The short answer
The most popular Halloween costumes 2026 has to offer are, by the numbers, a witch for adults and Spider-Man for kids, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween says the hottest pop-culture picks this year come from KPop Demon Hunters, Toy Story 5 and Prime Video’s Off Campus, while Google’s 2026 search trends are led by Buddy the Unicorn, NeeDoh and Nikki from Obsession.
- Top adult costume: witch (4.8 million adults), then vampire (4.2 million)
- Top kids’ costume: Spider-Man (4.6 million children), then a generic superhero (2.3 million)
- Top pet costume: pumpkin (11.6% of pet owners who dress their pets), then hot dog (5.9%)
- Top Google trending costumes 2026: Buddy the Unicorn, NeeDoh, Nikki from Obsession and Agamemnon from The Odyssey (Frightgeist, October 14)
- Biggest retail trends: KPop Demon Hunters, Woody, Buzz and Jessie, Off Campus hockey looks, Greek gods and warriors
- Halloween 2026 date: Saturday, October 31, 2026 (last checked October 27, 2026)
$13.5B
Record Halloween spending forecast (NRF)
$4.4B
Expected spending on costumes alone
4.8M
Adults planning to dress as a witch
4.6M
Kids planning to be Spider-Man
In this article
Halloween costumes, the outfits people wear to parties, parades and trick-or-treating on October 31, change with whatever everyone watched, played and streamed that year. So, to find the popular Halloween costumes 2026 will actually bring to your door, we checked three kinds of evidence: what shoppers say they plan to wear, what the biggest costume retailer is selling, and what people are searching for. For the bigger picture on dates, decor, food and parties, start with our complete Halloween 2026 guide.
First, the NRF Halloween survey (published September 22, 2026, and based on 7,889 consumers polled September 1–9 by Prosper Insights & Analytics) forecasts a record $13.5 billion in total Halloween spending. In addition, it expects 71% of shoppers to spend $4.4 billion on costumes. Second, Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in North America, shared its 2026 trend picks in early October. Finally, we looked at Google’s Frightgeist 2026 search rankings, released in mid-October, while checking every ranking’s year so last season’s list does not pass for this one.
Google’s Top Trending Halloween Costumes of 2026
Buddy the Unicorn is Google’s No. 1 trending Halloween costume of 2026, followed by NeeDoh, Nikki from Obsession and Agamemnon from The Odyssey. Google announced its 2026 Frightgeist rankings on its Keyword blog on October 14, 2026, saying horror movie characters, TV and movie favorites and country legends top the charts this year. Because Frightgeist ranks the costume searches with the biggest spikes before Halloween, these Google trending costumes reward brand-new breakouts rather than steady classics like the witch.
Buddy is the mascot from Casper Kelly’s horror film Buddy, which opened in theaters at the end of August. In fact, according to NBC, the film pushed searches for a “Buddy unicorn costume” past searches for a “kids unicorn costume” on Google for the first time. Likewise, Nikki is the breakout character from Obsession, Curry Barker’s horror hit for Focus Features, played by Inde Navarrette. NeeDoh, by contrast, is simply the squishy stress-ball toy kids collect.
Last checked: October 27, 2026, four days before Halloween on Saturday, October 31.
Top 10 trending Halloween costumes 2026 on Google
| Rank | Costume | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buddy the Unicorn | Buddy (horror film) |
| 2 | NeeDoh | Squishy stress toy |
| 3 | Nikki | Obsession (horror film) |
| 4 | Agamemnon | The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan) |
| 5 | Lily Love Braids | Poppy Playtime (video game) |
| 6 | Oliver Tree | Musician |
| 7 | Verity | Minecraft |
| 8 | Carl | Dungeon Crawler Carl |
| 9 | Disco Scooby-Doo | Scooby-Doo |
| 10 | Hazel Hook | Descendants |
Further down the national top 25, FOX lists Captain Clark from Backrooms (No. 11), Dolly Parton (No. 12), Thragg from Invincible (No. 13), Kenny Rogers (No. 14), Bowser Jr. (No. 15), Princess Rosalina (No. 16), Green Lantern (No. 17), Michael Jackson (No. 18), Skeletor (No. 19) and Cyclops (No. 20). Notably, Google says Michael Jackson costume searches are at a 10-year high this year.
