We have literally hundreds of Halloween costumes [1] inspired by pop culture around here, and though a timeless TV- or movie-inspired costume is always a winner, there is something cooler about picking something timely. With that in mind, we have tons of costumes for women [2] and men [3] from pop culture that are still very hot. From hit 2017 movies like Wonder Woman and It to TV shows everyone's talking about like Game of Thrones and Westworld, here are some relevant, fun ideas.
Offred From The Handmaid's Tale
- What to wear: A red hooded cape and a large white headpiece that covers your face.
- How to act: Don't attract attention. Glare at the men and whisper conspiratorially with your girlfriends.
The Night 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.
Rita Repulsa From Power Rangers
- What to wear: A green leotard and leggings with green armbands. Carry a gold staff.
- How to act: Literally insane.
Euron Greyjoy From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A swaggy leather outfit [6] and a creepy little mustache.
- How to act: Like a total jerk, but kinda funny.
Pennywise From It
- What to wear: A ruffly, elaborate clown costume, white makeup, and an orange wig.
- How to act: Smile a horrifying, toothy smile. Do a creepy-ass jig [7].
Teddy Flood From Westworld
- What to wear: An all-gray suit with a brown cowboy hat. If you want a prop, bring along Dolores's can of milk that she drops every time she encounters Teddy's character.
- How to act: Heroic, daring, and overprotective of Dolores.
Sword-Wielding Gala Wonder Woman
- What to wear: Go this route for Wonder Woman, which has already become a thing [8] since the movie came out this year. You rock a hot gown, then put your (plastic, please) sword down the back of it.
- How to act: Pull that sword out when sh*t gets real . . .
Like This.
Chris From Get Out
- What to wear: Jeans and a t-shirt with another button-down over it. Integrate a chair into your costume so you can hold the arms tightly.
- How to act: Don't speak; just keep your eyes open with a single tear on your face while you sink into the chair.
Ruth AKA Zoya the Destroya From GLOW
- What to wear: A metallic blue and red leotard with red arm-warmers. Tease your hair and wear dark lipstick and makeup.
- How to act: Body slam people. Use of comically bad Russian accent totally up to you.
Missy From Get Out
- What to wear: Hip-mom turquoise jewelry and a tan blouse. Your key accessory is a teacup that you are constantly stirring.
- How to act: Fake nice. Pretend to be interested in what people have to say while stirring your tea cup and staring deeply into their eyes.
Queen Elizabeth II From The Crown
- What to wear: A gown with a faux fur stole, white gloves, and a tiara of course. Your jewels should blind all the commoners.
- How to act: Like royalty.
Lorraine From Atomic Blonde
- What to wear: A black dress and long black leather coat with knee-high boots. Rock a short blond wig and sunglasses.
- How to act: Kick all the ass.
The Mountain From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: Unless the person reading this is Shaq, we're going to go ahead and assume you're not nine feet tall, so don't worry about your size. This costume is a little tough, though, considering the undead Gregor Clegane rocks a full suit of golden armor. You can always wear a gold, long-sleeved shirt and pants, and then just buy a helmet if you want to keep things simple. Just make sure you make any visible skin look like the gray, rotting flesh of a corpse.
- How to act: Totally silent and totally terrifying.
Maeve From Westworld
- What to wear: A purplish Western saloon dress and your hair up with an elaborate purple headpiece.
- How to act: In control, then very confused.
Queen Hippolyta From Wonder Woman
- What to wear: All gold and fur. Make sure your bodysuit has a skirt with a high slit. Rock a cool gold headpiece with your hair cascading down your back.
- How to act: Authoritarian, but tender.
Steve Trevor
- What to wear: An old-timey pilot's costume, like a brown leather jacket under another army fatigue jacket.
- How to act: Gallant and strong, but like you really know who's boss (and it ain't you).
Belle From Beauty and the Beast
- What to wear: Time to bust out the yellow ballgown! Wear the dress of your childhood dreams with your hair all done up.
- How to act: Strong-willed, but like you're about to fall in love at any minute . . . with the hairiest dude in your vicinity.
Lyanna Mormont From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A black turtleneck under a fluffy black fur and black leather gloves. Part your hair in the middle and pull it halfway back.
