Google’s Frightgeist report reveals the most popular Halloween costumes based on search trends. As per analyses done by independent parties and retail projections, we find horror films and late pop starts and gaming characters doing a massive search volume.
Buddy the Unicorn
Casper Kelly’s 2026 horror film Buddy is number one. For the first time, youngsters’ unicorn costumes were eclipsed by searches for this mascot.
Nikki’s Zebra Top
Nikki of Obsession is third. All-time highs were hit for searches for red zebra-print halter top.
King Agamemnon
Agamemnon from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey comes number four. Demand for this Greek king costume was much stronger than for other characters like Penelope.
Gaming and Pop Culture
Characters from Poppy Playtime, Minecraft, Descendants also feature in the top entries. The musician Oliver Tree and Disco Scooby-Doo rank highly too.
Dolly Parton Tributes
Dolly Parton appears on a lot of costumes ideas lists. This trend began after the August 2026 death of Diana Ross who also wore blonde wigs.
K-Pop Demon Hunters
Rumi and Mira continue to be strong motivators. The franchise ranked near the top for overall 2026 costume searches.
Pennywise Remains Popular
Pennywise keeps on doing very well. The horrifying clown still ranks highly in search volume and major retailer forecasts.
Greek Mythology Themes
Greek-inspired mythological looks are trending.
Based on historical patterns identified by retail forecasts, it is clear that The Odyssey has been a hit.
Video Game Aesthetics
Retailers Show Strong Focus on Gaming Visuals Costume designers continue to be inspired by the blockbuster franchise Fortnite and Halo.
Off Campus and Family Fits
Retail projections are largely influenced by the varsity look and Off Campus aesthetics.
A classic and a popular choice are Toy Story family costumes.
