The Best Halloween Costume Ideas Based on 2024 Movies

Spooky season is upon us, which means one thing and one thing only: costumes. If you’re not using Halloween as an excuse to let your imagination run wild (and maybe chug PBR through a Scream mask), you’re just not doing enough. This is the time to cast aside your ongoing identity crises for a fun, one-off look. Whether you find love under the cobwebs or dance the Monster Mash with your Great Aunt Mildred, there’s no such thing as a “boring” Halloween.

You can ensure an even better Halloween by tapping into the deep realms of 2024 cinema, which are replete with everything from sandworms to Glen Powell being heroic (shocker) to the Beetlejuice return that no one asked for (but no one was really mad about, either). There’s no better way to make a statement and connect with your fellow partygoers than by wearing something that hearkens back to the good, bad, and ugly of this year’s box office. Whether you’re seeking laughs, gasps, or some combination of the two, you’ll find it among this stellar selection of 2024 movie costumes.

Longlegs

Who’s a good fit: While it helps to have the tall stature and chiseled countenance of Nicolas Cage, this costume is suitable for anyone with enough self-confidence to mask any even mildly attractive features they possess. If you’ve experienced or are in the midst of ego death, this is the costume for you. Becoming this titular villain requires an acute attunement to ugliness and a willingness to look like you just emerged from a cave and/or got caught in a blizzard.

“Wow” factor: If you’re looking to flirt at a Halloween party, this may not be your best option, but you’ll definitely attract some attention when you show up with a ghostly pallor (might I recommend dusting your face with flour?) and gray hair so tangled you put even Keith Richards to shame. If you’ve really put your all into this costume, no one will even recognize you, so feel free to get as freaky as possible and embrace the Longlegs spirit—e.g., call every woman the “almost-birthday girl” and throw out a “Hail Satan” when topics of conversation start to dwindle.

Controversy/social lubricant level: Since satanism is involved in your costume, you’re guaranteed some interesting conversations and—if you’re in a particularly Christian environment—some wide-eyed glances and under-the-breath comments about “sacrilege.” If you thrive in uncomfortable environments and have no qualms about embodying a character who may or may not be the Antichrist, this is your chance to really indulge your base impulses and scream out stuff you would normally keep to yourself. If you opt for a Longlegs Halloween anywhere in the Bible Belt, I salute you, because odds are you will majorly upset at least one girl named Kayleigh and/or provoke an older relative into denouncing you on Facebook.

Sony Pictures/Ringer illustration

Madame Web’s Mom (Who Was in the Amazon Researching Spiders Right Before She Died)

Who’s a good fit: Are you a woman? Can you rock a khaki safari fit and a messy bun? Congratulations—you’ll pull this costume off with flying colors. It also helps if you can convincingly feign interest in spiders and/or obtain a portable microscope and tarantula to carry around for the day (up to you whether it’s real or fake).

“Wow” factor: If you want to seamlessly sneak in and out of a mediocre party, this is a great option: unique enough to be interesting but not in-your-face enough to attract unwanted attention. Granted, if it’s a reaction you seek, you can certainly lean into the spider-ness of it all and wrap yourself in webs or stick “Amazonian” leaves in your hair to evoke the setting. Another option is to lean into the fact that you are, you know, dead and go for a fun rigor mortis look. Even if no one knows who you’re supposed to be, they’ll be impressed that you took a multilayered approach, going as both a scientist and a zombie.

Controversy/social lubricant level: This costume is rather harmless unless you happen to be in a room full of Marvel nerds, who are sure to shake their heads in disappointment at all of the “obvious”—and, frankly, downright disrespectful—inaccuracies you’ve committed. If you know ahead of time that your Halloween crowd will be a geekier set (i.e., your boyfriend is in a chess club or your bestie goes to trivia nights), make sure you invest more time and energy into the details of your costume.

Also, if you’re single and looking for love, Madame Web’s mom is a great way to promote yourself as the Cool, Smart Chick without actually having to know anything, although it couldn’t hurt to learn some fun Amazonian spider facts. Think of how hot it’ll be when you tell the cutie in the Beetlejuice costume that there are over 3,600 species of spiders in the Amazon Basin or that the Amazon’s largest spider (called the “goliath birdeater”) is around the size of a dinner plate. Science is sexy.

