These Will Be 2024's Most Popular Creepy Halloween Costumes
Whether you'll be trick-or-treating for yourself, tagging along with the rest of your family, or just heading to your favorite bar's costume party, you can't beat for costume inspiration. If you're still stuck on what to dress up as at this late date, we encourage you to check out our list of spooky movie-inspired options.
Jason Voorhees
What could possibly be more terrifying than a masked person wielding a blood-soaked axe? We don't know, and that's why Jason Voorhees from Friday The 13th: Part 2 (and many subsequent sequels) is first on our list. If you were going for blood-curdling screams from your neighbors, then Jason's get-up may be your best shot—or swing, as it were.
Georgetown, Friday the 13th Part 2
Lon Chaney's The Phantom
"The Man of A Thousand Faces" and you can only choose one! Well, you can choose the other 999, but you won't be as recognizable as you will be in The Phantom's cloak, mask and terrifying eyes. From The Phantom Of The Opera (1925), Lon Chaney's creation of The Phantom was (surprise, surprise) all his own work.
Universal, The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Carrie White
Buy out your local supermarket of tomatoes, or your local Halloween store in packets of fake blood, and go as the eponymous Carrie White from the movie Carrie (1976). Adapted from the Stephen King novel, the movie sees Sissy Spacek play Carrie White, a tormented young girl who exacts great revenge on her high-school bullies.
Go round to the house of your high-school bully dressed as Carrie—or maybe don't.
Pennywise
Of course, Pennywise The Clown was always going to make a list of the spookiest Halloween costumes imaginable. The trick is to get the lines right on the face. Whether you've already got mad orange hair or not, choosing good face paint and someone who knows how it's done will be the key to pulling off Pennywise.
Careful not to fall down any sewer drains while you're at it. We all float down here...
Ed & Lorraine Warren
A good couples costume, this one: Ed and Lorraine Warren from The Conjuring (2013) and subsequent sequels and spin-offs. Sweater-vest, a crucifix, and a small black Bible and you'll be right up there with Patrick Wilson. Find your nearest abandoned farmhouse—like the Warrens—scare away the ghouls, and watch out for Annabelle...
New Line Cinema, The Conjuring (2013)
Annabelle
Speaking of Annabelle, the spin-off series from The Conjuring tells the story of the creepiest-looking doll you've ever seen in your life. So, if dolls are your thing for Halloween, or you just want to scare the heck out of absolutely everyone you encounter, find an Annabelle (2014) costume.
New Line Cinema, Annabelle (2014)
Candyman
The Jordan Peele-written 2021 horror flick Candyman tells the story of the ghost of an African-American slave who was murdered by his slave owner in the 19th century for having a relationship with his white daughter. The fourth in the Candyman series, the original movie in 1992 features Candyman with a hook for a hand. Get yourself a Captain Hook costume and take the hand off it.
Then, just add a long coat and voila—Candyman. Just don't say his name five times in a mirror.
Propaganda Films, Candyman (1992)
Flowers Aplenty With Dani Ardor
Played by Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019), Dani Ardor is one half of an American couple on something of a couple's retreat in the Swedish countryside. Despite stumbling upon what appears to be a wholesome festival, the transformation of Pugh's character is truly chilling. If you've got a local florist or supermarket with fake flowers, go build yourself a huge crown of "wildflowers", turn a frown, and suddenly you're the creepy girlfriend in Midsommar.
Thomasin
Thomasin from The Witch (2016) bears a simple costume—a white bonnet and an all-white long dress down to her ankles. Keen eyed viewers may know who you are, but others you may have educate.
Although, in The Witch, Thomasin "educates" her patriarchal accusers by casting awful spells, so maybe hold off on that front.
Parts and Labor, The Witch (2015)
The Alien
This would, without doubt, be one of the most impressive costumers to pull off. The Alien from Alien (1979) is certainly one of the scariest Halloween costumes I can think of. It also might be one of the most expensive—you can buy a Xenomorph costume for around $100 on Amazon.
Dracula
Of course, this classic costume could be replaced with almost any generic imitation vampire costume you can imagine, but the OG 1931 version of Dracula wore a bowtie, in case you want to go old-school on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel.
Sgt Howie
Find a late-1980s British police uniform and your best thick Scottish accent and you'll be Sgt Howie from The Wicker Man (1973). Starring Edward Woodward and Britt Eklund, this British horror is now iconic, but providing you don't fall into a fire by the end of the evening, you'll have fared better than Sgt Howie.
British Lion Film, The Wicker Man (1973)
Sadako
Not the American version of Sadako from The Ring (2002) and The Ring Two (2005), no—the Japanese version. If you've got long hair or access to a wig, then Hideo Nakata's original Sadako character had no face, simply a singular, all-seeing eye. Some creative face paint or a mask and a wig (or long hair), along with a long, white dress, and you'll be turning terrified heads.
Pinhead
Unfortunately, you'll need a mask for this one, unless you know an acupuncturist. Even then, probably best not to ask them. The iconic Pinhead from Hellraiser (1967) might be the perfect option for a spooky Halloween party with people old enough to know who it is at first glance. Otherwise, people might just think you'd upset your acupuncturist.
Film Futures, Hellraiser (1987)
Regan
Linda Blair did such a fantastic job as Regan in The Exorcist (1973) that it won't be difficult for people to recognize you. This is a great one for teenagers as they're still relatively short enough to pull off the costume convincingly. Or, you could just go as the grown-up version of everyone's favorite demon-possessed child.
