10 women's Halloween costume ideas from the cinema screen in recent times...

With store shelves stacked with Halloween candy and decorations, you can't help but start to get in the spooky season spirit. The other day I shared some costume ideas for men from films from the past year and today it's time for some women's costume inspiration from the big screen.

Shug Avery costume

from The Color Purple

If you're looking for something empowering and eye-catching this Halloween, maybe take inspiration from 2023's vivid musical reinterpretation of The Color Purple and Taraji P. Henson's 1920s independent jazz singer  'Shug Avery' in her bold and shimmering red dress, gloves and feathered headdress.

Francine Jamison-Tanchuck was Costume Designer on the film and this outfit paid homage to Aggie Guerard Rodgers designs from the original 1985 movie.

Captain Monica Rambeau costume

from The Marvels

If you're feeling more like you want to be a superhero this year, then the black and white super-suit worn by Teyonah Parris as 'Monica Rambeau' in 2023's The Marvels will help you shine brightly.

Lindsay Pugh was Costume Designer on this underrated MCU entry directed by Nia DaCosta and you can check out more heroic costumes from The Marvels. 

Dar-Benn costume

from The Marvels

For something more villainous Zawe Ashton's Kree Supremor 'Dar-Benn' from The Marvels may help you show off your evil side this Halloween.

As above Lindsay Pugh designed this sci-fi comic book outfit from the movie that followed the events of the first Captain Marvel film, WandaVision and the Ms. Marvel TV series.

Navarro costume

from Alien: Romulus

For more out-of-this-world futuristic looks, then maybe take some fashion inspiration from Aileen Wu's hauler pilot 'Navarro' in 2024's science fiction horror sequel, Alien: Romulus.

To complete this cool leather trousers and jacket look designed by Carlos Rosario, just add an alien "facehugger" to your face for the ultimate accessory and be sure to take a look at more screen-worn costumes from the latest Alien film on display.

Dr. Volumnia Gaul costume

from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

You could always be inspired by the outlandish fashion of The Capitol of Panem, channeling your inner mad scientist with this costume worn by Viola Davis as the cruel gamesmaker 'Dr. Volumnia Gaul' in 2023's The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

Make sure you check out the other screen-worn costumes from the movie, including those worn by Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer, designed by Trish Summerville.

Bella Baxter costume

from Poor Things

Academy Award winner Emma Stone brought another iconic character to the big screen in 2023 with the introduction of 'Bella Baxter' in Poor Things.

Her take on a Victorian woman resurrected with an infantile brain in the tradition of Frankenstein's Monster was made all the more eccentric with the help of Holly Waddington's Oscar-winning costume designs. Massive sleeves should all the rage this Halloween.

Ariel costume

from The Little Mermaid

For a more fairytale princess outfit, look no further than Halle Bailey's 'Ariel' costume from Disney's 2023 reimagining of The Little Mermaid.

Costume design legend Colleen Atwood was responsible for the looks of Rob Marshall's live-action adaptation based on the beloved 1989 musical fantasy animated feature. 

Priscilla Presley costume

from Priscilla

If you want to dress like a style icon this Halloween, then maybe you could take inspiration from 'Priscilla Presley'.

Cailee Spaeny played the infamous wife of Elvis in the 2023 biopic and Stacey Battat was Costume Designer on the film, some sure to checkout more costumes from Priscilla on display.

Empress Joséphine costume

from Napoleon

For another icon from history, maybe the regal attire worn by Vanessa Kirby as the 'Empress Josephine Bonaparte' in Ridley Scott's 2023 Napoleon biopic will rule this Halloween.

Janty Yates and David Crossman were the Oscar-nominated Costume Designers on the historical epic.

Barbie cowgirl costume

from Barbie

Not only did Greta Gerwig's big screen summer 2023 Barbie movie deliver $1.4 billion at the global box office, but the film starring Margot Robbie as Mattel's titular doll come to life also delivered many Oscar-nominated looks (designed by Jacqueline Durran) and lots of Halloween costume inspiration.

