25 Iconic Movie Characters To Dress Up As This Halloween

Witches and vampires may be fun, but it’s time to up your Halloween costume game this year. Here are some of our favorite movie characters that make great Halloween costumes that you can either DIY or get at your local Halloween store.

1. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

This costume is a classic for many reasons, and paying homage to Audrey Hepburn's most iconic character is an added bonus. It’s not only classy, timeless, and elegant, but it’s relatively easy to recreate with a black dress and some costume jewelry.

2. Sandy from Grease

The best part about this costume is that everyone will get the reference because who hasn’t seen Grease? It’s also relatively easy to recreate (even the iconic hair, thanks to this YouTube tutorial), and it’s a great half of a couple’s costume with the Danny Zuko in your life.

3. Gracie from Miss Congeniality

It's safe to say that we’re obsessed with Sandra Bullock, and we all love Miss Congeniality, so why not dress up as this iconic character? Pair your favorite hot pink dress with a pageant sash, tiara, and combat boots, and you’re good to go!

4. Cher from Clueless

With plaid two-piece sets back in style, it’s easier than ever to dress up as your favorite valley girl for Halloween. The best part about this outfit is that you’ll definitely wear it again, and it makes a great costume.

5. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

Who knew one character could make a blue gingham dress and sparkly ruby red slippers so iconic? This classic character is not only one of the most recognizable costumes of all time, but it’s also as cute as it’s timeless.

6. A Cheerleader from Bring It On

Though some may consider this movie outdated, it’s one of our favorites from the early 2000s. Whether you’re an RCH Toros or East Compton Clover, this costume is both easy to DIY and a fun group costume. Don’t forget your spirit fingers!

7. Juliet from Romeo + Juliet

If you’re going to dress like Juliet Capulet, you should probably stick to the angel costume in the Clare Danes version. It’s not only the costume she wore when she met Romeo, but the costume is as easy to recreate as it’s beautiful.

8. Lydia from Beetlejuice

Before Winona Ryder stole America’s hearts as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, she was the epitome of teen angst as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice. Though you can recreate any of her outfits, the spooky all-red ensemble is our favorite.

9. Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians and Cruella

Whether you prefer the original version of her with the fur coat or the red dress from Emma Stone’s glamorous version of her in Cruella, this costume is as fabulous as it’s spooky. Just promise us you won’t take embracing her personality to the next level.

10. Marie Antoinette from Marie Antoinette

Whether you take the historically accurate route, the sexy route, or the spooky route (severed head and all), this costume will always turn heads (pun very much intended). Marie Antoinette has been a pop-culture icon for centuries, meaning this costume might never go out of style.

11. Morticia or Wednesday from The Addams Family

The Addams Family is not only a Halloween classic, but it gave us two iconic costumes. Whether you want to dress up as Morticia and Gomez alongside your boyfriend or husband for a glamorous yet spooky costume or embrace your dark yet funny side as Wednesday, you can’t go wrong with this costume.

12. Wonder Woman from Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman has been the epitome of badass femininity for generations, making her a great costume choice for women of all ages (side note: this is a great multi-generational costume idea). It’s also inexpensive to DIY if you want to skip the store, making it both quick and easy to recreate.

13. Katniss from The Hunger Games

Though the Hunger Games series wrapped several years ago, we still can’t get enough of it. The best part of this costume is that you can probably DIY it with items that are already in your closet, but don’t forget to add your Mockingjay pin. 

14. Nina from Black Swan

This costume is not only as spooky as it’s beautiful, but it’s perfect for dancers who have plenty of black leotards in their closets. Just add a tutu and have fun with the over-the-top makeup.

15. Mia from Pulp Fiction

This costume is definitely more on the sexy side, but how can you not dress up as such a badass character without unleashing your inner feminine sensuality? It’s also pretty easy to recreate, and you’ll look fabulous in it!

16. Daisy from The Great Gatsby

Though it’s easy to dress as a flapper for Halloween, it’s more fun to be Daisy Buchanan. This costume is a classic because it’s both fabulous and easy to create, and Daisy and Gatsby are the cutest couple’s costume idea.

17. The Girl from The Seven Year Itch

This is possibly Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic role and outfit, which immediately makes it a favorite for Halloween almost every year. All you need is a flowy white dress, blonde bob wig, and red lipstick, and you’ll be instantly recognized as one of Hollywood’s favorites.

18. Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad

Whether you want to go all-out with the latex shorts or just rock pigtails and a “Daddy’s Lil’ Monster” tee with jeans, it’s impossible to not have fun in this costume. The best part is that you can make it a couple’s costume with a Joker or rock the look all by yourself. 

19. Hermione from Harry Potter

We don’t care that we’re adults and that it’s 2022 – you’re never too old to dress up as Hermione Granger for Halloween. Whether it’s her school uniform or pink Yule Ball gown, you’ll shine as Hogwarts’ brightest student.

20. Melanie from The Birds

The Birds may be a cinematic masterpiece, but it also never fails to terrify viewers of all ages. We love this costume because Melanie’s green suit is so classy and chic, but the added birds remind us why this movie is so iconic in the horror world.

21. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde

Elle Woods is not only a cinematic icon, but it’s impossible to dislike her. She’s as kind as she’s badass and hardworking, and you simply can't rock this costume without embracing her energy. Every woman has an inner Elle Woods, so don’t be afraid to take on everyone’s favorite lawyer this Halloween.

22. Carrie from Carrie

You can keep it cute with the prom dress with a little bit of blood (fake blood, not pig’s blood please) or go all out in a blood-soaked dress and wig. Don’t forget your prom queen tiara and flowers!

23. Regina from Mean Girls

Whether you recreate her pink spring fling dress with the back brace or “A Little Bit Dramatic” tank with a pink cardigan and mini skirt, you’ll be the queen bee of whichever party you attend dressed as this unforgettable character.

24. The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

Though you’ll need to be in a trio for the full effect, and you’re better off buying a costume over DIYing it, you can never go wrong with the Sanderson sisters. It’s both fun and spooky, meaning everyone is going to love this ensemble.

25. Darla from Finding Nemo

Though some might find this costume a little juvenile, it’s impossible to deny that it’s hilarious. Darla wasn’t a villain; she was just an anxious girl who was excited to get her new fish. Don’t forget your headset and fish bag, and please make sure it’s a fake fish!

Closing Thoughts

Whether you want to be spooky with your friends as the Sanderson sisters or go glam as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, you can never go wrong with a classic movie costume for Halloween.

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