As we say goodbye to summer and dive into the depths of fall the tricks and treats of the season begin to come to life–and that means Halloween costume planning is in full swing! The day after Halloween is almost just as fun as the day itself as photos and videos of costumes begin to flood our social media feeds, and whether you’d like to join in on all of the trendy Halloween costumes for 2024 or just be aware of them so you can not dress the same as everyone else, there’s a lineup of costumes we’re bound to see this October 31st.
Searches for “Halloween costumes” have risen a whopping 85% over the last month alone, and fashion experts over at Boohoo gathered together a list of characters and themes that are bound to dominate this year, whether they reflect significant cultural moments of the year or pay tribute to iconic movies and TV shows that went viral throughout the year.
Here are the top Halloween costumes for 2024:
Deadpool and Wolverine
With Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel’s summer 2024 hit, on track to slash its way into comic fans’ homes soon along with the much-anticipated release of Deadpool 3, it’s no surprise that many are itching to dress up as both characters. And who can blame them–the outfits are pretty badass!
Beetlejuice
With his wild green hair, striped suit, moss-covered face, and rowdy demeanor, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice has been a Halloween staple for decades, and this season isn’t any different! The release of Beetlejuice 2 earlier this month has resurged a wave of nostalgia and excitement, and the character is certainly on track to haunt the streets once again on Halloween night.
P.S. did you know NYC’s only Tim Burton-themed bar and restaurant is open year round?! And for anyone heading to Los Angeles this spooky season, be sure to check out Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience! More on this here.
Dune characters
With the release of Dune: Part Two in March of this year, fans are dying to don their best desert duds to recreate the looks from the epic sci-fi saga. Be on the lookout not only for Paul Atreides and Chani doppelgängers, but also sandworms as searches for “sandworm costume” have surged by 270% on Google Trends over the last month.
Barbie and Ken
Last year NYC’s most popular Halloween costume was Barbie, and despite the movie now being a year old the iconic duo isn’t going anywhere! Expect to see a variety of Barbie and Ken costumes this year, reflecting the different versions and outfits that have made the characters timeless–most of all the iconic Barbie pink!
And be sure to check out the new Barbie exhibit heading to NYC this October!
Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked
Wicked has been captivating audiences since first premiering on Broadway October 8, 2003, and with the upcoming movie adaptation generating endless buzz you’ll want to be on the lookout this Halloween for green-skinned Elphaba and pink-clad Glinda looking to cast a spell over you!
Taylor Swift’s eras
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour sure has left a lasting impact on many, and fans are looking to embrace Swift’s many distinct musical eras. Whether it be the country charm of her early days or the edgy style of Reputation, you’re bound to see endless Taylor Swift clones walking around this Halloween.
The Bear characters
Be prepared to “yes chef” it up this Halloween as The Bear, the gritty portrayal of life in a high-pressure kitchen, has made chef and kitchen staff outfits popular among the adult Halloween costumes section of party stores. And considering you really only need to get your hands on the iconic blue apron to pull off this look, it’s an easy costume that even the biggest of costume haters can pull off.
And speaking of Jeremy Allen White, here’s his favorite NYC restaurant!
Pennywise
Pennywise the Clown from Stephen King’s IT remains a perennial (yet incredible unsettling) Halloween favorite as one of horror’s most iconic characters. According to Google Trends data searches for “Pennywise costume” have surged 138% over the last 30 days, a clear indication that many are planning to recreate the iconic character this Halloween. Our advice: stay farrrrr away from any and all sewer grates!
Lucky for us, New York City is filled to the brim with spooky stores to grab your costume, and there are tons of Halloween events and parties going on around the city perfect for kids and adults alike.