Which Barbie will you be? Cowgirl Barbie, Rollerblade Barbie, Physicist Barbie, Judge Barbie, Mermaid Barbie, President Barbie or even Weird Barbie, the possibilities are endless.

Don't see anything to inspire you here? Maybe you should check out previous women's Halloween costume ideas from television and cinema from years past.

10 men's Halloween costume ideas from the big screen from recent times...

At the weekend we received our first invite to a Halloween party, so of course I immediately thought "what am I going to wear?!?". As luck would have it I was able to turn to some recent movie exhibits I've encountered to provide some inspiration that could work.

Dojo Mojo Casa House Ken costume

from Barbie

Ryan Gosling wasn't just 'Ken' in 2023's blockbuster Barbie movie, he was more than "Kenough" in the role, even earning himself an Academy Award Supporting Actor nomination.

Jacqueline Duran was the Oscar-nominated Costume Designer on director Greta Gerwig's film, but I'm not sure I have the abs to pull off Ken's "Dojo Mojo Casa House" costume (plus Palm Springs can still be super hot in October so I'm uncertain all that faux fur would work).

Napoleon Bonaparte costume

from Napoleon

After a summer of Paris Olympics, maybe a little something French is in order, like Napoleon Bonaparte.

Joaquin Phoenix wore this Napoleon costume in director Ridley Scott's historical epic and Janty Yates and David Crossman were the Oscar-nominated Costume Designers on the film.

Willy Wonka costume

from Wonka

With something with a bit more whimsy, there's a young 'Willy Wonka' from 2023's Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet.

Lindy Hemming was the Costume Designer on this musical fantasy comedy, which depicts the early days of Roald Dahl's character as a chocolatier.

Phil Knight costume 

from Air

In 2023's biographical sports drama, Air, which tells the story of the partnership between basketball rookie Michael Jordan and athletic apparel brand Nike, Ben Affleck played the company's co-founder Phil Knight.

This sporty 1980s ensemble would make for a fun Halloween look, and Charlese Antoinette Jones was the Costume Designer responsible for helping the film step back in time fashion wise, so be sur to check out more screen-worn Air costumes on display.

David Von Erich costume

from The Iron Claw

For another sporty look, what about this flamboyant wrestling costume worn by Harris Dickinson in 2023's biopic about the Von Erich brothers, The Iron Claw.

Jennifer Starzyk was Costume Designer on the film, so be sure to enjoy more of her flashy pro-wrestler costumes from the movie on display.

Oliver Quick Midsummer Night's Dream Party costume

from Saltburn

In writer-director Emerald Fennell's 2023 dark psychological comedy, Saltburn, Barry Koeghan plays the cuckoo in the nest character, 'Oliver Twist', who ingratiates his way into an wealthy and eccentric English aristocratic family by deceit and slowly eliminates them one by one to claim their fortune and family estate.

This leafy embroidered white outfit he wears for the Midsummer Night's Dream Party would be a great Halloween costume if you added the deer antlers he sports in the film, designed by Sophie Canale.

Dr. Godwin Baxter costume

from Poor Things

If mad scientist is more your thing, then maybe the Frankenstein-inspired 'Dr. Godwin Baxter' from 2023's Poor Things is for you, especially if you recreated Willem Dafoe's character's scarred face from the movie.

Be sure to check out more of Holly Waddington's Oscar-winning Poor Things costumes on display for more inspiration.

Prince Eric costume

from The Little Mermaid

If you want to be a real charmer this year, then maybe this 'Prince Eric' costume worn by Jonah Hauer-King in Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid is for you.

Colleen Atwood was Costume Designer on the reimagined 2023 movie, and for more regal looks be sure to check out these Prince Charming costumes from the big and small screen.

Drax spacesuit

from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

For a more out-of-this-world look, then maybe one of the colourful spacesuits worn in 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, like this red one worn by Dave Bautista's 'Drax', evoking 2001: A Space Odyssey's astronaut 'Dave Bowman'.

