The 10 Most Popular Halloween Costumes of 2026, Ranked
Mental Floss • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Halloween costume trends in 2026 are heavily influenced by Hollywood, with popular characters from movies, TV shows, and viral media dominating party choices over traditional costumes like witches and ghosts.
- The animated musical "K-Pop Demon Hunters" leads costume searches, with over 200,000 Google queries for its pastel-haired pop star and demon slayer characters, offering affordable and distinctive wig-based outfits.
- Pennywise the clown remains a top choice, fueled by nearly 600,000 searches and the 2025 HBO prequel "It: Welcome to Derry," keeping creepy clown costumes popular.
- The villain/victim Nikki Freeman from the 2026 horror hit "Obsession" has gone viral on social media, with her distinctive red-and-black zebra-striped outfit becoming a trending and budget-friendly costume option.
- Country music legend Dolly Parton ranks fourth in popularity, with over 444,000 costume-related searches focusing on her iconic blonde wigs and rhinestone outfits, reflecting her lasting cultural impact.
