tune called "[[https://youtu.be/Zf2qOWmKiz0 The World Revolving]]."
* ''VideoGame/MarbleMadness'' has this in its [[https://youtu.be/VMdgZ3MKEKs third stage]].
* ''VideoGame/DeadByDaylight'' plays [[https://youtu.be/B308D3Eakf4 suitably creepy music]] when you select the [[MonsterClown Clown]] as your killer in the main menu, to say nothing of the [[https://youtu.be/u2am15PxoaE?t=53 music]] that plays when he's chasing you.
* ''VideoGame/TheNightOfTheRabbit'' has "[[https://youtu.be/rJ1vLwosEwE Zaroff's Show]]," a whimsical circus march tune that plays when Jerry finally meets the Great Zaroff, the only magician in the game who embraces the image of a StageMagician, [[spoiler:and also, being the BigBad, the only evil magician.]]
* ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureHeritageForTheFuture'' has "[[https://youtu.be/VpykhkB2hPE Death 13’s theme]]", that plays when you face the bonus boss [[DreamWeaver Death Thirteen]] -- a MonsterClown and GrimReaper hybrid Stand -- in an amusement park-like dream world. It's a whimsical but sinister and off-putting circus tune, that sounds almost like it's playing on a broken down Merry-Go-Round calliope.
* In ''VideoGame/TheSeventhGuest'', stage magician Hamilton Temple has a circus organ {{leitmotif}}.
* ''VideoGame/BalanWonderworld'': Princess Marey, the boss of the AmusementPark-themed world, has [[https://youtu.be/Z5bORBZS0Cw a demented carnival waltz]] for her battle music.
* ''VideoGame/ScoobyDooFirstFrights'': Naturally, can be heard throughout the Haunted Amusement Park in Episode 2.
* ''VideoGame/MadRatDead'': "Stilton," the song used for Stage 3-2: A Strange Full Moon, begins with this game's characteristic {{Electroswing}} but transitions into echoing calliope music in a minor key about halfway though. As it maintains a HouseMusic beat, however, it is technically still Electroswing.
* In ''VideoGame/CaptainSilver'', the [[VillainousHarlequin Pied Piper]]'s {{leitmotif}} is a circus arrangement of Edvard Grieg's "[[Theatre/PeerGynt In The Halls of the Mountain King]]".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* ''WebAnimation/{{Bugbo}}'': Circus organ waltz music plays when Bugbo and friends are looking around the underground circus in "Under the Oak." Although the music is in a major key, it falls under this category instead of HappyCircusMusic due to the fact that the circus is dark, grimy, and run-down.
* ''[[http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/experiment16 Experiment 16]]'' by [=ZekeySpaceyLizard=]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
** "Midnight Calliope," which is appropriate for a [[spoiler:murderous {{UsefulNotes/Juggalo}}.]]
** [[http://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/harlequin-3 Harlequin]], while a bit creepy, is the theme song for the nice Nannasprite.
** The Carnival, a creepy-sounding remix of Harlequin that gets progressively faster and faster, is used in [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=005985 the 5x Showdown Combo page]] with great effect.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* One of the case-files on the Website/SCPFoundation website is [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-823 SCP-823,]] an abandoned AmusementParkOfDoom. One of the key indicators that bad things are about to go down is when creepy carnival music starts playing out of nowhere.
* Music/DoctorSteel wrote some creepy themes for [[http://hecklesandtwitch.com/ Heckles and Twitch's website.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Videos]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GL5lzMJomY This]] rather disturbing parody of one of KFC's ads.
* In ''WebVideo/{{Brutalmoose}}'''s video on ''Bailey's Book House'', Ian pokes fun at the "Three-Letter Carnival", which, when he actually goes there, just looks like an empty field with a bunch of objects laying around. He points out that even the music, which is a circus-esque waltz tune, sounds kind of sad, and jokingly names the song "It's Time to Die, Children."
* ''WebVideo/CallMeKevin'': Invoked and PlayedForLaughs in "How EVIL can you be in Bitlife?" Shortly after Kevin's character Eve Hill gets a job as a clown, he adopts a child and then promptly abandons them. Kevin hums "Entry of the Gladiators," the standard circus tune, while preparing to click the option to abandon the child.
* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gY-6BM28Ds Candle Cove Calliope Music]]'', allegedly what the music in JustForFun/CandleCove sounded like. This is one of many songs in a series of songs that this person made in 2011 that get progressively darker and creepier as the year goes on. Some of his songs from later in the year feature a DarkReprise of this song.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'', Joker's {{Leitmotif}} is an eerie tune played on a distorted circusy-sounding organ. In some parts, it even sounds a bit like Music/JohannSebastianBach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor!
