On Halloween, the Pop Culture Moments That Mattered Are on Full Display…

Do you like to dress up for Halloween? If not, you’re not alone. A recent YouGov survey showed that only 1 in 4 people ages 18–44 say they “love it,” and most report feeling neutral (or “meh”) about putting on a costume.

Still, Halloween costumes are a powerful dataset that offers a year-in-review snapshot of the cultural moments that made the deepest impression: characters, memes, news stories, tour visuals, and more -- lifted from box office hits, streaming obsessions, music tours, and of course, social feeds.

To celebrate Halloween this year, we’re spotlighting 2025’s costume landscape -- from what’s shaping up to be most popular to the most creatively inventive looks emerging from the undercurrents of internet culture:

Expect to see lots of: Rumi, Zoey, Mira, Jinu, Derpy the Tiger, and Baby Saja from KPop Demon Hunters. Right behind these are Chicken Jockey (Minecraft), Elphaba (Wicked), so much Labubu, and perhaps The Lorax and some Hamilton (thanks to TikTok). (most Googled: link)

Revisit the past year in pop culture & news stories: The Coldplay Couple, Luigi Mangione(s), Gayle King or Katy Perry in space, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl jeans, Lil Nas X roaming the streets, Louvre jewel thieves, and perhaps Chicago’s very own Pope Leo.

Be wowed by the imagination of deep cut internet fun: some form of 6-7 (yup, Dictionary.com’s “Word of the Year”), and also, residents of The Pitt, Aunt Gladys from Weapons, Doechii, Severance workers, some Hunting Wives, Love Islandcouples costumes, and perhaps even a “A West Village Girl” or a blind box.

And of course, the iconic “I hate Gay Halloween” memes that keep on giving: “What do you mean you’re: Nicole Kidman’s glass of milk from Babygirl, Charli XCX signing records on vocal rest, Tracy E. Gilchrist holding space, or a pair of lilac Converse Chuck Taylors that Sofia Coppola included a brief shot of in Marie Antoinette (2006) to remind viewers that Marie was just a teenager despite holding all the adult responsibilities of a queen?”