TV & film inspired Halloween costumes for 2021

Oct 29

Another year, another mad dash to throw together a last minute Halloween costume! To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled some of the year’s most iconic characters from TV shows and movies, as well as a couple of throwbacks, that are sure to win you Best-Dressed.

For the elderly: Dear Evan Hansen

Halloween is not just for the young. If Ben Platt at 28 can play an awkward teenager, so can you! All you need is a blue-striped polo shirt, khakis, and an arm cast to be Evan Hansen. No age limit for this costume!

For the cynical: The Bachelorette

In a shocking turn of events, season 17 Bachelorette Katie Thurston has called it quits with her beau Blake. If you base your personal definition of love off of The Bachelor franchise, chances are you’re painfully single. Wear a floor length gown and pass out roses this Halloween in search of your whirlwind romance. Or take a more cynical route: dress up as Aunt Lindsey and grill every couple you see on the strength of their relationship. Bonus point for each break-up you’re responsible for.

For the one stuck in 2016: Stranger Things

It’s official: Stranger Things is coming back! It’s been 5 long years since the show aired in 2016 and nobody remembers anything about the actual plot. But you can’t go wrong with donning a pink dress, a blonde wig, and a box of Eggo waffles! Sure, it’s been done before, but Season 1 Eleven will always be relevant.

For the toxic couple: You

Wait… binging all three seasons of You doesn’t count as couples counseling? Dressing up like your favorite murderous duo Joe and Love a surefire way to work out your relationship woes, though. For costume accuracy, bake a human toe chicken pot pie for your Halloween potluck and research all guests extensively on social media beforehand.

For the free-spirited: Sex Education

Looking to express yourself in a unique and fun-filled manner? Look no further than Sex Education. With a multitude of makeup and dressing styles, the show is a cornucopia for all those who wish to look just a tad bit different this Halloween.

For the money savers: Squid Game/Among Us

Interested in a two-for-one deal? You’re in luck! The guards from Squid Game look almost identical to the red crewmate from Among Us. Just switch out the geometric guard mask for some white mesh and you basically have an entirely new costume! (If you want even more bang for your buck, remove the mask altogether & add a pipe cleaner halo and you’re basically a Teletubby.)

For the one who tends to ghost their friends: Nomadland

Really take going “off-the-grid” to the next level when you dress up as the protagonist from this year’s Best Picture winner! Fern represents true liberation from Penn’s rat race and work-hard, play-harder culture. Bonus points if you bring a pot with you to poop in!

For the aquatic aficionado: My Octopus Teacher

Fasten eight purple legs to your costume and prepare to be asked, “What are you? Ursula? Squidward?”, to which you can intelligently and prestigiously reply, “No, I am the octopus from the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher.” Trust me, this costume isn’t too obscure; everyone and their mother has probably been recommending this marine friendship film to you all year.

For the repurposer: Promising Young Woman

Do you already own a nurse costume? Simply put on a rainbow wig and be Cassie from Promising Young Woman. Effortlessly go from basic to cinephile and put that nurse costume to good use! (Reuse again next year by grabbing an eye patch and going as Elle from Kill Bill.)

For the Wattpad fan: After

There’s nothing scarier than a cringey Netflix teen flick, especially one originally based on a One Direction fanfiction. You could dress as Harry Styles for Halloween… or as his tall, dark, and handsome alter ego Hardin Scott from the romance series After. All you need is a black Sharpie to draw on Hardin’s signature tattoos and you’re set!

For the cat person: Cruella

Prove your loyalty to your favorite feline by spending Halloween adorned in your (faux) dog fur. This one’s for the Disney adults looking for something a bit edgier than a princess costume.

For the male mermaid: Luca

Always dreamed of dressing up like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, but didn’t want to because she’s a girl? You’re in luck - dressing up like Luca is basically the same thing! Put on a mermai--I mean, sea monster tail and tell everyone your dreams for when you swim up to “where the people are”! Plus, a Luca costume offers a great excuse to eat lots of pasta.