Amphibian Man movie costume from The Shape of Water on display...

In 2017's dark romantic period fantasy, The Shape of Water, Sally Hawkins plays a mute janitor at a high-security laboratory in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, who falls in love with a captive humanoid Amphibian Man (played by Doug Jones). The cleaner bonds with the creature after visiting him secretly and decides to help him escape before the military can vivisect him to examine his respiratory system.

Amphibian Man costume worn by Doug Jones

in The Shape of Water

This screen-used costume was captured on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Picture on October 13, 2025.

Shane Mahan, Mike Hill and Kazu Hiro were responsible for creature concept and makeup of the Amphibian Man and the look is heavily inspired by the classic monster film Creature from the Black Lagoon. The suit is fabricated by Legacy Effects from silicone, cast urethane resin, fiberglass, paint and acrylic.

Fans of Guillermo del Toro's movie can also enjoy these other screen-worn costumes from The Shape of Water designed by Costume Designer Luis Sequeira. 

The Shape of Water movie billboard

Oscar-nominated costumes from The Shape of Water on display...

Guillermo del Toro's modern fairytale, The Shape of Water, about a mute cleaning lady who falls for a Creature from the Black Lagoon who is being held captive and experimented on at a top secret facility in 1960s Baltimore has garnered thirteen Academy Award nominations this year, including the Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design by Luis Sequeira.

Original film costumes from The Shape of Water

These Oscar-nominated costumes worn by Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer in the movie were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum at the 26th Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition on February 7, 2018.

The Shape of Water movie billboard

In the film the Oscar-nominated Octavia Spencer plays 'Zelda Fuller', a fellow janitorial staff member at the government facility and friend to mute 'Elisa Esposito'.

Costume worn by Octavia Spencer as Zelda Fuller

in The Shape of Water

Fans of the Oscar-winning actress from The Help can also check out her movie costumes from Hidden Figures on display.

Sally Hawkins wears this beautiful ballgown in a dream dance sequence in the movie, whilst the other costume is her everyday clothes that she wears to work.

Costumes worn by Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito

in The Shape of Water

You can also see Sally Hawkins The Shape of Water movie costume on display at ArcLight Hollywood under better lighting (sadly flash photography not allowed at this exhibit) back in November 2017 when the movie was released in cinemas.

The FIDM Museum exhibit also includes this year's other Oscar-nominated designs, including these Beauty and the Beast movie costumes, these Darkest Hour movie costumes, these Phantom Thread movie costumes and these Victoria & Abdul movie costumes.

Who do you think deserves to take home the iconic golden statue this year?

The Shape of Water movie poster

Sally Hawkins The Shape of Water movie costume on display...

In writer and director Guillermo del Toro's new romantic fantasy horror set in early 1960s Baltimore, Sally Hawkins plays a mousy, mute janitor, 'Elisa Esposito', working the nightshift at a hidden high-security research laboratory during the Cold War era who discovers a secret classified experiment which is a amphibious humanoid from the rivers of South America, and begins to bond with the creature, sharing food, music and companionship in a world of isolation.

Costume worn by Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito

in The Shape of Water

Luis Sequeria is the Costume Designer on this modern fairytale set in 1962 and this costume worn by Sally Hawkins was photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema on November 11, 2017.

For more 1960s film and TV fashion be sure to check out these Hidden Figures movie costumes, these Bridge of Spies film costumes and these Hairspray Live! costumes and these 11.22.63 TV costumes.

The Shape of Water movie poster