You'll be the most popular monster on the block with these clever Halloween costume ideas
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You'll be the most popular monster on the block with these clever Halloween costume ideas
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
What more can be said about the K-Pop Demon Hunters craze? This animated musical juggernaut about a girl group that secretly battles demons will no doubt spawn the most popular Halloween costumes of 2025. If you somehow missed this trend, your kids will definitely fill you in. Don’t have kids? Ask literally anyone who does. If you’re going as Rumi, make sure to pick up a purple wig!
Wednesday‘s back in 2025 with a new season, and you can pay tribute to the hot Netflix series starring Jenna Ortega with an easy costume that requires only a white-collared black dress, some goth Mary Jane shoes, braids and winged eyeliner. Extra credit: Throw on a Season 2–inspired striped blazer and tie, and you’ll look like you came straight from Nevermore.
Now that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce went from the hottest “It” couple to newly engaged (with a big ring to prove it), why not pair up with your bestie or significant other as the happily betrothed this Halloween? Don a Kansas City Chiefs shirt and an armload of friendship bracelets, and have your partner wear a Chiefs jersey. Don’t forget the (fake) engagement ring!
Wicked: For Good hits theaters a few weeks after Halloween, so you can bet the Kansas farm that Elphaba and Glinda will be popular Halloween costumes this year. Get some green face paint, a black dress and broom for Elphaba, and don’t forget a pointy witch hat! Glinda’s pink gown and wand will be everywhere this year too.
Party on as Wayne and Garth from the iconic ’90s comedy. All the components are relatively cheap or already in your closet: worn jeans, tees, flannel shirts and, of course, the Wayne’s World trucker cap. Talk about an epic best friend Halloween costume!
Calling all fans of the sizzling kitchen drama The Bear: Season 4 just wrapped this summer, and this Carmy costume will have everyone saying “Yes, chef!” on Halloween night. It’s super simple to pull together, too: All you need are some Dickies, your fave Birkenstock clogs, a white T-shirt and a navy blue apron. Run some product though your hair and add a gold chain to really bring the Carmy vibes. (Tattoos optional.)
Showtime’s terrifying series Yellowjackets was back in 2025, so the Antler Queen has been haunting your dreams for three seasons now. Spook friends and family this year with this easy Halloween costume consisting of deer antlers, a white dress and mesh veil. Or don a blue and gold letter jacket and go as another favorite character!
This hit dramedy will be back for season 5 in December 2025, and if the anticipation is making you want to pack your bags and move to Paris, why not dress as Emily for Halloween instead? Just be sure to sport a très chic wardrobe and oh-so-French beret.
The summer of 2025 brought us M3GAN 2.0, a new version of our favorite creepy robot protector. Believe us, she’s a whole lot scarier! Put on this excellent M3GAN costume and you’ll be everyone’s terrifying best friend on Halloween night.
Halloween is coming, so why not be Jon Snow from Game of Thrones? Sadly, the iconic Kit Harrington character will not get his anticipated spinoff, but the GoT universe is still thriving with season 3 of House of the Dragon expected in 2026. Don a vest and cloak, then find yourself a direwolf (stuffed will do) to prove you’re the real deal.
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have moved on to Waiting for Godot in 2025, but Bill and Ted can party on, dudes, forever. And so can you with these simple throwback costumes. Both are easy to put together, whether you’re Bill in his backward cap or Ted in his unbuttoned vest.
Barbie has been a Halloween costume staple since 1959, and her popularity has only grown over the decades. There are dozens of Barbie costume choices out there, but the movie’s “Stereotypical Barbie” pink cowgirl jumpsuit and boots are a perfect way to kick off your Barbie tribute this Halloween.
If basic Barbie doesn’t speak to your quirky personality, dress up as Weird Barbie! Consisting of a pink dress covered in abstract shapes and a blond chopped-up wig, this fun Halloween costume will have you ready to party. Spike your hair Kate McKinnon-style, line your eyes with black and slide on some Birks and you’re ready to go.
Ogres are like onions, but this easy, DIY costume for couples won’t make you cry! You’ll need some green face paint, stuffing for an ogre’s belly and, of course, those Shrek ears to pull the look together.
Make this beautiful mermaid costume part of your world this Halloween. All you need is a sparkly mermaid skirt, a purple shirt and a red wig to pull off Ariel.
There’s never been a better time to try your hand at some balloon art for a DIY Halloween costume. Just grab some white and gold balloons and have at it. If that sounds like a task that’ll leave you out of breath, invest in an electric balloon-inflating machine to get the job done quickly.
All hail the Pumpkin King, one of the most popular Disney Halloween costumes of all time! This Oct. 31, deck yourself in a Jack Skellington costume and grab a Sally to spend fright night with.
