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Reviews, box office results, and ratings can give us a solid sense of every series’ and movie’s popularity, but there’s another metric that’s just as important: Halloween costumes.

Beyond trick-or-treating and spooky revelry, Oct. 31 serves as a recap of the year’s biggest media releases. Every Halloween, we get a chance to see which shows and movies remained top of mind — and join in the fun by dressing as our favorite characters.

It’s not always easy to predict, but this year we’re expecting to see many adults turn into “Freaky” Nikki and characters from The Odyssey, while kids are likely to continue their KPop Demon Hunters fixation and refocus on Spider-Man after Brand New Day’s heroic performance at the box office. There are also some TV characters we’ll almost definitely see roaming streets and parties, including Heated Rivalry’s Ilya and Shane, doctors of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, and the unlikely Westerosi duo, Dunk and Egg.

If you’re still figuring out what you’re going to be on Oct. 31, read on. We’ve rounded up some of the best TV and movie Halloween costumes to wear in 2026, no matter your age, plans, or fandom.

Inde Navarrette’s Nikki “Freaky” Freeman helped make Obsession this year’s breakout success story, and she’s one of the best costume ideas this Halloween. The cursed lover’s most iconic outfit is this zebra top and leather shorts combo — bonus points for some fake blood, a brick, or a Willow.

If you’re after a more normal Halloween costume (that’s full of stuff you’ll wear after the holiday), Project Hail Mary’s Ryland Grace is a great option. For the best results, try either this flight suit or this Earthly ensemble that includes a yellow raincoat like the one Ryan Gosling wears in the film.

“Throwback” means more than the Eighties or Nineties this Halloween. Ancient Greece is back in vogue thanks to Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Other great costumes to pluck from the epic are Zendaya’s Athena and (harder, but) Charlize Theron’s Calypso.

Spider-Man has been a go-to costume for decades, but the box office triumph of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is sure to multiply the superhero’s presence this Halloween. And don’t worry: there’s no age restriction on dressing as Spidey.

Heated Rivalry premiered just after Halloween 2025, but we’re still talking (and thinking) about it almost a year later. It’s also a very easy costume with dozens of Rozanov and Hollander jerseys available online.

Another great TV costume for 2026 (especially for groups) is the honorable, stressed doctors of The Pitt. The most recognizable costume is, of course, Dr. Robby, complete with a hoodie over the scrubs and plenty of neck rubbing.

Another horror hit this year was the internet-inspired Backrooms. If you’re not almost eight feet tall, the best costume option is a hazmat suit like one of the operatives.

Huntr/x was everywhere last Halloween, and we expect the same this year. The demon-fighting K-pop singers are an ace-in-the-hole for any trio, and their costumes are plentiful online.

Michael Jackson is another costume that’s always been a go-to but will undoubtedly see an increase in popularity this year, following the success of Michael. Luckily, the King of Pop’s outfits are everywhere online.

Looking for a duo costume (especially for you and your little one)? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has your answer in Ser Duncan the Tall and Aegon V Targaryen, better known as Dunk and Egg. All you really need is a couple of travel cloaks and a bald cap. Grab shields, swords, or some armor if you want to get more dressed up.