Halloween lands on Saturday, October 31, which means you have only a few days left. For creators, a costume is also content, so the best ones are easy to recognize in two seconds, fun to film and simple enough to pull together before the weekend.

Here is what is trending this year, with ideas for couples, families and solo looks, plus a few original picks made for the creator economy. Wherever you land, pick something your audience will get right away, because a costume you have to explain doesn’t make a good video.

What’s trending this year

Costume lists for 2026 lean heavily on movies and TV. Retailers and entertainment sites point to the summer’s big releases, nostalgic throwbacks and a few very internet-specific jokes. There’s also a clear shift toward costumes you can wear again. Matching jackets, hoodies and everyday outfits with a twist are getting more attention than one-night-only getups.

Couples costume ideas

• Hannah and Garrett from Off Campus. The Prime Video hockey romance gives you an easy pairing: one of you in a campus-style outfit, the other in a hockey jersey. Variety flags it as one of the year’s best couples looks.
• Athena and Odysseus from The Odyssey. Skip the standard toga. Think weathered linen, leather and earthy drapes for something that looks more cinematic on camera.
• Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked. Pink and green is a shortcut to instant recognition, which is exactly what you want for a quick video. It’s also easy to find ready-made.
• Wayne and Garth. A nostalgic pick that costs almost nothing. A couple of wigs, band tees and a basement set is all you need. Other throwback options include Royal Tenenbaum and the Holiday pairing of Mr. Napkinhead and Amanda.
• Matching jackets. One retailer reports movie-inspired jackets, especially horror icons, are among the most searched couples looks, because they double as streetwear. If you want a costume that works after Halloween too, this is the one.

Family costume ideas

• The Toy Story crew. With Toy Story 5 out this summer, Woody, Buzz and Jessie are predicted to be a top family and friend-group theme. Every age can play a character, from toddlers to grandparents.
• The Mandalorian and Grogu. A parent in armor carrying a baby dressed as Grogu is one of the most popular family combinations this year, and it makes a very shareable photo.
• Moana or Super Mario. Both have big ensemble casts, so everyone from the youngest child to the oldest cousin gets a role.
• Something for the little ones. For younger kids, Bluey is a reliable favorite, and viral kid trends like Squishy Dumplings and NeeDohs may show up at school parades.
• An outer-space theme. Astronauts and aliens work for any family size and are easy to make at home with silver fabric and foil.

Solo costume ideas

• Rumi from KPop Demon Hunters. One of the year’s most popular looks. You can go solo, or recruit two friends for the full HUNTR/X trio.
• Dolly Parton. Big blonde hair, rhinestones and fringe. Variety calls it one of the most foolproof transformations in pop culture, and it films beautifully.
• A shrub from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl set. Variety calls it one of the year’s most absurdly specific group costumes. Dress as the greenery instead of the star, or round up friends and go as the whole hedge. It’s cheap, funny and perfect for a short video.

Original picks for the creator economy

These are our own ideas, built on jokes most creators will recognize:

• The Ghost of Unpaid Invoices. A white sheet with “Net 60” and an invoice number printed on it. Haunting your inbox until payment arrives.
• The “We Can Offer You Exposure” Brand Rep. A blazer, a lanyard and a sign reading “Paid in exposure.” Best used for a sketch where you negotiate with yourself.
• A Walking Analytics Dashboard. A cardboard frame with bar charts, a growth line and a few emoji reactions. Bonus points for a “60x” on the front.
• The Algorithm. Dress all in black with a sign that says “Posting at 6pm?” and make people guess what you’re going to do next.
• A Rate Card. A poster-board costume listing prices for a Reel, a Story and a UGC video. It’s a good conversation starter for any brand event.

Tips for filming your costume

1. Film in daylight or good light first. Costumes with bold color or shiny details look much better in soft natural light.
2. Plan a quick reveal. A before-and-after transition or a short “turn around” moment gives viewers a reason to watch to the end.
3. Check it works in a vertical frame. Tall costumes and wide groups can get cropped, so test it before the big night.
4. Write your caption early. Halloween posts go up fast, and a prepared caption saves time when you’re mid-party.
5. Use platform-approved audio if you post as a business. Business and brand accounts often have a smaller music library, so check before you pick a trending Halloween sound.

A note on Halloween brand deals

Halloween is one of the busiest seasons for seasonal brand content, and short-notice requests are common. Before you say yes to a costume collaboration, know what your content is worth. Creator Analytics shows your market value from your real engagement, so you can set a rate before you start the conversation.

Happy Halloween, and tag us in your best costume.