Expect to see plenty of hockey jerseys, hospital scrubs and suspiciously elaborate shrubbery on the streets this Halloween as revelers draw inspiration from the year’s biggest entertainment milestones. Some partygoers will be channeling Ilya and Shane from “Heated Rivalry,” others will be pulling overnight shifts as the dedicated doctors of “The Pitt,” and the most committed friend groups may decide to skip dressing as Bad Bunny altogether, instead choosing to show up as the literal bushes from his memorable Super Bowl halftime show.
As is tradition, the year’s biggest cinematic releases and television hits provide a gold mine of costume inspiration for fans looking to make a statement. Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster “The Odyssey” offers a particularly cinematic and elevated couples costume option, drawing on Zendaya’s portrayal of Athena and Matt Damon’s take on Odysseus rather than relying on standard, pristine Grecian togas. Meanwhile, the animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” practically begs for a coordinated three-person HUNTR/X get-up, featuring colorful stagewear and demon-hunting accessories. Elsewhere across the pop culture landscape, titles like “Off Campus,” “Backrooms,” “Euphoria,” and “Widow’s Bay” offer options ranging from exceedingly easy everyday looks to the kind of niche, deeply referential choices that earn immediate, approving nods from fellow obsessives on the party circuit.
Musicians and viral music moments, meanwhile, have supplied some of the year’s most immediately recognizable looks. Harry Styles’ tiny red shorts from the “Dance No More” music video are destined to make an appearance at numerous gatherings, while Olivia Rodrigo’s album cover for “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” offers another ready-made pop-star transformation complete with a Peter Pan collar dress and chunky Mary Jane heels. And for anyone whose personal costume philosophy is simply centered on the idea of “more rhinestones,” there is always the timeless, foolproof option of dressing as Dolly Parton.
Nikki in “Obsession”
For those looking to lean into the horror genre, channeling Inde Navarrette’s character Nikki from the hit psychological thriller offers an instantly recognizable look built around a red-and-black zebra halter top, black bottoms, and plenty of gleaming gold jewelry. Fans adopting this style can earn bonus points by carrying a willow prop or adding a touch of fake blood to take things in a more sinister, Halloween-appropriate direction. The ensemble captures the distinct aesthetic that resonated with audiences during the film’s theatrical run, making it a standout choice for horror aficionados.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Bushes
In what is easily one of the year’s most absurdly specific and humorous group costumes, revelers are opting to skip dressing as Bad Bunny himself and are instead going as the literal greenery surrounding him during his widely discussed Super Bowl performance. Pulling off this look requires little more than head-to-toe green attire, some faux foliage attachments, and a circle of friends who are fully willing to commit to the comedic bit. It stands out as a quintessential example of internet-era humor translating directly into real-world celebratory fashion.
Athena and Odysseus in “The Odyssey”
Christopher Nolan’s historical epic “The Odyssey” provides couples with a sophisticated alternative to traditional historical costumes. Instead of clean, store-bought togas, the look emphasizes weathered linen, textured leather, and patinated bronze. Matt Damon’s battle-worn Odysseus and Zendaya’s draped, earth-toned Athena make for a striking pairing that reflects the gritty, grand scale of Nolan’s cinematic vision, elevating couples’ costumes well above standard party fare.
“Celebrity Row” at MSG
Sometimes the most effective celebrity-inspired costume is also the most straightforward to assemble. A prime example is recreating Taylor Swift and her famous crew’s matching Stevie Nicks concert shirts for a group look that requires little more than graphic tees, denim jeans, and an abundance of concert-going enthusiasm. It strikes the right balance of being niche enough to reward anyone who spent the year chronically online while remaining comfortable for a long night out.
