This Year's Hottest Pop-Culture-Inspired Costumes

Joy From Inside Out

What to wear: A little green shift dress and a blue wig.
How to act: Happy and optimistic.

Rogelio From Jane the Virgin

What to wear: A flattering white shirt and a purple coat. Purple is your color.
How to act: Melodramatic; use a Spanish accent and make intense eye contact (and also Blue Steel).

Nux From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: Ratty old cargo pants and no shirt. Wear a bald cap, and paint your face, head, and chest white. Color around your mouth with metallic silver makeup.
How to act: Like you're literally insane.

Claire From Jurassic World

What to wear: A white blouse, skirt, blazer, and heels, which are totally impractical for running from danger.
How to act: Slightly cold but completely in control.

Ant-Man From Ant-Man

What to wear: A black-and-red suit with a helmet that fully covers your face. Shrink yourself to the size of an ant if at all possible.
How to act: Like you're trying to summon your ant army to go get you a drink.

Annalise Keating From How to Get Away With Murder

What to wear: A skintight red leather jacket and black slacks.
How to act: Assertive and brilliant. Bark orders for your drink or what the DJ should be playing.

Max From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: An extremely dirty brown sweatshirt and a brown leather jacket. Fashion a metal cage for your face if you want to go that far.
How to act: Speak only when absolutely necessary.

Elsa Mars From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: A 1940s-feeling green dress with a big boa and long gloves. Go with over-the-top blue eye shadow and red lipstick, plus curly hair.
How to act: You'd better start practicing your German accent now if you want this to be believable. Don't forget: you run the show.

Titus From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

What to wear: A red satin robe and pajama pants.
How to act: Drink Pinot Noir while singing "Peeno Noir."

Cookie Lyon From Empire

What to wear: Leather, fur, a skintight dress, and sky-high heels. The more outrageously fabulous, the better.
How to act: Like you run the damn show, because you do.

Ani From True Detective Season 2

What to wear: A cool army green or black leather jacket, jeans, a t-shirt, and a sheriff's badge. Muss your hair so it looks like you barely did anything to it, but it's still effortlessly adorable.
How to act: Like a badass who takes no sh*t. Occasionally engage in dialogue that no one can understand.

Ava From Ex Machina

What to wear: A bald cap you paint silver and a gray and silver bodysuit.
How to act: A little robotic, of course, but sensitive and curious about the world.

Dandy Mott From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: Go full-on prepster with white ironed slacks, a sweater over a collared shirt, a brown belt, and slick hair parted in the middle.
How to act: Like a spoiled, slightly crazy mama's boy.

Ramsay Bolton From Game of Thrones

What to wear: A long-sleeved shirt with a brown leather vest over it.
How to act: Like you are just the worst of the worst.

Kimmy From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

What to wear: A yellow cardigan over a floral top and bright pink jeans. Rock a backpack and a smile.
How to act: Like you just got out of a bunker — I mean, like you just moved to New York City, that's all.

Chanel From Scream Queens

What to wear: It's in the name: Chanel. Well, anything quilted and pastel works, really.
How to act: Be a huge snob and blow off anyone who tries to talk to you.

The Night's King From Game of Thrones

What to wear: Dark blue face makeup with horns on your head and dark, plain-looking armor.
How to act: Never speak, but do look very menacing. Raise your hands like you're raising an undead army.

Claire From Outlander

What to wear: A big tartan skirt with a blouse over it and a gigantic woolly scarf.
How to act: Use an English accent and be a little cagey about your identity.

Jimmy Darling From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: Gray pants, a white button-up with an undershirt, and a newspaper boy cap. The toughest part is going to be finding some lobster-hand prosthetics.
How to act: Like you've got a chip on your shoulder because your jerk dad is back in town and cramping your style.

Prince Charming From Cinderella

What to wear: A green, old-fashioned looking coat, and a very bright smile.
How to act: Charming, duh.

Imperator Furiosa From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: An extremely dirty neutral-colored t-shirt with a black scarf, metal arm, and a pair of Steampunk-ish goggles. Put black makeup around your eyes and shave your head or wear a short wig.
How to act: Like the baddest b*tch in all the land.

Maggie Esmerelda From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: A green hat with a matching sweater belted at the waist, a retro bag, and a modest skirt. Curl your hair and toss on some red lips.
How to act: She's a (fake) fortune teller, so see if you can find a cheap crystal ball and some partygoers to dupe.

Ellaria Sand From Game of Thrones

What to wear: A fierce black cape with shoulder pads over a black slip dress, with a brown belt crisscrossed over it. Lots of black smoky eyeliner.
How to act: Like you better not be crossed.