Google’s top trending kids’ costumes 2026
Google’s most popular Halloween costumes 2026 for kids skew toward music stars rather than horror. Dolly Parton leads, while Oliver Tree and Michael Jackson appear on both the kids’ and overall lists.
| Rank | Kids’ costume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dolly Parton | Country legend |
| 2 | Ella Langley | Country singer |
| 3 | Dumpling | Food costume |
| 4 | Shakira | Singer |
| 5 | Oliver Tree | Musician |
| 6 | Ash Ketchum | Pokémon |
| 7 | Hannah Montana | Disney Channel |
| 8 | Spider-Gwen | Marvel |
| 9 | Michael Jackson | Thriller era |
| 10 | Pomni | The Amazing Digital Circus |
Google’s top trending pet and duo costumes 2026
| Rank | Pet costume | Duo costume |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centipede | Disco Scooby and Shaggy (Scooby-Doo) |
| 2 | Dolly Parton | Cyclops and Jean Grey (X-Men) |
| 3 | Bullseye (Toy Story) | Nikki and Bear (Obsession) |
| 4 | Diet Coke | J.Lo and Maverick (Off Campus) |
| 5 | Princess Donut (Dungeon Crawler Carl) | Hannah and Garrett (Off Campus) |
| 6 | Lamb Chop | Cowboys and angels |
| 7 | Baked potato | Ricky Bobby and Carley Bobby (Talladega Nights) |
| 8 | Roach | Wall-E and Eve |
| 9 | Tow Mater (Cars) | Woody and Bullseye (Toy Story) |
| 10 | Not listed | Joe Dirt and Brandy (Joe Dirt) |
Pro tip. Frightgeist also has a ZIP-code map showing the top five costumes searched in your area, so check it before a party if you want to know what your neighbors will wear, or what to avoid duplicating.
Watch out. Buddy and Obsession are horror films made for adults, so their costumes suit grown-up parties better than school parades. For younger kids, Google’s kids’ list, led by Dolly Parton and Ella Langley, is the safer source of trending ideas.
What Is in Spirit Halloween’s 2026 Costume Trend Report?
Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in North America, released its 2026 costume trend report on October 1, 2026. It runs more than 1,550 seasonal stores this year (NJBIZ reports a record 1,575), so its picks show what shoppers are actually buying in person. Executive Vice President Kym Sarkos says the company watches trends develop all year rather than guessing at them.
| Spirit trend | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Varsity Swag and Campus Crushes | Jerseys, varsity jackets and Off Campus looks for couples |
| Toy Domination | Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Slinky Dog for family groups (Toy Story 5) |
| Demon Hunters Descend | KPop Demon Hunters heroes |
| Superhero Takeover | Spider-Man (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) and Power Rangers, for adults, kids and pets |
| Certified “It Girl” | Y2K-inspired glam looks |
| God-Tier Mythology | Greek-inspired battle armor, cloaks and accessories |
| Untamed Fantasy | Dragon riders, rogue adventurers and a Dungeon Crawler Carl style |
| Hardcore Horror | Viral internet horrors, new-school cinema and slashers |
| Level Up Your Look | Fortnite and Halo characters |
| Funny Never Fails | Massive inflatables, giant mascot heads and novelty costumes |
| So Cozy It’s Scary | Horror apparel, statement tees and streetwear |
Overall, Spirit and Google agree on several picks. For example, Off Campus couples, Dungeon Crawler Carl and horror characters show up on both lists, so any of them is a safe bet if you want a costume that is trending in searches and on store shelves.
Popular Halloween Costumes 2026 by the Numbers
The NRF survey is the closest thing to an official ranking: it asks Americans which costume they plan to wear, then projects the answers onto the US population. As a result, its lists lean toward broad, classic categories rather than single characters.
