Halloween is here, and with that, costume parties have arrived. Now, we’ve already covered some of the most coveted looks of the year, such as KPop Demon Hunters, as well as wacky superhero fun, and, of course, titans of terror like Terrifier, but what about the outright weird?
Here are io9’s picks for the strange and unusual but often hilarious Halloween costumes of 2025. Retailers took some familiar spooky season icons and gave them a spin that goes from cleverly yet confusingly sexy to head-scratching to grimly funny to downright nightmare fuel. There’s a lot of room in between for so many questions, so if you go for any of our picks, you might just end up being the talk of the party.
Costumes for Women
SpongeBob SquarePants Patrick Star Catsuit Costume – Spirit Halloween: The SpongeBob SquarePants movie came out in 2004, but it gave us a Patrick meme that will never die; it’s truly the gift that keeps on slaying. The fishnets and boots dance moment is bizarrely iconic and has no right to diva down this hard so many years later.
Shrek Lord Farquaad Dress Costume – Spirit Halloween:The way this fun Lady Farquaad looks like the perfect fit to throw on has made me a believer. It’s simply a serve in the oddest way possible… and just might make the wearer suddenly want to track down gingerbread men to torture.
Pearl “Killer Farmhouse Starlet” Premium Costume Set – DollsKill: She’s a staaaaaaaar! Did we need a skimpy Pearl movie costume moment? It feels so random to pull from such a cult film but the folks at DollsKill really did it. Good luck trying to secure this costume; it’s already sold out. (You could probably DIY your own version pretty easily, though.)
The Cat in the Hat poncho – Spirit Halloween: Whimsical yet low effort makes no sense to go together, but this lazy Cat in the Hat poncho pulls off that combination with ease. You can make it scarier with makeup prosthetics or just draw on some whiskers but always remain an agent of Seussical chaos.
Costumes for Men
The Emperor’s New Groove Kronk Costume – Spirit Halloween: Kronk can definitely pull the lever in this Emperor’s New Groove costume based on the himbo evil sidekick from the early 2000s Disney animated movie. The character taking this long to join the Disney Villains Halloween lineup is so wild.
Full Moon Werewolf Costume – Spirit Halloween: Well, that’s one way to dress a werewolf transformation and be economical about how much fabric goes where. The booty shorts are a perfect touch and if you’re in a climate that tends to have Halloweens run hot, this might be for you.
Dune Paul Atreides – Spirit Halloween: A stillsuit this is not; Paul would never. It doesn’t even hold anyone’s water, maybe a layer of sweat that would go to waste. Fremen would frown at this.
Friday the 13th: The Game Jason Voorhees Retro Costume – Spirit Halloween: Okay, we know this is inspired by the game but if Jason chased me in this, I’d put on some disco music and expect to die on a dance floor.
Costumes for Kids
Kid’s Inflatable Sonic Movie Shadow – HalloweenCostumes.com: Shadow as an inflatable with silly proportions and no fur is cute but cursed-looking.
“Radioactive Shrimp Baby – Spirit Halloween: This may just be a shrimp costume but we think with some neon lights and a “recalled” sign, it could be a very timely look for a baby.
Kids Halloween Michael Myers Pick Me Up Costume – Spirit Halloween: The rise of inflatable slashers embracing the wearer as a victim needs to be documented. This Michael Myers one is one heck of an illusion because your legs are his legs but you’re also clearly the victim. Chalk this one up to creative costume genius.
Kids Vampire Coffin 3D Costume: Another one the youths can have fun with, wearing a coffin as deceased from the plague and all that. This being specifically a kid’s costume is unconsciously grim but funny.
Costumes for Pets
The Monkey – HalloweenCostumes.com: The cat model for this costume looks like it’s channeling the energy of Oz Perkins’ The Monkey. I think if the pet owner dressed up as one of the demented toy’s victims or a blood-drenched Theo James, it would make it even more unhinged.
Halloween Michael Myers pet costume – Spirit Halloween: Stop! We cannot with the Michael Myers mask beret. The look of it really works despite it not making sense to the character, who never takes off his mask. If a cute dog ran up to me dressed like this, consider me dead.
Hello Kitty dog costume – PetSmart: It’s a dog dressed as a cat; make it make sense. So yes, have your pet assume the identity of one of the most iconic cartoon cats with the Sanrio-approved overalls and a headband.
Creature From the Black Lagoon Gill-man Dog & Cat Costume – Amazon: The depths of this galaxy brain costume run deep. Would I ever ponder, “Hmm, I think I’d like to dress my dog up as if he’s rescued the Creature from the Black Lagoon?” No, not at all but this costume does make me need to see my dog run around looking like he’s rescued the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
The Truly Weird
Labubu – DollsKill: Sexy Labubu was inevitable. And the demand is high, as DollsKill is pretty much sold out on its wild drop inspired by the PopMart keychain monster trend.
Two Person Brawny Brontosaurus Costume – HalloweenCostumes.com: I feel so bad for whoever ends up being the back of the brawny brontosaurus. This dino duo costume looks like a comedy bit, not to mention dangerous to party in—of course we’d sit back and watch the chaos.
The Yellow Brick Road – HalloweenCostumes.com: Okay, this one really tickles because being the yellow brick road is the perfect add-on to a Wicked group costume that’s not the obvious Tin Man or Scarecrow. It is so For Good coded and you can stand between an Elphaba and Glinda to recreate the posters. Two witch women, one road. Done and done.
Carry Me Ghost Face Kids Costume – HalloweenCostumes.com: This one wins at being the weirdest of the kids’ slasher costumes for looking like Ghostface is getting his back broken.
Action Hero Costume for Dogs – HalloweenCostumes.com: In a world where danger lurks around every corner, there’s one dog ready to sniff and snuff it out. Action hero dog needs his own movie. All dogs should have this costume to guard their homes in.
Disney Muppets Statler and Waldorf masks – HalloweenCostumes.com: Yeah, seeing The Muppets’ Statler and Waldorf out of their balcony and walking around with the creepiest big heads is the most terrifying thing we’ve seen. Can you imagine how they’d chase their victims while roasting them, though? Bonkers.
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Sabina Graves
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