From this year’s biggest scares to its most fashionable pop stars, this Halloween arrives with no shortage of costume inspiration.

Some of us order our Halloween costumes six months in advance, but plenty more have flipped their laundry baskets upside down right before the party, scrambling for accessories that vaguely resemble some familiar persona. Whether you lean toward celebrity recreations or prefer to interpret fictional favorites, there’s plenty of inspiration this year.
2025 was a bit of a dry spell for movies, but this year, a dozen films have surpassed $150 million at the domestic box office. With these hits have come a fresh batch of costume ideas, alongside pop stars, horror icons, and nostalgic characters who are just as worthy of a Halloween tribute.
There’s no excuse to go without a costume this year. Some of these looks require little more than a bit of fake blood or a tan sheet, while others call for a wig and a little commitment. Here are our most anticipated pop culture costumes for Halloween 2026.

Aunt Gladys from Weapons (2025)

Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys in Weapons (2025). Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Halloween is nothing without a scary costume, and last year’s Weapons gave us a new horror icon. In a sea of kitty cats, consider going as Aunt Gladys, whose uncanny makeup and unnatural ginger hair made her one of the film’s most visually memorable characters.
When you buy the orange wig, you’ll want to give it the tiniest, most micro of bangs. Pair it with oversized glasses, red lipstick, and a red suit, and you might just give the neighborhood kids nightmares. For the full effect, carry a few thorny sticks with tufts of hair attached.
And for those who aren’t fully ready to commit to the unsettling, there’s always the possibility of a hot Gladys. A fitted red jacket, stylish oversized glasses, and a more bombshell ginger hairstyle can turn Aunt Gladys into Mother.

Adéla, Red Bottoms Tour. Getty Images.

Zara Larsson at All Points East 2026. Getty Images.

Slayyyter, Leeds Festival 2026. Getty Images.

Tinashe, Popstar (2026). Courtesy of Atlantic Records.

For anyone who dressed as Addison Rae in her “Headphones” music video last year, your pink wig will come in handy. Right now, it seems like everyone is in their Prima era. The rising star from Solvakia, Adéla Jergová is currently on her Red Bottoms Tour, bringing more edge to the ballerina every night. In a cheeky running joke among her fans, she’s the first pop star to have naturally pink hair. After being eliminated from Netflix’s Dream Academy, Adéla began her solo career refusing all of the odds. She never underestimated herself, so don’t underestimate the power of a wig, tutu, and a fun bra.
For fans of bright colors, a Zara Larsson-inspired costume is another option. With so many different tour looks to choose from, your costume doesn’t have to be an exact recreation to channel her vibe. Sequins, beach-inspired details, and flowy hair will do the trick. However, any Zara Larsson costume would feel utterly incomplete without extravagant Sophie Sinot-inspired makeup. The look is detailed enough that you probably shouldn’t attempt it for the first time on Halloween night. Practice a few times before getting in the shower. Trust me.
Our other favorite pop girls with costume potential this year are Tinashe and Slayyyter. Recreate Tinashe’s Popstar cover with a pink shirt, glasses, and headphones. For Slayyyter, channel your inner Worst Girl in America with kitschy Midwestern Americana and a feminine-glam finish.

Still from The Odyssey (2026). Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Christopher Nolan’s vision of Homer’s epic reportedly came with a $250 million production budget, so it would have been a crime if The Odyssey didn’t give us any costume inspiration. With a sprawling cast of characters, there’s something for every kind of Halloween dresser, from admirers of mythical muses to those who prefer their costumes a little more intimidating.
Calypso’s costume may have become a meme for its anachronism, but on the bright side, it’s much easier for us to recreate. Throw your hair into a messy bun and locate any kind of net. For a more elevated version, consider a blue lotus prop.
Agamemnon, on the other hand, is a little trickier. His costume was among the film’s most buzzed-about looks. Despite appearing on screen for less than five minutes, his imposing presence captivated viewers. To recreate the look, start with a classic Bronze Age armor costume, then paint it black.
Zendaya’s Athena is about as easy to recreate as a ghost costume. At the bare minimum, all you need is a beige sheet, but for full accuracy, keep a stoic expression. Should be easy on Halloween.

Nikki from Obsession (2026)

Inde Navarrette in Obsession (2026). Focus Features.

This spring, Curry Barker’s Obsession became horror’s dark horse, giving us both a scare and a new favorite horror girl.
Part of Nikki’s appeal, along with that of the rest of the Obsession cast, is just how ordinary they look. Their wardrobes could have been pulled straight from the streets of any city. Nikki’s little-shirt, big-pants combination feels uncannily real, making her look easy to recreate. Brunettes have an advantage here: if you already have black shorts and a red top in your closet, all you’ll need is a little fake blood. Otherwise, a wig is an additional purchase.

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad (2016). Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things (2016). Courtesy of Netflix.

Halloween was never going to escape the 2016 revival. Looking back at the era’s most popular costumes, two clear winners emerge: Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad and Eleven from Stranger Things.
Back then, every other girl on the street was some version of Harley Quinn, but this year, she's due for a comeback. To channel her look, you’ll need colored hairspray, pigtails, and smudged red-and-blue makeup. If the full outfit feels too ambitious, a bomber jacket, a thrashed T-shirt, and fishnets will do a lot of the legwork.
When the first season of Stranger Things premiered on Netflix in July 2016, the world collectively decided to adopt and protect Eleven. Her babydoll dress and denim jacket should be easy enough to track down, but if you’re not willing to buzz your hair, you can always opt for her blonde wig. And for trick-or-treaters, a box of Eggo waffles makes the perfect candy basket.
The 2016 costumes aren’t limited to film and television, though. Celebrity culture delivered some of its most iconic fashion moments, along with some of its sharpest eyebrows. Take a trip down memory lane on Kylie Jenner’s Instagram, and you’ll get the picture.

Another season of Euphoria means a new round of Halloween costume ideas. From Maddy’s iconic makeup to Jules’ angel costume to Kat’s sexy nun, the show has given us enough inspiration for a year of Halloween. The final season is no exception. Fast-forwarded five years, its costumes have matured alongside the characters, with a few new looks worth stealing.
This season, Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie plays dress-up as an OnlyFans creator. One of her costumes is a brown puppy, a look that’s surprisingly easy to recreate. All you need is a brown leotard, dog ears, simple makeup, and, most distinctively, a leash. If anyone asks what you’re supposed to be, just quote Cassie: “I’m the doggy.”
Rosalía’s acting debut also gave us an unconventional costume: Magick, a stripper with a bedazzled neck brace. To make your own version, find your favorite color of gems and decorate a prop brace. Beyond that, feel free to interpret the look with Euphoria’s signature glam, some dramatic makeup to a barely-there outfit. And don’t forget the acrylic nails.

Dolly Parton, Backwoods Barbie (2008). Cover photography by Kii Arens. Dolly Records.

We’re all remembering Dolly this Halloween. The late country legend and fashion icon has always been a classic costume choice, but this year, dressing as Dolly takes on a more sentimental meaning. This look is really all about the hair and makeup. For the full beat, grab the rainbow palette that’s been collecting dust in your drawer. With decades of looks to choose from, but the essentials are thin brows and bright lips. And there’s really no need to tease your hair that high; a wig is true Dolly fashion.

Our Favorite Pop Culture Costumes for Halloween 2026

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