If you need a last-minute Halloween costume that’s easy and cheap, opt for this famous artist. Go solo as the artist (the bandage on the ear is a nice touch), or join a partner and dress as the artist and one of his most significant works.
Inspire all the neighborhood kids while dressed up as everyone’s favorite soccer (sorry, football) coach. You’ll just need khaki pants, the trademark blue sweater, a visor, a mustache and a big smile to pull off this costume idea for men.
Who better to dress up as when you collect your Halloween candy than the candy man himself? Some khakis, a top hat and a purple coat will take you to a world of pure imagination.
Looking for a cute costume for young kids or tweens? Try Cam the Cat, a white Squishmallow with an adorable smiley face and cuddly exterior. They can dress as Cam or one of the other popular members of the Squishmallow gang, from Emily the Bat to Holly the Owl.
Who doesn’t love Bob Ross and his happy little trees? A pair of jeans and a denim shirt—plus a curly-haired wig, of course—are all you need to pull off this beloved artist’s signature look.
Channel your inner daredevil with this showy getup! Just be sure to don the helmet, in case any of those Halloween party games get out of hand.
Whether you rock a power suit or get creative with Iron Man’s iconic red armor, you’ll be ready to save the day as this Marvel superhero.
A little bit sci-fi, a little bit retro and 100% cool: It’s the steampunk costume of your dreams, complete with funky goggles and other fun doodads. We love this look just as much as we love how easy these unique Halloween costumes are to put together.
If you’re going as a Halloween monster, you might as well pick someone fearsome and enchanting. The mythological Gorgon Medusa turned people to stone with just a glance, and this effortlessly glam look, pulled together by a headpiece of snakes, is bound to put a spell on anyone who takes a peek in your direction.
If you’re looking for a fun and spooky alternative to Wednesday Addams, Mavis from Hotel Transylvania fits the bill. You’ll need red-and-black striped tights, a black T-shirt dress and some fangs to pull off a look worthy of one of your favorite vampires.
Is this year’s Halloween costume still a mystery? Not anymore! Scour your closet for everything you need to dress up as Daphne, Fred, Shaggy or Velma. If you don’t have a fifth to wear the Scooby costume, no worries. This is the time to put a dog Halloween costume to good use.
Just how easy is it to recreate Ariana Grande’s look? It’s just like magic. The minute you attach your faux ponytail, you’ll feel like a pop diva.
You don’t need superpowers to recreate this fun group costume! Just get a dress in the right color, and you’re halfway there.
Creating cheap Halloween costumes for kids is a fun, cost-saving way to give little ones a memorable Halloween. This one, from DIY shop Primary, uses felt and fabric tape to transform your kids into their favorite emojis.

Go bananas this Halloween by dressing up as a gorilla. The best part of this costume? You can choose from three colors: black, green or pink. (Pro tip: Take off the mask before you attempt to bob for apples.)
Channel your inner diva by dressing up as the princess of pop herself: Britney Spears. She’s had many iconic looks over the years, but this one—from her “Oops! I Did It Again” music video—is timeless.
Disney enthusiasts will revel in this 1950s Mickey and Minnie costume. Grab a two-pack of ears, then get crafty with the rest of the costume.
You could go as a witch from the movies, or you can do the easier thing: Throw on your favorite LBD and a black hat for a classic (and last-minute) costume. Plus, it’s cheap!
Have a new baby in the house? Stop, collaborate and put together this hilarious family costume made with ice bags and a few strategic signs, including a costume for baby.
Show off your baby bump with this pregnancy Halloween costume featuring classic Seuss characters. Mom gets to be Thing 1, and the bun in the oven is Thing 2! You can DIY this costume by printing out the iconic logos and attaching them to a maternity dress. If another family member wants in on the costume, have the Cat in the Hat join the gang.
You may not score any diamonds in your Halloween bucket, but you’ll still have a ball dressed up as Adam Sandler’s charismatic city jeweler Howie Ratner from the movie Uncut Gems. You’ll need a yellow shirt, oversized leather jacket and some gold jewelry to pull it off.
If you’re a fan of Bob’s Burgers, this one’s for you! Your closet probably contains most of the clothes needed for the costume, so you’ll just need to pick up a white apron.
Can you believe that Big Hero 6 is nearly 12 years old? This highest-grossing animated movie of 2014 is still a great film, and Tadashi is still the coolest big brother around. You don’t need much to complete the look: brown pants, a tee, an optional cardigan and blazer and a baseball cap. Don’t forget Baymax!
This costume is so simple—pull on a cream-colored cable-knit sweater and top it with a maroon jacket—that you’ll have no clue why you didn’t think of it in the first place.
You’ll win Halloween dressed as this lovable aardvark from the long-running animated PBS series. And it couldn’t be easier to pull this costume together: Pair your favorite jeans with red sneakers and a bright yellow sweater.