- How to act: Don't say a lot, but when you do, speak with authority and finality. Hold your hand up to silence the prattle of others.
Ayesha From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- What to wear: Head-to-toe gold, even on your skin. You gotta go for it.
- How to act: Like a goddess.
Cersei Lannister From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: For I-Just-Blew-Everyone-Up Cersei, wear short blond hair, a crown, a long black long-sleeved dress, and some kind of silver designs for your shoulders. If you want to go the extra mile, stick a bunch of fake swords to your back so it looks like you're sitting on the Iron Throne no matter where you are.
- How to act: Cersei always has the best, most cutting comebacks, so make sure you're on your game on Oct. 31. Also, have a glass of red wine to swirl around threateningly at any given moment.
Betty From Riverdale
- What to wear: A tight sweater with a white collared shirt underneath and jeans. Pull your hair back into a perky little pony and plaster a smile on your face.
- How to act: Perky, bright, and sweet. But if you get tired of that, feel free to go Dark Betty and act out a little.
Baby Groot From Guardians of the Galaxy 2
- What to wear: A tree costume with big baby eyes.
- How to act: Say "I am Groot" in a tiny baby voice and do some really adorable dances.
Eleven From Stranger Things
- What to wear: There are a few versions of Eleven you could be (Government Prisoner Elle, Hamburger-Eating Elle, etc.), but let's stick with the most recognizable. If you're not planning on shaving your head (pause and think about how much time it'll save you in the morning before deciding), get yourself some kind of flesh-colored skull cap or a bad blond wig. Then, find a high-necked baby-pink dress with a white collar, a blue jacket, striped knee socks, white Converse, and a chunky black watch. As a bonus, dribble some fake blood out of your nose and carry around an empty box of Eggo waffles.
- How to act: Since Eleven barely speaks throughout the series, you're off the hook for having to say anything out loud until Nov. 1. Practice staring intently and trying to move things with your brain (and be sure to let us know if you succeed).
Archie From Riverdale
- What to wear: A t-shirt, a cardigan, jeans, Converse, and a red wig. Don't forget your letterman jacket and a guitar.
- How to act: Like a jock who just wants to follow his dreams of being a singer. You're basically Troy Bolton, only moodier.
Tormund Giantsbane From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: Lots of furs, plus a sword and a wild beard and untamed hair.
- How to act: Like you're meant to be in the wild but you're slightly domesticated.
Mia From La La Land
- What to wear: A glam blue cocktail dress and red wig. You definitely need some comfortable tap or dance shoes.
- How to act: Sing, dance, and show ambition.
Dolores From Westworld
- What to wear: A long-sleeved blue Western-style dress with a full skirt (a petticoat would help). Belt it with a brown leather belt and pull your hair up halfway.
- How to act: Tough and suspicious. Perhaps a little prone to violence.
Barb From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Barb's role in Stranger Things [11] might not be the most robust, but her wardrobe certainly is. Once you've figured out a way to get her short red hairstyle, get a plaid shirt with as many ruffles as possible, high-waisted light-wash (mom) jeans, a thin watch, and some Sally Jessy Raphael glasses. Feel free to tote around a fake notebook or binder.
- How to act: A little bit aloof and uncomfortable in social situations, Barb acts a bit like Nancy's mom throughout the show. Stay away from any pools, and refuse any and all offers of beer, especially if someone asks you to shotgun it.
Doctor Poison From Wonder Woman
- What to wear: A simple black dress with sleeves. Pull your hair back and fashion a flesh-colored mask that covers half your face.
- How to act: Suspicious and worried. Rush off to go check on your lab creations.
Nancy From Stranger Things
- What to wear: If you don't have long brown hair, get yourself a long brown wig and pin it back on both sides of your head. Then, pair it with a cutesy striped sweater or button-down (buttoned all the way up, naturally) and a high-waisted skirt or jeans. If you go for a skirt, make sure you wear it with white tights and flats. Keep in mind Nancy's cool accessories, which include her homework, notebooks, and a bat.
- How to act: By the end of season one, Nancy proves herself to be not only book smart, but street smart as well. Be the girl with the plan on Oct. 31.
