Every October the same question takes over group chats, office Slack channels and school pickup lines: what are you going as? In 2026 the stakes feel a little higher, because Halloween falls on a Saturday. That means more parties, more photos and more people actually dressing up instead of throwing on cat ears at their desk.
Costumes are also where a lot of the Halloween budget goes. The National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey expects shoppers to spend about $4.4 billion on costumes, with 71% of people who celebrate planning to buy one. Kids’ costumes alone account for around $1.5 billion.
This guide covers what’s trending, what’s easy, and what to do if it’s October 30 and you have nothing.
What people are searching for this year
Trend lists vary depending on who’s counting, but a few themes show up again and again in Google search data and costume retailer reports for 2026.
Superheroes and villains
Superheroes never really leave. NRF’s survey found Spider-Man is again the top costume for kids, with millions planning to dress up as him. With big comic-book films in the news, villains are having a moment too. Doctor Doom has been one of the most-discussed villain costumes of the year, and searches for him have climbed in the run-up to October.
Why villains work: they’re dramatic, they photograph well, and nobody expects you to be cheerful all night.
Pop stars and music moments
Concert outfits are easy to recognize and easy to adapt. Pastel mini dresses and platform heels for a Sabrina Carpenter look, or a messy-glam rock outfit inspired by a recent music video, can be pulled together from your own closet with one or two additions. Search interest in musician-inspired costumes such as Harry Styles has also jumped this season.
Animated favorites and family films
Toy Story characters are everywhere this year. Google Trends data analyzed by a discount site showed Buzz Lightyear with one of the biggest jumps in costume searches heading into October, with Bo Peep and Mr. Potato Head also climbing. Video game characters like Princess Peach and Luigi round out the list, and Rumi from K-Pop Demon Hunters continues to be a popular pick for teens and young adults.
Classic horror
Ghostface, witches, vampires and zombies are always safe bets. Horror icons are perfect if you want something recognizable without buying a branded costume. A black robe and a mask, or a thrift-store wedding dress with fake blood, still does the job.
Quick-reference table: trending costumes and how hard they are
| Costume idea | Difficulty | Rough cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider-Man or another superhero | Easy (store-bought) | $25–$60 | Kids, teens, groups |
| Doctor Doom or another big villain | Medium–hard | $40–$150 | Parties, cosplay fans |
| Pop star stage look | Easy–medium | $0–$40 | Adults, friend groups |
| Toy Story character | Easy | $15–$50 | Families, couples |
| Princess Peach and Luigi | Easy | $20–$60 | Couples |
| Ghostface | Very easy | $15–$30 | Last-minute, teens |
| Witch | Very easy | $0–$25 | Anyone |
| K-Pop Demon Hunters character | Medium | $20–$60 | Teens, friend groups |
Prices are rough ranges for planning. Store-bought costumes and accessories vary a lot by retailer and size.
Easy DIY costume ideas
You don’t need a sewing machine. Most good DIY costumes come down to one strong idea and a recognizable detail.
Using clothes you already own
- Lumberjack: flannel shirt, jeans, boots, a beanie and a toy axe
- Pilot or flight attendant: white shirt, dark pants or skirt, a printed name badge and aviator sunglasses
- Tourist: loud shirt, fanny pack, sun hat, camera around your neck and a folded map
- Painter: old white T-shirt splashed with paint, a beret and a paintbrush
- Chef: white shirt, apron, paper chef’s hat and a wooden spoon
- Tennis player: white polo or dress, headband, wristbands and a racket
Low-cost classics
- Ghost: an old white sheet with eyeholes still works, especially for kids. Cut the eyeholes larger than you think so they can see properly
- Black cat: black clothes, felt ears on a headband and an eyeliner nose and whiskers
- Mummy: wrap white leggings and a long-sleeve top with strips of an old sheet or medical gauze
- Scarecrow: flannel, overalls or jeans, straw or yellow yarn poking out of sleeves, and freckles
Tip: Thrift stores and dollar stores are at their best in early October. Go before the 20th, when the good wigs, hats and capes are already gone.
Group and family costume themes
Group costumes are one of the most searched categories every year, and they make for the best photos. The trick is choosing a theme where everyone can play a different role.
- Toy Story: Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Bo Peep, Rex and the little green aliens give you room for every age
- Inside Out: each person picks an emotion and wears that color head to toe
- Super Mario: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi and Bowser
- Wizard of Oz: Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Lion and a witch or two
- A crayon box: everyone wears one solid color with a paper label. Cheap, quick and works for any size group
- Your favorite band: matching outfits and air instruments
For families with babies and toddlers, choose a theme where the little one gets the cutest role, like a pumpkin in a “pumpkin patch” family or Nemo in an ocean theme.
Couples costume ideas
- Princess Peach and Mario, or Luigi and Daisy
- Woody and Jessie
- A vampire and their next victim
- Salt and pepper
- Two halves of a famous meme
- A tourist and a palace guard
- Peanut butter and jelly
Costumes for work
If your office celebrates, keep it simple and work-friendly:
- Choose something you can sit at a desk and type in
- Avoid masks that cover your whole face, especially for video calls or customer-facing roles
- Skip fake weapons, gore and anything revealing
- Group costumes with your team are popular and low-pressure
Puns are office favorites: “smart cookie” (a cookie taped to a graduation cap), “social butterfly” (butterfly wings covered in social media logos) or “life gave me lemons” (lemons pinned to your shirt).
Last-minute costumes in under an hour
It’s October 30 and you have nothing. Here’s what works with a quick trip to a drugstore or what’s in your closet:
- Ghostface or a classic horror mask: sold almost everywhere
- Witch: black clothes plus a hat. Add green face paint if you’re committed
- Vampire: dark clothes, red lipstick, plastic fangs
- Zombie: old clothes you can rip, gray makeup, fake blood
- Sports fan: any jersey, face paint and a foam finger
- “Error 404 costume not found”: a printed sign on a plain T-shirt
- Cat, mouse or bunny: ears, a tail and makeup
Choosing a costume respectfully
Halloween in the US is meant to be fun for everyone. Costumes that turn someone’s culture, religion or ethnicity into a joke, or use traditional dress from a culture that isn’t yours as a “costume,” often cause real offense. Blackface and other forms of skin darkening to portray a person of a different race are widely considered racist in the US. When in doubt, pick a character, a creature or an object instead.
Costume safety for kids
- Choose bright colors or add reflective tape so drivers can see them
- Make sure masks don’t block vision; face paint is often safer
- Hem costumes so they don’t drag and cause trips
- Look for “flame resistant” on the label
- Test makeup on a small patch of skin a day or two before
Our Halloween safety guide covers more tips for trick-or-treat night.
Where to buy and how to save
According to NRF, discount stores are the top place people shop for Halloween, followed by specialty Halloween and costume stores and online retailers. To keep costs down:
- Check what you already own before buying anything
- Swap costumes with friends or neighbors, especially for kids who outgrow them every year
- Look for coupons and price-match offers in early October
- Buy pieces you can reuse, like a good wig, a cape or a flannel shirt
- Shop clearance on November 1 for next year
Final thoughts
The best costume isn’t the most expensive one. It’s the one you’re comfortable in, that people recognize, and that makes you smile when you see the photos. Pick your idea early, keep it simple, and enjoy the Saturday celebrations.
