The Halloween Costumes We Predict Everyone Will Wear This Year By Ainsly Griggs

By Ainsly Griggs

#1. Nikki From Obsession

We all saw this coming…

What started as a low-budget indie horror film directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Curry Barker, best known for his YouTube channel This Is a Bad Idea, has turned into a box-office phenomenon, raking in around $520 million. And because no horror hit is complete without a questionable promotional tie-in, the film has also inspired a $9 “Wish Stick churro” at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. That’s spirited, yet somehow still stale.

It’s been a lucrative year for Blumhouse and Universal, but they aren’t the only ones cashing in. Princess Polly has found its own profitable niche in the film’s success. This Halloween, every brunette woman has officially met her match.

The costume? It’s easy. Just add the Cielo Mesh Halter Top in Red Zebra to your cart, sprinkle a little fake blood across your face, and voilà: you’re ready for a Halloween that’s guaranteed to be a “nice date.”

#2. Dolly Parton

The late, great Dolly Parton left an unmistakable mark on pop culture, music, and fashion with her unapologetic attitude and larger-than-life style. An icon to fans around the world, Dolly inspired us in life, and it’s only fitting that many of us will try to immortalize her one-of-a-kind spirit this Halloween with over-the-top costumes of our own.

That said, paying tribute to Dolly is an art form, and it must be done tastefully. We can honor her legacy and show respect for her loved ones while still embracing the bigger-is-better philosophy she embodied so effortlessly. Because when it comes to dressing as Dolly, subtlety is simply not an option. Go big or go home. Or, as Dolly herself wisely put it, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

#3. JLO and Maverick (Allie and Dean from Off Campus)

Every year, there’s that one YA show with an undeniably attractive cast that takes over pop culture. For the past two years, The Summer I Turned Pretty held the crown. But in 2026, the obsession has shifted to Off Campus. Among its most memorable moments? An iconic Halloween episode featuring Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla) dressed as Jennifer Lopez and Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn) as Maverick from Top Gun.

While not your traditional couples costume, the duo’s iconic dance scene offers the best of both worlds: a chance to dress as two recognizable pop-culture icons while subtly signaling that you’re more than just friends. Because sometimes, the best couples costumes don’t have to match to make a statement.

#4 Rachel from Something Very Bad is going to happen.

No matter the year, when Halloween rolls around, everyone seems to love the excuse to dress as a bride and cover themselves in blood. From the Zombie Bride in Mean Girls (2004) to Corpse Bride (2005), and later Alice from Don’t Worry Darling, the bloody bridal look has remained a Halloween favorite. This year’s latest addition? Rachel, from the chilling limited series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. After all, the vows may promise “till death do us part,” but when Halloween comes around, no one seems ready to part with this killer costume combination.

#5. Zara Larson

We’ve seen Xtina, we’ve seen Britney, and we’ve even seen Sabrina Carpenter. But this year’s pop princess is, without a doubt, Zara Larsson. While Larsson has been in the music scene for years, her recent resurgence has coincided with the internet’s obsession with 2016 nostalgia. And she’s doing more than just bringing back the era’s music; her vibrant, summertime aesthetic, infused with a Y2K twist, is making us rethink everything we thought we knew about color combinations and maximalism. Consider our brains officially rewired and ready for Halloween.

#6. Ai Brain Rot

It’s safe to say pop culture dictates a good portion of Halloween’s trajectory. But as AI continues to reshape the media landscape, the costume inspiration has gotten a little… stranger. Enter the brain-rot mascots: characters like Ballerina Cappuccina and Tung Tung Tung Sahur, whose internet fame has officially transcended the screen and landed them on Spirit Halloween’s costume racks.

And the AI-inspired absurdity doesn’t stop there. Remember the viral, fruit-filled parody of Love Island Season 7? Its bizarre cast of anthropomorphic fruit has apparently made its way into the Halloween conversation, too. So if you spot a group of people dressed as produce this October, don’t be confused. There’s a good chance you’re looking at Cherrita or Orangelo.

#7. The Odyssey

It’s no secret that summer blockbusters have a way of making their mark well into the fall, and this year should be no exception. With The Odyssey bringing Greek mythology back into the pop-culture spotlight, I predict a resurgence of the classic Trojan warrior costume, with Odysseus leading the charge. And for those looking for a couples costume, Anne Hathaway’s Penelope could make her own grand entrance. After all, nothing says Halloween quite like a little inoperable romance.

