It's the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, we know that saying is usually reserved for Christmas, but when will the world admit that Jack Skellington was right and Halloween is the best holiday of all? It's fun for everyone! The kids get to run around and enjoy copious amounts of treats, and the adults get to party. Most even start planning for it months in advance, ordering decorations and props for their costumes. However, if you're feeling a bit uninspired this year, the fabulous outfits we've gathered here might give you a few ideas. Keep reading to learn more!
Mike Wazowski!
Many people tend to leave Monsters Inc. out of their "Best Disney-Pixar movies" lists, but in our opinion, it's one of the best films the studios have ever made. Admittedly, the title might be a bit misleading since this doesn't feature someone dressed as Mike Wazowski. No, the costume we feature here is much cuter than the round, green monster. Can you guess which character it is?
It's Boo, but all grown up! This is a great outfit option for anyone who enjoys "Disney-bounding" or using regular clothes to capture a fictional character's spirit. The plushie's adorable.
Florence Pugh, Is That You?
Do you like scary movies? Honestly, you don't need to have seen them to dress up as one of the characters. How many people have gone to parties wearing a Ghostface mask or a Freddy Krueger outfit without ever having watched Scream or A Nightmare on Elm Street? That said, one film became so popular in the past few years that we just had to see it.
It's Midsommar, and the outfits make for great costumes. Why not do as this lady did and go as Florence Pugh's character, complete with glitter tears? Flower crowns have never looked creepier.
An Iconic VMA Outfit With a Twist
We love Britney! Well... who doesn't? How many of those reading this have worn a school uniform like she wore in "Hit Me Baby One More Time"? Going as her isn't exactly an original costume, but that doesn't mean you should discard the idea. With creativity and a little help from your friends, you could find a new angle or twist to give the outfit a breath of fresh air.
One option is to get a friend to dress up as the iconic yellow snake. However, if you want people to get the costume, you better start hitting the gym.
You, Too, Can Be a Crystal Gem
Here's helpful advice for anyone still struggling to figure out what to be for Halloween: use cartoons as inspiration! Whether it's a vintage one from your childhood or one of the newer, popular ones like Adventure Time, they've got plenty of fun, recognizable characters whose shoes you can step into. If you don't believe us, look at how awesome this person's Garnet costume from Steven Universe looks.
We just can't get over how amazing that hair is. With an outfit like this, you'll be the life of the party regardless of whether people recognize who it is or not.
Lady Beetlejuice? Sign Us up!
Some costumes have become Halloween staples. Take every horror movie villain ever created, for example. However, another popular category is the "Tim Burton character." Both his animated and live-action movies are packed to the brim with spooky but endearing individuals who also happen to have pretty distinctive outfits and looks. One of them has come back in style recently. Can you guess which one? Yes, it's Beetlejuice!
Why not try gender-bending the titular character and giving it a Victorian twist? It certainly worked for this person. Oh, and by the way, The Nightmare Before Christmas wasn't directed by Tim Burton.
Not Your Average Snow White
If you went and searched for "Snow White costume" online, you'd probably find hundreds of different options. There are era-accurate dress reproductions, inexpensive, bad-quality Party City versions, handmade Etsy options, and even sexy lingerie sets. Basically, if it's Snow White, it's been done before, but who hasn't wanted to feel like a Disney princess for a day? If you're looking for an original costume but still want to live the fantasy, try this.
Get it? Snow "Walter" White? It's the perfect costume because it's an instant conversation starter. Besides, you can switch it up by ditching the mask later at night.
In Case You Want to Be Scary
What we like about Halloween is that it's a time when you can be anything or anyone you want. Do you want to look sexy? Put a slip dress or a catsuit on! Are you more of a funny guy? Go for a visual joke! However, have you noticed that not many wear scary costumes? Fortunately, there are still some traditionalists that commit fully to freaking everyone out with their outfits.
Like this person, who even brought stilts to the party. We have no idea how they moved around, but there's no denying it creates a terrifying effect. Would you scream if you saw them?
