17 Cartoon Character Costume Ideas to Inspire You This Halloween
Halloween is all about the thrill of finding the perfect costume, feasting on frighteningly sweet treats, and having fun for the whole night. As we prep for the holiday, our anticipation cannot be contained as the surge of timely makeup looks and hairstyle inspiration continues to circulate by the hour. If you are just as excited but have no idea what to wear, there's no need to panic if you haven't decided on a costume yet — dressing up as your favorite cartoon will definitely turn heads and spark major nostalgia.
When looking for easy cartoon characters to dress up as, there are a few things to note. First: what are your personal favorite cartoon Halloween characters, and which are also beloved in pop culture? It's hard to resist bringing iconic characters like Cruella de Vil, Princess Tiana, Daria, or Carmen Sandiego to life. And because they are so popular, it's easy for people to get the reference, whether you re-create the look to the letter or go a bit more abstract.
It's safe to say that pop culture costumes will never go out of style, and new inspiration continues to thrive each year. Additionally, if you're a beauty lover, not only is Halloween your time to shine and truly flex those face-painting skills, but you can also prove once and for all that you are a wig-styling master. Seriously, what's not to love about this holiday?
Whether you would like to debut a look as a couple or fly solo with the most colorful hair in the room, we've got you covered. Here are 17 cartoon character Halloween costumes that are a blast from the past and will bring smiles to every person at the party.
— Additional reporting by Tasha Dowbachuk
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Cruella de Vil
Whip out that long, sleek, black dress and pair it with green earrings and a green ring to resemble the evil high-fashion icon Cruella de Vil. Don't forget to add a pair of red gloves, a large faux-fur coat, and a split-colored black-and-white wig to tie the look together.
DIY Cruella de Vil Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Carmen Sandiego
Channel your inner superspy by assembling the ultimate red outfit, and go as Carmen Sandiego. Tie the look together with red lipstick and a long black wig, and you're ready to save the world.
DIY Carmen Sandiego Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Esmeralda
Dance the night away in your best red dress and gold jewelry to resemble the beautiful and fearless Esmeralda from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
DIY Esmeralda Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Eris
Want to flaunt a long purple dress? Looks like the goddess of Chaos known as Eris from "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" is your perfect match. Sport a sultry smoky eye with a set of red contact lenses to tie the look together.
DIY Eris Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Maleficent
Maleficent is so articulately and seductively evil that it's a wonder Prince Phillip doesn't forget all about Aurora. If you love getting dramatic and playing with face paint, she's an easy one.
DIY Maleficent Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Tiana
Have a tiara and the ability to make a fluffy updo? Then you, too, can be Princess Tiana. You could dress up as the frog version of her as well, which basically just involves a lot of green body paint.
DIY Princess Tiana Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Jessica Rabbit
Jessica Rabbit is one of the sexiest cartoons of all time, and it's easy to see why. Get the look with a big red wig, red lipstick, false lashes, and purple eyeshadow.
DIY Jessica Rabbit Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Jasmine
A piece of blue ribbon with a jewel glued to it, a low ponytail, winged eyeliner, big earrings, and some seafoam pajamas will give you an easy Princess Jasmine Halloween costume.
DIY Princess Jasmine Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Daria Morgendorffer
Got 10 minutes to put together a costume? Fluff your hair up, grab a pair of glasses, and channel lots of sarcasm to go as Daria. She wouldn't want it any other way.
DIY Daria Morgendorffer Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Wonder Woman
Generations of women have fantasized about wearing Diana Prince's golden tiara on top of jet-black curls. The tiara is easy to make with gold foil or cardboard and spray paint, and her hair only requires a wig or a set of hot rollers (and lots of hairspray).
DIY Wonder Woman Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dora the Explorer
Dora is the antithesis of the sexy, expensive costumes that have dominated Halloween in recent years. Just get a cheap brunette bob wig, a pink T-shirt, and a backpack to pull off the look.
DIY Dora the Explorer Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lydia Deetz
If you were a kid in the early '90s, you probably remember the "Beetlejuice" cartoon, which followed the post-movie adventures of Lydia and Betelgeuse. Any kind of black dress paired with white face paint and Lydia's cartoony eye makeup will suffice, and if you already have dark, bobbed hair, it's a natural fit.
DIY Lydia Deetz Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Gadget
The mouse with the mostest from "Rescue Rangers" just requires ears, goggles, a blond wig, and a jumpsuit.
DIY Gadget Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Mononoke
If you have friends who are up on their anime, Princess Mononoke is certain to be a big hit. Triangle stencils will allow you to do her face paint at home with ease.
DIY Princess Mononoke Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch
Dr. Girlfriend from "The Venture Bros." is eminently capable and extremely attractive. If you have a pink dress or a Jackie O. costume, this one's a cakewalk. And in a pinch, any cute, retro dress and a brunette bob will suffice.
DIY Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lisa Simpson
If you've always wanted to try punky liberty spikes, here's your chance.
DIY Lisa Simpson Halloween Costume
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Rainbow Brite
Admit it: you've always secretly wanted a purple star tattoo under your left eye. And that rainbow belt? A must.