Halloween 2026 is bringing an interesting mix of familiar pop culture favorites, unusual internet sensations, and characters from movies, video games, and books. Google’s annual Frightgeist report highlights the costumes attracting the most search interest this year, with some surprising names making the top 10. From Buddy the Unicorn and the squishy NeeDoh toy to Agamemnon from The Odyssey and Hazel Hook from Descendants, these trends show just how varied Halloween inspiration has become. Whether driven by viral entertainment, nostalgic favorites, or emerging fandoms, these 10 costume ideas offer a glimpse into what people are excited to dress up as this Halloween.
Buddy the Unicorn
Halloween costumes are usually filled with familiar monsters, superheroes, and cartoon characters, but 2026 has brought a rather unusual contender to the top of Google’s trending list. Buddy the Unicorn, the colorful central character from the horror film Buddy, has claimed the No. 1 position. Created by filmmaker Casper Kelly, Buddy is a children’s television host who appears to be an ordinary, cheerful unicorn mascot. However, the movie gives this seemingly innocent character a much darker personality. The contrast between his bright appearance and the unsettling story behind him makes Buddy an especially memorable costume choice. Google’s search data also revealed that searches for “buddy unicorn costume” overtook “kids unicorn costume” for the first time in September 2026. That unusual shift shows just how much attention the character has attracted ahead of Halloween.
NeeDoh
Not every Halloween costume needs to come from a movie, television series, or video game. Sometimes, an everyday object can become an unexpected source of inspiration, and NeeDoh is a perfect example. The colorful sensory toy, manufactured by Schylling, has developed a strong following among people who enjoy its soft, squishy texture. Its popularity has grown through social media, particularly among younger audiences who enjoy sharing videos of themselves squeezing and playing with the toys. Now, NeeDoh has secured the second position on Google’s trending Halloween costume list for 2026. Google reports that searches for NeeDoh costumes have reached their highest levels yet. The trend is particularly interesting because the toy does not have a fictional character or elaborate backstory attached to it. Instead, its recognizable appearance and popularity have made it an unexpected Halloween inspiration.
Nikki From Obsession
Some Halloween costumes become popular because people cannot stop thinking about a particular character after watching a movie. Nikki from Obsession is one such example. Played by Inde Navarrette, Nikki is a central character in Curry Barker’s supernatural horror film, which has attracted considerable attention among horror fans. Her distinctive appearance has become particularly recognizable, with one clothing item standing out in Google’s Halloween search data. Searches for a red zebra halter top, the garment worn by Nikki, reached their highest levels in 2026 following the movie’s release. This gives costume enthusiasts a relatively recognizable outfit to recreate without needing an elaborate collection of accessories. Nikki also demonstrates how quickly a memorable movie look can move from the screen into everyday fashion conversations. Her third-place position on Google’s list makes her one of the year’s most noticeable horror-inspired costume choices.
Agamemnon From The Odyssey
Classic mythology has found a fresh Halloween audience thanks to Agamemnon from Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey. The character, portrayed by Benny Safdie, has attracted considerable attention as audiences look toward the film’s interpretation of the ancient Greek story. Agamemnon is a powerful king and military commander in Greek mythology, best known for leading the Greek forces during the Trojan War. His appearance in Nolan’s adaptation has helped introduce the legendary figure to a new generation of movie enthusiasts. Google’s search data reveals an interesting detail about his popularity: searches for an “Agamemnon costume” are three times higher than searches for a “Penelope costume” in 2026. That makes him a particularly unexpected choice on a list otherwise filled with contemporary entertainment characters. His historical-inspired clothing, armor, and commanding appearance also offer plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in a more dramatic Halloween look.
Lily Love Braids From Poppy Playtime
Video game characters continue to provide plenty of Halloween inspiration, and Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime has emerged as one of 2026’s most interesting examples. The character comes from the popular horror game franchise, which combines colorful toy-like characters with unsettling environments and survival gameplay. That contrast makes its cast particularly recognizable among younger gaming audiences and horror enthusiasts. Lily Love Braids has secured the fifth position on Google’s overall trending costume list, making her one of the highest-ranking video game-inspired choices this year. Google also identifies her as the top trending costume searched alongside the word “braid.” This detail highlights the importance of her recognizable hairstyle when recreating the character’s appearance. For fans who want something different from the usual video game costumes, Lily Love Braids offers an opportunity to bring a distinctive horror-game character into Halloween celebrations.
