Table of Contents
Halloween is almost here, and the list of top Halloween costumes 2026 has produced is a strange and fun mix. A creepy unicorn from a horror movie, a squishy stress toy and a Greek king from a Christopher Nolan blockbuster all made the top of Google’s 2026 trend list.
Google’s annual Halloween tool, called Frightgeist, tracks which costume searches are rising fastest across the United States. Retail surveys add another layer, showing which costumes people actually plan to wear.
Here are the most popular Halloween costumes of 2026, what each one is, and how to make DIY Halloween costumes at home if you have left it late. Whether you need Halloween costume ideas for adults, kids, couples or a group, you will find them below.
Top Trending Halloween Costumes 2026, According to Google
These are the ten costumes trending most on Google this Halloween, as reported by Variety and Time Out.
| Rank | Costume | Where it comes from |
| 1 | Buddy the Unicorn | The horror film Buddy |
| 2 | NeeDoh | The viral squishy stress toy |
| 3 | Nikki | The horror film Obsession |
| 4 | Agamemnon | Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey |
| 5 | Lily Lovebraids | The Poppy Playtime video games |
| 6 | Oliver Tree | The musician and internet personality |
| 7 | Verity | A viral Minecraft horror series |
| 8 | Carl | The book series Dungeon Crawler Carl |
| 9 | Disco Scooby-Doo | A disco twist on the cartoon dog |
| 10 | Hazel Hook | Disney’s Descendants: Wicked Wonderland |
The list shows how much social media now shapes Halloween costumes. Horror movies, video games and viral toys pushed out many of the superheroes that usually top the chart.
Buddy the Unicorn
The number one trending costume of 2026 is Buddy the Unicorn. Buddy is the mascot in Buddy, a new horror film from director Casper Kelly. Keegan-Michael Key plays the title character, a cheerful host of a children’s TV show whose bright world slowly turns disturbing. Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace also star.
The appeal is easy to see. The costume is cute at first glance and creepy on second look, which is exactly the mood many adults want at a Halloween party.
How to make it at home: Start with a white or pastel hoodie and matching sweatpants. Add a rainbow horn made from a paper cone wrapped in colored tape, and a mane cut from yarn or felt and glued along the hood. For the horror touch, paint on a wide, fixed smile and add dark shadows around the eyes.
NeeDoh
The second most searched costume is not a character at all. NeeDoh is a squishy stress relief toy made by Schylling. It became a viral hit with kids and teens on TikTok, and its cube version, called Nice Cube, is the most recognizable.
How to make it at home: Wear clothes in one bright color, such as all pink or all lime green, from head to toe. Make a soft cube from a cardboard box covered in matching felt or tissue paper, or simply carry a giant NeeDoh toy as your prop. It is one of the easiest costumes on this year’s list.
Nikki From Obsession
The third trending costume comes from Obsession, a supernatural horror film from director Curry Barker that became a breakout hit. Inde Navarrette plays Nikki, and her outfit has quickly become a Halloween favorite.
The look is simple: a red and black animal print top with black shorts. NBCUniversal has released official versions, but most people can build it from their own closet.
How to make it at home: Pair any red or black animal print top with black shorts or a black skirt. Add black boots, tousled hair and smudged eye makeup. It works well for anyone who wants a recognizable costume that still feels like a real outfit.
Agamemnon and Greek Heroes From The Odyssey
The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s take on Homer’s ancient epic, opened in cinemas on July 17, 2026, and it has turned Greek myth into one of the biggest costume themes of the year. Agamemnon, the proud king played by Benny Safdie in the film, ranks fourth on Google’s list.
Costume sellers report that Greek heroes and gods in general are selling well this year. That means plenty of warriors, kings and goddesses at parties in 2026.
How to make it at home: Wrap a white or cream bedsheet as a tunic and tie it with a rope or brown belt. Add a cape made from red or deep blue fabric. A gold paper crown, a cardboard shield painted bronze and leather sandals finish the look. For a goddess version, use a long white dress and gold leaf hair clips.
