Whether they are acting on the silver screen or acting for the cameras, many celebrities are known worldwide for their ability to become someone else for a day. When Halloween comes around, this seems like it would be a valuable skill to have. But for some—celebrity or not—even all the time in the world wouldn’t help them find a good costume…
The Best
1. Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson from “Hocus Pocus”
Bette Midler managed to combine two of the best things about Halloween, dressing up and watching Halloween movies, with this epic costume by dressing up as her own iconic character from the legendary Halloween flick Hocus Pocus (1993). I don’t know about you, but this year I’m hoping Sarah Jessica Parker (who plays Sarah Sanderson) and Kathy Najimy (who plays Mary Sanderson) will join her and dress as their Hocus Pocus characters as well!
2. Neil Patrick Harris, David Burkta, and twins Harper and Gideon in Assorted Costumes
Broadway alumni Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka are no strangers to showmanship, and with every elaborate costume, they prove for once and for all just why they are the reigning kings of Halloween!
From left to right: Neil Patrick Harris, David Burkta, Harper, and Gideon as Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, the Bride of Frankenstein, and Dracula; Leia Organa, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Luke Skywalker; the Riddler, Batman, the Joker, and Robin; and as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Smee, and Captain Hook.
3. Dwayne Johnson as Popeye from “Popeye”
If there’s one person in the entire world that does not need spinach to become buff, it’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Yet this 2015 costume is iconic for a reason and we’re sure it will stay that way for many years to come!
4. Harrison Ford in Assorted Costumes
Star Wars and Indiana Jones legend Harrison Ford has been known to poke fun at himself over the years and these costumes only prove it! Ford even says that he sometimes lets his children (and maybe one day even fans on the Internet) choose his next costume!
From left to right: Ford as a Hot Dog, Nun, Rock Star, and a Green Bean.
5. Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, and Blue Ivy Carter as the characters of “Coming To America”
In these iconic “Coming to America” costumes, Beyonce once again makes us jealous of her life. Complete with faux furs, combed and teased hair, and fastidious detail each member of the Carter-Knowles family shows their true Halloween expertise!
6. Heidi Klum in Assorted Costumes
For years, Klum has been dazzling on and off the runway—especially on Halloween. With her elaborate, well-thought out, and painstakingly assembled costumes, Klum has proved herself the queen of Halloween! I know we can all agree when I say that we can’t wait to see what she has planned this year!
From left to right: Klum as a butterfly, the older version of herself, the werewolf from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and Jessica Rabbit.
7. Kelly Rippa and Michael Strahan as Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen from “Game of Thrones”
In a 2014 Halloween special, Kelly Rippa and Michael Stahan prove once again how much they love Halloween. With these meticulously accurate Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen costumes Rippa and Strahan made even the most casual of “Game of Thrones” fans jealous!
8. Gigi Hadid as Sandy from “Grease”
For many years fans have been commenting on the remarkable likeness of Hadid to Sandy and this costume only proves it. From the hair to the shoes and everything between, this costume had us saying: you’re the one that I want.
9. Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban as Sonny and Cher
This painstakingly accurate costume was met with applause across the board from followers and critics alike. It was even given the stamp of approval from one half of the iconic duo when Cher herself tweeted that Kardashian looked “beautiful” and that the costume was “perfect for her.” Needless to say, this costume was a surefire hit!
10. Katy Perry as a Flaming Hot Cheeto
Over the years Katy Perry has been known to go all out when it comes to Halloween, appearing dressed in costumes such as comic legend Daria to Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton, and this 2014 costume is no different. Perry shocked fans around the world when she arrived Halloween night dressed as a college student’s favorite snack food: a Cheeto!
11. Bruce Willis (ft. Stephen Eads) as the Grady twins from “The Shining”
Since the start of his career, Willis has been known not to take himself seriously and this 2017 costume demonstrates that well. Besides the almost unbearable likeness of the pair to the infamous twins, this costume proves that the decades in Hollywood haven’t changed him too much!
12. Evan Rachel Wood as Magenta from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Starting in her childhood, Wood has always been a huge fan of Halloween, often begging her mother to take her shopping for a costume as early as September. With the detail of this Rocky Horror inspired costume, from the frizz of her hair to the thick cake of her makeup, Evan Rachel Wood was a dead ringer for Magenta. It’s clear that even in adulthood, Wood has kept both her whimsy and her love of the holiday.
13. Mindy Kaling as Captain Hook (ft. Jimmy Kimmel as Snow White)
After many years of being forced to dress up as a witch for Halloween, Mindy Kaling was finally able to branch out and dress as everyone’s favorite funny pirate captain. Kaling’s appearance on Kimmel’s show in 2013 was met with remarkable applause and based on the detail and elaborateness of her costume I think we can all understand why!
The Worst
7. Kelly Rippa and Michael Strahan as Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West
Debuted on Kelly and Michael’s annual Halloween special in 2014, this Kimye-inspired costume was met with mixed criticism. But while there is nothing superficially bad or offensive about this Kelly and Michael costume, I think we can all agree that Halloween costumes are about having fun and not about making fun.
6. Izabel Goulart as Frida Kahlo
This costume of famous Mexican painter and activist Frida Kahlo misses the mark on every single aspect. Goulart’s pairing of a party dress and a flowered headband is less of a Halloween costume and more of a fashion choice. Maybe next time she dresses as an extremely recognizable celebrity, Goulart will put a little bit more thought into it!
5. Ashley Benson as Cecil the Lion
Just weeks after the infamous killing of protected lion Cecil by Walter Palmer, Benson sparked controversy and public outrage with her costume of Cecil. Soon after her commenters called this outfit “tasteless” and “tacky,” Benson issued an apology and promised not to wear the costume. I think we can all agree with her followers and say this Halloween costume was in bad taste!
4. Naya Rivera as Carmen Sandiego from “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”
This blast from the past costume is certainly creative and probably not too often seen on Halloween night. However, when a mustard yellow scarf is paired with thigh-high boots and a red latex leotard, we don’t quite remember this costume from an episode of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
3. Kendall Jenner Jenner as Buttercup from “The Powerpuff Girls”
Kendall Jenner’s Buttercup costume (unfortunately not the only swing-and-miss cartoon-inspired costume on this list) was met mostly with confusion instead of offense. With a neon green bra top, a pair of “Pretty Woman” inspired boots, and a load of torn fishnets, this Powerpuff-ish costume was definitely more spice than sugar.
2. Scott Disick as an Arab Sheik
Of all the things a Halloween costume can be: clever, scary, sexy, funny, original, etc., offensive isn’t (or at least it shouldn’t be) on the list. Besides an Instagram caption that was rightly lauded as “grossly sexist” Disick’s costume was overtly appropriative and retrogressive and hits many, many offensive points.
1. Julianne Hough as Crazy Eyes from “Orange Is the New Black”
Some have called this costume offensive, some racist, and some—such as OITNB star Laverne Cox—have called the costume “ignorant” and “sad.” Unfortunately for Hough, it seems that nobody told her being a fan of the hit Netflix comedy-drama does not excuse the use of blackface.
Images: 1, all other images edited by author