It's OK to admit it: you already want to be your favorite TV show [1] or movie character IRL, so why not make that dream a reality this Halloween [2]? Whether you want to be Wednesday Addams from "The Addams Family," Barbie from the "Barbie" movie, or Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter [3]," you can bring your onscreen icon to life when you transform into them with a DIY costume [4].
No need to splurge on new items. Channel your character's cool, quirky, or unique style in a totally original (and cheap!) way for spooky season, using clothes and accessories you already have in your closet. Most costumes from movies or TV show Halloween costumes [5] already have wildly cool looks (basically everything worn on "Mean Girls [6]" and every "Clueless" outfit ever), so dressing the part will be easier than you imagined.
Finding easy character costumes to replicate this year should be a breeze with TV shows and movies like "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Finding Nemo," "The Office," "Legally Blonde," "Beetlejuice," "Orange Is the New Black [7]," and more. Ahead, take a peek at the best DIY [8] Halloween [9] costume ideas for some of the most legendary TV and film characters to grace our screens.
Elliot and E.T. From "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
Henry Thomas's character Elliot and the famous extra-terrestrial from 1982's "E.T."
Shop: Faiable Oversized Acid Wash Red Hoodie [10] ($54)
Garth and Kat From "Saturday Night Live"
Fred Armisen's Garth and Kristen Wiig's Kat from their "SNL" skit on the "Weekend Update" segment.
Shop: Sevencolors Short Blonde Pixie Cut Wig [11] ($24)
The Women Prisoners From "Orange Is the New Black"
The ladies from Litchfield Penitentiary in Netflix's "Orange Is the New Black [12]."
Shop: Haysandy Halloween Prisoner Costume [13] ($24)
Beetlejuice From "Beetlejuice"
The creepy titular character from "Beetlejuice."
Shop: Haysandy Store Black and White Striped Suit [14] ($31, originally $35)
Dionne and Cher From "Clueless"
Best friend-duo Dionne and Cher from "Clueless."
Shop: Dreamgirl Fancy Girl Yellow Plaid Set [15] ($36)
Regina George From "Mean Girls"
Regina George's spring fling outfit from "Mean Girls [16]."
Shop: Miqieer Camisole Slip Dress [17] ($21)
Peter Pan and Wendy From "Peter Pan"
Peter Pan and his love Wendy from "Peter Pan."
Shop: Jemitop Store Cotton Vintage Hooded Lace up Shirt [18] ($20)
Darla From "Finding Nemo"
Brace-faced Darla from "Finding Nemo."
Shop: Jinshining Orange Artificial Aquarium Fish [19] ($6)
Elle Woods From "Legally Blonde"
Reese Witherspoon [20]'s Harvard grad, pink-obsessed character from the "Legally Blonde" franchise.
Shop: Cicy Bell Cropped Tweed Blazer Set [21] ($60, originally $83)
Wednesday Addams From "The Addams Family"
Wednesday Addams, daughter of Gomez and Morticia, in "The Addams Family" franchise.
Shop: Aphratti Long Sleeve Fall Dress [22] ($33)
Cruella de Vil From "101 Dalmatians"
The iconic fictional villain from "101 Dalmatians."
Shop: Pextian Store Dalmatian Shawl and Red Gloves [23] ($29)
The Plastics From "Mean Girls"
Karen Smith, Gretchen Wieners, and Regina George from "Mean Girls [24]."
Shop: Woxlica Y2K Graphic Baby Tee [25] ($19)
Hermione Granger From "Harry Potter"
Emma Watson [26]'s Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter [27]."
Shop: Kitihoney Vivid Burgundy Red and Yellow Stripe Hair Accessory [28] ($9)
Mary Poppins From "Mary Poppins"
The magical English nanny from "Mary Poppins."
Shop: Yewong English Nanny Accessory Kit [29] ($29)
Pink Ladies From "Grease"
The pink ladies from the classic movie "Grease."
Shop: Lixinya 50s Pink Satin Jacket [30] ($19)
Squints and Wendy Peffercorn From "The Sandlot"
Squints and Wendy Peffercorn from "The Sandlot."
Shop: Matiniy Guard Outfit [31] ($33)
Gomez and Morticia Addams From "The Addams Family"
Gomez and Morticia Addams from "The Addams Family" movies.
Shop: Fedtoku Gomez Addams Black Striped Blazer Set [32] ($42)
Mia Thermopolis and Lilly Moscovitz From "The Princess Diaries"
Mia Thermopolis and Lilly Moscovitz from "The Princess Diaries" movie franchise.
Shop: Diajosa Cos Uniform Dress [33] ($50)
Agent M and Agent H From "Men in Black: International"
Tessa Thompson's Agent M and Chris Hemsworth's Agent H from the fourth "Men in Black" installment.
Shop: Marycrafts Business Blazer Pant Suit Set [34] ($62)
Lola and Bugs Bunny From "Space Jam"
"Space Jam"'s Lola and Bugs Bunny.
Shop: OKnown Lola Jersey [35] ($15)
Sabrina Spellman From "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"
Sabrina Spellman from Netflix's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."
Shop: Fuinloth Faux Suede Skirt [36] ($29)
Roxanne From "A Goofy Movie"
Roxanne from the "A Goofy Movie" film series.
Shop: Baiyun Classic Wool Beret [37] ($10)
Alexis and Moira Rose From "Schitt's Creek"
Alexis and Moira Rose from "Schitt's Creek [38]."
Shop: Oneyim Floral Long Sleeve Off Shoulder Casual Mini Dress [39] ($20, originally $21)
Klaus Hargreeves From "The Umbrella Academy"
Klaus Hargreeves from Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy [40]."
Shop: Oyoangle Sheer Mesh Short Sleeve T-Shirt [41] ($19)
Dwight Schrute From "The Office"
Rainn Wilson's hilarious "The Office" character, Dwight Schrute.
Shop: Fighero The Office Dwight Schrute Dunder Mifflin ID Badge [42] ($17)
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Balim Tezel
Macy Cate Williams [43] is a former content director of commerce at PS. She literally shops for a living! Based in the Bay Area, Macy finds the best fashion, beauty, fitness, and home products that readers should know about.
Lauren Harano [44] is a contributor for PS and was formerly an editor for PS Living, Beauty, and Shop. She has a passion for skin care, murder mysteries, and online shopping. Aside from PS, her work can be found in the pages of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen as well as online at InStyle, Esquire, NBC, and various food and travel sites.
Balim Tezel [45] (she/her) is a shopping updates editor at PS and the founder of Maison des Nus, a New York-based affordable luxury brand. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
