Every October, Google publishes Frightgeist, a site that shows which Halloween searches are taking off. The 2026 edition went live on October 14, and if you’ve been wondering why everyone suddenly wants a red zebra halter top or a unicorn mascot head, this is why.
One thing to know before you read the list: Frightgeist ranks trending costumes, meaning the ones with the biggest jump in searches compared with the same period before. It’s not a list of the most popular costumes overall. Spider-Man, witches and vampires are still everywhere; they just aren’t new.
This guide covers Google’s top trending costumes for 2026 and how to put each one together without spending a fortune, plus the trending ideas for kids, couples and pets.
The top 10 trending Halloween costumes of 2026
| Rank | Costume | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buddy the Unicorn | The horror film Buddy |
| 2 | NeeDoh | The squishy stress-ball toy |
| 3 | Nikki | The horror film Obsession |
| 4 | Agamemnon | Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey |
| 5 | Lily Love Braids | The game Poppy Playtime |
| 6 | Oliver Tree | The musician |
| 7 | Verity | Minecraft |
| 8 | Carl | Dungeon Crawler Carl |
| 9 | Disco Scooby Doo | Scooby-Doo |
| 10 | Hazel Hook | Disney’s Descendants |
Horror is clearly having a big year. Google and several costume retailers point to a horror revival, along with a rise in mythology-inspired characters and superheroes.
How to put together the top trending looks
1. Buddy the Unicorn
Buddy is the cheerful-looking kids’ TV mascot from the horror movie Buddy. According to Google, searches for a “Buddy unicorn costume” passed searches for a regular “kids unicorn costume” for the first time in September.
How to make it: start with a white or pastel plush onesie or hoodie, add a unicorn horn headband and a rainbow mane, and finish with an oversized fake smile. For the horror version, add a slightly worn, stained look to the fabric. A full mascot head is the most recognizable option, but it’s hot and hard to see out of, so it’s better for a party than for trick-or-treating.
2. NeeDoh
Yes, a stress ball. NeeDoh, the squishy sensory toy, was searched more than ever in 2026.
How to make it: wear a solid bright color head to toe, like pink, blue or green. Stuff the body of an oversized T-shirt or a large pillowcase with soft filling for a round, squishy shape, and add a printed NeeDoh logo. It’s comfortable, funny and very cheap.
3. Nikki from Obsession
Nikki became one of the most talked-about horror characters of the year. Google says searches for a “red zebra halter top,” the top she wears, hit an all-time high after the film came out.
How to make it: a red and white zebra-print halter top, low-rise jeans or a skirt, messy hair and smudged makeup. If you’re going as a pair, the duo version with Bear is also on Google’s list.
4. Agamemnon from The Odyssey
Ancient Greece is back. Google noted that searches for an “Agamemnon costume” are about three times as high as searches for “Penelope costume” this year.
How to make it: a short tunic or a long T-shirt belted at the waist, a breastplate (foam or cardboard painted bronze), a red cape, sandals or boots, and a crested helmet. Costume armor is easy to find, or you can make a simple version from craft foam.
5. Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime
The top trending costume searched with the word “braid” this year.
How to make it: long braided yarn hair, which is the defining detail, plus a bright outfit in the character’s colors. Kids love this one, and the yarn braids are a fun family craft project.
6. Oliver Tree
The musician’s look is one of the easiest on the list.
How to make it: a bowl-cut wig, small round sunglasses and a bright, oversized vintage tracksuit or windbreaker. Thrift stores are your best friend here.
7. Verity from Minecraft
Google says “Verity mod outfits” is the top Verity costume search.
How to make it: look up the character’s outfit and recreate it with blocky, pixel-style details. Cardboard boxes painted in pixel patterns are a classic Minecraft costume trick, especially for kids.
8. Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl
Searched more than ever this year, thanks to the hugely popular book series.
How to make it: Carl famously isn’t wearing much. For a family-friendly version, go with boxers or shorts over leggings, a leather jacket, boots and a plush cat to play Princess Donut on your shoulder.