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Df9RJaFQ0Y&t=04m14s The Joker's theme]] from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' (written by Shirley Walker, longtime collaborator with Music/DannyElfman in the style of the Burton film), which was incorporated into several different music pieces that involved him. The Joker even whistles it to himself at one point.
* The theme from ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicRoundabout'' has a certain haunting aspect, noted by Creator/BillBailey in [[https://youtu.be/jbVj-Gri1po?t=725 one of his stand-up routines]] in which he "re-inserts" the "lost middle eight" which features Zebedee in a maniacal rant.
* ''WesternAnimation/MightyMax'': Shows up in the beginning of the "Clown Without Pity" episode.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
** The episode "Party of One" has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cy9gNE_vIE snippets of ominous circus music]] playing during [[SanitySlippage Pinkie Pie's titular party, when she starts talking to inanimate objects]]...''[[SanitySlippage and they start talking back.]]'' Yikes.
** [[BewareTheSillyOnes Discord]] has an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6afMTdh8gs especially sinister]] version of this trope as his {{leitmotif}}.
*** To top it all off, they sound almost exactly alike in places.
* The theme for the ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog'' episode "The Great Fusilli" is a ''fine'' example.
* Gargamel's Ghoulliope, which shows up at Laconia and Woody's wedding in ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981'' cartoon special "Smurfily Ever After".
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998'' episode "Mime for a Change" makes great use of this when Rainbow the Clown loses his color and is turning all of Townsville grey and silent.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfSamAndMaxFreelancePolice'': In the episode "The Friend For Life", this type of music is heard multiple times. The first time it's heard is a scene where Sam and Max are at a creepy amusement park at night, standing in front of a funhouse. All of a sudden, the funhouse's lights turn on, the ride comes to life, and the ominous music begins playing.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]", when young Bart is scared by Homer's [[AccidentalNightmareFuel accidental]] MonsterClown bed decoration, a sinister carnival dirge builds up until Bart imagines the bed coming to life to tell him: "If you should die before you wake... ''[[EvilLaugh HHHEHEHHEHEHEHEEH!!!]]''"
** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS14E5HelterShelter Helter Shelter]]", when the Simpsons house is getting gassed for bugs with a big striped tent covering it. Nelson and his bully pals think it's a circus and sneak in - then stagger out slurring the standard circus theme music.
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': Parodied in "Stewie Loves Lois", in which Peter, who thinks he's been raped by Dr. Hartman after simply being given a prostate exam, embellishes his recollection of the exam in question to include the doctor laughing in a pitched-down voice and riding a carousel with a calliope playing "Over The Waves" slowed down.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfFigaroPho'':
** Used throughout the "Coulrophobia" episode, especially in scenes where the MonsterClown is pulling his cruel pranks.
** In the episode "Myth or Pho", Figaro, dressed up as a monster, has been captured by a nature photographer who puts Figaro on display, like a circus attraction, while creepy circus music plays in the background.
* In ''WesternAnimation/LeagueOfSuperEvil'', this type of music serves as the {{Leitmotif}} for Chuckles, a deranged robot clown who tortures people on their birthdays. It sounds pretty unnerving with his high-pitched voice and [[TheHyena constant laughter]].
* The ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' episode "The Heebie Jeebies" makes liberal use of spooky-sounding calliope music due to the MonsterOfTheWeek being a troupe of Phantom [[EnemyMime Mimes]], and it livens the genre up with threatening and booming drumbeats during more intense moments.
* ''Recap/TheLionGuardReturnOfTheRoar'': Invoked in "Tonight We Strike," the hyenas' VillainSong. It's set to a demented, bouncy brass tune, contains [[TheHyena frequent laughter]] (including a few bits where they laugh along with the melody), and includes imagery such as the hyenas leaping through the air and running around in a circle[[note]]And in a deleted alternate ending, stacked on top of each other in triangle formation[[/note]] with either spotlights or harsh, brightly colored lighting, invoking the image of a CircusOfFear as Janja sings about his plan to disrupt order in the Pridelands.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* If you're at a circus show, you hear the band suddenly strike up "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and it's not the 4th of July, expect to be ushered outside as fast as possible. Circus tradition is that this music is played ''only'' in the event of a major life-threatening emergency during a show as a signal for the staff to begin evacuation procedures, and it's for this reason that it's nicknamed "The Disaster March". One of its most notable occurances was during the Hartford Circus Fire of July 6, 1944.
[[/folder]]
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