Trending Halloween costumes 2026, and how to make them at home
Google published its trending Halloween costume searches on 14 October 2026, and horror is back at the top of the list. Here is the top ten, with a cheap cardboard version you can make yourself for the ones that fit, plus a few of the year’s internet moments.
Google’s top ten for 2026
- 1
Buddy the Unicorn
The cheerful mascot from a horror-comedy film. Searches for it passed “kids unicorn costume” for the first time.
MAKE IT: THE TOO-CHEERFUL UNICORN MASCOT - 2
- 3
Nikki from Obsession
A red-and-black zebra halter top, black shorts and a little fake blood.
MAKE IT: THE RED ZEBRA HALTER - 4
Agamemnon from The Odyssey
Greek-myth armour, a cloak and a laurel crown.
MAKE IT: THE BRONZE-AGE HERO - 5
Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime
Long braids and a doll-like palette.
- 6
Oliver Tree
A bowl-cut wig and oversized retro clothes.
- 7
Verity from Minecraft
A character from the Minecraft franchise.
- 8
Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl
A character from the Dungeon Crawler Carl stories.
- 9
- 10
Hazel Hook from Descendants
A dark jacket, boots and a cardboard hook.
Internet moments you can make tonight
The viral raccoon, fruit dating shows, the online-shop witch, endless yellow rooms, a baked potato and a traffic cone.
WOMENThe Chaos Raccoon
Grey sweats, a bandit mask and a stolen slice of pizza
45 MIN · $10 · EASY
COUPLESFruit Dating Show
A pineapple and a watermelon, both here to find love
120 MIN · $20 · SOME CUTTING
WOMENThe Five-Star Witch
She fixed my life. Would hex again.
40 MIN · $10 · EASY
MENThe Yellow Rooms Wallpaper
Damp, buzzing and impossible to leave
90 MIN · $14 · SOME CUTTING
COUPLESThe Loaded Baked Potato
A potato, a pat of butter and all the toppings
100 MIN · $15 · SOME CUTTING
MENThe Traffic Cone
The easiest costume of the year, and it is always in the way
40 MIN · $10 · EASY
Under 45 minutes
MENThe Too-Cheerful Unicorn Mascot
An orange hoodie, a cardboard horn and a smile held a beat too long
45 MIN · $12 · EASY
WOMENThe Red Zebra Halter
Zebra stripes in red and black, and a smile that is a little too normal
30 MIN · $8 · EASY
- WOMEN
The Chaos Raccoon
Grey sweats, a bandit mask and a stolen slice of pizza
45 MIN · $10 · EASY
- WOMEN
The Five-Star Witch
She fixed my life. Would hex again.
40 MIN · $10 · EASY
- MEN
The Traffic Cone
The easiest costume of the year, and it is always in the way
40 MIN · $10 · EASY
Questions
What are the most popular Halloween costumes in 2026?
Google's Frightgeist ranking, published on 14 October 2026, put Buddy the Unicorn first, followed by NeeDoh, Nikki from Obsession, Agamemnon from The Odyssey and Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime.
What is the easiest trending costume to make at home?
Of this year's trending looks, the red zebra halter takes about 30 minutes and $8, and the too-cheerful unicorn takes about 45 minutes and $12. A traffic cone, made from poster board, takes about 40 minutes.
What are the trending couples and duo costumes for 2026?
Google's top duo searches were Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Cyclops and Jean Grey, and Nikki and Bear. For a homemade pair, try a fruit dating show (pineapple and watermelon) or a loaded baked potato and its butter.
Are there cheap DIY costumes for 2026?
Yes. Every costume on this page costs about $20 or less and is made from cardboard, paint and rope, with no sewing. Several take 45 minutes or less.
Are these official costumes?
No. They are homemade parodies and general ideas inspired by this year's trends. They are not made, sponsored or endorsed by any film, show, game or brand named on this page.
Rankings are from Google’s Frightgeist, published 14 October 2026, as reported by USA Today and NBC Los Angeles. Brand, film and character names belong to their owners. The costumes here are homemade parodies and are not made or endorsed by anyone. Pictures are AI-generated to show the idea.
Now film your party
Once you are dressed, turn your own house into haunted CCTV footage and put it on the TV by the door.