These iconic movie character 'fits will make you want to throw a costume party ASAP
Who among us has not fantasised about jumping into the screen and playing out your fave movie? I challenge you, fellow film lovers, to make this dream a reality and pick one of these iconic movie character costumes for your next costume party or Halloween. Will you snag a Barbie outfit to honour the never-ending Barbenheimmer era, or go goth with a Wednesday Addams look?
To avoid too much anguish, we have gathered So. Many. of the most iconic movie character costumes to choose from. And, some of them are pretty easy to pull together last minute. You’re welcome!
Now, before you pick a costume, remember this: The key to pulling off a movie character costume for Halloween or your dress-up event is choosing an iconic outfit from a popular movie that you like and that you can easily recreate, whether by picking up an already existing costume or DIY-ing it. Think more Disney's Cruella de Vil (super identifiable, can be as easy as buying a wig) and less random niche movie character who doesn't have a standout look or recognisable aesthetic.
Though if you're a natural blonde or redhead, the easiest option is sticking to characters with your same hair colour – no wig required. Plus, for bonus points, opt for a movie character that your S/O or besties can get in on the look with a couples' costume or group costume.
Got it? Good. Now you're ready to read on for some movie character costume inspo.
Tashi from Challengers
Want movie character inspo? As Tashi, Zendaya wore many memorable outfits in Challengers, and you can def get away with putting on your best tenniscore outfit and calling it a day. But if you really want to nail a Challengers look, the best way is to get your hands on that iconic “I Told Ya” t-shirt.
Barbie from Barbie
Barbie is a Halloween favourite thanks to Margot Robbie, but there's no wondering why. There soooo many iconic 'fits to choose from, including ALL of Margot's iconic press tour looks and costumes in the film. Just grab every pink item you own and rock it.
Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City
Carrie Bradshaw has worn many iconic outfits over the years on Sex and the City and ...And Just Like That, but her most well-known movie outfit has got to be her elaborate wedding gown from the 2008 Sex and the City film. Obviously, buying an extravagant wedding dress is a bit of a stretch, but check out charity shops for cheap versions and don't forget the real accessory to focus on: the blue feather adornment on the veil.
Gogo and The Bride from Kill Bill
Kill Bill gave the world some of the most recognisable costumes. Case in point: that yellow bodysuit is basically synonymous with Uma Thurman's protagonist. And it's relatively easy to recreate, just take a note from Machine Gun Kelly and get a yellow tracksuit, spray some fake blood on it, grab your katana and you're good to go. And if you have a friend/S.O., have them pull a Megan Fox and dress as Gogo the Assassin.
Emma Baxter from Poor Things
Big shoulders are back, baby! Emma Stone's character in Poor Things is always sporting giant, puffy shoulders, but this three-piece outfit is probably her most well-known. Just be warned: you might get a little chilly in those yellow short shorts.
Mia from The Princess Diaries
All I'm saying is that Camila Cabello killed this Halloween look, and so can you. All you need is a strapless white dress, oval sunnies, your dad's old headphones from the '90s, and, of course, a tiara.
Dionne Davenport from Clueless
Yeah, Cher's yellow plaid ensemble is undeniably chic, but can we talk about Dionne's first 'fit from the movie for a sec?
Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy and gingham go together like yellow bricks and roads. She looks so sweet and summery with her apron dress in The Wizard of Oz – and who could forget about those famous sparkly red shoes?
Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30
Let's be real – when you first saw this dress on screen, you either hated it or had to have it. (Ariana Grande had to have it so badly, she wore the dress on a regular episode of The Voice, not even as a costume!) Let's all agree to file this colourful ensemble under: not a want, but a need.
Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland
Queen coming through, and she's not afraid to steal hearts. The Queen of Hearts can be portrayed in so many different ways, but as long as you have wear a crown high on your head and stick to the deck of cards theme, people will have no problem knowing who you are.
Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch
One of Marilyn Monroe's unforgettable moments in The Seven Year Itch was her dress being blown up by a gust of air from a subway grate. This halter-neck style is practically synonymous with the famous starlet.
Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice
What could be more fun than dressing as OG ~goth grrl~ Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice, complete with an eye-catching red wedding gown?
