75 Easy TV and Movie Character Costumes for Adults and Kids to Try this Halloween
Embody your favorite spooky character this Halloween!
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Finding Halloween costume ideas has never been easier. 2025 has given us a slew of iconic blockbuster films, such as Superman and new seasons of shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty. This year’s movie and TV catalogs offer many options to choose from when looking for a costume. But let’s not forget some of the iconic films and shows that have remained popular for the past few decades. This Halloween, channel your inner star and dress up as your favorite character. If you’re having trouble choosing, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our list of movie and TV show character costume ideas.
The best costumes typically are inspired by pop culture, and these ideas we have listed are no different. You can count these fun ideas for women, men, and even a few for kids sprinkled throughout. From Wednesday Addams and Carmy from The Bear to Danny and Sandy from Grease or Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, we've got ideas for everyone.
Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
Pirates are a Halloween favorite, but you can make your costume extra special by referencing one of cinema's most iconic pirates of all time: Captain Jack Sparrow.
Superman
With the recent release of James Gunn's "Superman," this year's Halloween is the perfect time to dress up as the iconic character (not that you can ever go wrong with Superman).
Nosferatu
Nosferatu (2024) may have been released on Christmas day, but you and I both know this Halloween is the perfect holiday to embody the classic character's looks. Achieve this macabre look with a bald cap, a long, black coat and fake vampire fangs.
Chucky from 'Child's Play'
How to forget one of many people's first fear: the haunted doll Chucky. The Good Guy doll turned evil is a perfect costume for this Halloween.
Puglsey Addams from 'Wednesday'
A Wednesday Addams costume is a timely choice, of course. But, let's not forget of Wednesday's quirky little brother Puglsey.
Elphaba from 'Wicked'
The 2025 film adaptation of the popular musical 'Wicked' brought the iconic Ozian characters back to popularity. Dress up as the wicked witch of the west this October in anticipation for the release of 'Wicked: For Good' this November.
Beetlejuice and Lydia
With the recent 2024 release of the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it's more appropriate now than ever to dress up as your favorite undead couple.
'Us' Characters
Get the spooky vibes going with this creepy ensemble from Jordan Peele's movie Us. Luckily, it doesn't require too much prep as it consists of just a red jumpsuit and oversized scissors. Just make sure to practice your zoned-out stare to creep out other partygoers.
The Purge
A quick and easy costume that'll still send chills down the spine of everyone you encounter? Look no further than this getup from The Purge. A sixth installment of the film franchise is on the way, so you don't have to worry about the outfit still being relevant.
The Corpse Bride
Tim Burton knows how to create a world of eerie and petrifying proportions. Emulate the star of his 2005 classic with the help of a lace gown and blue face paint.
Dr. Strange
Channel all of Dr. Strange's magical powers easily thanks to our DIY version which uses clothes you already own (jeans and a hoodie), plus cheap accessories (cleaning gloves and cape) to complete the look.
Wednesday Addams
There are so many iterations of Wednesday you can pull off, but we prefer her classic school uniform style that requires very little shopping.
Joel from 'The Last of Us'
The only hard thing about becoming Joel will be nailing down his impenetrable personality. Otherwise, a good backpack and a plaid shirt will do.
Sari from 'Cocaine Bear'
Everyone's going to love this look, which requires a good pink jumpsuit and a stuffed bear (just so everyone knows who you're dressed up as).
Emily from 'Emily in Paris'
Say "bonjour!" to your favorite Halloween costume ever. Dress up your chicest outfit with some props, like a beret and a passport, and you'll be all set.
Ariel from 'The Little Mermaid'
Sure, you can buy a full-on Ariel costume, but it's more fun (and affordable!) to DIY your own version with a green skirt and a purple top.
Tanya from 'White Lotus'
RIP Tanya and her four hands. At least you can honor her impact on the show (and her iconic lines) this Halloween.
Thomas Shelby from 'Peaky Blinders'
We're still not over the series ending, but as long as Tommy Shelby is alive, we're okay. Becoming the leader of the Peaky Blinders will depend on your attitude and great accessories.
Mantis from 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'
She's your favorite empath, and we might not ever see her again after her sad departure after the latest film. So honor all she's done for the team by wearing leather pants, a black top and, of course, her antennae. You can DIY the antennae or buy it.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
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