Costume experts at Party City and HalloweenCostumes.com gave us a sneak peek at what’s trending in their stores—and which costumes they expect to sell out fast.
Pop Culture Costumes
Generally, the hottest costumes come from the hottest new shows and movies—though you can always expect a few from years past as well. (For instance, the Barbie and Ken ensembles from last year.)
“Beetlejuice”
You can thank the new “Beetlejuice” sequel for a renewed interest in the wildest poltergeist in the afterlife—and of course, either Lydia’s all-black Gothy look or the wild red wedding dress.
“Deadpool and Wolverine”
No surprise that one of this summer’s hottest movies has become one of Halloween’s most popular costume picks.
“Disney Descendants”
The Disney Descendants are new Disney tales about the offspring of legendary Disney characters—both good and evil. And since the fourth installment in the series (“Descendants: The Rise of Red”) premiered in July, expect to see a lot of young girls dressed as next-gen versions of Cinderella and the Queen of Hearts, as their offspring were the main protagonists and antagonists in the latest film.\
Taylor Swift and Other Pop Icons
Taylor Swift is not the only pop icon who’s destined to be a popular Halloween costume. You’re likely to see an Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, or a Beyoncé out there as well.
“Wednesday”
The creepy and kooky Addams Family is still a popular costume pick—especially Wednesday herself.
“Bridgerton”
The Regency-era dresses from the show are most popular, though you’ll also find no shortage of stylish waistcoats and cravats for wannabe dukes and viscounts.
“Minions”
The “Despicable Me” crew—and especially, those silly little minions—continue to be a popular costume pick.
“Inside Out 2”
Another kid-friendly Halloween costume favorite is Pixar’s latest, “Inside Out 2”, with emotional characters like Anxiety, Joy, Anger, and Disgust as popular options.
“Wicked”
Even if the movie hasn’t quite come out yet, we’ve already been given a taste of Cynthia Erivo’s green-skinned Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s grandly effervescent bubble pink wardrobe—so expect plenty of witches this Halloween.
“Ghostbusters”
Whether you like the old-school original or one of the many 21st century reboots, the “Ghostbusters” franchise makes for great—and really comfortable—costumes for your whole crew. (They’re also ideal if it’s going to be chilly for trick-or-treating or other Halloween events.)
Harley Quinn and Joker
The much-anticipated latest “Joker” movie, “Joker: Folie á Deux”, is due to hit theaters right before Halloween, so go ahead and get your Harley Quinn or Joker-themed costumes right now. (Bonus: This is one you might be able to pull off on your own from your closet and your makeup drawer.)
Horror Movie Favorites
Halloween costume stores always do a brisk business in scary movie costumes, whether you like the old-school thrills of Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger or newer ones like Billy from Saw.
Superheroes and Villains
Whether you’re team Marvel or a DC fan, you’ll find a superhero (or supervillain) costume to suit your style. Beyond the previously mentioned Deadpool, Wolverine, Joker, and Harley Quinn costumes, experts say that Spiderman is a top pick (especially for kids), along with X-Men.
“Aliens”
A fresh new crew of folks are taking on the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise in the newest installment: “Alien: Romulus”. The hot costume this year is actually the alien itself.
Anime
Anime characters—especially “Dragon Ball Z” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender”—will be a big hit.
“Star Wars”
When it comes to group costumes, there’s no topping “Star Wars,” especially as there’s such a galaxy of different costume options within that universe. You can go old-school with the classic Darth Vader, Han Solo, or Princess Leia, or opt for fresher options like beloved defacto-Jedis Ahsoka Tano and Rey, or baddie Qimir from the latest series, “The Acolyte”.
Classic Halloween Costumes
While what’s hot in movies and TV tends to lead the list of trendy Halloween costumes, there are always some classic costumes that make their way into the hot list for Halloween.
Western-Themed Costumes
Whether it’s inspired by Barbie and Ken’s hot-pink Western getups, Beyonce’s cowboy couture from her “Cowboy Carter” album, Western wear—and especially Western glam—is the classic costume du jour.
Witches
This time-honored classic has been perennially popular, but the new Marvel series “Agatha All Along”, the highly anticipated “Wicked” movie, and the classic “Hocus Pocus” have helped propel even more interest in the iconic Halloween costume.
Disco
The 1970s are totally back, baby. And with shags, afros, curtain bangs, and other 1970s hairstyles currently back in vogue, all you need are a sparkly pair of bell-bottoms or a halter dress and a whole lot of glitter and blue eyeshadow to rock the look.
‘70s Makeup Looks That Are Trending Right Now
There’s nothing wrong with a tried-and-true costume—and an angel vs. devil pairing is perfect for a couple’s costume.
