Trick-or-treaters aren’t the only ones who can indulge in the magic of spooky season. Plenty of adults also embrace dressing up in Halloween costumes, data shows.
About 51% of adults celebrating Halloween this year are planning to wear a costume, according to survey data from the Halloween & Costume Association.
Among those dressing up, about 40% are millennials and 27% are Generation Z. These adults will spend an average of just over $60 on their outfits, according to the survey.
As always, Halloween falls on Oct. 31, making it just over a month away. This year, it falls on a Friday, meaning many celebrants can partake in festivities without school or work looming.
Thanks to search data from Google Trends as well as an analysis from nationwide retailer Spirit Halloween, we already have an early look at some of the popular adult costumes this year, based on 2025 movies, TV shows and pop culture moments. Here’s what to know.
Movies and TV shows
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‘KPop Demon Hunters‘
The hit Netflix film, which was released in June before being shown in theaters this summer, is already proving to be a popular source of inspiration for this year’s costumes for kids and adults alike, according to Google Trends data and Spirit Halloween’s analysis.
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey, three Korean pop stars who are also demon hunters, as they work to take down a boy band made up of demons.
Spirit Halloween teamed up with Netflix to offer the exclusive “KPop Demon Hunters” Halloween costumes, according to a press release. They include full looks for each Rumi, Mira and Zoey, and will be available online and in stores in October.
The Rumi costume, which includes her yellow jacket and lace-up boot covers, is available for $69.99 in adult sizes. A separate Rumi wig goes for $26.99.
The Mira and Zoey costumes also each cost $69.99 for adults sizes.
‘Wicked: For Good‘
On the heels of last year’s “Wicked” film, a sequel movie, “Wicked: For Good” will hit the big screen in November, making it prime inspiration for adult fans, according to Spirit Halloween.
The movies, which both star Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, explores the backstory of how the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North came to be.
A variety of retailers are offering Elphaba and Glinda costumes for sale this year. Target has adult Elphaba and Glinda costumes ranging in price from $42 to $76.99. Walmart also has both Glinda and Elphaba costumes at around $60 each depending on size. Spirit Halloween has a wide selection of costumes and accessories.
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’
With Marvel’s latest film installment, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” hitting theaters in July, Spirit Halloween is predicting the signature blue jumpsuits will be a hit this year.
In the movie, “Mister Fantastic” Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), “Invisible Woman” Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), “Human Torch” Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) work to protect Earth from the planet-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson).
The Disney Store has adult versions of the blue “Fantastic Four” jumpsuits available for preorder for $59.99 each.
Pennywise the Dancing Clown
Stephen King’s “It” may have been published in 1986, but Pennywise the Dancing Clown is a timeless choice for Halloween, if Google Trends search data is any indication.
In October, a new TV series, “It: Welcome to Derry” is set to premiere on HBO. The show serves as a prequel to the films “It” and “It Chapter Two.”
Pennywise, the famous antagonist from the franchise, can be worn as a costume thanks to adult options from Spirit Halloween, which range in price from $50 to $100. A balloon and face paint job also do the trick.
Pop culture moments
For those who are looking to channel current events for their Halloween costume, pop culture and other viral moments in 2025 offer plenty of ideas. While these options may require more creativity, some items may already be available in your closet.
‘Phillies Karen’
Google Trends search data points to the internet’s latest viral moment as a hot choice for Halloween. Earlier this month, a video from a Philadelphia Phillies game went viral after two fans appeared to dispute who the rightful catcher of a home run ball was.
After a man in Phillies merch grabbed the ball, another nearby spectator, a woman also wearing Phillies gear, confronted him in what seemed to be a tense exchange. In the end, the man gave the ball up to the woman. The video of the incident went viral on social media, with many nicknaming the woman “Phillies Karen.”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (Engaged version)
The powerhouse couple is expected to be another popular choice for couples after they got engaged this summer.
While a classic look includes Kelce’s NFL jersey and one of Swift’s many gameday outfits, fans can also channel the couple’s engagement outfits for a costume this year.
Swift wore a striped silk-blend dress by Ralph Lauren for the proposal that retails for $398. While it quickly sold out after news of their engagement, Swifties looking to reinvent the outfit can grab a similar striped dress.
Kelce’s outfit from the engagement can be recreated with a black cable-knit polo shirt and white pants.
Coldplay concert kiss cam couple
Couples looking for a cheekier viral moment to recreate can opt for the concert cam seen around the world.
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera. The video quickly spread online, with sleuths tying the pair back to a tech company whose CEO resigned in the fallout.
A baby blue polo shirt and black high neck tank are enough to reform this look, but there is plenty of room for creativity, as well.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