Not All Prequels Are Bad
Princess Leia instantly became the protagonist of thousands of male and female nerds' fantasies when she appeared in that metal bikini. It's no wonder it became a pretty popular Halloween costume as well. There's no denying that the original Star Wars trilogy gave us some of the most iconic outfits in pop culture history. However, despite what many O.G. fans say, the newer ones didn't fall far behind.
You can't say that the red ceremonial outfit Padme, better known as Queen Amidala, wears in The Phantom Menace is one Star Wars fans still recreate whenever it's time to dress up.
Watch Out, Mario!
There may have been a period in Halloween costuming when people slapped on a scary mask or spattered a bit of fake blood on their clothes and called it a day. However, those days are now past. Now, if you don't DIY your kid the best costume, they'll become a laughingstock at school. Well, we may be exaggerating a bit, but they'll undoubtedly be disappointed. This kid certainly won't, though.
Their parents didn't just put together a trendy outfit for him but also created a perfectly matching and original costume for themselves. Who would've thought of dressing as a Piranha Plant?
Everyone Will Get This Pun
When people think of good Halloween costumes, they mostly picture elaborate and expensive outfits painstakingly crafted to look just like whatever character they're supposed to be based on. However, it is possible to make an entirely original costume without being inspired by a fictional being and without putting too much funds and effort into it. How? Well, ingenuity is the key. Check out what this person went as.
He took a creepy, disturbing historical figure and turned it into a funny pun costume. In our eyes, you can't go wrong by dressing up as a literal joke.
A Good, Old Fashioned, Family Portrait
Did your family dress up for Halloween? We don't mean just you and your siblings, but mom, dad, grandma, and even the pet. Yes, some households make everyone join in on the fun, and why not? It sounds exciting to us, at least. This family evidently put a lot of effort into the creepiest holiday of the year, judging by the matching skeleton costumes they're sporting.
We wonder if that's the family portrait they used for their Christmas cards later. The detail of the skeleton pet is on par with the Addams Family's levels of creepiness.
Is Mushroom-Core a Thing?
Sure, some die-hard Halloween fans only wear creepy costumes, but not everybody goes out intending to terrify anyone who comes across them. Some people have kinder souls and prefer either taking it with humor or dressing up like an adorable fairy or forest spirit. If that sounds more like your vibe than "weird creature with stilts and a mask," then why not get inspired by this person's mushroom outfit?
That hat is adorable, and the rest of the costume doesn't look that difficult to source. It could be a fun DIY project to do with other family members or friends.
2023's Biggest Trend
There may be four months left in the year, but we're calling it. We don't think there will be a more significant pop culture event than the joint release of Barbie and Oppenheimer back in July. When else have people all over the world been so invested in dressing up just to watch a movie? Trust us, nobody will have forgotten it by the time Halloween rolls by.
Come on, people, place your bets! How many "Barbenheimer" costumes will we see this coming spooky season? We predict there will be quite a few, although perhaps none as masterful as this one!
It's so Cute!
Picking a family costume can be a challenging task. The key is to figure out a theme that'll be easily picked up by others, but that'll also allow each member to dress up as something different. We thought most people would buy a Thing One and Thing Two shirt for each of their children and stick a striped hat on their heads, but some put in a lot more effort.
How adorable is this Peanuts-themed family costume? They even have a little doggy to take Snoopy's place! This gives us several ideas for the upcoming holidays.
They're Always the Best Characters
Here's a hot take for you: the villains in Disney movies are always more interesting than the heroes. Look, we're not trying to bash Disney princesses, but are you really going to tell us you find Ariel cooler than Ursula? Every little girl dreams of being a princess, but as they grow up, they usually start gravitating towards the villains more. Admittedly, they do make for more badass costumes.
Just look at how incredible this Maleficent outfit is! If you plan on digging into the Disney vaults for your Halloween outfit this year, why not take inspiration from the bad guys?
This Is What Dreams Are Made of!
If you were a teen during the early 2000s, you know who Lizzie McGuire was. Yes, it's the role that launched Hilary Duff to stardom, and as people who watched the series when it came out, let us tell you, it was warranted. Something about it was relatable, and then the movie came out, and it was literally what dreams were made of. Who wouldn't want to sing onstage in Rome?