After this year’s film, we’re all Mario Kart krazy! Sure, you can go solo as a Mario Kart character, but this idea really shines as a group Halloween costume. So grab a colorful tee, then DIY a car with your character’s name or symbol.
Ride the bus to Halloweentown as famed restaurateur Guy Fieri. Go all out with a trademark short-sleeve button-down, wraparound sunglasses and bleached hair (permanent or temporary).
Some army-green clothes and a little face paint will have you reporting for duty in no time.
A suit and a sweatband are all you need to pull off this eccentric brother from the movie The Royal Tenenbaums.
Dust off the black suit you wore to your friend’s wedding and slide on some sunglasses for one of the easiest and most recognizable Halloween costumes of all time.
These DIY Halloween costumes hold up as well as the beloved ’90s sitcom that inspired them. You can look for a replica of Jerry’s infamous puffy shirt, or pair a floral dress and blazer to go as Elaine. Don’t be surprised if everyone asks you to act in character by doing Kramer’s iconic entrance, or Elaine’s hilarious dance moves, yada, yada, yada.
Big hair and a Hawaiian shirt are all you need to create this easy H.I. McDunnough costume based on the ’80s movie Raising Arizona. If you really want to show your appreciation for the year’s creepiest holiday, pick a shirt with traditional Halloween colors: black and orange.
Race to grab your best bros for this fun and easy costume. You can go as Ricky Bobby (complete with his Wonder Bread–sponsored hat), while your pals dress up as Cal Naughton Jr. and Jean Girard.
Calling all ’80s babies! You’ll love these nostalgic costumes, which are both adorable and super comfortable. If you’re wearing this one to impress the little ones, arm yourself with these Halloween jokes for kids.
It was Colonel Mustard in the library with the full-size Snickers bar! You can’t go wrong with these classic board game characters.
Join forces with all your besties, wearing epic costumes for women—from Captain Marvel to Black Widow and more.
Grab some friends or family and transform into everyone’s favorite riches-to-rags story. Choose your favorite character, and put your spin on the look—like opting for a casual-cool sweatshirt to stand in for David’s high-fashion shirt.
Witches and Halloween go hand in hand, and next to the trio from Hocus Pocus, this Sabrina Spellman costume is a frightfully good choice for your group outing.
Would Halloween even be Halloween without a crew dressed up as the characters from Stranger Things? Nope! So gather your besties, pick a season of the hit show and go as your favorite character, whether that’s Eleven, Robin, Dustin, Steve or one of the other kids.
Put on an empire-waist dress and channel your favorite Bridgerton gal. Lady Whistledown will surely have much to say about these glam Halloween costumes!
Bruno who? Everyone will want to talk about these wholesome Isabela, Delores and Mirabel costumes. You can buy premade costumes or put one together yourself from a ruffled Colombian-inspired skirt and colorful top.
You can’t go wrong with this classic horror character. It’s quick to put together with nothing but coveralls, a mask and a plastic knife. Looking for more chills and thrills?
No Halloween would be complete without the Sanderson sisters! Draw inspiration from one of the all-time best Halloween movies for kids by dressing up as Winifred, Sarah or Mary.
Grab your besties to create these adorably quirky costumes from the popular animated film Turning Red. Call dibs on Mei Lee and you get to wear the cute panda ears and tail.
The Scream franchise keeps on giving, year after year. We love these easy costumes from everyone’s favorite scary movie from the ’90s. Dibs on Ghostface!
It’s all sunshine and rainbows with Poppy and her crew. There are plenty of characters in the Trolls movie, so this idea easily works as a group costume.
Whether you’re hitting the party solo or bringing a group, you can’t go wrong dressing up as these sweet treats. All you need to make it happen is a fun tutu and an M&M’s tee.
Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat—these costumes are great for a group and easy to put together. Choose wisely, and these creative Halloween costumes send you on a fantastic trip down the rabbit hole.
You and your clique will rule the school (or the neighborhood block party) as these angsty ’80s teens who made a comeback in an 2022 TV movie musical. A plaid skirt, white button-down and oversize blazer will make you and your crew instantly recognizable.
Because who doesn’t love a good throwback costume? Depending on which character from the late ’90s TV show you portray, you’ll want to snap up a yellow beanie, green pinny, red baseball cap or glasses.
Throw it back to the Stone Age with these classic characters. They’re perennial favorites, so you should be able to find ready-made Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty costumes.
These flirty fairy costumes, constructed out of short, girlie dresses and gossamer fairy wings, will make everyone want to follow you to a magical dimension.
Take a look in your closet to see whether you should be the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess or the criminal. Luckily, they’re all fun personalities to put on for the night.
