57 Easy Movie and TV Character Costumes

If Halloween is creeping up and you haven't already picked out your costume, take inspiration from some of your favorite movie and TV characters during spooky season. From Wednesday Addams to Harley Quinn, these looks take mere minutes to put together — and you can probably use what's in your closet!

Throw on an animal print shirt and flower crown and call yourself Carole Baskin for the night, or transform into Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders by simply wearing a dark suit and a tweed hat. In need of an easy-to-make group costume idea? Consider dressing as players from Squid Game (you only need a green tracksuit) or minions from Despicable Me (grab a yellow shirt and jeans).

Keep scrolling for easy Halloween costume ideas inspired by movie and TV characters.

Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30

From Ariana Grande to Christa B. Allen, celebrities have dressed as Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner) from 2004's 13 Going on 30 for various occasions. If you, too, want to tap into your inner "fabuloso," it couldn't be easier. Recreate Garner's look during the "Thriller" dance scene with a colorful patterned dress, butterfly necklace, pink purse and an aughts-inspired updo, and you'll find yourself "flirty and thriving" for Halloween.

Kim Possible from Kim Possible

If you're dressing as Kim Possible for Halloween, you may have most of what you need in your closet. Start with a black long-sleeve top and green cargo pants, and add a pair of black boots for footwear. To complete the look, grab a brown utility belt and a pair of gray leather gloves.

Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo

Jeepers! Make like Sarah Michelle Gellar and dress as Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo. For this classic pop culture-inspired costume, you'll need a purple dress, a green neckerchief and a red wig. Don't forget the purple heels and a matching headband.

Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead

Fans of The Walking Dead can portray Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes by wearing his sherriff uniform. A two-tone uniform shirt (or a beige short-sleeve shirt already in your closet) along with black pants is the basis of the look. Top it off with a western hat, gun belt and badge.

Harley Quinn from The Suicide Squad

Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn was the most-Googled Halloween costume of 2016, and it still has longevity. First, team the iconic "Daddy's 'Lil Monster" shirt with a pair of shorts or pants. Next, tie your hair — or a blonde wig — into two pigtails and color the ends with wash-out pink and blue hair dye. For makeup, get creative with pink and blue eyeshadow and red lipstick.

The Joker from Joker

Another classic Halloween costume with plenty of room for creativity is the infamous evil clown, the Joker. Grab some face paint to create the character's signature white face, black eyes and bloody smile, and color your hair green with wash-out spray. For clothing, opt for a vibrant purple or any brightly-colored suit.

Moana from Moana

To bring a little paradise into your Halloween costume, consider transforming into Moana from the 2016 Disney movie of the same name. Go down the DIY route by styling a neutral-colored skirt with a red top and a flower crown.

Thomas "Tommy" Shelby from Peaky Blinders

Dig out your best formalwear to channel Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) — think a wool suit, dress shoes and, of course, a tweed hat — and you've got the perfect Peaky Blinders costume.

Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

A great DIY costume for brunettes, a Wednesday Addams-inspired look takes no time at all to put together. Grab a black dress (bonus if it has a Peter Pan collar) and black pantyhose, braid your hair into two plaits and apply some dark lipstick.

Gomez and Morticia Addams from The Addams Family

In need of a last-minute couples Halloween costume? Take inspiration from former couple Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner and transform into Morticia and Gomez Addams. For Morticia, you'll need a black gown, a long black wig and dark makeup. To turn into Gomez, opt for a pinstripe suit, a faux mustache and slicked-back hair. Finish each look with a rose for Morticia and a cigar for Gomez.

Cher Horowitz from Clueless

From Natalie Portman to Penelope Disick, celebrities of all ages have dressed as Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) from 1995's Clueless. For an outfit that will have everyone totally buggin' on Halloween, go for a yellow plaid blazer and skirt combo, long white socks and a '90s-style blowout. A pink fluffy pen is optional but recommended!

Dionne Davenport from Clueless

As if you're back in '95, transforming into Clueless' Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) is as easy as using a few items already in your closet. Pair a black-and-white plaid skirt or jacket from your closet with a red sweater and a statement hat.

T'Challa from Black Panther

All you need to transform into T'Challa from Black Panther is a black bodysuit (or a long-sleeve shirt and pants), black gloves and a silver statement necklace.

Olive Penderghast from Easy A

This Easy A costume is simple to pull off. Style a black corset top with black skinny jeans and accessorize with pearl necklaces and black sunglasses. Don't forget to add a scarlet "A" to your top, too.

Lara Croft from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Morph into Lara Croft with a simple green tank top and green or black pants paired with chunky combat boots. Pull your hair into a low pony to complete the look.