9. Disco Scooby Doo
Google says the top outfit searched with this costume is a “green and red disco outfit.”
How to make it: a Scooby-Doo onesie or brown outfit with spots, plus a shiny green or red disco shirt or jacket, a blue collar with a gold tag and some glitter. Pair it with Disco Shaggy for one of this year’s top duo costumes.
10. Hazel Hook from Descendants
Google flagged “realistic Hazel Hook cosplay” as a breakout search.
How to make it: pirate-inspired pieces in red and black, a hat, a hook prop (soft and blunt for kids), boots and dramatic makeup.
More from Google’s top 25
Further down the list are some fun, easy options:
- Captain Clark from Backrooms: “peg leg” is the top trending product searched with this costume
- Dolly Parton: the top trending person searched with “blonde wig”
- Thragg from Invincible
- Kenny Rogers: Google says his top searched song is “The Gambler.” A gray wig, beard and western shirt does it
- Bowser Jr. and Princess Rosalina from Super Mario: “Princess Rosalina costume lights” is a breakout search
- Green Lantern, Skeletor and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” era, which has hit a 10-year search high
Trending duo and couples costumes
| Rank | Duo |
|---|---|
| 1 | Disco Scooby Doo and Shaggy |
| 2 | Cyclops and Jean Grey (X-Men) |
| 3 | Nikki and Bear (Obsession) |
| 4 | J-Lo and Maverick (Off Campus) |
| 5 | Hannah and Garrett (Off Campus) |
| 6 | Cowboys and angels |
| 7 | Ricky Bobby and Carley Bobby (Talladega Nights) |
| 8 | Wall-E and Eve |
| 9 | Woody and Bullseye (Toy Story) |
| 10 | Joe Dirt and Brandy |
“Cowboys and angels” is the easiest group theme on the list: half the group wears cowboy hats and boots, the other half wears white with wings and halos.
Trending kids’ costumes
Google’s kids list is a mix of music stars, cartoons and classics:
- Dolly Parton
- Ella Langley
- Dumpling
- Shakira
- Ash Ketchum from Pokémon
- Hannah Montana
- Spider-Gwen
- Michael Jackson (“Thriller” era)
- Pomni from The Amazing Digital Circus
- Grogu
Michael Myers also appears on the kids list. As costume sites point out, Google’s ranking reflects searches, not age recommendations, so check that masks don’t block vision and leave realistic weapon props at home.
Trending pet costumes
Pets get their own list, and it’s delightfully strange:
- Centipede
- Dolly Parton
- Bullseye from Toy Story
- A can of Diet Coke
- Princess Donut from Dungeon Crawler Carl
- Lamb Chop
- Pua from Moana
- Baked potato
- Roach
- Tow Mater from Cars
Choose pet costumes that don’t restrict breathing, movement, hearing or sight, and take them off if your pet seems stressed.
Find what’s trending in your area
The Frightgeist site includes a map where you can enter your ZIP code and see the top costumes searched near you. It’s a good way to avoid showing up in the same costume as everyone else on your street, or to join in with what your neighbors love.
Tips for building a trending costume on a budget
- Pick the one detail that makes it recognizable, like Nikki’s zebra top, Oliver Tree’s bowl cut or Agamemnon’s helmet, and spend most of your money there
- Shop your closet for the basics: jeans, solid T-shirts, boots and jackets
- Hit thrift stores early, before the best tracksuits and costume pieces disappear
- Use craft foam and cardboard for armor, props and blocky Minecraft pieces
- Make it comfortable: you’ll be walking, sitting and eating in it all evening
Wear it respectfully
Halloween is meant to be fun for everyone. Avoid costumes that mock a culture, religion or ethnicity, and never use blackface or other skin darkening to portray someone of a different race. If you’re dressing as a real person, keep it affectionate rather than mean.
Final thoughts
This year’s trends lean heavily on horror and pop culture, but the best costumes on the list are surprisingly simple: a zebra top, a bowl-cut wig, a disco shirt. Pick the one that makes you laugh, focus on the signature detail, and enjoy Halloween on Saturday, October 31.