Warner Bros., The Exorcist (1973)
Captain Quint
Get yourself a blue denim shirt, a brown overcoat, and plain brown baseball cap, as well as an (empty) can of beer, and you're Captain Quint from Jaws (1975). Your other half could go as the shark. Also, memorize the lyrics to the sea shanty "Farewell and Adieu To You Spanish Ladies".
Frankenstein's Monster
The monster from the iconic 1931 movie adaptation of Frankenstein is another great option for those who want to stand out a little.
Universal, Frankenstein (1931)
Beetlejuice
Most of this costume is face paint and hairspray! Beetlejuice (1988) came alive in the late 80s thanks to the creativity of director Tim Burton and writers Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson. Starring Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Michael Keaton as the titular character who tries to scare away the new occupants of his old home.
A sequel, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice was released in September of 2024.
The Geffen Company, Beetlejuice (1988)
The Corpse Bride
The Corpse Bride (2005) was one of the most popular animated horror movies of the 21st century and it's easy to see why so many couples dress up as Victor and Emily, the main characters from the movie. The Corpse Bride is also a popular costume among teenagers who loved the animated series.
Warner Bros., Corpse Bride (2005)
Father Merrin
Father Merrin from The Exorcist (1973) could be a great companion costume if your kids are dressing up as Regan MacNeil. While not showing up for a bit throughout the film, which is loosely based on a real-life story, Father Merrin's character is well-loved by fans of The Exorcist.
Warner Bros., The Exorcist (1973)
Jack Torrance
The Shining (1980) might be one of the best horror movies of all time, and Jack Torrance's maniacal character (played by Jack Nicholson) is certainly one of the most recognizable characters of all time. Get yourself a plaid shirt, a long-haired wig with a large bald spot on the forehead, plus a trusty fake axe, and away you go—just don't be trying to chop through anyone's doors.
Warner Bros., The Shining (1980)
Leatherface
If you liked the idea of dressing up as Jason Voorhees, then Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) should be right up your alley. Dress up as the main antagonist (without a functional chainsaw, unfortunately) and scare your neighbors out of their wits.
Vortex, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Jigsaw
When Saw (2004) first introduced Jigsaw—the creepy voice in the horror thriller that gave depraved instructions to the protagonists on how to survive each terrifying game—we were all a little freaked out by the rotating head with no eyes, a clown-style mask, and long hair. Showing up with a friend as Jigsaw from Saw and Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is a match made in horror movie hell.
Hannibal Lecter
Another truly creepy villain from horror's best is Hannibal Lecter from The Silence Of The Lambs (1991). Find yourself a strait jacket and a creepy mask, or buy a pre-made costume. Your partner could dress up as FBI Agent Clarice Starling.
Insist on being referred to as "Doctor Lecter" for an extra bit of creepiness.
Orion Pictures, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Freddy Krueger
A mask and costume will definitely be required for this one, but you may be able to find the spooky black bowler hat second-hand if you want to dress up as the definitive Halloween monster from A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984), Freddy Vs. Jason (2003), and many other Wes Craven movies. If you want to inject some creepiness into your Halloween costume, Freddy Krueger is up there on the scare-o-meter.
Wednesday Addams
A great costume for fans of The Addams Family (1991), Wednesday Addams might be a very popular costume, but the instantly recognizable character from the 1960s TV show and the early 90s movie also got her own TV series on Netflix, called Wednesday, in 2022, starring Jenna Ortega.
Ghostface
If you're on a budget or in a rush, then the iconic Ghostface from Scream (1996) is a great call. Bring a fake scythe with you and you'll have captured the essence of Scream in a nutshell.
Dimension Films, Scream (1996)
Arthur Fleck
While far more synonymous with Batman than Halloween, Arthur Fleck—otherwise known as "The Joker"—is a great option. A beige-ish silk shirt, a brightly colored purple, burgundy, or green jacket, and matching pants and the face-paint of a clown and you have the iconic Batman villain that everyone knows. Maniacal laughter not required, but encouraged.
Chucky
A close second behind Annabelle for everyone's favorite creepy doll, the murderous Chucky was featured in the horror TV series Chucky (2021) and, of course, Child's Play (1988). A pair of overalls, striped shirt, and some creative face painting will turn off small children from owning dolls forever. Your partner can go as Annabelle to double the horror.
Lord Voldemort
While Harry Potter isn't a movie you'd Halloween movie you'd think of, the pasty-faced villain, Lord Voldemort, certainly fits the bill. Don a black cape, use a broken stick as a wand and apply some light white face paint and suddenly you're the Dark Lord. Your kids could go as Harry Potter characters to complete the cast.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010)
Michael Myers
There probably isn't a scarier Halloween costume than that of Michael Myers—the iconic antagonist from Halloween (1978). Don a white face mask, a long, dishevelled black robe and slicked-back hair and don't say much and suddenly, you're the tormented serial killer from the nation's best-known Halloween movie.
Some Not Advised Halloween Costumes
While Halloween is all about costume-related fun, there are a few costumes that you should probably avoid this Halloween. These include: anything involving blackface, a COVID-19 costume, anything that furthers cultural stereotypes, or even a "hobo"—other people's misfortune aren't a cute costume. There are plenty of others, but generally, if you think it might make a good costume, but society generally frowns on, it's probably best to leave that costume idea alone.
