Halloween is one of my favourite times of year, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that it’s never too early to start planning your next Halloween costume.
I have a notes page filled with a seemingly endless list of costume ideas that only grows longer each year. With every new movie release or pop culture moment, more and more costume ideas I wish to someday recreate are added. And seen as it’s likely i’ll never get through them all, its only right that I pass on a few of those ideas. Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you enough to perfect your outfit ahead of time, so that you avoid the “I’ll just slip on a pair of cat ears and call it a day” look.
From timeless horror classics to this year’s most iconic pop culture and movie moments, keep scrolling for some of the best Halloween costume ideas for 2026.
Sabrina Carpenter Tears Music Video
Sabrina Carpenter is the musical IT girl at the moment and rightly so. Her music and style just keep on getting better and better, and luckily for us, provides excellent inspiration for a Halloween costume. The ‘Tears’ music video in particular was inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show, another classic look for Halloween, making it a perfect choice for your own costume this year.
For more celebrity-approved Halloween costumes, read this guide on 28 Of The Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes You Can Copy
JLO
Embed from Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez’s iconic Versace gown from the 2000s has been a popular Halloween costume since, well, the 2000s. But now that Mika Abdalla’s character, Allie, revived the look in Off Campus this year, there is no better time to recreate this look.
Obsession
It was the most popular horror movie of 2026, so of course Nikki from Obsession had to make it to the list. The good news is the red zebra print top she wore in the film is from Oh Polly, making it an affordable costume to recreate. The bad news is the top is nearly always out of stock, so I have linked some alternatives below just in case.
Carrie
Prom queen Carrie is a timeless Halloween costume. The image of her soaked in pigs’ blood is one of the most famous in horror history. The best part is, and I am talking from experience here, is that it is so easy to DIY at home. All you need is a low-cost pink slip dress and a whole lot of fake blood.
Greek Goddess
Since the release of The Odyssey this summer, fashion has had somewhat of an obsession with Greek mythology. So, if you have ever wanted to channel your inner Greek goddess (who hasn’t?), or perhaps recreate some of Zendaya’s red carpet looks (again, who hasn’t?) then this Halloween is the perfect time.
Rapunzel
For those who prefer something lighter and more whimsical, Rapunzel from Tangled brings a fairy-tale twist to Halloween.
Toy Story Characters
Dressing up as the characters from Toy Story for Halloween is always a good idea. It’s instantly recognisable, perfect for groups, and there are so many characters to choose from. It’s likely to be more popular than ever this year thanks to the release of Toy Story 5 making it extra easy to source costumes.
Wednesday Addams
Another classic costume that is ideal for bringing the spooky and gothic vibes back to Halloween.
Wicked Characters
There may be no new Wicked movie this year, but we can still keep the magic alive by recreating the costumes this Halloween. Whether you’re an Elphaba, Glinda, or Dorothy, these characters will always be a winner at Halloween – it’s especially great if you’re looking for duo or group costumes.
Practical Magic Witches
Speaking of Witches, Practical Magic 2 will release in September. The sequel to the ultimate autumnal comfort movie and the blueprint to a classic witch Halloween costume.