10 Halloween Costume Ideas Everyone Will Be Talking About This Year

Halloween
By Ava Foster

Halloween is just around the corner, and picking the perfect costume can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. This year brings an exciting mix of movie characters, pop culture icons, and beloved classics that are guaranteed to turn heads at any party. Whether you want something spooky, glamorous, or totally unique, these trending costume ideas will help you stand out from the crowd and make this Halloween one to remember.

1. Wednesday Addams (Wednesday)

© IMDb

The Netflix series brought Wednesday back into the spotlight, and her iconic look is everywhere this Halloween season. Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of the deadpan daughter of the Addams family captured hearts worldwide with her dark humor and unforgettable dance moves.

Getting this costume right is surprisingly simple but incredibly effective. You need a black dress with a white Peter Pan collar, long black braids, and some seriously pale foundation to nail that signature ghostly complexion.

What makes this costume special is the attitude you bring to it. Channel Wednesday’s sarcastic wit and stone-cold expressions throughout the night. Add some fake blood splatters or carry a stuffed Thing for extra authenticity and instant recognition at any Halloween gathering.

2. Glinda (Wicked)

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With the highly anticipated Wicked movie finally hitting theaters, Glinda is set to be one of the hottest costumes this year. Her bubbly personality and stunning pink wardrobe make her instantly recognizable and absolutely enchanting to recreate.

The key to pulling off Glinda is embracing everything sparkly and pink. Think flowing ball gowns with lots of tulle, a blonde curly wig or styled hair, and a delicate tiara that catches the light. A magic wand completes the look beautifully.

This costume works wonderfully as a duo with someone dressed as Elphaba, creating that perfect friendship dynamic from the musical. Practice your best cheerful waves and overly enthusiastic expressions to really embody the popular witch everyone adores.

3. Elphaba (Wicked)

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Elphaba, the misunderstood witch who defies gravity, offers a darker and more dramatic costume choice for Wicked fans this Halloween. Her transformation story resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in.

Green is your best friend for this costume, specifically green face and body paint to achieve that signature skin tone. Pair it with a long black dress, a pointed witch hat, and a broomstick for the classic silhouette everyone will recognize immediately.

What sets a great Elphaba costume apart is the confidence and defiance you project. She is powerful, intelligent, and refuses to apologize for who she is. Add some dramatic eye makeup and practice belting out a few lines from her songs for maximum impact at your Halloween event.

4. Charli XCX Brat Look

© People.com

Brat album aesthetic took over social media this year, making it one of the most current and trendy costume choices available. The lime green color scheme and rebellious energy define this bold pop culture moment perfectly.

Creating this look means diving into neon lime green everything, from tank tops to accessories. Add some early 2000s inspired pieces like low-rise bottoms, chunky sunglasses, and messy hair that looks effortlessly cool. The vibe is carefree and unapologetically confident.

This costume celebrates being messy, chaotic, and totally yourself without worrying what anyone thinks. Carry around props like a disposable camera or create custom Brat-themed accessories. The beauty of this costume is its flexibility, letting you interpret the aesthetic in your own unique way while staying true to the album’s spirit.

5. Labubu

© People.com

The adorable yet slightly creepy collectible character has exploded in popularity this year among toy collectors and pop culture enthusiasts. This mischievous creature with its signature toothy grin offers something both cute and unsettling for Halloween.

Building a Labubu costume requires creativity since it is not as mainstream as other options. Focus on the character’s distinctive features like oversized eyes, prominent teeth, and compact rounded body shape. Consider making or buying a mascot-style head piece for authenticity.

What makes Labubu special is that playful contradiction between adorable and slightly sinister. Use bright colors and soft materials to capture the toy-like quality while emphasizing those sharp little teeth. This costume will definitely spark conversations since many people are just discovering this viral sensation from social media.

6. Bella Baxter (Poor Things)

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Emma Stone’s award-winning performance as Bella Baxter in Poor Things created one of cinema’s most fascinating characters this year. Her journey of self-discovery and the stunning Victorian costumes make this an unforgettable Halloween choice for film lovers.

Bella’s wardrobe features elaborate Victorian dresses with puffed sleeves, corsets, and rich fabrics in jewel tones. Her hairstyles range from simple to extravagant updos decorated with accessories. The key is capturing that vintage elegance with a slightly off-kilter twist.

Beyond the clothes, embodying Bella means embracing childlike curiosity and fearless exploration of the world around you. She questions everything with wide-eyed wonder and speaks her mind without filters. This costume combines beautiful period fashion with a quirky personality that makes it both visually stunning and fun to portray throughout your Halloween festivities.

7. Harley Quinn (Joker: Folie à Deux)

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This version leans into vintage glamour mixed with chaos, creating something entirely new for Halloween 2024.

Unlike previous versions, this Harley embraces old Hollywood aesthetics with dramatic makeup, elegant silhouettes, and theatrical flair. Think bold red lips, smudged eye makeup, and costumes that blend 1960s fashion with Harley’s signature red and black color palette.

The musical element adds another layer to this costume opportunity. You can incorporate dance moves or carry props like a microphone to reference the film’s unique style. This interpretation of Harley Quinn stands out from the countless other versions, showing you are up-to-date with the latest comic book movie releases and ready to bring theatrical drama to any party.

8. Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)

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Morticia Addams remains the ultimate gothic queen, and her timeless elegance never goes out of style for Halloween celebrations. Her sophisticated darkness and romantic devotion to Gomez make her both haunting and surprisingly heartwarming to portray.

The Morticia look centers on a form-fitting black dress that hugs every curve, impossibly long straight black hair, and makeup that emphasizes pale skin with dark, dramatic features. Her posture is always graceful and her movements slow and deliberate like smoke drifting through a room.

What elevates a Morticia costume from good to great is capturing her dry wit and passionate nature. She speaks in a low, sultry voice and finds beauty in things others consider creepy or morbid. Carry a single red rose or practice arranging flowers in a cemetery-chic style to fully embrace this classic character’s macabre elegance and timeless appeal.

9. Princess Irulan (Dune: Part Two)

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Her regal presence and the intricate designs make this a show-stopping choice for anyone who loves futuristic fashion.

Irulan’s costumes feature flowing fabrics in metallic golds, silvers, and earth tones that reflect the desert planet aesthetic. Elaborate headdresses, structured shoulders, and layered robes create that imperial royal look. The details matter here, from jewelry to the way fabrics drape and move.

This costume requires some dedication to pull off successfully, but the payoff is incredible. You will look like you stepped straight out of a high-budget sci-fi epic. Research the specific costume designs from the film and practice that commanding, observant expression Irulan maintains while documenting history unfolding around her in the vast universe.

10. Anxiety (Inside Out 2)

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Inside Out 2 introduced Anxiety as a new emotion, and she quickly became the most relatable character for anyone navigating the stresses of modern life. Her bright orange color and frazzled energy make her both visually striking and deeply meaningful as a Halloween costume.

Creating an Anxiety costume means embracing orange in every shade, from clothing to accessories and face paint. Style your hair to look wild and slightly chaotic, reflecting her constantly racing thoughts. Big, wide eyes and an expression of mild panic complete the look perfectly.

The genius of this costume is how it sparks genuine conversations about mental health while remaining fun and approachable. You can act jittery and overthink everything out loud for comedic effect. Add small details like a notebook filled with worried thoughts or create a control panel prop to reference the movie’s setting inside the mind.