Halloween is right around the corner, which means that it’s time to once again cosplay as a costume designer and build a look that will inspire, delight, or possibly even traumatize your friends and family. On this most spooky of days, shock and awe are top priority.
Many of the best Halloween costumes are inspired by movies, and with a strong slate of characters in this year’s flicks, you’ve got all manner of options to play with. The 2025 box office is a story of big swings and big formats getting rewarded—for instance, Paul Thomas Anderson may finally get his Oscar for a movie that was, one, shot on VistaVision and, two, features a character named Junglepussy. Meanwhile, Weapons drew people of all ages to IMAX theaters (and brought a horde of murderous children to the silver screen).
There’s no better way to celebrate this year’s cinematic achievements than with Halloween costumes inspired by them, so here are a few ideas to get you started.
The Mission: Impossible Entity
Who’s a good fit: The great thing about the Entity is its accessibility. The self-aware, malevolent AI system intent on watching humanity destroy itself is a “come one, come all” kind of costume—not beholden to any specific type of person so long as they’re comfortable explaining their getup 10-plus times in one night. As Agent Eugene Kittredge explains to Ethan Hunt, “Whoever controls the Entity controls the truth,” which means that you basically win at Halloween if you choose to dress as it. Suddenly, you’re the one who knows how many times Tom Cruise googles himself each day or what kind of drugs Christopher McQuarrie was on when he wrote that biplane scene.
“Wow” factor: The wows you elicit with this costume are entirely dependent on how you choose to interpret this cybernetic harbinger of doom. You could dress as a computer screen, a complex chain of code, or even a weird, ethereal blue swirly thing. While the latter may require a bit more creative thinking, it would be well worth it for the number of folks mistaking you for the iris of an eye or, better yet, an internet buffering symbol. If you really want to stun as the Entity, you could even adopt its menacing baritone voice and yell, “The end is coming, Ethan!” to anyone in your orbit.
Controversy/social lubricant level: AI is all we hear about these days, so, yeah … you’re gonna get some hot takes with this one. (Follow-up: Could AI dream up this costume? I think not!) Not only are you dressing as an artificial intelligence system, but you’re also dressing as one intent on world domination and killing Tom Cruise. What on earth will the Top Gun stans think? I especially recommend wearing an Entity costume to a Halloween party with at least a few tech bros in attendance so that you can sneakily draw out their wholly unfounded AI arguments (“People didn’t like the printing press at first, either!”).
Dakota Johnson’s Materialists Bangs
Who’s a good fit: Obviously, if you’re already a brunette with bangs, you’ve got a running start here—all the more so if your bangs are perfectly blown out, with that “Oh, what? I just woke up like this! I don’t even own a comb!” vibe to them. And you’ll have another leg up if your natural aura could be described as mild-mannered and, simultaneously, overflowing with rage. This is also a great one for all the girlies seeking the bare-minimum costume this year. Beyond, you know, having bangs, the only thing you really have to worry about is maintaining a vaguely detached air of superiority.
“Wow” factor: Frankly, there’s not a lot of shock going on here. We all know that Dakota Johnson has perfect bangs and that any character she plays will be the most aggravatingly indecisive person since Hamlet. If you’re ready to go truly balls to the wall with this one, try … becoming the bangs? That is, brown bangs all over your body—back and front, head to toe. Perhaps you even keep a pair of scissors on you at your party, convincing your chronically single friends that trimming their bangs will magically repair their love lives.
Controversy/social lubricant level: By choosing a Materialists-related costume, you take on great social responsibility—namely, tolerating all your rich friends arguing that limb-lengthening surgeries “are actually pretty reasonable” or listening to them talk about their experiences dating, gasp, “middle-class” people. Your broke friends, on the other hand, will remember that Johnson’s character dresses like that and lives like that on only $80k in New York City, so be prepared to be a vessel for their rage. Also, beware: If you don’t normally have bangs, you will likely receive at least five comments saying that “you look so much better with bangs,” leading to an instant post-Halloween ego deflation.