Regina George from Mean Girls

There are several ways to go about a Regina George (Rachel McAdams) costume, whether it's the Winter Talent Show outfit or the cafeteria get-up. Perhaps the most iconic of looks is George's pink outfit. To pull this off yourself, team the character's "a little bit dramatic" tank top with a black mini skirt and pink cardigan.

Karen Smith from Mean Girls

Another iconic Mean Girls pick, channel your inner mouse (duh!), and simply add a pair of mouse ears and a tail to a black mini dress.

Edward Cullen from Twilight

There is never a wrong time to sink your teeth into an Edward Cullen-inspired costume. To transform into the teenage vampire — played by Pattinson — from the Twilight movie franchise, you'll need jeans, a blue dress shirt and a pea coat. Add gold-hued contact lenses to complete the look, and if it's a particularly sunny day, don't forget to add some body glitter.

Jennifer Check from Jennifer's Body

Find inspiration from Megan Fox and dress as Jennifer Check from the 2009 cult-favorite film Jennifer's Body for Halloween. Throw on a pink velour jacket, jeans, wedges and heart-shaped earrings, and walk out the door.

Robin Buckley from Stranger Things

Stranger Things' Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) and her Scoops Ahoy uniform has become synonymous with her character. Put on a blue sailor top, blue shorts, knee-high socks and red converse — and don't forget your name tag!

Cruella de Vil from Cruella

Want to portray a classic Disney villain? A black faux leather pantsuit, sharp eyebrows and a bold red lip are the basis of Emma Stone's Cruella de Vil, but it's the two-toned wig that really makes a splash.

Rick from Rick and Morty

Get ready for many intergalactic adventures and turn yourself into Rick from Rick and Morty. For this costume, you'll need a blue T-shirt, a scientist lab coat and a spiky pastel blue wig.

Harry Potter from the Harry Potter movie series

Grab your letter from Hogwarts and portray Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) for Halloween. You'll need round glasses, a wand and a Gryffindor scarf for this costume. Plus, you can draw a scar on your forehead using a black eyeliner pencil, too!

Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movie series

Need a Dumbledore (Sir Michael Gambon) to your Harry Potter? Grab a long purple-hued cloak, a long white beard and a pair of glasses to execute the look.

Cassie Howard from Euphoria

HBO's Euphoria has given viewers plenty of Halloween costume inspiration, but we are partial to Cassie Howard's (Sydney Sweeney) school outfit on the third episode of season 2. Tie your hair in a high ponytail, but leave a few pieces loose in the front. Then, secure a few elastics down your hair to create a "bubble" effect. Throw on a blue wrap-front top and carry a pink purse to complete the costume.

Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries

To channel a pre-makeover Princess of Genovia (Anne Hathaway) from 2001's The Princess Diaries, go for a classic Grove High School uniform: a blue plaid skirt, a blue blouse and a black blazer jacket. As for the accessories, you'll need black knee-high socks, flat shoes and a tie.

Ted Lasso from Ted Lasso

If you're a fan of soccer, consider dressing up as Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) from the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ series of the same name. For this super simple costume, team a blue-and-red athletic jacket with track pants, a visor and, of course, a fake mustache. Bonus points if it's real.

Margot Robbie's Barbie from Barbie

Bring the retro vibes into your Halloween costume, inspired by Robbie's portrayal of Barbie from the 2023 Greta Gerwig-directed film. You'll need to layer a patterned leotard over a pair of neon pink bike shorts and accessorize with neon earrings and a bold visor. Don't forget your neon yellow rollerblades!

Maverick from Top Gun: Maverick

To pull off a Top Gun: Maverick costume, pair a green boiler suit with combat boots, dog tags and aviator sunglasses à la Tom Cruise's Pete Mitchell from the movie franchise.

Joe Exotic from Tiger King

Take it back to 2020 with a Joe Exotic (a.k.a. Tiger King) Halloween costume. All you need is a tiger-print shirt, a blond wig, a mustache and clip-on earrings.

Carole Baskin from Tiger King

Calling all cool cats and kittens! If you'd like to dress as Baskin for Halloween, team a tiger-print top with jeans, printed sneakers and a dramatic flower crown.

Wanda from WandaVision

Unleash your inner superhero with a Scarlet Witch costume. You'll need a red leotard, cape, go-go boots and Wanda Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) signature headpiece from the Disney+ series. Leave your hair natural, or rock a short red wig to complete the look.

Lady Bird from Lady Bird

For another easy Halloween get-up, consider dressing as Saoirse Ronan's title character in 2017's Lady Bird. You'll need a white polo top, a sweater vest and a short pleated skirt. The focal point of your costume should be a pink arm cast, which you can recreate with pink athletic tape.