Who wouldn't want to model all the outfits Lizzie's famous alter ego did? Well, this Halloween, you can make that dream a reality. Everything from the early aughts is back in fashion.
As Long as You Don't Slap Anyone...
Recently, we realized that we kind of miss sitcoms. Back when networks ruled TV and streaming services didn't exist, they were practically a dime a dozen, but nowadays, they're nowhere to be found! Shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air were staples in many people's childhoods, and if you wished to relive the days of your youth, you could use that era of TV as inspiration for your next Halloween costume.
We know Will Smith isn't the most popular celebrity after the whole Oscars slap debacle, but he sure looked fresh when he played The Fresh Prince, so it's still a cool costume.
Why Are Balloons so Demonic?
What is it about balloons that makes them look so threatening? Do you think it's their association with clowns? Whatever it is, seeing one floating along by itself gives us the creeps, especially after watching the most recent It movies where they feature heavily. Hey, that gives us an idea: why not incorporate them as a prop for your next Halloween costume? If you're planning on going as a demonic bunny, that is.
Actually, let's rephrase. It'll work if you're going as a demonic bunny clown like this person did. We imagine the mask can get stuffy, but the rest of the outfit is creepy, too.
That's Some Real "Hocus Pocus"
We're staunch believers that people of all ages can have fun on Halloween if they get into the spooky spirit. However, nothing can compare to our memories of going trick-or-treating as children with our neighborhood friends. We used to get together at one house, pool our candy together, and gorge on it while watching Blues Clues re-runs. That said, we don't think our costumes were anywhere as detailed as these kids'.
We can't believe how accurate the wigs and makeup are! Kudos to the parents for putting together such elaborate costumes. Maybe this will inspire you for the upcoming spooky season!
The Obvious Choice for People With Corgis
The late Queen Elizabeth II of England was well-known for her love for corgis. In fact, before they became an Internet sensation with their cute faces and bouncy, round butts, they were her signature breed of companion. That's why dressing up like this is a no-brainer if you own one of those pets fit for royalty. However, we wonder if it isn't too soon for it not to look questionable.
Then again, this version is so spot-on that we can't fault it. It's already been a year since she passed, so maybe it'll be OK? Just don't do it in the UK.
Up and Away!
In case you don't remember, we started this list with a costume from a Pixar movie, and obviously, it wasn't going to be the only entry. You see, they've become such an essential part of people's lives that many keep wanting to embody those characters on the one night when it's socially acceptable to wear a costume in public. This family dressed up as the characters from Up! but with a twist.
They dressed the baby up as the house! Isn't that brilliant? After all, it's a pretty important character in the movie, but it doesn't require much acting on the wearer's part.
Yikes! They're Being Abducted
Did you hear that the US government recently admitted that aliens were real? The news seemed to pass a bit under the radar for some reason, but we expect the upcoming Halloween season to bring it back to light again. Yes, extra-terrestrials will become a trend in the near future, so if you still don't have a costume, perhaps you can find inspiration in that. Here's an original idea.
Whenever anyone asks what you're dressed as, you can say, "An alien abduction." Isn't that cool? Besides, it's a fun and inexpensive DIY project. Only dull people buy their costumes on Amazon.
We Know Who Wears the Pants in the Relationship
Couples costumes are a lot of fun, but what if you don't want to go the traditional prince and princess route? Well, don't fret because there are plenty of options. You can even reversion more conventional costumes. After all, there are no rules stating that a lady has to wear a dress. See? This couple wanted to go as Mario and Princess Peach but didn't take the traditional route.
The guy was the one who dressed up as Princess Peach, and honestly, we think it's a brilliant idea! We bet the breeze blowing up his skirt kept him cool and comfortable.
Scooby Doo's Most Dynamic Duo
One surefire way of determining if a TV show or a music album is good is to see if it stands the test of time. What do we mean by that? If the newer generations keep watching or listening to it decades after its release, you've got a hit on your hands. Not many cartoons from the 1970s have survived until now, except for the one with Scooby-Dooby-Doo and his merry band.
