30 Scary Halloween Costumes for 2023 That Will Spook Literally Everyone

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M3GAN

m3gan

Alberto Rodriguez/GA//Getty Images

Listen, we know M3GAN came out in early 2023, but you better believe you’ll be seeing her everywhere this Halloween.

SHOP DRESS

Sweet Tooth from Twisted Metal

sweet tooth

Peacock//Getty Images

Did anyone else have to stop watching Twisted Metal after the pilot episode because Sweet Tooth the killer clown was just too damn scary? No? Just us? Okay.

SHOP MASK

Alexa and Alexie Grady from The Shining

alexa and alexie grady from the shining

David M. Benett//Getty Images

Dressing up with your bestie? Then you’ve gotta go with the blue dresses and black Mary Janes worn by the creepy twins in The Shining.

SHOP DRESS

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The Grabber from The Black Phone

the grabber from the black phone

Jay L. Clendenin//Getty Images

Your friends probably just stopped having nightmares about Ethan Hawke’s character in The Black Phone, so Halloween is the perfect time to reignite those fears, right??

SHOP MASK

Samara from The Ring

the ring

Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Terrifying for whoever answers that doorbell. Super long hair, a dirt-covered nightgown, and creepy voice make this a classic. Also, please do not come to my house.

SHOP NIGHTGOWN

Broken Porcelain Doll

broken doll

Gary Gershoff//Getty Images

Fact: Old porcelain dolls are creepy AF (especially when they get up and start walking around). Put your hair in pigtails, throw on a baby doll dress, and paint on a creepy doll face with makeup to give everyone the creeps.

SHOP SHOES

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Ghostface from Scream

ghostface

Roy Rochlin//Getty Images

This one’s a classic, and since it doesn’t require much more than a black cape and white face mask, it’s something you can pull together last-minute, too.

SHOP CAPE

Chucky

chucky

Paul Archuleta//Getty Images

The doll of everyone’s nightmares, TBH. A striped shirt, overalls, red wig, and fake stitches will turn you into the demonic toy. Bonus points if you find someone else to go with you as Chucky’s bride.

SHOP SHIRT

Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street

freddy kreuger

Roy Rochlin//Getty Images

Sure, there hasn’t been a new addition to the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise in over a decade, but everyone will still recognize this iconic killer.

SHOP SWEATER

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The Tethered from Us

tethered from us

Gotham//Getty Images

All you need is a red jumpsuit, fingerless gloves, scissors, and a raspy voice to pull off the best impression of the Tethered from Us. Also: good group costume.

SHOP JUMPSUIT

Billy the Puppet from Saw

billy the puppet

Barry King//Getty Images

In honor of Saw X, why not dress up as everyone’s (least) favorite puppet?? Bonus points if you ride into the party on a tricycle.

SHOP BOWTIE

Ouija Board

ouija board

Rodin Eckenroth//Getty Images

With an all-black ‘fit and some black-and-white face paint, you can transform yourself into a walking, talking Ouija board. Talk about a genius last-minute costume idea!!

SHOP FACE PAINT

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Pennywise from IT

pennywise

Ollie Millington//Getty Images

Here’s some advice: Don’t ever follow a clown into the sewer. Just DON’T DO IT. Give yourself the same red-and-white makeup as Pennywise to scare the living sh*t out of everyone.

SHOP DRESS

Zom-Beyoncé

zombeyonce

Gregg DeGuire//Getty Images

Love puns? Love scary costumes? Love Beyoncé? Then you’ve simply gotta put a ring on this costume idea, bb.

SHOP BODYSUIT

Zombie Prom Queen

zombie prom queen

Charley Gallay//Getty Images

Speaking of zombies! You can do a “zombie” version of pretty much any classic costume to achieve a scary look, but this zombie prom queen getup is particularly creative.

SHOP ACCESSORIES

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Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz

lydia deetz and beetlejuice

Gilbert Carrasquillo//Getty Images

Looking for the ultimate scary couple’s costume? It’s gotta be Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz.

SHOP DRESS

The Bride in Black from Insidious

the bride in black

Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Wanna take the Old Woman from the Insidious franchise and make her ~sexy~? Here’s how to do it!!

SHOP VEIL

Ice Queen

ice queen

David M. Benett//Getty Images

Personality? Ice-cold, bb. Throw on a lace gown, give yourself some frosty makeup, and—if you really wanna go the extra mile—pop in some white contact lenses.

SHOP GOWN

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Michael Myers from Halloween

michael myers

Daniel Zuchnik//Getty Images

This chilling character requires almost no effort if you want to make him your costume. Grab a mask, wear dark clothing, carry around a fake knife, and walk very, very slowly to achieve the same look. Bonus points if you’re tall.

SHOP MASK

Carrie

carrie

David M. Benett//Getty Images

Note: You don’t have to use actual pig’s blood in order to recreate that infamous prom scene in Carrie.

SHOP DRESS

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Corinne Sullivan

Editor

Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé. 

Headshot of Brooke Shunatona

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

Lettermark

Associate Fashion Editor

I’m Cosmopolitan’s Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago. 

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