Judianna Makovsky was the Costume Designer on this third installment in James Gunn's MCU GOTG trilogy.

Andy costume

from Alien: Romulus

For another futuristic, yet easier to recreate look, maybe it's the Weyland-Yutani Corporation jumpsuit worn by David Jonsson as the android 'Andy' in 2024's Alien: Romulus on display.

Carlos Rosario was the Costume Designer on the movie responsible for evoking the fashion of the original Alien and Aliens franchise movies.

There's some great looks here, I'm still not entirely convinced about a party costume for this year, so I think I'll peruse through my archives of previous men's Halloween costume ideas for more even inspiration. 

10 Halloween costume ideas for men from film and TV from recent times...

Today I'm continuing the tradition of sharing a collection of screen-worn costumes from the big and small screen from the past year or so to help provide some Halloween costume inspiration this year. Here are a few male costume ideas from the worlds of comic books, science fiction, true crime, action, romantic period drama and murder mystery to get your creative juices flowing.

Mr. Knight

costume from Moon Knight

First up is one of Moon Knight's alter-ego's 'Mr. Knight' from the 2022 Disney+ television series.

Oscar Isaac wore this cool white suit in the MCU show and it is one of the Moon Knight costumes which earned Meghan Kasperlik an Emmy nomination for Costume Design.

Star-Lord

costume from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

For something more out-of-this-world you could team-up with some friends and wear the new Guardians of the Galaxy team uniforms, as sported by Chris Pratt as 'Star-Lord' in Volume 3.

Costume Designer Judianna Makovsky is responsible for translating the comic book team uniforms to screen-worn costume on the big screen in 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Namor

costume from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

If you're looking for something to show off your "swimmer's body", then how about Marvel's first mutant, 'Namor', recently introduced in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Ruth E. Carter garnered another Academy Award for her work on Tenoch Huerta's Mesoamerican-inspired costume and the other designs featured in the MCU sequel.

Kang the Conqueror

costume from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

From one Marvel villain to another, and if the aquatic Namor is not up your alley, then maybe the time-travelling 'Kang the Conqueror' will be. I mean, who doesn't look good in green and purple?

The classic Avengers foe made his MCU debut in 2023's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, with Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon helping to bring his iconic look to life on the cinematic screen.

The Riddler

costume from The Batman

If you're more of a DC Comics aficionado than Marvel fan, how about the new look 'Riddler' from 2022's The Batman movie.

The serial killer look worn by Paul Dano in the movie was designed by Jacqueline Durran and I think is quite an easy one to replicate.

Joe Exotic

costume from Joe vs. Carol

From fictitious killer to a real life murder-for-hire convicted felon, the 'Tiger King' himself, flamboyant zoo operator 'Joe Exotic'.

John Cameron Mitchell sported this eccentric look in the 2022 Peacock series Joe vs. Carole and Amelia Gebler was Costume Designer on the true crime drama.

Captain Pete Mitchell

costume from Top Gun: Maverick

For a costume to take their breath away this Halloween, head into the danger zone by replicating Tom Cruise's look from the 2022 movie sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

Marlene Stewart is the Costume Designer tasked with bringing the high-flying, motorbike-riding 'Captain Pete " Maverick" Mitchell' back to the big screen.

Lord Anthony Bridgerton

costume from Bridgerton

If you fancy stepping back in time this Halloween and feeling like a gentleman, then maybe you can take your inspiration from Netflix's scandalous romantic period drama, Bridgerton.

Jonathan Bailey's 'Viscount Anthony Bridgeton' dapper look from 2022's sophomore season of the show was designed by the Emmy-nominated Sophie Canale.

Benoit Blanc

costume from Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

For those who like a little mystery in their life, what about role-playing as Daniel Craig's 'Detective Benoit Blanc' this year.

