We Asked AI for 22 Pumpkin-Carving Ideas That Will Wow Your Neighborhood
Updated: Oct. 23, 2023
AI sure knows how to do Halloween! Get into the spirit of the season with these intricately carved extreme pumpkins.
Extreme pumpkins for the ultimate bragging rights
Halloween is upon us, and we’re here for all things spooky, scary and a little goofy. Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a glowing jack-o’-lantern or two to adorn your front door. But while our pumpkin-carving skills aren’t half-bad, they’re nothing compared with what a computer might dream up and execute. So we asked our friendly AI (artificial intelligence) to devise the coolest, most extreme pumpkins for the season.
One caveat: Even award-winning pumpkin carvers might not be able to replicate these intricate pumpkins. But they’re still a ton of fun to look at and may inspire you to make your own versions. If you’re looking for easier ideas, print out these pumpkin-carving templates to tape and trace on your pumpkin. Or try one of these cute no-carve pumpkins instead.
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Magical fall pumpkin
It’s the perfect fall picture … in pumpkin form! We’re ready to snuggle up in a sweater, grab a steaming cup of hot cider and crunch through the leaves on a twilight stroll.
Fox pumpkin
What does the fox say? On Oct. 31, “Happy Halloween,” of course! (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.) If you’re looking for other options, check out our list of Halloween greetings for all the ghouls and goblins in your life.
Day of the Dead pumpkin
Celebrate life and loved ones in the spirit of DÃa de los Muertos. This is a beautiful and intricate version of a Calvera Catrina (an elegant skull), one of the most ubiquitous symbols of the holiday.
Dragon pumpkin
If you carve a few of these extreme pumpkins, it will technically make you the mother of dragons. Game of Thrones Halloween-costume inspiration, anyone?
Minion pumpkin
This pumpkin is serving up some mischievous minion magic, and we are here for it! A few minions and a well-cast Gru would make a stellar group Halloween costume, by the way.
Witch pumpkin
No wart-covered witches with evil intentions here. This good witch is gathering herbs for tea while you relax and read some enchanting books about witches … who may or may not be quite as nice.
SpongeBob pumpkin
Happy Halloween from the Bikini Bottom! Here’s your host, SpongeBob scaredy-pants! Kids would love extreme pumpkins in the shape of their favorite cartoon characters, as well as these Halloween jokes … which may be a little easier to pull off.
Frankenstein pumpkin
That’s Dr. Frankenstein to you. This re-creation, on the other hand, features the “Creature,” which Frankenstein cobbled together from spare body parts in Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel.
Cookie Monster pumpkin
“Me want more pumpkin cookies!” Hide your cookie jars—Cookie Monster is looking for some pumpkin-spice cookies!
Dinosaur pumpkin
What do you get when you mix Halloween with prehistoric vibes? This dino-mite masterpiece! Remember: Halloween inspiration can come from any era.
Flower pumpkin
Who says extreme pumpkins have to be super scary? Embrace the beauty of fall with the season’s prettiest blooms.
Hangry pumpkin
I promise I won’t bite … unless you steal my candy! This terrifyingly toothy pumpkin with hangry eyes is sure to give the neighborhood kids a good scare. To keep the rest of your holiday G-rated, check out these Halloween kids movies for age-appropriate, spooky fun.
Tiny house pumpkin
A tiny house that looks like an adorable fairy cottage? Yes, please! Little ones would want to play with this pumpkin … while in full fairy costumes themselves!
Art Deco pumpkin
The symmetrical lines and geometric shapes of Art Deco make for a stunning and elegant pumpkin-carving design. It just might make you want to throw a 1920s-inspired flapper party this Halloween!
Mermaid pumpkin
Disney and Halloween go hand-in-hand when it comes to costumes and this Little Mermaid–inspired extreme pumpkin. Do you think Ariel’s favorite Halloween candy is Swedish Fish?
Monstera leaf pumpkin
Botanical terror, or aptly named houseplant for Halloween? Either way, the natural pattern of a split-leaf monstera (aka the “Swiss cheese” plant) would be stunning for pumpkin-carving and would make the coolest shadows when lit up.
Motherboard pumpkin
Rise of the machines? We’re not going to lie—this pumpkin is creeping us out, especially since AI created it! That said, we’re also totally geeking out over this state-of-the-art masterpiece.
Owl pumpkin
Hoo agrees that this pumpkin is a real hoot? Nope, we can’t resist a good play on words, which is why we created this mega list of the best Halloween puns.
Skeleton pumpkin
Is this a pumpkin or a look into our most bizarre fever dreams? AI outdid itself here with these spooky skeletons that don’t look one bit friendly.
Skyline pumpkin
When your love for the city meets your love for pumpkin spice, you get extreme pumpkins like this.
Alien pumpkin
Forget ghost stories. Do you love reading about chilling UFO sightings and life on other planets? Get ready for some extraterrestrial trick-or-treating with this elaborately carved alien pumpkin that promises not to take all your Reese’s Pieces.