Hannah and Garret in “Off Campus”
Prime Video’s buzzy hockey romance series makes Hannah and Garrett a natural choice for a dynamic couples costume. Fans can easily channel Hannah’s signature collegiate campus styles while their partners throw on a Briar U hockey jersey. For a more traditional, overtly Halloween-ready aesthetic, couples can also choose to recreate the show’s memorable bunny-and-magician party pairing, leaning into the romantic drama’s most playful narrative beats.
Operatives in “Backrooms”
Hazmat suits have rarely felt more culturally relevant or zeitgeisty than they do this season. Fans can suit up in full protective gear, complete with respirators and utility equipment, to become one of the brave operatives venturing into the endless, fluorescent-lit nightmare depicted in “Backrooms.” This industrial, utilitarian look proves particularly effective if an entire group of friends coordinates to commit to the atmospheric, eerie aesthetic.
Magick in “Euphoria”
For anyone whose foundational Halloween philosophy is anchored in the belief that “more is more,” the styling associated with Magick provides an abundance of raw material. Featuring dramatic makeup, maximalist styling, and the kind of hyper-specific, daring fashion choices that have consistently made “Euphoria” a gold mine for costume designers, this look serves as the ultimate excuse to empty out every rhinestone and face gem in the makeup drawer.
Ilya and Shane in “Heated Rivalry”
The internet’s favorite fictional hockey rivals are practically custom-made for a two-person costume. Couples or friends can keep things straightforward by donning rival hockey jerseys, or they can opt to recreate one of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander’s memorable off-ice civilian looks. Either route results in a costume that devoted readers and viewers of the hockey romance phenomenon will instantly recognize and appreciate across any crowded room.
“The Pitt” Doctors
Few costumes require less explaining—or less intensive shopping—than the medical professionals populating the trauma bays of “The Pitt.” By simply acquiring a set of standard medical scrubs, a personalized ID badge, and a functional stethoscope, partygoers can complete the look by spending the evening looking appropriately exhausted for the full Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center effect, making it an effortlessly authentic choice for busy professionals.
Dolly Parton
With big blonde hair, oversized lashes, heavy rhinestones, and enough fringe to be clearly visible from across a dark room, country music legend Dolly Parton remains one of pop culture’s most foolproof, joyful Halloween transformations. The golden rule for nailing this iconic aesthetic is simple: absolutely no restraint should be exercised when it comes to sparkle, volume, and glittering accessories.
Olivia Rodrigo Album Cover
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo’s latest musical era offers a fresh costume direction for fans looking beyond her earlier, already Halloween-friendly “Sour” and “Guts” cycles. By meticulously recreating the specific Peter Pan collar dress, chunky Mary Jane heels, styling, and moody makeup of the album cover, and pairing it with a mock vinyl sleeve, fans can ensure the contemporary musical reference is understood even by casual listeners.
Harry Styles in “Dance No More” Music Video
The viral music video for “Dance No More” provides arguably the easiest excuse ever handed to pop culture fans to wear tiny red shorts on Halloween. Throughout the video, Harry Styles spends his screen time dancing in custom Marc Jacobs short-shorts and casual sneakers, rendering the look both instantly recognizable to music fans and surprisingly simple to replicate at home using readily available wardrobe staples.
Huntr/x in “Kpop Demon Hunters”
The central trio of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey from Netflix’s hit animated feature are tailor-made for a synchronized three-person group costume. Featuring vibrant, colorful stagewear, signature pop-star hair and makeup, and distinct demon-hunting accessories, the characters lend themselves equally well to officially licensed merchandise or creative, do-it-yourself interpretations crafted by dedicated fan groups.
Patricia in “Widow’s Bay”
Patricia’s distinctive wardrobe from Apple TV’s psychological thriller “Widow’s Bay” offers a wonderfully unexpected choice for anyone seeking a costume that prompts knowing, appreciative reactions from fellow viewers. By successfully nailing the specific hairstyle, period-appropriate wardrobe, and character-driven accessories, wearers can let the year’s dedicated horror obsessives do the rest of the work in identifying the subtle, prestige television reference.