This look was designed by Jenny Eagen for vacationing on a private island of a billionaire in 2022's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Elvis Presley

costume from Elvis

And for fans of the "King of Rock and Roll" himself, how about drawing some inspiration from 2022's Elvis biopic, starring Austin Butler as the iconic Elvis Presley.

Catherine Martin's costume designs for the legendary cultural figure earned her an Academy Award nomination.

With Halloween two months away still, maybe you're thinking it's too early to be contemplating who to go as this year, but have you been to a retail store lately - the shelves are already filled with Halloween candy, costumes and decorations.

Hopefully these ten TV and movie costumes have helped, if not maybe check out these men's Halloween costume ideas from years past instead.

10 Halloween costume ideas for women from the movies and television from recent times...

Over the years it became a bit of a tradition to offer up some Halloween costume inspiration from the past twelve months wardrobes from the big and small screens. When my enthusiasm waned for blogging during the pandemic, I let this annual tradition slip, but this year it's back with a vengeance and showcasing costume ideas from cinema and television (especially as it gives me something to do waiting for Hurricane Hilary to pass). Here are some outfits worn by the leading ladies from science fiction, fantasy comedy, the comic book world and even history, to help start your own costume ideas flowing for Halloween.

Queen Ramonda

costume from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

If you're looking for a regal look this Halloween, then look no further than the costumes worn by Angela Bassett in 2022's Wakanda Forever (and the first Black Panther movie) as 'Queen Ramonda'. Beautiful garments like this delivered Ruth Carter her second Academy Award win for Costume Design.

General Nanisca

costume from The Woman King

Sticking to African-inspired designs and Viola Davis wore this costume as the Agojie warrior 'General Nanisca' in 2022's The Woman King. Gersha Phillips is Costume Designer on the historical action movie.

Catwoman

costume from The Batman

If you're in the market for something stealthy and sexy, then the cat burglar suit worn by Zoë Kravitx as 'Selina Kyle' in 2022's superhero flick, The Batman. Jacqueline Durran is Costume Designer on DC's latest Caped Crusader outing.

Fans of the feline character may also like to take a closer look at Anne Hathaway's Catwoman costume from The Dark Knight Rises and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman costume from Batman Returns.

Scarlet Scarab

costume from Moon Knight

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans may be interested in the film studios' first Egyptian female superhero, 'Scarlet Scarab'.

May Calamawy wore this Emmy-nominated costume designed by Meghan Kasperlik in 2022's Disney+ television series, Moon Knight.

America Chavez

costume from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Speaking of new superheroes, and Marvel Comics queer Latina, 'America Chavez', made her big screen debut in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Xochitl Gomez brought the powerful dimension-hopping character to life in the MCU movie and sported this costume designed by Graham Churchyard.

Jane Foster's Mighty Thor

costume from Thor: Love and Thunder

Natalie Portman returned to the MCU as astrophysicist 'Jane Foster' and when she wielded the hammer of the thunder god, Mjolnir, she was transformed into the 'Mighty Thor' in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder.

If you like this comic accurate masked armoured look, you may also enjoy checking out Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie costume (pictured behind right), also designed by Mayes C. Rubeo.

Deirdre Beaubeirdre

costume from Everything Everywhere All at Once

If you'd prefer a more down-to-earth look this Halloween, then maybe Jamie Lee Curtis' quirky IRS inspector 'Deidre Beaubeidre' from 2022's sci-fi comedy, Everything Everywhere All at Once, may be more up your alley.

Shirley Kurata was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on the multi-Oscar winning movie.

Angelyne costume

For a costume inspired by a blast from the past, maybe 1980s billboard star 'Angelyne' is the blonde bombshell you're looking for.

Emmy Rossum brought the Los Angeles Corvette-driving icon to life in Peacock's miniseries and Danny Glicker was Emmy-nominated for his costume design work on the television show.