The Rest of Google’s Top 10
The Rest of Google’s Top 10 Halloween Costumes
Looking for a costume that stands out in 2026? These trending characters, quirky celebrity looks and pop-culture ideas offer inspiration for Halloween parties, couples costumes and last-minute outfits.
Lily Lovebraids from Poppy Playtime
This doll-like character from Chapter 5 of the Poppy Playtime horror game series is a popular pick among older kids and gamers.
Oliver Tree
Recreate the musician’s instantly recognisable, eccentric fashion style with retro-inspired clothing and oversized accessories.
Verity from Minecraft
This smiling yellow virtual assistant from a viral Minecraft horror series offers a simple, creative character costume.
Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl
Fans of Matt Dinniman’s fantasy book series can dress as Carl, the former Coast Guard member trapped in a deadly game-like dungeon with his cat, Princess Donut.
Disco Scooby-Doo
Give the classic cartoon dog a groovy makeover. Pair the look with a disco Shaggy costume for a fun couples or best-friends outfit.
Hazel Hook from Descendants
Played by Kiara Romero in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Hazel is the daughter of Captain Hook and a character-inspired choice for tweens.
Lily Lovebraids from Poppy Playtime. This doll-like character comes from the fifth chapter of the Poppy Playtime horror video games. She is especially popular with older kids and gamers.
Oliver Tree. The musician’s style is a costume in itself. Think a bowl haircut wig, oversized retro clothes and big sunglasses.
Verity from Minecraft. Verity is a smiling yellow virtual assistant from a viral Minecraft horror series made by online creators. A yellow box head with a painted smile is all you need.
Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl. Carl is the hero of Matt Dinniman’s bestselling fantasy books. He is a former Coast Guard member trapped in a deadly, game-like dungeon with his cat, Princess Donut. Fans often wear boxer shorts, a leather jacket and boots, and bring a stuffed cat.
Disco Scooby-Doo. This groovy take on the cartoon dog also tops Google’s list of couples costumes when paired with a disco Shaggy. Add flares, sequins and a mirror ball prop.
Hazel Hook from Descendants. Kiara Romero plays Hazel, the daughter of Captain Hook, in Disney’s 2026 film Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. It is a top pick for tweens.
The Classics Still Rule: Witches, Vampires and Spider-Man
Top 5 Halloween Costumes Adults Plan to Wear in 2026
Witches, vampires and superheroes remain popular choices. Compare the number of American adults planning to wear each classic Halloween costume.
Source: National Retail Federation (NRF) figures provided in this article. Verify the 2026 survey figures and source link before publication.
Trending searches show what is new, but they do not always show what most people actually wear. For that, the best guide is the National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween survey.
The classics still dominate. According to the NRF, these are the costumes the most American adults plan to wear in 2026.
| Rank | Adult costume | Adults planning to wear it |
| 1 | Witch | 4.8 million |
| 2 | Vampire | 4.2 million |
| 3 | Batman | 2.0 million |
| 4 | Spider-Man | 1.5 million |
| 5 | Ghost | 1.4 million |
Witches have held the top spot for years because they are easy, flattering and endlessly flexible. Vampires are enjoying a boost from the popularity of romantic fantasy books and shows, which have made the gothic vampire look fashionable again.
Best Kids Halloween Costumes 2026
Top 5 Kids Costumes
Children expected to wear each costume, in millions.
Man
Superhero
Source: NRF survey figures provided for this article. Verify the 2026 survey and figures before publication.
For children, superheroes are still the clear favorite. The NRF survey found that Spider-Man is the most popular kids costume by a wide margin, helped by the new film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
| Rank | Kids costume | Children expected to wear it |
| 1 | Spider-Man | 4.6 million |
| 2 | Superhero (other) | 2.3 million |
| 3 | Princess | 2.2 million |
| 4 | Witch | 1.6 million |
| 5 | Ghost | 1.6 million |
Costume retailers also point to two other big trends for kids. KPop Demon Hunters, the animated Netflix hit, is the top costume search in 12 states on HalloweenCostumes.com. And Toy Story 5 has brought Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie back to trick or treat.
Pets are joining in too. The most popular pet costumes are a pumpkin, a hot dog and a ghost.
