Tired of re-wearing the same old movie character Halloween costume year after year? Sure, you could go with a tried-and-true scary Halloween costume, but if you want your look to be a bit more exciting, it's time to embrace a 2024 pop culture Halloween costume.
From viral sensations like Moo Deng to cultural phenomenons like BRAT summer, this year's crop of pop culture figures aren't just delightful, they're inspiring—and shockingly easy to interpret as costumes this spooky season. Some costumes, like the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, are easy to recreate with things you might already have in your closet or laying around the house. Others, like the viral We Live in Time horse, will require a bit more creative thinking and hard work. Whether you want to put in a ton of effort, or are scrambling for a last minute look, there's a pop culture costume for you, just read on to find the icon that speaks to you. Want even more inspo? Don't miss our definitive list of best Halloween costumes of all time.
Moo Deng
This pygmy hippopotamus is an icon for a reason. She's hydrated, her blush is on point, and she just does not give a f***. Who wouldn't want to be Moo Deng for Halloween? Now, there are a couple ways you could transform yourself into the adorable, knee-biting menace. You could choose to focus on a Moo-Deng inspired makeup look and/or grab a grey onesie and go. The most important thing, though, is to remember to be full of sass and to be GLOWING, because if there's one thing Moo Deng is, it's ~glistening~.
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Extreme Shimmer Shadow & Liner
Iconic London Prep Set Glow Hydrating Spray
We Live In Time Horse
The demented carousel horse from We Live In Time took the internet by storm this year, securing a place in pop culture and in my nightmares. You can DIY the shocking look by painting a horse mask bright yellow and awkwardly creeping on your couple friends.
CreepyParty Horse Mask
Thermajane Fleece Lined Base Layer Pajama Set
Chappell Roan
There is no shortage of fab outfits to inspire your Chappell Roan Halloween costume, but in the spirit of pop culture idols, I've modeled this one after the cover of her album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. (Yes, it technically came out in 2023, but given how it blew up this year, I'm willing to overlook it.)
TDiooCor One Shoulder High Waist Sleeveless Party Dress
yuehong Long Curly Orange Wig
CIEHER White Blank Satin Sash
Zonon Rhinestone Letter Iron-ons
Nara Smith
If TikTok star Nara Smith were to make a video creating the recipe for her own Halloween costume, I imagine it would go a little something like this: I was craving a Halloween costume, so I decided to make one from scratch. I put on my designer gown, and grabbed my mixing bowl and purse to accessorize and got to work.
Yuxin Cinderella Prom Dress
Jovilife Collapsible Silicone Bowl, 2 PACK
Yaopeing Saddle Shoulder Bag
The Golden Girls of Team USA
Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera set the tone during the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning Gold as a team and, frankly, stealing the show. You can be a generic Team USA gymnast with a patriotic-coded leotard and a gold medal, or accessorize to turn yourself into a specific gymnast.
Jauisus 6 Gold Medals
Spooktacular Creations Jumbo Gold Clock Necklace
Me Espresso
Sure, you could dress up in one of these Sabrina Carpenter costumes and live out your pop star dreams on October 31, but what if instead you decided to get a bit more creative and silly? Enter, the Me Espresso Halloween costume! The real ones will get it, especially if you use decals to spell out "Espresso" on a visor, just like Sabrina wears in the music video!
Boolavard Sun Visor
Debinolo Self Adhesive Vinyl Letters Numbers Kit
Mormon Wives of MomTok
The Mormon #MomTok drama is nothing new, but this year Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives took them from TikTok to the small screen and introduced us to a new MomTok must-have: the extreme Swig sodas. The key to making this costume work is in the Swig soda cup, which you will have to DIY, but other than that, it's a pretty easy one to pull off, especially if you've already got long, brown hair.
Allbell Long Straight Layered Wig with Dark Brown Roots
Secret Lives Can MomTok Survive This T-Shirt
Fit Meal Prep 32 oz Clear Plastic Cups with Flat Lids
TownStix 2" Round Circle Sticker Labels
Brat
It's Brat, but it's completely different because you're not actually Charli XCX and this is a Halloween costume.
RAMISU PU Leather Sleeveless Bodycon Dress
DIVINA VITAE Black Fingerless Mesh Gloves
Brat Brat T-Shirt
Challengers
If you've ever dreamed of being Zendaya for a day, now is your chance. Wear a white tennis dress to emulate her Challengers character, Tashi's, game style or embody her character's tragic injury with the "I Told Ya" t-shirt and a knee brace.
KIDDAD Printed T Shirt
Wilson Tour Slam Adult Recreational Tennis Racket
Raygun
She came, she saw, she did not conquer. Raygun was perhaps one of the most-talked-about Olympians at the 2024 games, which always results in a conversation-starting costume. All you need is a green sweatsuit and maybe some yellow tape to decorate it in Raygun's signature style. Bonus points if you can do whatever dance move this is.
The Hat Depot The Hat Depot Unisex Blank Washed Low Profile Cotton and Denim Baseball Cap Hat (Kelly Green)
Cole Escola's Mary Todd Lincoln
If you haven't seen Cole Escola's incredible play, Oh, Mary! this costume might be a little foreign to you, but if you have, then you know this is the chicest outfit an aspiring cabaret singer/First Lady could ever wear.
GRACEART Medieval Victorian Renaissance Ball Gown
YAKEFJ Peter Pan Detachable Shirt Collar
Rubie's Baby Doll Wig
One last tip: Some of these pop culture Halloween costumes will only be recognizable to the *extremely* online, so just be ready to educate curious minds. Hey, nobody said being a pop culture icon would be easy!
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
![west hollywood, california october 29: lizzo performs onstage during the ghost town halloween party with parcasts obsessed hosts benito skinner and mary beth barone, prestented by spotify on october 29, 2021 in west hollywood, california. (photo by michael kovac/getty images for spotify)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1350175666-68e57ac09fff0.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0&resize=360:* "Spotify Presents: Ghost Town Halloween Party with Parcast's "Obsessed" Hosts Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone")