Ylfa (and Her Sauce) From Mickey 17
Who’s a good fit: To embody Ylfa, the eccentric wife of expedition leader Kenneth Marshall, it helps to possess a strong working knowledge of sauce. Barbecue, soy, fish, tomato—it doesn’t matter; just pick a sauce and wholly devote yourself to it. As Ylfa herself puts it, “Sauce is the true litmus test of civilization,” so whatever sauce you rep, you’d better be able to rep it loud and proud. I would highly recommend this costume to anyone who has ever dreamed of wearing a silky, bright yellow blouse with a bow the size of a small child (haven’t we all?) or someone who dreams about the Sweetgreen sauce options when they close their eyes at night.
“Wow” factor: Ylfa may not be the most obvious costume, but if you can execute a Toni Collette–level performance, the universe will reward you for it. Think big smiles, wide eyes, and hammy jokes at every opportunity. And the more sauces you can carry on your person at one time, the better. (Whether that be in a pouch, jar, or baggy is completely at your discretion.) There’s also the option to carry around a NutriBullet cup full of whatever concoction you’ve thrown together, because who isn’t wowed by fresh, homemade sauce?
Controversy/social lubricant level: If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, pillage some ketchup and mustard packets from your local Wendy’s and delight in the faces of the many confused and borderline offended 10-year-olds when you hand out condiments instead of candy. We’re all familiar with the health nuts who swap out Reese’s for apples, but I doubt that anyone's ever handed out Chick-fil-A sauce on Halloween. Becoming Ylfa also gives you the excuse to be unabashedly forward in your conversations. If there’s a hottie you’ve got your eye on, simply think of how much Ylfa fawns over her plasticky politician husband and go forth with confidence.
Craig and Austin From Friendship
Who’s a good fit: This is maybe the most clear-cut best-friend costume of all time (especially if your friendship is tinged with jealousy, obsession, insecurity, and/or the smells of your local sewer system). That’s not to say that you and your buddy can’t pull off this pairing if your friendship is peachy keen—it just won’t hit the same. To truly become Craig and Austin, I recommend locking yourselves in a room for 48 hours before Halloween and listening exclusively to punk rock music. It also helps if you live somewhere that’s chilly in October because, yes, you will need to wear those massive puffer coats.
“Wow” factor: The “wow” factor of a Craig-and-Austin costume is very context dependent, i.e., are you dropping by a Halloween party where at least half the attendees own A24 tote bags? Do you live within two miles of an indie cinema? These are the boxes you need to be checking. God forbid you live in the suburbs of a small midwestern city … you’ll probably just be mistaken for two forlorn members of a divorced dads support group. To up your “wow” factor, ensure that one of you wears a hairpiece that can and will fall off with the slightest bit of movement, then wrestle on the carpet in front of all your neighbors.
Controversy/social lubricant level: Tim Robinson is a master of yelling, screaming, and LOUD TALKING, so it is fully within your right to spend most of your Halloween making aggressive pronouncements at a far from socially acceptable volume. Approach every interaction with Craig’s motto of “Just ask”—i.e., feel free to ask your friends all the taboo personal questions you would normally withhold. Also encouraged: wrestling with your friend over a gun on the floor, stuffing a bar of soap in your mouth, learning the ins and outs of local weather programming, and driving around town in a snazzy yellow Corvette.
Principal Miller (and His Hot Dogs) From Weapons
Who’s a good fit: Do you light up whenever you see pigs in a blanket or bratwurst at a barbecue? Is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest your Super Bowl? If so, look no further than Marcus Miller from Weapons. While Principal Miller is one of the movie’s more minor characters, he makes up for the lack of screen time by boldly chowing down on a perfectly plated tray of seven mustard-topped glizzies. If you want or need an excuse to eat a lot of beef this Halloween—because God only knows what they’ll be serving at the party—simply don a mustache, suit, and tie and grill up your prop/dinner.
“Wow” factor: “Wow, that’s the character from Weapons you chose to go as?” is probably the first and most-asked question you will get as Marcus “Wiener” Miller. In this situation, the key is to maintain your pride and not let the vegetarians, organic foodies, and other haters get you down. The real “wow” moment this Halloween will be you embracing that dog in you as all your friends go hungry or pick at a bowl of stale pretzels. For some extra pizzazz, I recommend going as the zombified/cursed version of Miller, complete with bulging eyes, a bloody face, and grimy teeth.