MGM/Ringer illustration

The Challengers Trio

Who’s a good fit: Finally, a godsent Halloween costume for all the throuples of the world, the bonus being that there’s truly no bad option—Tashi, Art, and Patrick are all equally hot, horny, and costume-able. Whether you stick to the film’s playbook or do some gender-bending, this trio allows all three members to shine in sweaty, athletic glory (or homoerotic angst). Recruit two friends and make a game plan: Are you going to carry around tennis rackets? Will you dress as the characters in their earlier years or inhabit them when they’re older and more physically and emotionally damaged? There are as many ways to go with this costume as there are ways to interpret this cinematic love triangle, so feel free to make it your own.

“Wow” factor: This one will turn some heads no matter what, but it’s only a true “statement” costume if the three of you stick together and really lean into the threesome spirit. This could mean finishing each other’s sentences, sitting weirdly close together (feel free to sit on laps), or holding hands when walking in public. Whether people find this adorable or disturbing is for them to worry about, not you. To up your “wow” factor, make sure each person has a racket and a pack of balls with them at all times, and fill any and all moments of downtime with backhand volleys and sexually charged glances.

Controversy/social lubricant level: This also depends largely on your commitment to the bit (or is it a bit?). Polyamory may be “in” right now, but you’re still likely to encounter a good amount of rubbernecking and/or questions like, “So how do the three of you know each other exactly?”—especially if you play into the will-they/won’t-they dynamic. How much you choose to embrace the sexual undertones depends on how comfortable you are explaining ethical non-monogamy to older people. Also, take some time before the holiday to hone your signature tennis grunts, as these will surely become prime conversation starters when coupled with your killer forehand swings.

Pixar/Ringer illustration

Ennui

Who’s a good fit: If you (like any real American) love to make fun of French people, look no further: This is the costume for you. The writers of Inside Out 2 knew exactly what they were doing when they made Riley’s newest emotion an apathetic French chick with blunt bangs and a turtleneck sweater. You kind of want to be her, but mostly you’re just like, “Uh, being from Paris does not make you an ‘it’ girl.” Ennui is a great option for chronic doomscrollers, as she’s perpetually on the couch with her nose in a screen. This costume also excuses you from small talk, as such behavior would be far too gregarious for you to remain in character. Definitely pull this fit out for that one get-together you’re absolutely dreading, i.e., a college best friend’s combined Halloween party and baby shower or the Halloween game night your coworker won’t stop resending you the Partiful link to.

“Wow” factor: There’s nothing especially noteworthy about Ennui aside from her all-purple attire; however, if you have a really stellar French accent, you may be able to impress a more cosmopolitan crowd. Practice your pouty face in the mirror to really nail this character, or even prepare some Ennui-esque phrases to keep in your back pocket, e.g., “Je m’ennuie” (I’m bored), “Où est le bon vin?” (“Where’s the good wine?”), and “Cette fête est nulle” (“This party sucks”).

Controversy/social lubricant level: Since Inside Out is universally beloved by any somewhat emotionally available adult, you’re not likely to experience much pushback with this costume. At a gathering with kids? Even better! Those lil’ goobers will love that you’re joining in on their favorite franchise, and they’ll probably follow you around all night with lingering questions about Bing Bong (RIP) and what a “sense of self” really means. If getting existential with children sounds like a fun time to you, then what are you waiting for? Whip out your college’s Philosophy 101 reading list and sit those kids down for a lesson on the fleeting nature of time.

Warner Bros./Ringer illustration

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen

Who’s a good fit: Before you embark on this costume journey, you may want to ask yourself: How comfortable am I, really, with going full Mr. Clean? As anyone who’s ever dressed up as Voldemort can attest, it’s no easy process to glue on a bald cap, especially if you’re aiming for the flawless chrome dome that Austin Butler boasts as Feyd-Rautha. If you already rock a bald head, then congratulations—you’ve cut out 90 percent of the effort required for this costume. (The other 10 percent will be spent covering up your eyebrows.) Beyond the whole “hairless” thing, there’s really not much to becoming this future warlord other than donning something dark-colored and wielding one of your finest kitchen knives. (OK, maybe bring, like, a fake, plastic one.)

“Wow” factor: Let’s be real: Any Dune costume is bound to get a reaction, especially if it’s one of the Harkonnens. It takes a special kind of person to opt for an utterly sadistic, egg-like weirdo over the relatively chill Paul Atreides, and that kind of person deserves some goddamn respect when they walk into a Halloween party. You can further boost your “wow” factor by sticking out your tongue a lot and doing wild knife tricks; just know that this may freak out the normies and/or turn on the weirdos.

