Halloween Costume Searches Spike 220% as Pop Culture Moments Inspire 2026 Looks

Searches for Halloween costume ideas have jumped 220% over the past three months, according to Yahoo! Shopping. Pop culture moments from 2026 and viral trends are giving people inspiration for Oct. 31. The spike comes as Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, giving party-goers more reason to put effort into their looks.

Spider-Man returned to theaters in Brand New Day. Christopher Nolan released The Odyssey, and Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show. Netflix revealed its live-action Scooby-Doo series. Obsession became a box office hit, with Nikki's party look spreading across TikTok. Costume designer Blair James built the character's red-and-black animal print look to clash with everything else she wears, tailored around what Bear wants rather than anything she would choose. The exact top is available from Princess Polly.

Bad Bunny's halftime show won seven Emmys, a record for a halftime performance. The production featured 383 extras dressed as grass, with performers walking off the field in full greenery costumes. You can purchase a similar costume here.

The Devil Wears Prada received a sequel 20 years after the original, with Molly Rogers taking over costumes from Patricia Field. The film put Miranda in sneakers at one point, but fans are recreating her entrance: a sharp silver bob, a purple dress, a black faux-fur coat, and oversized black sunglasses.

Prime Video's new hockey-romance series, Off Campus, gave viewers a couple's costume: JLo's green Versace dress from the 2000 GRAMMYs and Maverick from Top Gun.

The biopic, Michael, put the red leather suit back in circulation this year. Fans moonwalked in the aisles on opening weekend. Most people recreate it as a jacket plus whatever trousers they already own, but the real look is monochromatic.

Toy Story released its fifth movie in June, with Bad Bunny voicing a character named Pizza With Sunglasses. The aliens remain one of the easiest group costumes, requiring a blue long-sleeve tee, green leggings or joggers, and a three-eyed headband.

Viral animals, including Jimothy the raccoon and Punch the Monkey, have also inspired costume ideas. "I think that's probably why when a cute animal comes along, everybody is just like, 'oh, thank God. We need something cute and lovable right now,'" Kendall Bailey told USA TODAY. "Because everything else is so depressing."