Controversy/social lubricant level: Hot dogs are a noble passion, but not everyone around you will be enlightened enough to realize this. Thus, you’ll probably receive some suspicious side-eyes, concerned taps on the shoulder, and, perhaps, whispered questions about your health (mental and physical). On the bright side, though, sharing is caring. As soon as you start handing out your wieners to the partygoers, you’re sure to rack up some major social capital. Also, let us not forget that you are, at the end of the day, a school administrator. You can always break the ice with a new acquaintance by yelling at them for violating the dress code or asking if their mom is baking cookies for the next parent-teacher association meeting.
White Guy Who Wants You to Know He Saw Sinners
Who’s a good fit: You’re a man. You’re as white as printer paper. You own no less than three baseball caps that say the name of a studio, cinema, or director, and you’re first to the store for every Barnes & Noble Criterion sale. So vast is your esteemed DVD collection that you’ll belabor over which ones to carry around as part of this costume.
Most importantly, you’re willing to fully commit to the bit and roast yourself. Yes, you fulfill the “well-intentioned but obnoxious ally” stereotype. Yes, your main education on Black cinema has come from watching Quentin Tarantino talk about Black cinema.
“Wow” factor: To up the ante on this concept, try to go as hard as possible on the film-bro accoutrements; e.g., don a Steve McQueen Small Axe shirt and a Mubi tote bag. I suggest printing out and displaying a fake QR code ticket to Sinners (or, better yet, digging up your real one) and carrying a book about Spike Lee under your arm.
Controversy/social lubricant level: For better or worse, you run a very real risk of people assuming you didn’t wear a costume this year, in which case you may have to really ham up your comments about Ryan Coogler as an “exciting new voice in Black cinema” or monologue about how moved you were by the dance sequence’s sociohistorical metaphors. By doubling down on your Halloween persona, you’ll assure your friends that you’re “not actually that guy, OK?!” even though you are that guy, and, frankly, all of us are, because Sinners ripped.
The “Alpha” From 28 Years Later
Who’s a good fit: For those possessing or manifesting Big Dick Energy, your costume hunt stops here. Although it may not be your dream to have a massive, pendulum-esque zombie dong, per se, it’s still close enough to a human one. Also, while I lack firsthand experience, I can’t help but think that procuring a massive prosthetic penis would be a really fun time. If life’s been rough lately, become the Alpha to find a little phallic cheer.
“Wow” factor: Prepare to wow each person you meet for very different reasons. Your ex-girlfriend: wowed by the fact that you would stoop so low. Your mom: wowed by your total disregard for all the good etiquette she taught you. Your brother: wowed by the fact he didn’t think of it first. To up the surprise even more, swing around a bloody, severed body part of your choice. Also, make various loud, guttural noises to remind everyone that you’re packing a solid 12 inches, just in case they forget to look down.
Controversy/social lubricant level: Don’t wear it to a party with children, and you’ll probably be fine (I hope). Encountering folks who don’t get it—the tsk, tsk, tsk-ers who shake their heads and look away in secondhand shame—is inevitable, but you’re the mother-effin’ Alpha! You of all people/zombies can handle it. You also have ample opportunity to persuade potential hookups that your prosthetic isn’t too far from the real deal or that, at the very least, it captures your enormous … spirit. When you’re parading as a well-endowed zombie, your unapologetic machismo will surely spark some interesting conversations—or arguments, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.
The Entwined Couple From Together
Who’s a good fit: If you’re into makeup, boy, do I have a challenge for you! Turning yourself and your partner into a grotesque mishmash of body parts will allow you to use every makeup tool you’ve got (and then some) to craft arms that are maybe actually legs, Silly Putty–like skin, eyeballs with teeth sticking out of them. I would also suggest not attempting this costume until you and your partner have been together for at least two years. While it makes sense here to be romantically involved with your costume partner, it’ll probably make your friends even more uncomfortable if you aren’t, sparking questions like, “Uhh, are you guys enjoying this? Should I just … yeah, I’m just gonna go.”