Best Couples and Group Halloween Costumes 2026
Best Couples and Group Halloween Costumes 2026
Planning Halloween with a partner or friends? Here are two trending costume categories with easy ideas to inspire your 2026 look.
| Category | Top Costume Idea | More Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| For Couples |
Disco Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Google’s top trending couples costume in 2026, according to the supplied article. |
Witch and Vampire; Beetlejuice and Lydia. |
| For Groups |
Toy Story A flexible theme with a character for every friend. |
Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Ghostbusters, or The Odyssey with Greek gods, warriors and sea monsters. |
For couples: Disco Scooby-Doo and Shaggy is Google’s top trending couples costume this year. Other easy pairings include a witch and a vampire, or Beetlejuice and Lydia for fans of the 2024 sequel.
For groups: Toy Story is the top group theme for 2026, with a character for every friend. Star Wars is also popular thanks to the new film The Mandalorian and Grogu. Classic group ideas like The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings and Ghostbusters never go out of style.
A group from The Odyssey is another strong choice this year. One person can be Odysseus, another Agamemnon, and the rest can be Greek gods, warriors or even sea monsters.
Last Minute DIY Halloween Costumes You Can Make at Home
| 🧙♀️ Witch |
| 🧛 Vampire |
| 👻 Ghost |
| 🟦 NeeDoh |
| 🏛️ Greek God or Goddess |
| 🐆 Nikki from Obsession |
| 🐈 Cat |
If Halloween sneaks up on you, these quick Halloween costume ideas need little more than what is already in your closet.
- Witch. A black dress or black jeans and top, a pointed hat and a broom. Add dark lipstick for a modern look.
- Vampire. A white shirt, black trousers or a black dress, a cape and fake blood at the corner of your mouth.
- Ghost. The classic white sheet still works. For a stylish version, wear all white and use pale face makeup.
- NeeDoh. One bright color from head to toe and a soft cube prop.
- Greek god or goddess. A white bedsheet, a gold belt and a paper laurel crown.
- Nikki from Obsession. An animal print top, black shorts and boots.
- A cat. Black clothes, cat ears and drawn on whiskers. It is simple, but it is popular for a reason.
Most of these cost very little to put together, and some cost nothing at all.
Halloween Spending 2026: How Much Americans Will Spend
Americans are set to spend a record amount on Halloween this year. The National Retail Federation expects total spending to reach $13.5 billion, up from $13.1 billion last year.
The average shopper plans to spend $115.14, and 74% of Americans say they will celebrate the holiday. Costumes alone are expected to account for $4.4 billion, including $2 billion on adult costumes, $1.5 billion on children’s costumes and $0.92 billion on pet costumes.
Discount stores are the most popular place to shop, chosen by 39% of buyers, followed by specialty Halloween stores at 32% and online shops at 27%.
More From ScoopsBuzz
- Lupin Part 4 is out on Netflix: release time, cast and Part 3 recap
- Tesla flying Roadster unveiled: specs, price and release date
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Halloween costumes 2026?
According to Google search trends, Buddy the Unicorn is the top trending costume of 2026. By the number of people planning to wear it, the witch is the most popular adult costume and Spider-Man is the most popular kids costume.
What is Buddy the Unicorn from?
Buddy is the unicorn mascot in Buddy, a horror film directed by Casper Kelly. Keegan-Michael Key plays the title character.
What is the NeeDoh costume?
It is based on NeeDoh, a squishy stress toy made by Schylling that went viral online. The costume is usually one bright color with a soft cube shape.
What are good couples costumes for 2026?
Disco Scooby-Doo and Shaggy is the top trending pair this year. A witch and a vampire, or two Greek heroes from The Odyssey, are also popular.
What are easy last minute Halloween costumes?
A witch, a vampire, a ghost, a cat or a Greek god can all be made from clothes you already own in less than an hour.
How much will Americans spend on Halloween 2026?
The National Retail Federation expects record spending of $13.5 billion, or about $115 per person.
Sources: Google Frightgeist via Variety and Time Out, National Retail Federation, HalloweenCostumes.com