Yes, the Hanna-Barbera classic is still well-known by youngsters today, partly thanks to the 2002 film's revival. We bet you'll also see some Velma and Daphne's on Halloween this year.
The "Avatar" Multiverse
When most people talk about Avatar, they're probably referring to James Cameron's set of blockbuster movies. Nevertheless, for all those millennial nerds like us who were obsessed with Nickelodeon during the 2010s, the word has nothing to do with blue aliens. To us, the real "avatar" is Aang, the Last Airbender. Yeah, remember him? The bald boy with an arrow tattooed on his head? It seems the two worlds had a cross-over.
Not in fiction, but in reality. We're not sure if this was a family trying to be funny by dressing up as different "Avatar" universes, but regardless, it's a great idea.
V Is for Very Creepy Mask
Classics don't have to be that ancient. Sure, if we're talking about literature, they're usually a couple of centuries old, but when it comes to movies, they can be a lot newer. For example, Jurassic Park is only thirty years old—save it, Gen Z—but many would still consider it a classic. As far as costumes go, you have traditional monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula, but also newer ones like V.
The guy with the Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta. There's always someone who dresses up as the anarchist vigilante for Halloween. Admittedly, it's an excellent way to be anonymous...
It Doesn't Get Cuter Than Sanrio Characters
Is it possible to make a fictional character that everybody loves? You may be thinking no, but we bet we have one that comes pretty close. No, it's not Harry Potter or Ash Ketchum, although the last one does have something in common with the one we're thinking of. Did you guess it? If you haven't, here it goes: it's Hello Kitty! Seriously, how can anyone not like her adorable face?
Her friends don't fall far behind, though. In fact, Cinnamoroll is our favorite. If you're the type to go for more cutesy Halloween costumes, why not take inspiration from Sanrio?
This Is Halloween (Literally)
We mentioned this earlier, but did you know that Tim Burton didn't direct The Nightmare Before Christmas? He's arguably one of the creepiest filmmakers ever, but curiously, the movie everybody associates with Halloween isn't his. Jack Skellington's story was directed by Henry Selick, who also made Coraline, and we don't think anything embodies the creepy holiday better than his creations, so it's no wonder they're such a popular costume theme.
This person perfectly combined clothes and makeup to create this Sally outfit. They even put together a background! If you're not putting this much effort into Halloween, then what are you doing?
We're All Mad (and Good-Looking) Here
The most fun part of dressing up for Halloween for many individuals isn't so much inhabiting fictional characters but putting their spin on them and adapting them to suit their style and tastes, if you may. Just close your eyes and picture that feeling: the rush of embodying someone else but at the same time being wholly yourself. Yeah, we know that got kind of deep, but isn't it amazing?
See? That's what this girl did, and she looks fantastic. It's like she combined the Mad Hatter with Clueless and a bit of Jack Sparrow and created a high-fashion, unique costume.
Don't Worry, You Won't Turn Into Stone
Myths are a great source of inspiration for everything Halloween-related. Want to add some spooky decor to your house but are bored of the traditional ghosts and pumpkins? Why not recreate Hades's underworld, complete with a river Styx running through the middle of the living room? Perhaps the costume options would be a bit less labor-intensive to recreate, and there are plenty of monsters to choose from.
Take a look at how badass this Medusa outfit is. The key is in the hairpiece, and this one looks like it's made out of serpents that could turn you into stone.
Fulfill All Your Child's Dreams
If you have a young child in your life, you know how quickly they can get obsessed with a show or a toy. It's like one day, they have no idea it exists, and the next, it's the only thing they talk about. Still, as fast as they become hooked, they also become unhooked, so trends move quickly. However, one show has proved to last for quite a while.
The Australian cartoon Bluey has been going strong for over four years, so it could still serve as inspiration for this year's family costume theme. Doesn't this DIY version look fun?
As if!
Have you ever wanted to be one of the cool kids? Well, even if you never were in real life, on Halloween, you can be. That's the magic of costumes: they can transform you into anything from sentient objects to hideous creatures to the fictional characters everyone wanted to be growing up. Some even have the added benefit of being relatively easy to put together. One example is Clueless.