Top adult costumes in 2026
| Rank | Costume | Adults planning to wear it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witch | 4.8 million |
| 2 | Vampire | 4.2 million |
| 3 | Batman | 2 million |
| 4 | Spider-Man | 1.5 million |
| 5 | Ghost | 1.4 million |
Top kids’ costumes in 2026
| Rank | Costume | Children expected to wear it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spider-Man | 4.6 million |
| 2 | Superhero (general) | 2.3 million |
| 3 | Princess | 2.2 million |
| 4 | Witch | 1.6 million |
| 5 | Ghost | 1.6 million |
Top pet costumes in 2026
| Rank | Pet costume | Share of pet costumes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pumpkin | 11.6% |
| 2 | Hot dog | 5.9% |
| 3 | Ghost | 2.8% |
Notably, witches and vampires beat every movie character among adults, while Spider-Man rules the kids’ list by a wide margin. Pet owners, meanwhile, keep it simple and food-themed. For more pet ideas and safety pointers, see our guide to Halloween costumes for pets.
Top Picks at a Glance
If you only have a minute, this table sums up the strongest choices for 2026, along with how hard each one is to pull off and roughly what it costs.
| Costume | Best for | Difficulty | Budget | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KPop Demon Hunters (Rumi, Mira, Zoey) | Teens, groups, kids | Medium | $$ | Spirit Halloween 2026 trend |
| Woody, Buzz or Jessie (Toy Story 5) | Kids, families | Easy | $ | Spirit Halloween 2026 trend |
| Off Campus hockey jersey or bunny look | Teens, adults | Easy | $ | Spirit Halloween 2026 trend |
| Spider-Man | Kids, adults | Easy | $$ | NRF No. 1 kids, No. 4 adults |
| Greek god or warrior | Adults, couples | Medium | $$ | Spirit Halloween 2026 trend |
| Witch | Anyone | Easy | $ | NRF No. 1 adults |
| Vampire | Adults | Easy | $ | NRF No. 2 adults |
| Pumpkin (pets) | Dogs, cats | Easy | $ | NRF No. 1 pets |
What Are the Most Popular Halloween Costumes for Adults in 2026?
The most popular Halloween costumes for adults in 2026 are the witch (4.8 million) and the vampire (4.2 million), followed by Batman, Spider-Man and a ghost, according to the NRF. However, adults chasing a trend are searching for horror breakouts such as Nikki from Obsession, Greek warriors like Agamemnon and throwback icons like Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson.
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for women
For women, the witch is still the single most-planned adult costume, so start with a witch costume and give it a twist. Beyond that, the strongest trending looks combine a recognizable silhouette with one or two props.
- Nikki from Obsession: a purple floral off-the-shoulder dress, smudged makeup and a foam brick prop; it ranks No. 3 on Google
- Huntr/x from KPop Demon Hunters: Rumi’s braid, Mira’s ponytail or Zoey’s space buns with a stage outfit
- Princess Rosalina: a pale blue gown, crown and star wand from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (No. 16 on Google)
- Dolly Parton tribute: a big blonde wig, rhinestones and western wear (No. 12 on Google)
- Off Campus: Allie’s sparkly party jumpsuit or Hannah’s bunny look, both Spirit Halloween picks
- Jean Grey or Jessie: easy halves of two of the year’s top duo and family costumes
For more looks, browse our full list of women’s Halloween costume ideas.
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for men
For men, the NRF’s top named characters are Batman (2 million adults) and Spider-Man (1.5 million), while a classic vampire cape and fangs remains the easiest polished look. On the trend side, Google and Spirit Halloween point to these:
- Agamemnon or a Greek warrior: armor, a cloak and a shield inspired by The Odyssey (No. 4 on Google)
- Oliver Tree: the musician’s bowl cut and oversized jacket (No. 6 on Google)
- Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl: No. 8 on Google, and simple to assemble
- Kenny Rogers: a white beard, a tux or western shirt, and a natural pairing with a Dolly Parton partner (No. 14)
- Garrett Graham’s hockey uniform: the Off Campus look Spirit Halloween calls a top seller; any hockey jersey works
- Michael Jackson: searches are at a 10-year high, according to Google
Then, for funny, scary and easy options, see our men’s Halloween costume ideas.
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for couples
The most popular couples costumes this year are Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Cyclops and Jean Grey, and Nikki and Bear from Obsession, which top Google’s 2026 duo rankings. In addition, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers make a fitting tribute pair, while Woody and Jessie or two Greek gods are easy, crowd-friendly options. For dozens more, see our couples Halloween costume ideas.