Tsireya

costume from Avatar: The Way of Water

For those of you looking for an out-of-this-world look and to show a bit more skin, maybe it's time to return to the moon of Pandora with this costume from Avatar: The Way of Water.

Bailey Bass played the blue-skinned reef-living Na'vi, 'Tsireya', and Deborah Scott is Costume Designer on James Cameron's blockbuster movie sequel.

Winifred Sanderson

costume from Hocus Pocus 2

And finally, always a firm favourite for Halloween, the 'Sanderson Sisters', especially Bette Midler's 'Winifred Sanderson'.

The mischievous Salem witches returned for a supernatural Disney+ movie sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, in 2022 with updated costume designs by Salvador Pérez Jr.

What do you think? Is there anything here to inspire your look this haunting season? If not there are loads more looks from the big and small screen on this blog from recent times and years past to fuel your imagination.

Let the countdown to Halloween begin.

Spooky film costumes, props, prosthetics and puppets to get you in the Halloween spirit...

This Halloween if you're looking for something to get you in the mood for witching season, here's a collection of screen-used costumes, props, prosthetic makeup and stop-motion puppets to get you in the spooky spirit. Horror fans will love this eclectic collection of vampires, werewolves, monsters, corpses, possessed dolls, ghosts and ghoulish sights from the movies that I have come across on my travels to museums, cinemas and exhibits.

Bat-form prosthetic makeup worn by Gary Oldman in Dracula

First up is this fantastic vampiric prosthetic makeup used by Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula from 1992. This bat-form makeup along with a miniature model of Castle Dracula was photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.

Werewolf prosthetic makeup from Dog Soldiers

Next up is this ferocious werewolf prosthetic mask and torso from 2002 British horror movie, Dog Soldiers, and was photographed on display at the London Film Museum in May 2012.

Chimp autopsy creature prop from 28 Days Later

Keeping to the animal theme and this gory chimpanzee autopsy prop from 2002 zombie movie, 28 Days Later, snapped on display at the London Film Museum in January 2011.

Norman Bates mother corpse prop

from Psycho IV: The Beginning

Next is this mummified-looking corpse of serial killer 'Norman Bates' from the 1990 made-for-television fourth installment in the Psycho film franchise. This gruesome prop from the horror prequel was photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.

Annabelle doll prop from The Conjuring

2013's supernatural horror, The Conjuring, introduced us to the possessed vintage doll 'Annabelle' (who has since starred in her own spin-off movies). This creepy doll and more screen-used props from the movie were exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in July 2013.

Gas mask-wearing mannequin from Insidious: Chapter 2

More creepy sights could be found at ArcLight Hollywood's lobby in September 2013 with this mannequin prop and scary costumes from Insidious: Chapter 2 on display.

Xenomorph suit from Aliens

One of my all-time favourite films is James Cameron's 1986 sci-fi horror sequel, Aliens. There's action, heart, horror and acid-for-blood Xenomorphs to terrify and entertain and this screen-worn costume was photographed don display at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida in September 2010.

Corpse Bride stop-motion animation puppets

I think stop-motion animation sometimes lends itself to being a little creepy with the movement of its characters and so these Corpse Bride puppets from Tim Burton's 2005 film are the perfect examples. They were photographed on display as part of Warner Bros. Studios Backlot Tour in October 2016.

Frankenweenie stop-motion animation dog puppets

And speaking of stop-motion animated movies from Tim Burton, these spooky canine puppets from 2012's Frankenweenie were snapped on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in September that year.

Ghost children stop-motion animation puppets from Coraline

And finally for this collection of movie memorabilia, I've always loved these creepy spectral children from LAIKA Studios 2009 movie, Coraline. These stop-motion ghost puppets were captured on camera at Universal Studios Hollywood's now defunct cinematic and televisual archives exhibit in the lower lot in April 2009.

Hopefully these movie costumes, props and puppets have been a welcome distraction from the horrors of the real world at the moment and maybe even inspired some Halloween season movie watching in the near future.

Happy hauntings.