Lady Gaga Releases Tim Burton-Directed Video for ‘The Dead Dance’

Acclaimed filmmaker Tim Burton has directed a spine-tingling new music video for Lady Gaga’s single "The Dead Dance," released in sync with her guest role in the second season of Netflix’s hit show "Wednesday." The visually arresting clip begins with Gaga perched on a wall encircled by unsettling baby dolls, before she launches into a macabre dance that brings the toys to life. As twilight descends, masked performers join her, and the reanimated dolls sway eerily to the song’s hypnotic rhythm.

Rumors about the project first emerged in early July, when paparazzi captured Gaga and Burton filming at Mexico City’s Island of the Dolls—a famously eerie destination strewn with hundreds of weathered, discarded dolls. The official unveiling occurred during Spotify and Netflix’s "Wednesday" Graveyard Gala, where Gaga expressed her excitement. “Working on ‘Wednesday’ was an absolute dream,” she remarked. “Tim, Jenna, and the entire cast and crew were incredible. And yes—my new track ‘The Dead Dance’ is coming very soon.”

The song made its debut alongside the release of the second half of "Wednesday" season two. In episode six, Gaga takes on the role of Rosaline Rotwood, a psychic instructor from the 1960s at Nevermore Academy. According to the show’s music team, Gaga—a longtime devotee of Burton’s distinctive gothic style—reached out after season one and wrote the song specifically for the series. The dance sequence was originally filmed to a temporary track and kept under wraps for over a year before Gaga’s final version was seamlessly integrated.

In an interview with Tudum, music supervisor Jen Malone emphasized the track’s originality. “This isn’t a rework of ‘Bloody Mary’ or any previous material—it’s an entirely new composition from Gaga,” she stated. “She is an undeniable icon, and this piece aligns perfectly with the show’s atmosphere. It delivers exactly what fans have been anticipating.” Such bespoke musical partnerships are becoming increasingly common in the streaming era, as platforms leverage exclusive content to foster stronger audience engagement and loyalty.

The release of "The Dead Dance" comes amid a whirlwind period for Gaga, who is currently touring North America with her "Mayhem Ball" production before taking it internationally. The tour launched in July at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena—a 20,000-seat multipurpose venue that regularly hosts A-list concerts and major sporting events—and will be followed by a highly anticipated performance at this Sunday’s MTV VMAs. This multifaceted rollout underscores Gaga’s enduring capacity to innovate across music, television, and live performance, reinforcing her status as a transformative figure in contemporary entertainment.