100 Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired By Movies and TV Shows

Most of these Halloween costumes double as stylish additions to your closet.

Collage of characters from TV shows and movies that double as Halloween costumes
(Image credit: Shutterstock + Focus Features + Neon + BBC)

Finally, it's time to get your Halloween costume ready—because, before you know it, the spookiest day of the year will be here. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been keeping a running list of ideas for your 2023 Halloween costume since November 1. But if you’re not as crazy enthusiastic about Halloween as I am (totally understandable!), you may need a little inspiration to get the ball rolling. And what better way to get inspired than by turning to iconic movies and TV shows?

Whether your grand plans for October 31 include bingeing scary movies or attending a fabulous costume party, dressing up as one of your favorite TV or movie characters for Halloween is a low-lift way to pretend you're someone else for a night. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite options for your 2023 Halloween escapades, inspired by characters from movies and TV shows. Not only do these costumes make great conversation starters, but almost all of these “costumes” double as (mostly) practical and stylish additions to your closet (need I remind you of all the Halloween costumes a little black dress can inspire?). Once you've decided which movie or TV character you'll be channeling this Halloween, all that's left is to pick a spectacular Halloween eye makeup look.

Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes across the board from fashion and beauty to books and celebrities. As a pop culture junkie, Brooke obsessively consumes and writes about the latest movie releases, streaming TV shows, and celebrity scandals. She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.