We are officially days away from Halloweekend 2026, but if you don’t have your costume yet, no worries! I like to call myself a Halloween (and all things spooky) expert, so I am here to count down a few of the easiest costumes to throw together at the last minute.
Backrooms
One of the biggest movie hits of the summer is the perfect opportunity to get creative with a group or on your own. You can be either Mary Kline, Pirate Clark, Bobby, Kat, or the Backrooms creatures.
With a simple 90s-style shirt and a pair of jorts, you can pull a simple costume together with items from your wardrobe, or do special effects makeup to achieve the uncanny look of Pirate Clark or the creatures.
Clue
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If you have any professional clothing in your closet from your last job interview or a cute dress from a formal, Clue is an easy group costume. You can even level the look up with costume jewelry or flapper pieces from your local costume store.
Off Campus or Heated Rivalry
Hockey has taken fandoms by store in 2026. Even though “Heated Rivalry” came out in 2025 and “Off Campus” earlier this summer, there are a plethora of iconic looks that came out of these two shows.
From Allie and Dean’s Maverick and JLo costumes to Hollander and Rosanov’s club looks, these low-stress costumes are perfect and easy to throw together with items in your closet.
Play on Words
A play on words is always a creative way to take on the holiday. A few of my favorites that I have already seen this year are a “Freudian Slip” pulled together with a simple slip dress, a “Starry Knight” which is slightly more commitment with a dramatic knight costume and star accessories, and the always popular couples costume – “Deer in Headlights”.
OdysSey
Another massively popular 2026 movie was the Odyssey, but I am shocked to say that I have not heard much buzz about upcoming costumes inspired by the star-studded film.
This is another easy concept to do on your own, as a couple, or in a group since there are so many characters. If you have any white, flowy dresses or gold jewelry, you can be any of the Greek goddesses, but with a little bit of leather and a toy bow, you can easily achieve Odysseus’s look.
Hacks
With their fifth and final season wrapping up last spring, this Halloween is the perfect time for you and your friends to dress up like the “Hacks” gang, especially Ava, Deborah, Kayla, and Jimmy. Simple to pull together with anything you have in your closet, their individual styles are what brings the group costume together.
X-Men and Marvel Superheroes
Spiderman: Brand New Day and the impending Avengers: Doomsday has officially marked 2026 as a Marvel Halloween. Most outstandingly, X-Men’s Rogue has been a popular costume amongst online communities as Obsession’s Inde Navarette being announced as the actress set to take on the iconic character.
No matter who your favorite character is, this Halloween is the time to get ahead of the trend and show off your take on the Marvel superheroes.
Wuthering Heights
If you are a thoughtful and whimsical reader, going as Catherine from the 2026 film adaptation of Wuthering Heights will be one of the most unique and recognizable costumes this year. Keep your friends saying ‘I should have done that!’ with a romantic, flowing skirt, red corset, and dramatic braid held together with a red ribbon.
Bad Case of the Stripes
Finally, If you have some face paint and a creative edge, try your hand at the stripped-ridden girl from the childhood book, “A Bad Case of the Stripes”. The bright colors and dramatic makeup with definitely have you stand out at any party.