Top Halloween Costume Trends for 2026 Revealed by Google

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 17, 2026

Google's latest data reveals that the top Halloween costume searches for 2026 are led by Buddy the Unicorn from Casper Kelly’s horror film, alongside a variety of horror, video game, and classical figure-inspired outfits. This trend reflects a shift away from traditional and "sexy" costumes toward more creative and unconventional choices, even as fewer Americans plan to dress up this year.

As Halloween approaches, new data from Google highlights the most searched-for costume trends of 2026, reflecting the year’s prominent pop culture influences. The rankings, drawn from pre-Halloween search activity, reveal a mix of horror film characters, video game-related themes, and nostalgic figures that are capturing public interest.

Topping the list is Buddy the Unicorn, the murderous mascot featured in Casper Kelly’s horror movie “Buddy.” This character leads the pack amid a broader fascination with horror-themed costumes. Following closely in second place is NeeDoh, a popular sensory gadget known for its squeezable and stretchable attributes, indicating a crossover from toy trends into costume inspiration.

The third most-searched costume is Nikki, a character from the film “Obsession,” while fourth place goes to Agamemnon, the mohawk-helmet-clad figure from “The Odyssey,” known in the story for child sacrifice and conquest of Troy. This mix of contemporary and classical origins showcases a diverse range of costume inspirations for adults and enthusiasts looking for unique options.

In contrast to the adult costume trends, children’s costume searches reveal a different focus. Dolly Parton, the late country music icon, is the most popular costume choice for children this year. Parton’s influence also extends to pet costumes, where she again ranks at the top, suggesting a strong cultural resonance with younger audiences and pet owners alike.

This year’s costume search data comes amid reports that fewer than 25% of Americans intend to dress up for Halloween, indicating a notable decline in participation. Additionally, broader survey findings suggest that many Americans are moving away from traditional “sexy” Halloween costumes, a shift that appears to be reflected in the diverse and unconventional costume trends identified by Google.

Overall, the data point to a Halloween 2026 marked by eclectic tastes that blend horror, nostalgia, and novelty, with a clear move toward more inventive and less conventional costume choices.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.