#8. Spiderman

. “Come on, come on, come on… oh yeah!” Let’s be honest: every Halloween, we hope to spot at least one friendly neighborhood Spider-Man at the party. But after the box-office buzz surrounding Spider-Man: Brand New Day, even I’ve been tempted to invest in a full-body spandex suit and start swinging around my house. Realistically, Tom Holland and Zendaya have had a headline-making year, making them two of the biggest names to watch. So it only makes sense that fans will be paying homage to the duo this Halloween, whether they’re suiting up as Spider-Man, channeling MJ, or taking the couples-costume route. Because when it comes to pop culture, superheroes rarely go out of style.

#9. Alyssa Liu

I’ll admit, I wasn’t paying much attention to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan until “Stateside” by Pink Pantheress featuring Zara Larsson started playing on what felt like every corner of the internet. Suddenly, figure skater Alysa Liu was everywhere, with her gold-medal-winning performances and now-iconic routine inspiring fans to recreate her moves online. With her competition looks and the song’s viral popularity cementing their place in pop culture, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few Alysa-inspired costumes make their way onto the Halloween scene this year.

#10. Maddie from Euphoria

Season one gave us the iconic high school Maddy Perez look, where all you really needed was a matching set from I.AM.GIA and the confidence to pull it off. But season three brings a more mature, elevated aesthetic, trading her signature going-out looks for a fur coat, oversized sunglasses, and an old-money-inspired wardrobe. The result? A more sophisticated take on the same unapologetic fashion queen. I expect Euphoria fans to revisit this fan-favorite character once again this Halloween, recreating her luxe, understated-glam look.

#11.Timothy and Kylie

“I’m not a pumpkin, I’m a ping-pong ball.”

Halloween has always been orange’s time to shine. That is, until Marty Supreme came along and turned the color into December’s unexpected fashion statement. The film’s PR and marketing team went all in, and somehow, the detail that stole the spotlight wasn’t even the movie itself, but the bold, unmistakable orange of a ping-pong ball. Despite its limited screen time, that little ball inspired a full-blown orange takeover, even influencing the premiere looks of the film’s unexpected style duo. So, if the promotional fashion is any indication, I wouldn’t be surprised to see monochromatic orange outfits popping up everywhere this Halloween. Move over, pumpkins; there’s a new orange icon in town.

#12. Dr. Doom

With Marvel’s upcoming film starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, I wouldn’t be surprised to see silver and green taking over the Halloween scene. The iconic villain’s signature look is practically made for a costume moment, but there’s another reason fans might be drawn to the metal mask: a tribute to the late, great MF DOOM. The legendary rapper made the mask his signature, creating an unmistakable look that bridged hip-hop and comic-book culture. This Halloween, expect a little Marvel villainy mixed with underground rap nostalgia. After all, one mask, two icons, easy way to kill two birds with one stone.

#13. Emma and Charlie;The Drama

Nothing says Trick or Treat like a wedding.

Once again, everyone loves an excuse to dress like a dysfunctional bride and groom. And with Robert Pattinson and Zendaya having a particularly busy year on the big screen, I wouldn’t be surprised if their on-screen looks inspire a few couples’ costumes this Halloween. After all, nothing says romance quite like a little cinematic chaos, a questionable marriage, and two people who look like they might call off the wedding before the night is over.

#14. Ballerina from Pretty Lethal

Ever since the coquette revival of 2023, the classic ballerina costume has remained a Halloween staple. So why not give the look a cinematic twist? While I don’t expect this costume to dominate Halloween this year, I highly recommend it for anyone looking to put a playful spin on the traditional ballet aesthetic. The film Pretty Lethal quietly landed on Amazon Prime, but its recognizable cast was enough to draw viewers in, and I found it to be a genuinely fun watch. Luckily, the costume is just as entertaining as the movie itself. Besides, JoJo Siwa can’t be the only Dance Moms survivor we pay tribute to this Halloween.

#15. Supergirl

Though the recent Supergirl film may have a lot to prove at the box office, its fashion potential is already worth talking about. This Halloween, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Supergirls of all ages making their rounds, alongside plenty of Wonder Women bringing their own take on superhero glamour. As a strong female role model, we need powerful figures like her more than ever. Think statement capes, bold primary colors, metallic accents, knee-high boots, and figure-hugging silhouettes that turn classic comic-book uniforms into full-fledged fashion moments. And for the blonde-and-brunette duos looking to coordinate without wearing identical costumes, Supergirl and Wonder Woman are the perfect pairing. Edna Mode would agree, who says saving the world can’t be a stylish affair?