The Best Pop Culture-Inspired Halloween Costume Ideas for 2025

We’ve made it past Labor Day, which means the pumpkin spice is flowing and Halloween is quickly approaching. As long-time fans of The Fashion Barbie know, I’ve always been a fan of pop culture-related costumes. They’re a great way to celebrate the trending moments of the past year and strike up conversations while out at Halloween parties and festivities.

Past examples of my favorite pop culture-inspired costumes include Ariana Grande in her ponytail and sweatshirt dresses era, Dolores from Westworld, Chanel No. 3 of Scream Queens fame, and Harley Quinn (specifically her look from Birds of Prey with that fantastic rainbow streamer jacket…the hair chalk I used to color my hair did linger for months, but it was worth it).

So what are the coolest costumes for 2025? Let’s break it down:

KPop Demon Hunters

Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, along with the Saja Boys, are no doubt going to be everywhere this year. KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most successful movie of all time, and the film provides a lot of fun options for both solo and group costumes. Rumi’s dazzling sequin jacket ensemble, along with her iconic purple braid, will surely be the standout look, but there are other variations of the HUNTR/X costumes, along with the Saja Boys in both their KPop and demon looks, that groups can rock as well. And don’t forget sweet Derpy and Sussie (apparently the official names for the tiger and bird) for another fun KPop-related costume idea.

Depending on what route you go, these costumes are as easy or as difficult as you make them. You can already buy costume options online, or you can get DIY with it and create a cosplay-level Rumi wig. It’s totally up to you!

Sinners

The other major movie of this year that lends itself perfectly to Halloween is definitely Sinners. Not only is it a vampire tale that’s on-theme for spooky season, but there are a number of iconic costumes to choose from as well! Smoke and Stack’s blue and red suits are the obvious choices for a chic duo, but Mary’s bloodstained slip dress, Remmick and his band of merry vampire musicians, and even Cornbread’s overalls offer up relatively easy-to-recreate costume options.

Bonus points if you can find a way to incorporate a vampiric Jannick Sinner as well for maximum Sinners…or maybe I just have the US Open on the brain!

Labubu

Has any toy taken over the public consciousness quite like the Labubu? Not since the Beanie Baby craze have I seen so many of my colleagues obsess over these strange-looking creatures. A Labubu costume is perfect for those who love a onesie-style Halloween costume, as this is a pretty comfy option. You can also find a lot of options online, and no matter how much or little you choose to spend, there’s something creepy about these costumes that makes them perfect for spooky season.

Sirens

Hey hey. If you loved this Netflix miniseries for both its plot and its fashion, why not style yourself like Michaela and Simone, in gauzy seaglass-colored dresses and Lily Pulitzer, respectively? This is a great choice for anyone who prefers her Halloween costume truly fashionable and reusable once the witching hour is over.

A Taylor Swift-esque Showgirl

In a season of treats, Taylor Swift herself is treating us to a new album, The Life of a Showgirl, out on October 3rd. While we don’t know the music yet, we have been treated to plenty of fashion inspiration thanks to Taylor and her many album variants. Technically, a showgirl is a fun and timeless costume choice, but between Taylor’s upcoming album and last year’s film The Last Showgirl, there’s never been a better excuse to bust out the sequins, feathers, and crystals for an over-the-top glam look.

Freaky Friday

With this year’s Freakier Friday (which, if you haven’t seen, is a delightful legacy-sequel that you absolutely should watch), the nostalgia over the original film is at an all-time high. Freaky Friday also features some truly iconic costumes that stand the test of time, from Anna’s grungy rocker look to Tess’s iconic dress, boots, and pixie cut combo. Or gather your friends and go as Pink Slip.

Meta-Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan’s theatrical stage ensembles provide plenty of Halloween inspiration, but I challenge someone to recreate her insanely meta costume that she debuted at the Orange Festival in Poland. Designed by Gunnar Deatherage and Christopher Minafo, this look features mini-Chappells all over the place. I’d love to see someone recreate this look for an absolutely iconic costume.