Halloween Costumes Inspired by Movies and TV
Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Children’s Shows Provide Creative Ideas
Sep 14, 2009
When avid Halloween partygoers and trick or treaters visit a costume shop or party store, they are limited to (or in some cases overwhelmed by) the in-store selection of pre-made costumes and props. Using movie and television characters to generate homemade costume ideas, however, ensures lower cost and originality. No one else will have the exact same costume as a homemade version.
Creat Prize-Winning Costumes
Mixing and matching items from home with store-bought extras can create memorable and often prize-winning costumes for those with a little time and creativity. To find additional accessories for enhancing homemade costumes, people can visit thrift stores, consignment stores, flea markets, dollar stores, and, of course, seasonal Halloween outlets.
Halloween Costume Ideas From Movies, Television, Music, Video Games
So where do these ideas come from? Typically from the horror, science fiction, and fantasy genres, and for those with milder tastes, also from children’s programming. Sometimes a quirky comedy that’s entered public consciousness (e.g., Napoleon Dynamite, Borat, or a popular character from Saturday Night Live) also works well. From the movie/television stars to plucky supporting actors – and including the worlds of music, sports, and video games – costume ideas can come from anywhere.
Even commercials between television shows and before movies can generate ideas: The Geico Cavemen, Energizer Bunny, Lucky Charms Leprechaun, Maytag Repairman, and other easily identifiable company mascots make funny costumes.
Costume Ideas From the Horror Genre
Universal Orlando’s popular Halloween Horror Nights borrowed costume ideas from scary movies this year. Visitors to the theme park’s late night holiday attraction will meet versions of Jigsaw, Chucky, the Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and other characters from horror films, in addition to the usual roving zombies drifting through the park.
Additional horror characters to consider for Halloween costumes: The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Nosferatu, the Crypt Keeper, Creature From the Black Lagoon, the Mummy Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Pinhead the Lead Cenobite, Michael Myers, Killer Clowns, Hannibal Lecter, and for the ladies, Bride of Frankenstein, Elvira, Morticia Addams, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Costume Ideas From the Science Fiction and Fantasy Genre
Elves and hobbits from The Lord of the Rings, and aliens and crew members from Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica offer a seemingly endless supply of costume ideas. The resurgence of cinematic superheroes also provides inspiration from the world of comic books. Rent a movie or flip through a graphic novel for specific costuming details. For example, a costume of Indiana Jones couldn’t possibly be complete without the hat and whip.
A few superhero suggestions: The Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Hancock, Hellboy, The Mask, X-Men, Men in Black, Ghost Rider, and Watchmen. As in the world of horror, women characters are in short supply, however, Lara Croft, Poison Ivy, Cat Woman, Wonder Woman, and Harlequin may be good places to start looking for ideas.
Costume Ideas From Children’s Programming
Many adults also find costume inspiration from children’s movies and television shows. Animated Walt Disney movies provide an ample supply of handsome princes and beautiful princesses. Also look for witches, sorcerers, giants, dwarfs, and talking animals of every variety.
Another place to find ideas is in mythical Bikini Bottom, home to the characters in the popular television series Spongebob Squarepants. Women may be more inspired by the Power Puff Girls, Dora the Explorer, or other animated female stars.
Visit the websites for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Syfy Channel, or Internet Movie Database for more ideas and photographs of the characters to help design costumes.
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