We are officially in the thick of spooky season, and before long, an expected wave of high-profile celebrity Halloween costumes will flood our feeds, offering immediate inspiration for next year and leaving us fully committed to going all out. Although this year’s fluctuating autumn temperatures have left many of us experiencing a distinct sense of seasonal confusion, a simple stroll through neighborhoods like Brooklyn—where brownstones are currently draped in intricate spider webs, overflowing with pumpkins, and dripping with spooky touches galore—serves to ground us firmly back in reality. The inescapable reality is that the month of October has seemingly sped by in the blink of an eye. With Halloween just a few weeks away, the time has officially come to get our acts together and finalize our costume plans.
Naturally, as fashion enthusiasts and pop culture obsessives alike begin scrambling for ideas, many are turning their attention straight toward the rich pantheon of film and television for inspiration. The core question on everyone’s mind is simple yet demanding: what are some iconic, recognizable on-screen looks that have not only stood the test of time, but will continue to do so for Halloweens to come? While there are certainly plenty of obvious, crowd-pleasing choices to pull from fan-favorite 1990s cinema, there is also ample room for a few niche, hyper-specific deep cuts—such as Shoshanna Shapiro showing up to a dinner party completely overdressed like a 1950s housewife in one unforgettable episode of Girls.
Looking ahead at the calendar and assessing the pop culture landscape, a wide array of film and television-inspired Halloween costumes emerges as prime contenders to consider this spooky season.
Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alaki From Love Island USA
What better choice for a contemporary couples costume than America’s favorite reality television couple of the moment? Capturing the real-time drama and romance of reality television royalty offers an instantly recognizable, highly engaging, and culturally relevant option for duos looking to make a splash at any Halloween gathering this year.
Elizabeth Holmes and Nathan Fielder in You Can See Everything
As the buzziest, most talked-about movie currently playing in theatres across the country, You Can See Everything has captured the collective imagination of filmgoers. Given its massive cultural footprint and heavy critical discussion, industry insiders and pop culture watchers alike fully expect to see many partygoers dressed up as the unique Holmes and Fielder dynamic this October.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
For best friends looking for a coordinated aesthetic, channeling Romy White and Michele Weinberger remains the cutest, most perfect, and undeniably most ’90s way of executing a matching costume with your closest confidante. The matching metallic Chanel-inspired skirt suits instantly signal a legendary cinematic friendship built on high fashion, fabricated success stories, and unbreakable platonic loyalty.
Drew Barrymore in Scream
Recreating Drew Barrymore’s tragic, high-stakes opening sequence in Wes Craven’s masterclass horror film Scream requires a remarkably accessible wardrobe formula. All an aspiring horror aficionado needs is a simple beige V-neck sweater, a pair of lilac pants, and a blonde bob wig featuring blunt bangs. Extra stylistic points are generously awarded to anyone dedicated enough to carry around a prop retro landline phone or a lightweight plastic kitchen knife to complete the harrowing aesthetic.
Rosalía in Euphoria
For those looking to lean into cutting-edge contemporary music and television crossovers, Rosalía’s brief yet memorable cameo character in Euphoria—known as Magick—makes for a playful, insider-heavy costume choice. It is a creative route that guarantees appreciation primarily from the most dedicated, Euphoria-obsessed crowds who pay close attention to every single detail of the series.
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig’s celebrated coming-of-age film offers a deeply relatable and visually distinct costume blueprint centered around its fiercely independent protagonist. When assembling the look, one crucial accessory must not be forgotten: a bright pink orthopedic cast spanning the arm. It serves as an absolutely essential hallmark of the character’s signature high school era styling.
Rosemary’s Baby
Stepping into the haunting world of Roman Polanski’s psychological masterpiece provides the ultimate, guilt-free excuse to invest in a luxurious vintage-style nightgown or a flowing lace-trimmed robe. While looking effortlessly elegant and comfortable, the wearer simultaneously pays direct homage to one of the greatest, most enduring horror films in cinematic history.
Penny Lane in Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe’s seminal ’90s film serves as a brilliant visual love letter and homage to the freewheeling, bohemian aesthetic of the 1970s counterculture movement. Channeling the unforgettable character of Penny Lane means embracing an abundance of flared trousers, dramatic shearling- or fur-trimmed statement coats, intricate crochet tops, and rock-and-roll-inspired accessories.
Log Lady in Twin Peaks
David Lynch’s surreal television masterpiece Twin Peaks remains an absolute masterclass in unpredictable layering, bold pattern clashing, and idiosyncratic cold-weather dressing. The beloved, enigmatic Log Lady—complete with her steadfast cylindrical companion—stands out as a brilliant, eccentric manifestation of this aesthetic, making for a uniquely cozy and recognizable Halloween tribute.
Shoshanna Shapiro in Girls
Few television entrances are as memorable or sharply comedic as Shoshanna Shapiro showing up entirely unbothered to a casual downtown dinner party completely overdressed in full mid-century regalia. Mimicking her hyper-stylized appearance, complete with the pristine vintage dress and perfectly coiffed aesthetic of a 1950s housewife transported straight into modern-day Brooklyn, proves that sharp television writing can translate into truly iconic, conversation-starting costume execution.