Controversy/social lubricant level: Dune mania hasn’t gone away; it’s simply lying dormant till the next movie. People will eat up any chance they can get to talk about this franchise, so expect fawners of all ages and questions that you’re definitely unqualified to answer, such as, “What will happen to Feyd-Rautha and Lady Margot’s baby?” and “Why does the Bene Gesserit voice sound like my Aunt Linda?” While you won’t attract much controversy regarding the film itself, you will certainly experience some vitriol aimed at your character specifically. There’s no one people despise more than a dude who fucks with Timothée Chalamet, and, having committed that cardinal sin, you’ll have to bear the consequences.

The Twister From Twisters

Who’s a good fit: Somebody. Anybody. Please. I know it’s ridiculous, but it needs to be done, for Glen Powell’s sake if nothing else. Being a violently rotating air funnel completely unburdens you from the limitations of age, race, gender, and so on. (Not that those limitations are actually valid in the first place.) Anyone who’s willing to be the twister can dress up as—or, rather, become—the twister. Having a rough hair day? In a bad mood? Covered in a mysterious rash? Be the twister! All it takes is some quilt batting and gray body paint, and boom, you’re golden. In fact, the more of a mess you are (mentally or physically), the better; this will merely enhance your ability to channel the chaos of the storm and convince people that, yes, this was a good costume idea.

“Wow” factor: You’ll get “wow”s of all varieties with this getup, from, “Wow, what a creative way to use old quilts and cotton balls” to, “Wow, of all the characters you could have chosen, you chose … not a character?” There are plenty of ways to really hit home with this one, such as gluing toy cows and picket fences all over your body. Maybe throw in a printed picture of Glen Powell for good measure because everyone loves that guy.

Controversy/social lubricant level: At some point in adulthood, it becomes “weird” to dress up as an inanimate object for Halloween. Somewhere in the aging process, there’s an invisible threshold that separates the cute and innocent (e.g., baby as a pumpkin) from the eye-roll-inducing (40-year-old in a hotdog suit). Think of your twister outfit not as an example of the latter, but as a chance to shake the stigma around adult-as-random-noun costumes. Even if you get some weird looks at first, there will be many an opportunity to talk about how freeing it is to “be the storm.” The only real risk you run at this point is accidentally frightening Midwesterners, so try your best to suss out any Tornado Alley connections before you RSVP to the party.

Focus Features/Ringer illustration

Nosferatu

Who’s a good fit: If you’re into makeup, this is the chance to unleash all your artistic whims and fancies (assuming you’re OK with the results not being aesthetically flattering). A big plus is that any mistakes you make with your prosthetics will just add to the creepiness of the costume. Get a spot of eyeliner on your cheek? That’s just a really big mole now. Put too much face clay on your nose? There’s no such thing! And if it’s a more low-key Halloween you seek, you’ve hit the gold mine. Nosferatu does not talk; he just vibes. You’ll have every excuse and more to zone out in a corner while everyone else yaps. Nosferatu: an introvert’s dream.

“Wow” factor: This one’s pretty much the full package, in that it checks the “classic horror” box and the “fresh and topical” one thanks to Robert Eggers’s upcoming revival. In this getup, you’ll impress both the cinema history buffs and the new-age film bros all while looking completely and utterly spooky. Even the least squeamish folks will admit that Nosferatu is, to his credit, one weird-looking MOFO, and it’s within your power to play this up to its maximum potential. For the greatest reactions, you’ll want to walk very, veryyyyy slowly and blink as little as possible. Bonus points if you grow your fingernails into claws to truly inhabit the character.

Controversy/social lubricant level: There’s nothing too controversial about this character. He’s a vampire; they’re tried and true as a Halloween costume. The only potential point of contention could be the decision to remake this 1922 classic in the first place, but, hey, that wasn’t your call. This is also a great lead-in for any of your cinephile friends who are dying to flaunt their knowledge of German Expressionism or your pretentious literary friends who’ve read Dracula 10 times.