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for teens
Teens are gravitating toward KPop Demon Hunters group looks, Off Campus hockey jerseys and video-game outfits from Fortnite and Halo, all named in Spirit Halloween’s 2026 trend report. Also, Google’s list adds Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime and Verity from Minecraft, which younger teens recognize instantly.
Are inflatable and blow-up costumes trending?
Yes. Spirit Halloween expects oversized inflatables, giant mascot heads and novelty costumes to be a meme-friendly hit this season. As a result, an inflatable costume is a quick, funny choice for adults who would rather get laughs than scares.
What Are the Most Popular Halloween Costumes for Kids in 2026?
Spider-Man is the most popular kids’ Halloween costume in 2026, with 4.6 million children expected to wear one, according to the NRF. A generic superhero, a princess, a witch and a ghost round out the top five, so a Spider-Man costume for kids is the safest bet if you are shopping late.
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for girls
- Dolly Parton: No. 1 on Google’s 2026 kids’ list
- Ella Langley and Shakira: No. 2 and No. 4 on Google’s kids’ list, both easy with a wig and a stage outfit
- Hannah Montana and Spider-Gwen: No. 6 and No. 7 for kids on Google
- Princess: No. 3 on the NRF kids’ list, plus Princess Rosalina for Mario fans
- Jessie: one of Spirit Halloween’s Toy Story 5 best sellers; pair it with a Woody costume for a sibling set
- KPop Demon Hunters: Rumi, Mira or Zoey, still a top group pick
Popular Halloween costumes 2026 for boys
- Spider-Man: No. 1 on the NRF kids’ list by a wide margin
- Ash Ketchum: No. 5 on Google’s kids’ list; a red-and-white cap, blue vest and a Poké Ball
- Buzz Lightyear or Woody: Spirit Halloween’s Toy Story 5 trend
- Power Rangers: named by Spirit Halloween as an iconic superhero pick for 2026
- He-Man and Yoshi: both on Google’s 2026 kids’ top 15
- Fortnite or Halo: best for older kids who want an accurate skin
Watch out. Google’s kids’ list also includes Michael Myers, the Halloween slasher. If your child wants a scary look for school, check the dress code first, because many schools ban masks and toy weapons.
Finally, for 50-plus more options by age, read our guide to kids’ Halloween costumes.
Which Pop-Culture Costumes Are Trending in 2026?
The biggest pop-culture costumes for 2026 are KPop Demon Hunters, Toy Story 5 and Off Campus, according to Spirit Halloween’s 2026 trend report. In addition, the retailer, which opened a record 1,575 stores this season according to NJBIZ, flags superheroes such as Spider-Man and Power Rangers, Greek-inspired gods and warriors, video-game looks from Fortnite and Halo, and a horror revival. Below, each card covers what you need, how hard it is and why it lands.
1. KPop Demon Hunters — Best for groups and teens
Netflix’s animated hit follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group (Rumi, Mira and Zoey) who secretly fight demons. Spirit Halloween lists it among its top 2026 costume trends, and the trio also topped Google’s 2025 Frightgeist list. For character-by-character builds, read our KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes guide.
- What you need: Stage outfits in black, purple or white, a long braid (Rumi), a high ponytail (Mira) or space buns (Zoey), plus a toy weapon
- Difficulty: Medium
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It works solo, but it shines as a three-person group, and kids already know every character.
2. Woody, Buzz and Jessie — Best for families
Toy Story 5, Pixar’s latest sequel, opened on June 19, 2026, to a franchise-best $160 million in North America, according to Moviefone. Consequently, Spirit Halloween lists Woody, Buzz and Jessie among this year’s top picks.
- What you need: Woody: plaid shirt, yellow-and-black vest, cowboy hat. Jessie: red hat, white shirt, cow-print chaps. Buzz: white-and-green jumpsuit with wings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: Three instantly recognizable looks make it an easy family or sibling set.
3. Off Campus looks — Best for teens and college parties
Off Campus, the Prime Video romance series based on Elle Kennedy’s books, premiered on May 13, 2026. Spirit Halloween singles out Allie’s party jumpsuit, Hannah’s bunny costume and Garrett Graham’s hockey uniform as top sellers.
