Michael Jackson, Superheroes & The Weird Costumes Make 2026 Halloween Cool

It’s Big Michael Michael!

Michael Jackson’s red jacket is having another moment. Spider-Man still rules the neighborhood. And a creepy unicorn has crashed the Halloween conversation.

In a year where reality feels like a horror movie, we get costumes that reflect more hopeful sentiments. This year’s costume picture blends familiar favorites with unexpected newcomers. We delved into some experts on trends. The National Retail Federation measures what consumers plan to wear, while Google’s Frightgeist tracks rising costume searches. We used both to come up with this master list. They offer a broader view of Halloween 2026, from reliable crowd favorites to characters inspiring fresh curiosity. We skipped the celebrity showings for now.

This is an editorial mix that begins with the King of Pop, who has posthumously had a banner year.

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Look

The red jacket remains unmistakable. Jackson ranks on Google’s trending list, and searches for his costumes have reached a 10-year high. We’ve already seen a lot of MJ thanks to LooseCannon and Big Michael Michael. Some Halloween traditions moonwalk through generations. 

Spider-Man

The neighborhood superhero remains the leading children’s choice. NRF estimates 4.6 million kids plan to dress as Spider-Man, with another 1.5 million adults joining the web-slinging action.

Witches

Pointed hats still mean business. Approximately 4.8 million adults plan to dress as witches, putting the classic character ahead of the competition in NRF’s survey.

Vampires

Fangs never seem to lose their audience. An estimated 4.2 million adults plan to embrace the vampire look, making it another major Halloween staple.

Batman

Gotham’s protector ranks third among adult choices. Approximately 2 million adults plan to become Batman, proving the cape and cowl still command attention.

Buddy The Unicorn

Here comes the curveball. The character from the horror film Buddy leads Google’s trending costume searches, giving Halloween a colorful option with an unsettling edge.

KPop Demon Hunters

Music, animation and supernatural action remain a compelling combination. Characters from KPop Demon Hunters land among NRF’s top 10 children’s costumes, maintaining their appeal beyond last year’s search buzz. 

NeeDoh

Yes, the squishy toy. NeeDoh ranks second on Google’s trending list, making stress relief an unexpectedly prominent source of Halloween inspiration. How though?

Nikki From Obsession

Nikki takes third place among Google’s trending costumes. The character from Obsession gives horror fans another option beyond the familiar masks that return every October. That movie was incredible.

Disco Scooby-Doo

Scooby brings nostalgia and dance-floor energy. This playful variation ranks high on Google’s list and offers a recognizable foundation for a costume with personality. Personally, this is a hard pass.

Dolly Parton

Big hair and country glamour earn a place in the conversation. Parton ranks 12th on Google’s overall trending list, adding another music legend to Halloween’s lineup.

Ghosts

Roughly 1.4 million adults and 1.6 million children plan to dress as ghosts. Sometimes the easiest costume remains one of the biggest. 

The Notable Absences

Labubu dominated Google’s 2025 Halloween highlights but is absent from its 2026 overall top 25. Barbie, Ken and Wednesday Addams are also missing from that breakout list. 

For now, Michael Jackson’s comeback, Dolly’s passing and Halloween’s dependable classics give everybody something refreshed or new.