Wonder Woman
What to wear: You know the classic Wonder Woman look, but the modernized version is a bit darker. Get your hands on a shield, a lasso, and some arm cuffs. As for the armor, it's very reminiscent of a gladiator, so if you don't want to settle for any old premade costume, collect the pieces yourself.
How to act: Like a total badass. This woman doesn't take sh*t from anyone.
Jon Snow From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A big, fuzzy fur jacket over your dark-colored battle gear and boots. Wear a black curly wig and carry a sword.
- How to act: Brave and gallant but intimidated by women.
Steve Harrington From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Tuck a striped, long-sleeved polo into some belted khakis and rock a pair of brown loafers [13]. Feel free to pop the collar.
- How to act: Charmingly cocky is Steve's MO, so don't be afraid to get your flirt on.
Veronica From Riverdale
- What to wear: Think updated Blair Waldorf. A tailored but flirty dress (i.e., plenty short), plus a string of pearls and heels.
- How to act: Classy, but like you also know how to have a good time. Find a redhead at the party and insist on calling him "Archie-kins."
Debbie AKA Liberty Belle From GLOW
- What to wear: An all-gold leotard and shiny gold tights.
- How to act: Like you're a real proud American who also wrestles.
The Gunslinger From The Dark Tower
- What to wear: All-black everything. Lots of leather.
- How to act: Protective and brave. Don't talk a lot.
Jughead From Riverdale
- What to wear: A sweater, jeans, black boots, and a gray hat (that looks like a crown, preferably). If you're feeling creative, you can also wear a leather jacket with a snake stitched on the back.
- How to act: You're weird. You're a weirdo. Relate to the world by using sardonic humor.
Jim Hopper From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Halloween [15] retailers have plenty of different versions of cop costumes, so if you search for one in a khaki color, like a state trooper, your Hopper costume will be complete. Grow out or paste on some 5 o'clock shadow if possible, and maybe carry around an empty beer can for good measure.
- How to act: Picture your most hungover, irritable moment, and then try to keep that attitude going all night.
Dustin From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Dustin's red, white, and blue baseball hat shouldn't be hard to mimic if you buy a plain white hat and some red and blue paint. Once that's done, pick up a curly brown wig, an old-school graphic t-shirt, some brown corduroys, a denim jacket, and a backpack. Also consider getting something to make it look like you're missing your front teeth.
- How to act: Dustin is a total scene-stealer, so you should be, too. Get ready to bust out some tricks this Halloween [16] (like cracking your arms in a cringe-inducing way, for instance), and make sure you keep your friends laughing.
The Young Pope
- What to wear: A full pope costume.
- How to act: Smoke, cuss, and generally misbehave.
Josie From Riverdale
- What to wear: Go full kitty rockstar with a leopard-print bodysuit, tail, and cat ears. You also obviously need a mic to belt it out.
- How to act: Sing your little heart out.
Laura AKA X-23 From Logan
- What to wear: Jeans, a t-shirt, a jacket, and a backpack, but what you really need are the claws.
- How to act: Barely speak, but do growl. Prance around like a cat who's about to attack.
Newt Scamander From Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- What to wear: A vintage three-piece suit with a brown vest, a green jacket, and a little bow tie. Carry a large leather suitcase bursting at the seams.
- How to act: A little stressed and harried and like you've got to get this suitcase somewhere soon.
Joyce From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Joyce has a more low-key '80s mom look than the rest of the parents on the show, so all you'll really need is a thin dark jacket, a striped shirt or chunky turtleneck sweater, and flared jeans with a shaggy brown bob hairstyle. If you really want to hammer home the fact you're dressing up as her, consider bringing a rubber axe or a piece of cardboard painted with the alphabet out with you. You could even go one step further and wrap part of your body in colorful Christmas lights.
- How to act: Tense. Very, very tense. To really nail your portrayal of Joyce, walk around whatever Halloween [17] party you're attending while yelling, "WILL!" and "Where's my boy?! Find my boy!" over and over again.
Mantis From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- What to wear: A pair of flesh-colored antennae on your head and a metallic minidress.
- How to act: Meek but friendly.