- What you need: A hockey jersey with a number on the back, or a sparkly jumpsuit, or bunny ears with a simple outfit
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: You can assemble it from pieces you already own, and fans will spot it right away.
4. Spider-Man — Best all-ages superhero
Spider-Man tops the NRF kids’ list (4.6 million) and ranks fourth for adults. On top of that, Spider-Man: Brand New Day opened on July 31, 2026, and became the year’s highest-grossing film.
- What you need: Red-and-blue suit or hoodie, mask (or face paint for little kids), web-shooter props
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It is the single most-planned costume among kids, so matching siblings or parent-and-child sets are easy to find.
5. Greek gods and warriors — Best for adults and couples
Spirit Halloween is leaning into mythology this year, with Greek-inspired armor, cloaks and dragon accessories. Likewise, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (Universal Pictures) posted a $263.8 million global opening in July 2026, the biggest of the director’s career.
- What you need: White or gold draped tunic, laurel crown, cape; add a cardboard shield and helmet for a warrior
- Difficulty: Medium
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: Togas and armor flatter almost everyone and pair naturally as a couple or group.
6. Mario, Rosalina and Yoshi — Best for gamers and kids
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opened on April 1, 2026, and introduced Rosalina, a space princess, alongside Mario and Yoshi. Meanwhile, a Mental Floss ranking found roughly 1.1 million monthly Google searches for Mario costumes.
- What you need: Mario: red cap, blue overalls, mustache. Rosalina: pale blue gown, crown, star wand. Yoshi: green hoodie with white belly patch
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: The overalls-and-cap combo takes ten minutes, and it scales to a whole family.
7. Fortnite and Halo — Best for older kids and teens
Spirit Halloween also names video-game outfits from Fortnite and Halo among its 2026 trends. In particular, Master Chief armor and Fortnite skins remain easy crowd-pleasers.
- What you need: Licensed skin costume, or a helmet plus a color-matched outfit; foam armor for Master Chief
- Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
- Budget: $$ to $$$
- Why it works: Gamers love an accurate skin, and foam armor makes a great DIY project.
8. Pennywise — Best for horror fans
HBO’s prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry premiered on October 26, 2025, and brought the clown back. Moreover, the Mental Floss study counted about 593,640 monthly Google searches for Pennywise costumes.
- What you need: Ruffled white-and-gray clown suit, red balloon, white face paint with red accents
- Difficulty: Medium
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It is genuinely scary, recognizable from across the room and easy to finish with makeup.
Which Classic Costumes Still Sell Best?
Classic costumes still outsell nearly every movie tie-in: witches, vampires, ghosts, Batman and princesses fill most of the NRF top-five slots. In other words, timeless choices remain the safest bet when you want something easy, affordable and reusable year after year.
Witch — The most popular adult costume
For yet another year, the witch leads the NRF adult list with 4.8 million people, and it ranks fourth for kids too.
- What you need: Black dress, pointed hat, broom; add a cape or striped tights for flair
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: You can make it cute, glam or creepy, and most pieces live in your closet already.
Vampire — Best last-minute glam
Vampires hold the No. 2 adult spot with 4.2 million planned costumes.
- What you need: Black suit or dress, high-collar cape, plastic fangs, pale makeup and a red lip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: It looks polished with very little effort.
Ghost — Best budget costume
Ghosts appear on all three NRF lists: adults (1.4 million), kids (1.6 million) and pets (2.8%).
- What you need: White sheet with eye holes, or a white outfit plus a hooded veil
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: It costs almost nothing and works for every age, including the dog.
Batman — Best classic hero for adults
Batman ranks third among adults with 2 million planned costumes, ahead of every other named character.
- What you need: Black or gray suit, cape, cowl or mask, bat emblem
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It is iconic, comfortable and pairs well with Robin or Catwoman.
Princess and superhero — Best for little kids
Generic superheroes (2.3 million) and princesses (2.2 million) take the second and third spots on the NRF kids’ list.
- What you need: A cape and mask, or a gown and tiara; dress-up box favorites work fine
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: Kids can mix and match pieces and reuse them all year.