“Wow” factor: Yes, plenty. In fact, the risk you run with this getup is too much wow factor. For the sake of not completely decimating all your competition in the costume contest, try to show some modesty. For example, maybe leave the couple’s slimy tongue-hand thing on the cutting-room floor. It wouldn’t be fair to the other couples—the Bellas and Edwards, the Travises and Taylors—to blow them out of the water so brazenly. However, if you truly don’t care about playing nice, this is another great opportunity to use that prosthetic penis.
Controversy/social lubricant level: Is love controversial? I would surely hope not! If anyone tries to give you a hard time for your corporal creation, just remind them how God said in the Bible that “the two shall become one flesh.” Even your atheist friends will be like, “OK, sure.” This costume is also a great way to announce your engagement in public, sparing you from the oh-so-boring FaceTime calls and social media photo shoots. There’s no better way to reveal that you’re spending the rest of your lives together than by binding yourselves together with latex and plaster.
Every 2025 Pedro Pascal Character All at Once
Who’s a good fit: From Materialists to Eddington to The Fantastic Four, Pedro’s had quite the year, so why not celebrate his achievements with the ultimate Halloween homage? Even if you’re a mere fair-weather Pedro fan, this is an opportunity not to be missed—a chance to finally (finally!) answer the question: What if you put a cool, rustic vest on Mister Fantastic? And then made him really suave and rich, too? This is also a great bet if you can’t decide what “vibe” of costume you want this year. You can really cover all the bases, from sexy to cheesy to fiscally conservative but socially liberal.
“Wow” factor: This look is guaranteed to wow with its sheer ambition. Will people “get” it? Probably not. Will they look at you a little sideways for most of the night, trying to put the pieces together—what is who, and who is what? Almost certainly. It’s best to fully embrace the absurdity by shifting between the three personas at your leisure (or four personas, if you want to throw in Joel from The Last of Us). One minute, you’re touting the benefits of a data center in rural New Mexico; the next, you’re revealing you (surgically) grew 6 inches taller. Feel free to code-switch depending on whom you’re speaking with. With the neighbors’ trick-or-treating kids, Mister Fantastic will go over way better than an emotionally distant millionaire.
Controversy/social lubricant level: It’s pretty safe to say that most people you’ll meet this Halloween will have seen at least one of these three movies. Schmoozing about hot celebrities is one of the world’s greatest pastimes, so simply sit back and wait for the Pedro Pascal opining to roll in: “Omigod, I still think about how great he was in Game of Thrones!” “I just knew he was going to be huge when he guest-starred in that one episode of Buffy in 1999!” Sure you did, Samantha. Sure you did.
The Highway From One Battle After Another
Who’s a good fit: Do you long for the open road? Believe that life is like a highway? Dream of a road trip with friends down the PCH or Route 66? Well, might I suggest simply … becoming a road? And not just any road, but arguably the most rolling, rousing road ever shot on film. Anyone who’s seen One Battle After Another knows that this desert highway takes on a life of its own and is more than deserving of a Halloween homage. It’s where Bob and Willa Ferguson are reunited, for God’s sake! And, even more importantly, it’s where Steven J. Lockjaw learns what it REALLY means to be a Christmas Adventurer.
“Wow” factor: It’s always bold to go as an inanimate object for Halloween—especially one that stretches hundreds of miles through a remote desert. People will marvel at your commitment to inhabiting something so utilitarian. The “wow” of this costume arises less from what you’ve chosen to be and more from what you’ve purposely foregone. It goes without saying that we’ll have an oversaturation of checkered-bathrobe-wearing Bob Fergusons this year, so you’ll separate yourself from the herd by opting for a rectangular, tar-colored one-piece instead.
Controversy/social lubricant level: There’s nothing inherently conversation-starting about a road, so you’ll need to lean in to what makes this particular road a real doozy. For instance, team up with a friend and get them to go as Lockjaw’s car (before or after destruction), or do the worm to emulate PTA’s roller coaster–esque camera angles. Alternatively, to get the eco freaks talking, stick old beer cans and plastic bags to yourself to stimulate some impassioned conversations about littering penalty fees. Winning at Halloween is just one battle after another.