Isis from Bring It On
Say it with us now: “Brr! It's cold in here. There must be some Clovers in the atmosphere.” Just saying, the Clovers green cheer uniform is far superior to the Toros' boring red-and-black unis.
Gracie Hart from Miss Congeniality
If you have a pink dress with a high slit and combat boots, then you just need a crown, sash, and leg holster to become Gracie from Miss Congeniality.
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
Remember the court room scene from Legally Blonde? Ofc you do, because Reese Witherspoon's pink dress is just *chef's kiss.*
Maleficent from Maleficent
One of the chicest villains of all time? It's got to be Angelina Jolie's Maleficent.
Tinker Bell from Peter Pan
Tinker Bell is a classic and super cute option if you want to feel a little bit of extra magic at your next party. Fairy glitter not included.
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly's LBD and sparkly accessories in Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of Audrey Hepburn's most iconic looks. She's SO glamorous with her pearls, gloves, and cigarette holder.
Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family
Odds are, if you think of Wednesday Addams, you also picture her go-to white-collared black dress—and her signature braided pigtails, naturally.
Lara Croft from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Angelina Jolie a-t-e in Tomb Raider, and so will you when you strap on your garter pocket utility belt. Dust off those combat boots we were all obsessed with in the 2010s, and don't be afraid to paint on some battle scars while you're at it.
Alabama Whitman from True Romance
To channel Alabama Whitman from True Romance, you just need a red dress, leopard-print jacket, and some shades.
Elvira Hancock from Scarface
For a fun throwback, dress up as the v chic Elvira Hancock from 1983's Scarface, complete with a long satin dress, bobbed wig, and heeled sandals.
Juno MacGuff from Juno
Juno's mismatched 'fit made us wanna try wearing a skirt over jeans (plus, this is the perfect Halloween costume to wear if you're expecting a lil bb).
Nina Sayers from Black Swan
The swan costume Natalie Portman wears in her final performance is so on point(e)—the crown, the eye makeup, the tutu—that it's no wonder this look became the one featured on movie posters.
Margot Tenenbaum from The Royal Tenenbaums
Margot's style in The Royal Tenenbaums is still iconic even nearly 20 years after the movie was released. From the fur coat to the Hermès Birkin bag and the single barrette, she has such a signature look.
Wonder Woman from Wonder Woman
A superhero's costume is such an integral part of their character, and Wonder Woman's outfit is just as functional as it is stylish. With its armoured skirt and bustier in gold, red, and blue, she's protected, has the freedom to kick and punch, and also looks dang good doing it.
Vivian Ward from Pretty Woman
Who could forget the scene when Vivian first appears in Pretty Woman? She wears a cut-out mini dress with thigh-high patent leather boots—talk about making an entrance. Although she gets a makeover later on, it's this first outfit that's the most memorable.
Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction
The white button-down has been a classic piece forever, but Mia Wallace makes it a fashion-forward statement when she wears hers in Pulp Fiction.
Nakia from Black Panther
The 2018 film had the most gorgeous costumes, but it was the bright red ensembles that warriors like Nakia wore that really stole the show. The mix of rich colours, embroidery, and metal armour made these outfits unforgettable.
Cruella de Vil from Cruella
The two-tone hair? The red lip? The oversized fur coat? It doesn't get any more chic than everyone's favourite dog-hating villain Cruella de Vil.
Leeloo from The Fifth Element
Calling all sci-fi nerds: This truly iconic costume is sure to make ya stand out at your Halloween party.
Helen Strangé from Boomerang
Eccentric fashion diva Strangé is one of the most memorable parts of 1992's Boomerang, and her red-and-black ensemble is so, so fun to recreate.
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
An all-black ensemble, a bow, and a long braid are all you need to become the fierce Katniss Everdeen.
Lisbeth Salandar from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
If you've got some impressive hair styling and body art skills (or, ya know, a real mohawk and dragon tattoo), then you can copy Rooney Mara's badass style from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Baby Jane Hudson from What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is truly one of the creepiest films of all time, and horror buffs are sure to recognise your Bette Davis-inspired costume.