Dell Toledo From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: Whether you're going for casual Dell or Strongman Dell, suspenders are the key. If you're going with his performance look, you'll need blue slacks, a red shirt, a silly tie, and a ridiculous fake mustache.
How to act: You're supposed to be super strong, so start picking up heavy things — like couches that people are sitting on.

Hakeem From Empire

What to wear: A posh hoodie and a gold chain with leather sweatpants.
How to act: Sing "Drip Drop," and be a cocky jerk.

Adaline From The Age of Adaline

What to wear: An old-fashioned yet timeless gown that makes you look impossibly statuesque and a blond wig, pinned back at the ear.
How to act: Talk like you're from about 50 years ago. Sprinkle in "my goodness" many times.

Anger From Inside Out

What to wear: A read head piece with fake flames shooting out of it. Wear a button-up shirt and tie.
How to act: Blow up at people at every turn.

Liv From iZombie

What to wear: A red hoodie underneath a lab coat, plus some lab goggles. Wear white face makeup and black eyeliner to appear pale and undead.
How to act: Like you love braaaaains!

Twisty the Clown From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: Get a white clown costume and dirty it up by rolling on the ground a few times. Maybe even splatter some fake blood on it for effect, and you don't need to mimic the terrifying sight under Twisty's mask, but you should see if you can make your own mask.
How to act: This is one of the scariest costumes you can go with this year, so play it up. Don't speak much, and just creep on people.

Ray Velcoro From True Detective

What to wear: A brown shirt and jacket with a bolo tie. Wear a big belt buckle on your jeans and a slightly long wig.
How to act: Stoic, but prone to bursts of violence. Use short sentences that don't make much sense.

Owen From Jurassic World

What to wear: A tan henley shirt and gray pants.
How to act: Cocky, and like you can talk to all the animals.

Jamie From Outlander

What to wear: A tartan over a white shirt, with a brown vest over it. Rock a red wig.
How to act: Tough and gallant, and use a thick Scottish brogue.

Whitey Bulger From Black Mass

What to wear: A white v-neck and leather Member's Only jacket. Wear a bald cap with a combover and thick 1970s sunglasses.
How to act: Be particularly menacing while using a Boston accent.

Melisandre From Game of Thrones

What to wear: A long red wig, pulled back into a half-up do. Wear a dark red dramatic gown and a choker.
How to act: Constantly tell people that the night is dark and full of terrors.

Edward Mordrake From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: Edward doesn't show up until the Halloween episodes, but we know he wears a top hat with an old-timey black suit and tie. What you really need to convince people of who you are is a second face on the back of your head, just like the real Edward Mordrake.
How to act: Mysterious and secretive. Reveal your evil second face only to those whom you trust.

Cinderella From Cinderella

What to wear: The gorgeous, giant blue gown befitting of a princess.
How to act: Sweet and innocent.

Scarlet Witch From Avengers: Age of Ultron

What to wear: A black miniskirt and tank under a red leather jacket. Black knee socks, boots, and leather arm warmers.
How to act: Speak in a stilted Russian accent and lock eyes with people, staring at them enough to weird them out.

Desiree Dupree From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: It is possible to make your own three-breasted costume, and once you have the most important part taken care of, you just need a sophisticated dress and a stole to hide your assets when you want.
How to act: You're one of the biggest stars of the freak show, so make sure everyone knows how lucky they are to be in your presence.

Supergirl From Supergirl

What to wear: You know this outfit! Wear a blue long-sleeve leotard with a red miniskirt and red cape.
How to act: Virtuous and like you might leap out of the building at any minute.

Stella From Orange Is the New Black

What to wear: A brown prison jumpsuit and a short black 'do. Go crazy with the fake tattoos.
How to act: Like the swaggiest inmate on the block. Speak with an Australian accent and wink a lot.

Ethel Darling From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: A very plain dress, short hair, and, most importantly, a fake beard.
How to act: Like you're a lady with a beard and you just don't even care anymore.

Quicksilver From Avengers: Age of Ultron

What to wear: A skintight blue long-sleeved shirt and pants (think: a wetsuit). Wear a blond wig, and add a little mustache.
How to act: Get everywhere very quickly, and use a Russian accent.

Jaqen H'ghar From Game of Thrones

What to wear: A long hooded gray robe with a rope belt. Bring extra face masks so you can change faces periodically.
How to act: Never use the second person; instead refer to people as "a girl" or "a boy." Ex.: "A girl dresses up for Halloween."

Porsha From Empire

What to wear: Think luxe streetwear, like a sweatshirt with a fur shrug, plus nice jeans and heels. Style your hair into an architectural mohawk.
How to act: Never put your phone down, except to periodically comment on how real things are getting in here.