Wednesday Addams — Best spooky classic for teens
Wednesday Addams, the deadpan heroine of Netflix’s Wednesday and The Addams Family, is still a search giant: the Mental Floss study counted about 1.7 million monthly Google searches for the costume.
- What you need: Black dress with a white collar, two braids, a deadpan stare
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: It is cheap, instantly recognizable and works at school events.
Celebrity and Meme Costume Ideas
The best celebrity and meme costumes for 2026 recreate one well-known moment that people will recognize instantly. Here are the looks with the clearest moment behind them.
Michael Jackson — Inspired by Michael
The biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, opened on April 24, 2026, with a $217 million global debut, a record for a biopic, according to theGrio. Similarly, the Mental Floss study counted about 647,290 monthly searches for Michael Jackson costumes, and Google says searches are at a 10-year high, putting him at No. 18 nationally and No. 8 for kids on Frightgeist.
- What you need: Red leather-look jacket, or a black fedora, single sparkly glove and white socks with loafers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: Everyone knows the look, and it practically demands a moonwalk.
Bad Bunny — Super Bowl LX halftime look
Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, in a head-to-toe cream look with a No. 64 jersey, according to Complex.
- What you need: Cream shirt, tie and trousers, an oversized cream jersey with 64 on it, white sneakers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $
- Why it works: It is one of the year’s most-discussed outfits, yet it is simple to copy.
Taylor Swift — The Life of a Showgirl era
Taylor Swift released The Life of a Showgirl, her 12th studio album, on October 3, 2025, and its theatrical showgirl styling makes an easy, sparkly costume theme for fans.
- What you need: Sequined bodysuit or dress, feathered accessories, glitter, a bold lip
- Difficulty: Medium
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It lets Swifties dress up with plenty of sparkle while staying recognizable.
Dolly Parton — The year’s biggest tribute costume
Dolly Parton, the country music legend, died on August 25, 2026, in Nashville at age 80, according to ABC News 4. Since then, tribute costumes have surged: she ranks No. 1 on Google’s 2026 kids’ list, No. 2 for pets and No. 12 overall, while the Mental Floss study counted about 444,490 monthly searches.
- What you need: Big blonde wig, rhinestone or fringe western wear, cowboy boots
- Difficulty: Easy
- Budget: $$
- Why it works: It is a joyful, family-friendly way to honor her, and it works for any age; pair it with Kenny Rogers for a duo.
Chicken Jockey and Labubu — Best meme costumes
Both memes carried over from 2025: the Minecraft Chicken Jockey ranked sixth and the Labubu plush ranked seventh on Google’s 2025 Frightgeist list. This year, however, the meme slots on Google belong to NeeDoh (No. 2), Disco Scooby-Doo (No. 9) and pet picks like a stick of butter or a baked potato.
- What you need: Chicken Jockey: a chicken costume plus a small “rider” or a stuffed zombie. Labubu: furry hood with bunny ears and a toothy grin
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Budget: $
- Why it works: Meme costumes start conversations, and both work for kids and pets.
What Were the Most Popular Halloween Costumes by Year?
Each year’s top trending costume tracks that year’s biggest movie or viral moment, while the NRF’s survey keeps crowning the witch for adults. Here is how Google’s No. 1 trending costume has changed over the last four Halloweens.
| Year | Google’s No. 1 trending costume | What drove it |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Buddy the Unicorn | The horror film Buddy |
| 2025 | Rumi | KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix |
| 2024 | Bob | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice |
| 2023 | Barbie | The Barbie movie |
Throwback costumes on the 2026 lists
Interestingly, several of the popular Halloween costumes 2026 searchers want are decades old. For instance, Google’s 2026 lists include these throwback picks:
- 1970s: Dr. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (No. 22 overall)
- 1980s: Skeletor (No. 19) and He-Man from Masters of the Universe, plus Michael Jackson’s Thriller era
- 1990s: Ash Ketchum from Pokémon (No. 5 for kids)
- 2000s: Hannah Montana (No. 6 for kids), and duo picks Ricky and Carley Bobby from Talladega Nights or Joe Dirt and Brandy
How Do You Pick a Trending Costume That Still Feels Fresh?