What's not to love about those characters? They're iconic, their clothes rock, and you can even say you're dressed as "a Jane Austen character" if you're a literature buff.
The Cutest Group Costume
Speaking of cutesy costumes, we may have stumbled upon an even better idea for lovers of adorable things. Think back to 2020, a year when everybody was stuck in their houses, unable to go out. Some might say this particular game launch saved many people's lives, at least among those who had Nintendo Switch consoles. That was a big hint, so you may have figured out where we're going.
Yes, it's Animal Crossing! There are so many characters, and they're all so adorable that they make for great Halloween costumes. It's also a great theme to adopt as a group.
Travel Back to Medieval Times
Most people only dress up in costumes during Halloween, but plenty of others do it throughout the entire year. Summer is full of conventions for comic, video game, or anime lovers, and those fans put a lot of effort into their outfits. Then, there are also Renaissance faires or Medieval-style conventions, which are a whole other beast. Comic book fans are extra, but history buffs go even harder.
Some individuals recreate historical garments to the smallest detail, and they wear those clothes all the time! Unlike us mere mortals, they always have their Halloween costumes covered.
Warning! Jump Scare Incoming
Where do you usually get your Halloween costume ideas? Honestly, the world is your oyster: You might pull them from video games, books, or even from a pun. Yes, even jokes can serve as inspiration—remember Vlad the Inhaler? However, the most common sources are TV shows and movies. These last ones are the most popular because they usually have plenty of material. It's not just the titular characters you can go as.
For example, Beetlejuice has plenty of creepy monsters to choose from. This couple went as Adam and Barbara, and if we saw them live, we'd run for our lives.
From the Creators of "Hairspray"
What's your favorite part about Halloween? Ours is how all rules seem to go out the window. Gender, reality, social status, all of those genuine limitations don't apply on October 31st. Why do you think so many people take the festivities as an excuse to get into drag? Yes, that superb art form that RuPaul's Drag Race brought to the mainstream is a Halloween classic, and so are these two characters.
John Waters and his close collaborator Divine pioneered everything bizarre and camp, which are two perfect Halloween themes. Just imagine how much fun these two had recreating their looks!
The Creepiest Thing You'll See
We've featured several family Halloween costumes, but up until now, they've all been cutesy or Pixar-themed. However, some people would rather frighten the entire neighborhood than make them go "aww." For those, we bring you this fantastic inspiration photo because if there's one thing we can say about it, it's that it's terrifying. The costumes are so good that if we saw them on the street, we'd run away.
A whole family of creepy clowns? That's Halloween done right. Even the baby has a full face of makeup! We wonder how long it took for them to put together those looks.
Being Creative Is Always a Good Idea
You've heard about "Panic! At the Disco," now get ready for "Murder! On the Dancefloor." We love it when costumes are based on vague themes like those because it gives you so much more freedom to unleash your creativity and express it in original ways. That said, many people tend to avoid those types of outfits because they fear nobody will know what they're dressed as. To that, we say don't sweat it.
Do you think this lady went to a Halloween party, and people didn't tell them how awesome she looked? It doesn't matter if they get "the concept." Besides, it's a great ice-breaker.
The Crossover of the Century
If you were a child in the 1980s, you probably got to know who Skeletor was after watching the He-Man cartoons. However, if you're a teen or a young adult now, you likely know who he is, too, but for different reasons. You see, Skeletor has managed to become one of the most recognizable meme figures of the current age, which makes him a great Halloween costume option.
That said, why not bring it to the next level by combining Skeletor with another fictional character? For example, what would he look like if he were part of the Sailor Moon universe?
How Many Links Will There Be This Year?
To many video game fans, the release of Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom was one of 2023's highlights. You know what that means for this upcoming Halloween season, right? Granted, there's never been a shortage of Links and Zeldas during the spooky season, but they'll be out in numbers this year. What are the basic props you need to have for your Link to look realistic? Here you go.
If you thought a tunic and a hat would suffice, think again. What brings this costume to the next level are the arm guards and that massive sword.