The Wicked Stepmother From Cinderella

What to wear: A sumptuous but conservative gown with a gigantic hat. Wear a gigantic hat with a veil and a wicked grin underneath it.
How to act: Wicked and cruel, but honestly, also kind of clever and awesome.

Hester From Scream Queens

What to wear: Deglam with a multicolored windbreaker, three-wolf moon shirt, and a neck brace.
How to act: Like you're superstoked to be invited to the party, but a little awkward and sketch.

Bette and Dot Tattler From American Horror Story: Freak Show

What to wear: If you can find a second head or make one out of papier-maché à la Michael Scott, you've got this one nailed. Go with a simple headband for both of you and a pretty dress.
How to act: It really depends on whether you want to be Bette or Dot. If you're Bette, you're a little in the clouds, and if you're Dot, you're no-nonsense.

Jacqueline Voorhees From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

What to wear: A posh Manhattanite's wardrobe of a silk blouse and trim slacks or skirt. Louboutins, of course.
How to act: Pretty oblivious and in your own little world where everyone is a billionaire.

Lucious Lyon From Empire

What to wear: A swanky double-breasted suit with a flashy tie and pocket square.
How to act: Like you own the place, but you haven't forgotten where you came from.

Jem and the Holograms

Bring the '80s back in style with a Jem and the Holograms look. They're back in the spotlight now that the movie is coming out!

The Fantastic Four

The movie? Not so hot. The costumes? Still totally hot!

The Mad Max: Fury Road Women

Recreate one of 2015's hottest movies by dressing up like its true star, Imperator Furiosa. Enlist some pals as the women she's freeing and you're set.

Kimmy Schmidt and the Sister Wives

All you really need for this would be some floor-length plain dresses and an ability to craft a mean braid.

Anastasia Steele From Fifty Shades of Grey

What to wear: Jeans, a plain t-shirt, converse sneakers, and your hair down with bangs.
How to act: Painfully innocent and awkward. Bite your lip a lot.

The Fairy Godmother From Cinderella

What to wear: A giant white ballgown with a blonde wig. Carry a wand.
How to act: Flighty but sweet.

Sia

What to wear: Pretty much anything you want — you just need a blonde wig worn backwards.
How to act: Don't say anything. You are here for the art.

Christian Grey

What to wear: A slick gray suit and gray tie. Carry some handcuffs, because you never know.
How to act: Cool, calm, collected and very distant.

Mike From Magic Mike XXL

What to wear: No shirt (duh), a purple backwards cap, and a neck bandanna.
How to act: Start practicing your moves now.

Beca From Pitch Perfect 2

What to wear: A black blouse with a cute collar, a red plaid skirt, and a black studded bracelet.
How to act: Like you're just so busy trying to deal with the Bellas and your side gig.

Das Sound Machine From Pitch Perfect 2

What to wear: All the black leather and mesh items you can find, including heavy-duty black boots.
How to act: Put on your best inoffensive German accent and proceed to tell everyone that you're going to ruin them at the World Championship.

Immortan Joe From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: Wear a white wig and white face makeup with an elaborate metal mouthpiece.
How to act: Terrify everyone. You're the bad guy.

Capable From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: Red hair in braids and goggles. Wear a white shawl over a light-colored dress.
How to act: Strong, but still nurturing and vulnerable.

The "Flashlight" Bellas From Pitch Perfect 2

What to wear: Keep it simple with black pants, a black shirt, and a gold lamé jacket.
How to act: Like you're on your own, feeling frightened of the things that you don't know. Kidding! Just sing the song.

The Valkyrie From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: Dark brown pants and top with a scarf over it and lace-up boots. Rock a bow.
How to act: Brave.

Fat Amy and Bumper From Pitch Perfect 2

For her: A pink shirt, capri jeans, and a blond wig.

For him: A green polo and some in-tune pipes.

Toast the Knowing From Mad Max: Fury Road

What to wear: Pull your hair back so it looks like a pixie, and wear a dirty long-sleeved shirt torn on the sides and tied around the middle.
How to act: Like you're ready to run at any moment.

The Barden Bellas From Pitch Perfect 2

What to wear: Black pants with zippered pockets, a white shirt, and a navy vest.
How to act: Like you're gearing up for a big performance against Das Sound Machine.

John and Gail From Pitch Perfect 2

For her: Your sparkliest prom dress will do. Pair with a beehive hairdo and gaudy matching jewelry.

For him: You'll need a full tux. And you should both give a running commentary of everyone around you, judging them harshly.