Joe from You

For a costume that takes no more than 30 seconds to perfect, simply place a dark cap on your head, throw on a matching jacket and walk around with a longing look on your face. You'll immediately mirror Joe (Penn Badgley) from You.

A player from Squid Game

Dress as a player from Netflix's Squid Game series by throwing on a green tracksuit and wearing a sticker with your favorite number.

The doll from Squid Game

It may look super sweet, but if you've seen Squid Game on Netflix, you know differently. To achieve this look, layer an orange dress over a yellow blouse and complete the outfit with knee-high socks and flat black ballet pumps.

Danny Zuko from Grease

Have everyone asking, "tell me more," when you don a white T-shirt, a leather jacket and slicked-back hair like Grease's Danny Zuko (John Travolta) from the 1978 musical film. 

Sandy Olsson from Grease

Pay homage to the late Olivia Newton-John at the start of Grease and wear a long yellow skirt and white blouse. Don't forget to carry around a binder, too.

"Bad" Sandy from Grease

Alternatively, dress up as Sandy at the end of Grease. For this look, we suggest a black Bardot bodysuit, leather pants and a pair of red heels. Finish off the costume with a curly blonde wig and bold red lip.

Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington from 1993's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic spooky season get-up. To dress as the Tim Burton animated character, grab a pinstripe suit and bowtie. You can also purchase a skeleton mask or get creative with white and black face paint.

Elastigirl from The Incredibles

To transform into Elastigirl from 2004's The Incredibles, a red catsuit, black boots and black eye mask are all you need. Unlike most superhero costumes, this heroine's look doesn't require a cape!

Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus

To portray the witch and one-third of the Sanderson sisters, Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler), from the Hocus Pocus movies, use items already available in your closet. Think: a green dress, purple pantyhose and Winnie's staple red lip.

Drea from Do Revenge

The costumes from Netflix's Do Revenge were inspired by iconic teen movies, which makes one of the outfits a great choice on Halloween. Perhaps the most standout look is Drea's (Camila Mendes) lilac crop top, yellow tennis skirt and yellow headband.

Daenerys from Game of Thrones

Look no further than Emilia Clarke's Daenerys from Game of Thrones for another easy Halloween costume idea. Recreate her season 1 look with a gray chiffon dress and long blonde wig.

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

Get inspired by Harry Styles' "Harryween" look and dress up as Dorothy (Judy Garland) from the classic 1939 film. For the costume, wear a blue gingham pinafore dress, blue socks and ruby red slippers. To complete the ensemble, braid your hair into two plaits and tie them with baby blue bows at the ends.

Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's

To channel Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly in 1961's Breakfast at Tiffany's, opt for a long black gown, black satin gloves, a pearl necklace and a sleek updo.

Elle Woods from Legally Blonde

For fans of the Legally Blonde movie series, an Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) costume is a must. No matter what you wear, go pink from head to toe and rock a stylish 2000s blowout. What, like it's hard?

Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby

An impressive Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) costume consists of a suit (white, tan or black), a tie and a cane. So easy!

Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby

Sparkle and shine as Carey Mulligan's Daisy Buchanan from 2013's The Great Gatsby. Team a flapper-style dress with metallic heels, a blonde flapper wig and plenty of opulent accessories.

Donna Sheridan from Mamma Mia!

A true icon, unleash your inner Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep) and wear a white blouse, black overalls and neutral-hued canvas shoes. Accessorize with gold rings and wear your hair in loose waves.

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl

To create Blair Waldorf's (Leighton Meester) school uniform from Gossip Girl, you'll need a black pleated skirt, a white blouse and a black necktie. Don't forget to dig out your best headband, too.

Jughead Jones from Riverdale

Transforming into Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) is an ideal last-minute and cost-effective costume for all Riverdale fans. Grab your favorite jeans, T-shirt and jacket and pop on a beanie hat.

Minion from Despicable Me

To DIY a minion costume, you'll need blue denim and a yellow T-shirt. For your face, get creative and use face paint or accessorize with a yellow beanie hat and round glasses.

Elsa from Frozen

Ideal for kids and adults alike, easily transform into Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) from the Frozen films with a sparkly blue dress and a long blonde braided wig.

The Grady Twins from The Shining

The perfect duo costume, dress as the creepy Grady Twins from 1980's The Shining. All you need are two blue baby-doll-style dresses, white socks, black shoes and pink ribbons tied at your waists.

Lizzie McGuire from The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Be inspired by Lizzie McGuire's (Hilary Duff) whirlwind trip to Rome in the 2003 Disney flick. For Lizzie, you'll need a purple pants, top and jacket combo. If you'd rather be Isabella — also portrayed by Duff — switch the pants for a skirt and grab everything in green.

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