Use what you already have in your closet, like a red vest and yellow turtleneck, to create Halloween costumes inspired by this mind-bending hit flick.
Nostalgia for the early 2000s is real, which is why your girl gang will go wild for these Halloween costumes. Strut your stuff in tracksuits that are both comfy and cool.
Let’s get physical! Grab a leotard, some leg warmers and a couple of sweatbands to complete this easy costume. Skates are optional, but you’ll trick or treat even faster with ’em.
This classic ’90s movie spawned a 2022 Amazon Prime spinoff and inspired millions of people to look at baseball in a new way. This Halloween, channel your inner Dottie and show the guys what it really means to throw like a girl.
Calling all children of the ’80s and ’90s! This cassette tape costume is our jam! Craft the cassette tape out of a cardboard box (the headphones are a bonus) and go solo, or turn it into a couple’s costume by having your significant other dress up as a pencil. And if you don’t know where the pencil comes in, you were clearly born after the ’90s!
Family game night takes on a whole new meaning with this playful costume. Start with scrubs, then glue on felt cutouts to represent the game pieces. Depending on how you design the costume, it could make for some creepy photos!
If you have some extra time on your hands and want to create something that’s as gorgeous as it is fun, put your artistic skills to the test with this showstopping mermaid costume. Believe it or not, it all starts with coffee filters and paint.
As far as traditional yet creative Halloween costumes go, the scarecrow is popular for a reason: It’s as much a nod to the season as carved pumpkins, and it’s also a regular addition to Wizard of Oz group costumes. Either way, it’s easy to put together, provided you have some overalls and yarn that can double as straw.
A white T-shirt, red cardigan, devil horns and some felt are all you need to create this devilishly funny Halloween costume.
Hallelujah, it’s raining men! It takes just minutes to make this star-studded costume that’s sure to be a hit. Grab an umbrella, some galoshes and make cutouts of your favorite dudes to “rain” from the skies.
He already knows you’re the best gift he’s ever received! Now everyone else will too, thanks to this DIY costume. Use an extra-large gift bag for your costume if it fits, or cut open multiple bags and glue them into a single, larger bag that you can step into.
If you have a large family, this is an easy, fun and affordable option. All the robbers need are some striped shirts, black masks and guilty expressions.
This is the perfect vintage Halloween costume to remind everyone that strong women raise strong girls. Just tie on a red bandanna, roll up the sleeves of your denim shirt and show those trick-or-treaters what you’re made of.
Sure, it’s Halloween and not the Fourth of July, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take this opportunity to show off your patriotic side by dressing as the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam. Toss in a bald eagle if you’re toting around a little one.
Feeling less than creative? Just cut two holes in a sheet, throw it over your head and—boo!—you’ve got one of the most classic Halloween costumes.
Need something last minute? This costume couldn’t be any simpler! You can carry around a basket of lemons, but if you try to give them to trick-or-treaters be prepared for plenty of the former.
All you need is a Hawaiian shirt, lei and fanny pack for this simple and colorful costume. Don’t forget to take a ton of pictures! You’ll want them for all your fabulous Halloween Instagram posts.
Whether you’re into the hit drama Riverdale or the original Archie Comics, dressing up as Betty and Jughead is a no-brainer!
Create the purr-fect couple’s costume in just minutes using what you already have in your closet, plus some key cat accessories. Cut out and attach a felt dollar sign to an old pillowcase to complete the look.
There’s no sewing required for this arcade-themed costume. You just need some colorful felt, scissors and fabric glue.
Use a few crafting supplies and what you already have in your closet (like a yellow shirt and heart-shaped sunglasses) to dress up as your favorite emoji. Meow!
Channel the Other Mother in this costume inspired by the movie Coraline. A blue-and-white polka dot apron will do the trick, or you could go all out with a glam dress befitting the character.
An orange dress, some felt and a little fabric glue will create the perfect grown-up take on a classic costume!
Going solo this year? You can still be the center of the universe in this quick and easy costume! Start with a black dress and get crafty from there.
Forget Hercules. It’s the Muses who really shine this Halloween. This group costume featuring easy-to-find white dresses is quick and easy, and it’ll make you and all your friends stand out in the best way possible.
Show off the one that you want with this easy couple costume. It’s leather (or faux leather) pants and top for Sandy, black jeans and tee for Danny, making these outfits super simple to pull together.

Keep things clean this Halloween with this clever couple’s costume that requires absolutely no DIY effort on your part. We’d call that a win-win.
Talk about a rockin’ Halloween costume! Go as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll for an unforgettable holiday—but don’t be surprised if you get requests for “Jailhouse Rock.”
Stranger Things enthusiasts can dress up as beloved Season 4 character Eddie Munson for a seriously sweet Halloween getup. Bonus points if you nab a guitar and shred to Metallica.
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