Romy and Michele from Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
Party like it's 1997 and you and your BFF are desperate to make a good impression at your 10-year high school reunion! All you and your bestie need is a bright, metallic blue and pink minidress with high heels.
Catwoman from Catwoman
Literally don't care if you're channeling Halle Berry, Zoë Kravitz, or Michelle Pfeiffer, Catwoman is an easy way to feel like a complete baddie. Sharpen those claws, put on your most flattering catsuit (or all black if a catsuit is an absolute heck no), and order a mask to complete the sleek ensemble.
Alexa and Alexie Grady from The Shining
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.
Juliet Capulet from Romeo + Juliet
Anyone who's seen the '90s classic Romeo + Juliet starring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio will instantly recogniSe this iconique costume.
Queen Marie Antoinette from Marie Antoinette
There were honestly so many incredible outfits in this movie that it's impossible to choose just one. The huge gowns, pastel colour schemes, and delicate ribbons and lacing made the ensembles so over the top in the best way.
Sandy from Grease
Sandy's edgy makeover in the movie Grease is definitely jaw-dropping. She looks killer in tight black pants, an off-the-shoulder top and red peep-toes (it's impressive she wears them while walking on grass!).
Melanie Daniels from The Birds
Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror film is a classic, and tbh, Tippi Hedren's green skirt suit is just as fashionable today as it was back then.
Annie Hall from Annie Hall
Okay, but can we all agree that Diane Keaton single-handedly made the menswear-for-women movement happen?
Carmen Jones from Carmen Jones
Anyone who's not familiar with Dorothy Dandridge and her Academy Award-nominated performance as Carmen Jones in the 1954 musical of the same name needs to educate themselves ASAP.
Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Name a more iconic red dress than the one worn by Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? We bet you can't.
Alice Ayres from Closer
Another iconic lewk inspired by a Natalie Portman movie, this slinky Alice costume is sure to get everyone's attention.
Nisi from B.A.P.S.
B.A.P.S. is a '90s cult classic, and fans of the flick are sure to recognise Halle Berry's chic orange pantsuit and blonde beehive from the movie.
Carrie White from Carrie
Who could ever forget when Sissy Spacek gets doused with pig blood at prom?? (Note: Actual pig's blood is not required to put together this costume.)
Elle Driver from Kill Bill
Ya, Uma Thurman's yellow catsuit is memorable, but Daryl Hannah's raincoat moment from Kill Bill is equally iconic.
Edna Mode from The Incredibles
Edna may only have one outfit, but she is truly a ✨fashion icon✨ for the ages.
Dani Ardor from Midsommar
While not the easiest costume to recreate, Florence Pugh's flower dress from Midsommar is undeniably memorable.
Nyota Uhura from Star Trek
Zoe Saldana's costume in the Star Trek movie series stays true to the lewk originated by Nichelle Nicholas with slightly more modern touches, which is probs why it remains so damn iconic.
A Fembot from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
The fluffy pink nightie! The metallic gloves! The blonde bouffant! They may be deadly, but the army of Fembots from Austin Powers are also stylish as hell.
Rey from Star Wars
If you feel like Princess Leia's look is overdone, then dress up as Rey from the Star Wars sequel film trilogy instead.
Magenta from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show is FULL of memorable costumes, but Magenta's maid 'fit is one of the easiest to recreate.
Daphne Blake from Scooby Doo
Velma's orange sweater is cute and all, but everyone knows that—with her purple dress and green scarf—Daphne is the true stylista of the Scooby-Doo crew.
Trinity from The Matrix
Yes, the signature tiny '90s Matrix sunglasses keep coming back in style, and for good reason (they look so damn cool). But Trinity's all-black futuristic outfits (often including patent leather and tiny frames) also make the perfect Halloween ensemble.
Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad
Guarantee you've seen someone wearing this as a Halloween costume since Suicide Squad premiered in 2016. Harley Quinn's fishnet tights, "Daddy's Lil' Monster" T-shirt, bomber jacket, pink and blue hair, and, yeah, a baseball bat just look so badass.
Storm from X-Men
With her sleek black bodysuit and platinum blonde hair, Halle Berry's Storm is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
She may be the creation of a mad scientist, but Sally's patchwork rag doll dress is kinda cute, no?
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