Spooky? Scary? Trendy!
Halloween is easily one of autumn’s most anticipated nights, and every year brings a brand-new cast to the party. From Greek gods to AI fruit, MNU Newsroom has rounded up the 10 costumes we expect to see everywhere this year.
Thriller nights
Michael Jackson-inspired looks are shaping up to be one of this year’s biggest Halloween trends. The biopic Michael has put Jackson’s music back in the spotlight, sparking a fresh wave of interest in his songs and signature style.
What to expect as the most recreated look? Easily the outfit from the Thriller music video. Between the eerie setting, the zombie choreography and that iconic red-and-black jacket, the video basically is Halloween. Mixing nostalgia with the hype around the film, the look hits for both longtime fans and a new generation just discovering his music.
Ancient never old
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is one of this year’s biggest box-office hits, making its distinctive costumes a natural go-to for Halloween inspiration. Couples can recreate the looks of Odysseus and Penelope, while those dressing up with friends can choose from Athena, Telemachus and the Cyclops. With the film’s success on the screen, its characters are likely to be all over this year’s parties. They’re recognizable enough to land instantly, but still a refreshing break from the usual Halloween outfits.
What year is it?
This year, Halloween’s most recognizable costumes might come straight from a decade ago. 2016 is officially having its comeback moment, bringing back the music, the style and the pop stars that ruled the era. Leading the revival: Zara Larsson’s Lush Life. Ten years later, the song, as well as Larsson herself, has found a new audience by bringing back the carefree memories that defined that time. She is not alone in this renaissance, though.
Over the past 10 years, Kylie Jenner has gone through countless style phases, but few are as instantly recognizable as her “King Kylie” era. Matte lip kits, colored wigs, sculpted brows and full-glam makeup practically defined the 2016 Instagram aesthetic. Now that nostalgia for the era is back, King Kylie is a sure-fire choice for Halloween.
Photo credit: @noellefaeth Instagram post
How could we forget the queen of high ponytails? Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman is another instant trip back to 2016. The black bunny mask, her signature sleek ponytail and all-black outfits became some of the most iconic visuals of the period. Bonus: it’s also one of the easiest pop-star looks to recreate.
Last but certainly not least, there’s an equally strong throwback: The Weeknd’s Starboy era. The black leather jacket, cross necklace and dark red-and-blue aesthetic defined one of his biggest eras and still feel instantly recognizable.
Orange and proud
Some Halloween costumes are scary. Others are just so randomly perfect that they become more than a trend. Take the Lorax. He has officially outgrown his children’s-story roots, with grown adults casually dressing up in the signature orange look and dancing to Let It Grow.
After becoming an unexpected TikTok meme and Halloween favorite, the Dr. Seuss’ character is set to become the new classic costume. An orange outfit, an oversized yellow moustache and matching eyebrows are basically all you need. The more unserious it looks, the better.
The Lorax might speak for the trees, but this Halloween he could also speak for everyone who gave up on looking glamorous and decided to be proudly free-spirited instead.
Freaky fabulous!
Monster High was basically made for Halloween. More than a decade after the dolls first took over the internet, their mix of gothic fashion, dramatic makeup and colorful characters still feels made for spooky season.
And this year, the franchise is having another moment. With Clawdeen Wolf, Frankie Stein, Draculaura and the rest of the Monster High crew, there’s plenty of room to pick a favorite character or go all in with a full group costume.
The best part? You don’t even need an exact replica. Platform boots, bold makeup, colorful hair and a little early-2010s nostalgia are enough to make the reference obvious.
Forever seventeen
Some obsessions are immortal, and Twilight appears to be one of them. Bella and Edward have been a go-to Halloween duo for years, and this October is unlikely to be an exception. The saga’s misty forests, brooding romance and vampire aesthetic make it a natural fit for the season.
Meanwhile, its nostalgic appeal keeps the couple firmly on the costume radar. Understated layers, tousled hair and a little shimmer are all it takes to capture a romance that treats every conversation like a matter of life and death. And even if Robert Pattinson ever wanted to leave Edward Cullen behind, October would have other plans.
French twist
Historical figures have a funny way of sneaking back into Halloween trends like Hamilton did in 2025. This year, however, Napoleon might be the one to watch. During the recent protests in France, demonstrators brought costumes, memes and pop-culture references into the streets. One image that stood out: a protester dressed as Napoleon, addressing the crowd in Paris.
A bicorne hat, a military-style coat and a dramatic Napoleon pose are pretty much all you need to pull off the look. And after weeks of French protest imagery flooding social media, spotting a few Napoleons at Halloween parties wouldn’t be surprising.
It’s getting icey
TV-inspired dressing has a lighter side too. Spirit Halloween’s 2026 report links athletic jerseys and varsity jackets to the Off Campus phenomenon, making campus romance another reference to watch this season. The appeal? Accessibility. A hockey-inspired outfit and a coordinated partner look can come together without elaborate makeup or custom construction.
Character-specific details still matter, though. They’re what separate a deliberate reference from someone who just showed up in regular sportswear.
However, Off Campus isn’t the only hockey romance likely to hit the ice at Halloween parties. Heated Rivalry turned two professional hockey rivals hiding a relationship off the ice, into one of the most talked-about TV pairings of the past year, making them an easy matching costume for 2026.
Rival hockey jerseys, team colors and a few signature details can do most of the work. Unlike costumes that rely on prosthetics or an exact replica, this one is all about the duo.
Juicy drama
Halloween has always had room for internet celebrities, and this year, some of them happen to be fruit. AI-generated strawberries, bananas, cherries and mangoes took over TikTok with bizarre relationship dramas and Fruit Love Island, turning anthropomorphic fruit into one of 2026’s most recognizable online trends.
That also makes them surprisingly great Halloween material. A Strawberry, Bananito or Cherrita-inspired look is colorful, ridiculous and easy to turn into a matching group costume, especially if everyone commits to the over-the-top reality-show energy.
After months of watching AI fruits fall in love, cheat on each other and stir up family scandals online, their jump from the For You page to Halloween parties feels almost inevitable. And if nobody gets your costume, congratulations: their screen time is probably healthier than yours.
Mother of the Groom
Some Halloween costumes come from horror films. Others come from family weddings. Victoria Beckham’s silver, lace-trimmed slip dress from Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding is back in the spotlight this year, after Brooklyn alleged that she had “hijacked” the couple’s first dance.
All that renewed attention makes the look a timely pick for a celebrity-inspired costume. It’s polished, glamorous and carries way more backstory than your average silver dress. For partygoers who love a reference with a little drama, this one practically arrives with its own seating dispute. No fake blood necessary, just an awkward family group chat.
