Top 10 Best Halloween Costumes for 2024

The tenniscore and old money trends really took off in 2024 partially thanks to Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” Whether she was turning heads in a strapless blue party dress or practicing in a Stanford University hoodie, Zendaya’s Tashi Duncan immediately became everyone’s summer style icon. To emulate the fashionista this Halloween, find a light blue wrap shirt dress and a pair of Ray-Bans for a chic ensemble. Or serve up Tashi’s sporty, on-the-court decked-out Adidas look in a white tennis tank dress with matching tennis shoes. Check out Zendaya’s stunning red carpet looks for some more preppy inspiration. The boys are easy — Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson costumes just require some shorts paired with tanks, button-ups, or polos. Tennis rackets are a must.

In 2022, Ti West released two hit horror films, “X” and “Pearl,” both of which inspired some killer 70s and 50s-era Halloween costumes. This summer, the Mia Goth-led trilogy concluded with the Hollywood-set slasher “MaXXXine.” The titular character slayed in a number of uber 80s outfits, including a striking light-washed denim and white pumps audition look. The most recognizable piece is her iconic green satin bomber jacket, often paired with jeans and a tee. For something more dramatic, wear it with a shimmering black mini dress, fishnets, bold red eye makeup, and chunky gold hoops. Bonus points if you have someone be Kevin Bacon’s very distinct-looking PI John Labat. No matter what you pick, you’re sure to be the star of the show.

From her classic red and black harlequin jumpsuit to Margot Robbie’s more colorful iterations, Harley Quinn has been a popular costume for years. With Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” set to release this October, we expect to see a lot of Lady Gaga’s grounded version of the DC villainess. Harleen “Lee” Quinzel has a fun wardrobe — a collared blue floral mini dress, a similarly short white wedding dress with a veil, and a couple of cozy-looking sweaters. The Harley-est of them all is a red peplum blazer, corset top, leather mini skirt, diamond tights, and black ankle boots. Instead of the signature pigtails, Lee goes grunge with a slicked-back blonde ‘do. Top it off with classic harlequin makeup and a red lip.

Chappell Roan has been around for a while but didn’t have her breakthrough into the mainstream music industry until 2024. If you’re feeling ambitious, pick one of the singer-songwriter’s many gorgeously over-the-top outfits from red carpets, live performances, music videos, and more. Channel your inner pageant queen like on the album cover for “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” with a bluish dress, red curly wig, tiara, sash, white laced-up gloves, and a pink bouquet. Or if you really want a challenge, try her instantly iconic Statue of Liberty look worn at Gov Ball. Other fabulous options include her VMAs armor, the Osheaga fairy, or her sparkly “Hot-To-Go” leotard. Who knows, Roan might even give you a shoutout.

Even if you’re not a football fan, you more than likely know of the famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Their eye-catching uniform has been a classic Halloween costume for decades but we expect a resurgence in popularity this year. In June 2024, Netflix debuted its docu-series that took viewers behind the scenes of a DCC cheerleader’s grueling auditions, training camps, and amazing performances. While the iconic ensemble has evolved over the decades, the current iteration pairs a long-sleeved blue top and white fringe vest with blue stars and matching shorts. Complete the look with white cowboy boots, a set of pom poms, and beauty queen-worthy hair. Or rock a Dolly Parton-inspired bedazzled version. You can assemble your own DCC squad or go solo. No split jumps required.

If you’re looking for something comfortable and topical this Halloween, dressing up as a Summer Olympian is the way to go. One fashionably patriotic group getup would be Team USA Gymnastics — Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera. They wore eight custom-made leotards in various red, white, and blue designs adorned in gorgeous Swarovski crystals. These GK Elite-crafted uniforms would retail for upwards of $3,000. However, the sportswear designer released a limited collection of replicas available to purchase for a more reasonable price, which you can accessorize with multiple gold medals. If you want to be super unserious this Halloween, breakdancing Olympian and viral sensation Rachael “Raygun” Gunn is another solid option.

Taylor Swift dominated 2023 with her worldwide Eras Tour live performances and the concert film that topped the box office. In April 2024, the songstress released her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” and with the new songs came new jaw-dropping outfits. The most talked about might be the custom Vivienne Westwood white taffeta corset dress covered in lyrics, paired with white laced ankle boots. Swift’s glittering bustier and high-waisted shorts combos with bedazzled tailcoats, though, are the looks we really expect to see for Halloween this year because they’re easy to recreate. Have the Travis Kelce to your Taylor Swift don a tuxedo and tophat for an Eras couples costume, or opt for their game day ensembles with Kansas City Chiefs jerseys.

You can never go wrong being a witch for All Hallow’s Eve. And with the November 2024 release of Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” film adaptation on the way, fans of the long-running musical are ready to break out their broomsticks. For Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, you’ll need green face and/or body paint, the classic long black dress, and a pointed hat. As for G(a)linda the Good Witch, wear a sparkly pink ball gown, with a crown and wand. Each costume can be purchased just about anywhere, including updated versions worn in the new film. Or grab a friend and channel one of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s spellbinding “Wicked”-themed green and pink press tour looks.

To say Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” was one of, if not the, most highly-anticipated movie of 2024 would be an understatement. Fans were even more excited when they found out that Hugh Jackman would finally wear Wolverine’s comic-accurate yellow and blue X-Men suit for the first time. We’d definitely be surprised if we didn’t see several Wolverines with their claws out this season. There are also many variants of Deadpool to choose from — Ladypool, Cowboypool, or Nicepool with his little Dogpool. And if you decide to go as the titular duo with your own partner in crime, you definitely need a Deadpool and Wolverine BFF heart necklace set.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Anxiety, “Inside Out 2” (2024)
Despite the Character Name, Riley’s New Emotion Is a Fun Costume

Rebranded JoJo Siwa, “Karma” Music Video (2024)
Go Wild with the Popstar’s Meme-able Bad Girl Era Look

Emily Cooper & Mindy Chen, “Emily in Paris” (2020-)
Channel the Bold, Maximalist Style of These Paris-Bound Fashionistas

Penelope Featherington, “Bridgerton” (2020-)
Replicate Lady Whistledown’s Season 3 Glow Up

Sabrina Carpenter & Jenna Ortega, “Taste” Music Video
Dress Up as the Killer Duo We Didn’t Know We Needed…Gore & All!

Over three decades after “Beetlejuice,” Tim Burton finally blessed us with a much-needed sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, and just in time for the spooky season. Certified scream queen Jenna Ortega joined the cast as Astrid, the daughter of Winona Ryder’s ultimate goth girl Lydia Deetz. To recreate Astrid’s style, wear a striped sweater dress with knee-high socks, black combat boots, a long coat, and a permanent scowl, or don her afterlife gown. Easily make this a friends/family affair by adding Lydia in her all-black look or red wedding dress. Get creative with both living and dead characters, as well, like the artsy Delia Deetz, the colorful Miss Argentina, Delores, or Wolf Jackson. Of course, there’s also the Ghost with the Most’s signature striped suit. The possibilities are endless!

Have you decided on your Halloween costume this year? Share the deets in the comments below.