Pick a trend with a twist: choose a character everyone recognizes, then add a detail that makes it yours. For instance, a KPop Demon Hunters group can split the trio three ways, while a classic witch gets a pop-culture accessory.
- Shop early. The NRF found that 49% of shoppers start in September or earlier, so popular sizes sell out first.
- Search smart. Online search is the top source of costume inspiration at 32%, according to the NRF, so look up a reference photo before you buy.
- Build from your closet. Many popular Halloween costumes 2026 shoppers want, such as Off Campus, Woody or a vampire, need only one or two new pieces.
- Go group. Trios and families stand out more than a lone character, especially for Toy Story 5 or KPop Demon Hunters.
Is it safe to wear popular Halloween costumes 2026 kids love for trick-or-treating?
Yes, as long as you check a few basics. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends costumes labeled “Flame Resistant,” bright colors or reflective tape so drivers can see kids, and masks with eye holes large enough for full vision. Also, avoid long capes or billowing skirts near candles.
Pro tip. Face paint instead of a full mask keeps vision clear and is more comfortable for younger kids on a long trick-or-treat route.
Our verdict
For the safest crowd-pleaser, go classic: a witch or vampire for adults and Spider-Man for kids top the NRF’s 2026 lists. However, if you want to look current, KPop Demon Hunters remains the defining group costume, while Woody, Buzz and Jessie are the easiest family set this year.
Finally, for a fresher take, try an Off Campus hockey jersey, a Greek god inspired by The Odyssey or a Bad Bunny Super Bowl look. And if you want what the internet is searching for right now, Google’s 2026 leaders, Buddy the Unicorn and Nikki from Obsession, suit adult parties, while a Dolly Parton tribute works for every age. In short, any of these popular Halloween costumes 2026 crowds will recognize instantly, and most cost very little to put together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Halloween costumes in 2026?
By survey, the witch is the most popular adult Halloween costume in 2026 (4.8 million adults) and Spider-Man leads for kids (4.6 million), according to the NRF. By Google searches, Buddy the Unicorn, NeeDoh, Nikki from Obsession and Agamemnon from The Odyssey are trending most. Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween points to KPop Demon Hunters, Toy Story 5 and Off Campus as its biggest sellers.
What are the most popular kids Halloween costumes in 2026?
Spider-Man is the most popular kids Halloween costume in 2026, with 4.6 million children expected to wear it, per the NRF. A generic superhero (2.3 million) and princess (2.2 million) come next. On Google, the trending kids costumes for 2026 are Dolly Parton, Ella Langley, Dumpling, Shakira and Oliver Tree, while Spirit Halloween says Woody, Buzz and Jessie are big sellers.
Are KPop Demon Hunters costumes still popular in 2026?
Yes. Spirit Halloween lists KPop Demon Hunters among its top 2026 trends, and Rumi, Zoey and Mira topped Google Frightgeist in 2025. Although no Huntr/x character made Google’s 2026 top 10, the trio remains one of the most recognizable group costumes this Halloween, especially for teens and kids who want a three-person look.
What are Google’s top trending Halloween costumes for 2026?
Buddy the Unicorn is Google’s top trending Halloween costume for 2026, followed by NeeDoh, Nikki from Obsession and Agamemnon from The Odyssey, per the Frightgeist rankings Google released on October 14. Buddy is the mascot from Casper Kelly’s horror film Buddy, and searches for a Buddy unicorn costume even overtook searches for a kids unicorn costume for the first time.
What is the most popular pet Halloween costume?
A pumpkin is the most popular pet Halloween costume in 2026, chosen by 11.6% of pet costume buyers, according to the NRF. A hot dog comes second at 5.9%, followed by a ghost at 2.8%. Overall, Americans plan to spend $0.92 billion on pet costumes this year, so choose a comfortable, loose-fitting outfit your pet tolerates well.
What are popular Halloween costumes for adults in 2026?
The witch and the vampire are the most popular adult Halloween costumes in 2026, with 4.8 million and 4.2 million adults, per the NRF. Batman, Spider-Man and a ghost follow. For a trendier look, adults are searching for Nikki from Obsession, Agamemnon from The Odyssey, Oliver Tree, a Dolly Parton tribute and Michael Jackson, whose costume searches are at a 10-year high.
