Trick Or Treat
With everything going on in our lives, sometimes Halloween can sneak up on you—and next thing you know, trick or treat time is just a few days away and you don't have a costume. Well, before you go desperately cutting out eye holes in your sheets, check out these simple costume options based on characters from film and television.
Wednesday Addams
A schoolgirl outfit and braided pigtails. Done! While black hair is most accurate, this one works regardless of hair color.
Us
No, not us, but rather characters from the Jordan Peele film, Us. A red jumpsuit and oversized scissors are pretty much all you need for this one.
Joel From "The Last Of Us"
Technically, all you need is a plaid shirt and a backpack. But given how generic that is, be prepared to answer the question, "Who are you?" at each stop.
Emily From "Emily In Paris"
Pretty much anything chic works. But don't forget the beret.
Netflix, Emily in Paris (2020-)
Mantis From "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3"
You know you've been looking for a reason to break out those black leather pants again. DIYing some antennae shouldn't be too hard if you don't want to buy a pair.
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
"Men In Black" Agents
Black suit, white shirt, black tie, black sunglasses....and if you could get your hands on one of those memory-erasing thingies that would really bring it all together.
Columbia, Men in Black 3 (2012)
C From "A Ghost Story"
We know we joked about it in the intro, but a couple eye holes in an extra long sheet is the perfect ode to Casey Affleck's character in A Ghost Story. Although, given that most people probably haven't seen this excellent—but underappreciated—film, you will probably have some explaining to do.
The Purge
A mask with X's for eyes and a bat (we recommend foam) are all the accessories you need. As for the outfit, wear something comfortable and throw some red coloring on it to indicate you've been purging hard that evening.
Universal, The Purge: Election Year (2016)
The Corpse Bride
This one requires a little more work. But if you happen to have some bridal wear lying around, and a blue wig—then you're set. Oh, and blue face paint of course.
Warner Bros., Corpse Bride (2005)
Nick Fury
A long, leather jacket and an eye patch.
Neo
You can reuse your Nick Fury jacket and go as Neo next year.
Warner Bros., The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Joker
While the outfit matters, as long as you have the makeup right, you can play around with the clothes. Throw on shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and go as "Joker on vacation".
Cruella De Vil
A black dress and a black-and-white half-and-half wig. A (preferably) faux-fur coat will take it up a notch.
Walt Disney, 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Annie Wilkes From "Misery"
The muted brown colors, the long sleeveless jumper. You can play around with variations on Annie's dower wardrobe—but, of course, you gotta have the mallet.
Dr Strange
A red cape, yellow rubber kitchen gloves, and an exaggerated American accent.
Marvel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Sari From "Cocaine Bear"
A pink one-piece jumpsuit and a bear stuffy. This one should be good for some appreciative laughs.
Universal, Cocaine Bear (2023)
Ariel From 'The Little Mermaid'
Do Ariel DIY with a long green pencil skirt and a simple purple top. You can also stay in character and pretend not to be able to talk as a way to get out of any awkward conversations at the Halloween party.
Walt Disney, The Little Mermaid (1989)
Carmy From "The Bear"
Dark jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue apron—and yell out "behind" every time you walk behind someone.
Walter White From "Breaking Bad"
You don't need much to pull this one off. But you do need the goatee, the glasses, that iconic pork pie hat—and a little baggie with blue rocks or crystals to complete the ensemble.
Kiki From "Kiki's Delivery Service"
A purple dress, a broom, and a big red bow. Hello, Kiki.
Ghibli, Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
"Inside Out" Emotions
Body paint and a matching colored orb will get you pretty close to any of the emotions. A few simple clothing choices will take you the rest of the way.
Ted Lasso
Sunglasses, a nice mustache, and a visor—and how great is it that you get to spend your night in a track suit also?
Apple TV+, Ted Lasso (2020-2023)
"Money Heist"-ers
Repurpose that red jumpsuit from your Us costume and throw on a Salvador Dali mask.
Netflix, Money Heist (2017-2021)
Justice From "Poetic Justice"
Braids, a paper boy hat, and a beauty mark above your lip. This is one that those who know, will know.
Columbia, Poetic Justice (1993)
Spider-Man Noir From "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse"
Get out that leather jacket to become the all-black alternate Spider-Man voiced by Nic Cage in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.
Marvel, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Harry Potter
Pick up some Hogwarts robes and a magic wand. Then, throw on some round glasses and draw a little lighting bolt on your forehead.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Dwight Schrute From "The Office"
Khakis, a yellow short-sleeve button down, and a tie. Finish off the look with a pen in your shirt pocket, glasses, and a flip phone on your belt. And every Dwight needs his Jim, so grab a friend and....
Jim Halpert From "The Office"
There are a bunch of great "Jim" costumes to pick from, but our favorite is the standard office attire with the added "Hello, my name is...Dave" sticker on the chest. So, technically we'd be dressed up as Jim dressed up as Dave. How wonderfully meta of us.
Kevin From "The Office"
All you need is a gray suit with chili stains all over it—and use an empty stove pot as your candy receptacle.
Meredith Grey From "Grey's Anatomy"
Dark blue scrubs, your hair in a ponytail, and coffee in a to-go cup.
Olive Penderghast From "Easy A"
A black corset with a big red A on it will get you knowing looks from fans of this Emma Stone teen rom-com.
Maverick From "Top Gun: Maverick"
A green flight suit and those aviator glasses—and telling everyone that you have "the need...the need for speed" (and more candy).
Paramount, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Holly Golightly From "Breakfast At Tiffany's"
Just like the black dress she wears, Holly Golightly never gets old.
Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Jughead Jones from "Riverdale"
It's all about the beanie.
A Minion
Put denim overalls over a yellow long-sleeve t-shirt and throw on some round glasses. If you want to go all out, yellow face paint is an option as well.
The Grady Twins From "The Shining"
Grab a friend and two blue baby-doll-style dresses, white socks, and pink ribbons to go around your waists.
Warner Bros., The Shining (1980)
Romy And Michele From "Romy And Michele's High School Reunion"
Grab that same friend—but switch out those baby-doll dresses for metallic pink and blue mini dresses with high heels.
Touchstone, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
The Bride From "Kill Bill"
Can you ever see a yellow track suit with a black racing stripe and not think of Uma Thurman in those movies? Neither can we.
Miramax, Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Lara Croft
The long braid, the combat boots, and the garter holster are non-negotiables. The rest is up to you.