Oliver Tree
A Halloween costume does not always need to represent a fictional character, and musician Oliver Tree proves that a recognizable personal style can be just as effective. Known for his eccentric musical performances and deliberately unconventional fashion choices, Tree has developed a visual identity that stands out from traditional celebrity looks. His signature bowl haircut, oversized clothing, and unusual styling choices make him recognizable to fans of his music and internet personality. These distinctive features also make his appearance relatively easy to recreate compared with costumes that require elaborate props or complicated accessories. Oliver Tree has secured the sixth position on Google’s 2026 trending Halloween costume list, placing him between Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime and Verity from Minecraft. His inclusion reflects how musicians and internet personalities can influence Halloween fashion just as much as popular films and television shows.
Verity From Minecraft
The world of Minecraft is known for its blocky landscapes, creative building possibilities, and memorable characters, but Halloween 2026 has brought attention to a rather unusual figure from its wider online gaming culture. Verity has secured the seventh position on Google’s trending costume list, demonstrating the growing influence of gaming-related content on seasonal celebrations. The character is associated with a viral Minecraft horror series, where its mysterious, yellow, smiling virtual assistant appearance gives it an unsettling quality. This combination of familiar gaming aesthetics and horror elements makes Verity an interesting choice for fans looking beyond traditional video game costumes. Google’s search data also reveals that “Verity mod outfits” is the leading costume-related search associated with the character. That suggests people are particularly interested in recreating the character’s appearance through different outfit interpretations rather than simply choosing a generic Minecraft costume.
Carl From Dungeon Crawler Carl
Fantasy and gaming-inspired storytelling have another representative on Google’s 2026 Halloween costume list with Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl. Created by author Matt Dinniman, the popular fantasy series follows Carl, a former Coast Guard member whose life takes an extraordinary turn after a global catastrophe forces humanity into a deadly, game-like dungeon. Accompanied by his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, Carl must navigate increasingly dangerous challenges while trying to survive. The unusual combination of dungeon adventures, humor, science fiction, and fantasy has helped the series develop a dedicated following. Carl’s appearance has also become recognizable among readers, particularly his heart-print boxer shorts, which feature prominently in costume interpretations. Google reports that searches for Carl costumes have reached their highest levels in 2026. His eighth-place position reflects the growing popularity of fantasy literature and online fandoms as sources of Halloween inspiration.
Disco Scooby-Doo
Few animated characters have enjoyed the lasting popularity of Scooby-Doo, but Halloween 2026 is giving the famous mystery-solving dog a retro makeover. Disco Scooby-Doo has secured the ninth position on Google’s trending costume list, bringing together the familiar cartoon character and the colorful fashion associated with the disco era. Rather than simply recreating Scooby’s traditional appearance, this interpretation introduces a more playful outfit inspired by the bold colors and energetic style of 1970s dance culture. Google’s search data identifies a green and red disco outfit as the most popular clothing combination associated with this costume. The trend also extends beyond individual dressing, as Disco Scooby and Shaggy have claimed the top position on Google’s trending couples costume list. This makes the idea particularly appealing to friends, partners, or anyone looking for a coordinated Halloween appearance. It is a nostalgic take on a familiar character with a distinctly festive twist.
Hazel Hook From Descendants
Rounding out Google’s top 10 Halloween costume trends for 2026 is Hazel Hook from Disney’s Descendants franchise. The character is played by Kiara Romero in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, adding another recognizable figure to a series that has consistently attracted younger audiences through its fantasy storytelling, music, and familiar fairytale connections. Hazel Hook is the daughter of Captain Hook, the famous pirate antagonist from Peter Pan. Her connection to one of Disney’s best-known villains gives the character an interesting foundation, while her appearance in the newer Descendants installment provides fresh costume inspiration. Google’s search data identifies “realistic Hazel Hook cosplay” as a breakout search in 2026, suggesting fans want to recreate her look with recognizable details rather than a generic pirate outfit. Her appearance at No. 10 shows how Disney’s expanding collection of fairytale-inspired characters continues to influence Halloween costume choices.