Lionsgate/Ringer illustration

Wow Platinum

Who’s a good fit: If you want a sexier look this Halloween, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than Aubrey Plaza’s scene-stealing Megalopolis character: a gold-digging, über-horny stock market reporter who hooks up while her own TV interview plays in the background. This costume is also the perfect choice for anyone who’s attending multiple Halloween parties and wants to switch it up for each one, as Wow Platinum has no shortage of iconic outfits. Start your night in her professional attire (cheetah-print blazer) and get progressively sexier as the night moves on—ending, naturally, in a Cleopatra-esque beaded headdress and coiled metal bra. Wow, indeed.

“Wow” factor: I mean … it’s literally in the name. However, keep in mind that Wow Platinum is not just an aesthetic: It’s a state of mind. If you really want to deliver on this character’s name, it’ll probably be helpful to get at least a little wine tipsy and/or take an edible at some point in the night. If you have any doubts about achieving this crossed state, just remember you’ll be honoring Our Lord and Savior, Francis Ford Coppola (whom I can only assume was likely drunk and high when he wrote this movie).

Controversy/social lubricant level: This depends largely on the crowd you’re riding with this Halloween. In some spaces you might be able to come and go without a soul knowing who the hell you are; in other (artsier) crowds, you’ll inevitably hear a lot of unsolicited thoughts on Megalopolis, ranging from “I hated it” to “It changed my life, and now I love moving sidewalks.” Be prepared to engage in wide-ranging discussions on everything from vestal virgins to Shia LaBeouf’s career trajectory.

Warner Bros./Ringer illustration

The Thinker

Who’s a good fit: Kid Cudi fans, rejoice. While the rapper’s role in Trap may have been small, he more than made up for it by exuding next-level erotic energy that would put even porn stars to shame. The Thinker is the perfect costume for anyone who wants an excuse to finally flirt with their long-held crush or just be overtly seductive with anyone and everyone. Make googly eyes at the hot bartender or cast a glance at the cute guy in the lumberjack costume; the world is your oyster when you’re in a Daenerys Targaryen–esque wig and diamond-encrusted jacket. Plus, you can yell at people to bring you kombucha and still be “in character.”

“Wow” factor: It’s already a “wow” move to dress as a character with maybe five minutes of screen time, but you can really up the ante by playing into the absurdity of a C-list rapper who’s hot for middle-aged dads. Practice whipping your long, platinum locks and sauntering across an imaginary stage; even if you leave the party within an hour, you’ll have already made your mark and got some people, well, thinking. Bonus points if you can rap a Kid Cudi song or two, and additional bonus points if you convince a friend to dress up as Lady Raven and perform with you.

Controversy/social lubricant level: The homoerotic potential of this costume truly knows no bounds. In other words, the Thinker can be as controversial as you want him to be; just make sure you don’t skimp too much on the sassy ferocity that made him so instantly iconic. Also, be prepared for the inevitable criticisms of M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography, many of which can be brushed aside with a simple “Yeah, but he made The Sixth Sense.”

Working Title Films/Ringer illustration

The Substance Monster

Who’s a good fit: If you’re deciding between donning a solo costume and collaborating with a friend, have no fear—this concept will work for either scenario. Whether you choose to enmesh yourself with your buddy in a flesh-colored bodysuit or roll in alone with various arms, legs, and teeth glued to you, this is the perfect costume for anyone looking to unleash their creativity this Halloween. To do this look justice, it’ll help to have a full artistic tool kit at your disposal, including lots of blood-red paint and, ideally, googly eyes. If you’re messy, not very detail oriented, and/or high on a more … psychedelic substance, great! The more brain scramble, the better. There’s no such thing as “error” when it comes to crafting this modern-day Lovecraftian masterpiece.

“Wow” factor: Yes.

Controversy/social lubricant level: For those who want Thanksgiving-level sociopolitical discourse a month early: congratulations! All your wishes will come true with this bold costume choice. It has everything one could hope for to start impassioned conversations: gore, body horror, unidentifiable lumps, and even feminism! Plus, it opens the door for fun topics like Demi Moore’s career arc, the rapid progression of antiaging science, and the merits of leg-warmer workout videos. Everyone will want a picture with you, too, but be prepared for them not to know how to handle their hand placement on your misshapen, fleshy figure. Do they grip the hand sprouting from your right knee or the eyeball on your shoulder? Or what about the hip-like bone jutting out of your arm? There are only wrong answers.

Holyn Thigpen is an arts and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She holds an MA in English from Trinity College Dublin and spends her free time googling Nicolas Cage.