Halloween is only one month away which means many of us are already searching for costume ideas, decor and other seasonal fun that comes along with the leaves changing and the spooky season. Whether you plan on going all out with your costume, decking out your dorm or just getting cozy and binging Halloween movies, here’s a guide to help navigate what’s expected to be trending in this year’s Halloween season.
Popular costumes: What’s everyone wearing?
The hardest part of Halloween is always trying to find a costume. With inspiration from social media such as TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest, this year’s costumes reflect what’s viral and iconic.
- Y2K horror: Who knew your grandma’s fave horror movies would be back? With the release of reboots and sequels of famous Halloween movies comes trendy costumes. Expect to see many Beetlejuice costumes this year or anything Tim Burton inspired. Hocus Pocus, Scream and The Exorcist would all make incredible costumes with a mix of nostalgia.
- Pop culture: Channel your inner pop star by dressing up as pop icons such as Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter. Even consider replicating album covers and music videos. Trending themes in media are also expected to be popular, such as the Olympics and the “Challengers” movie if you’re thinking of something more sporty. If you plan on coordinating with friends, “Inside Out” and “Bridgerton” were very popular this year and would make great group costumes.
- Classics: Looking for something more timeless? A classic costume is always a safe bet and never goes out of style. You can never go wrong with a vampire, witch or ghost, and these can be worn solo or turned into a group costume. If you want something a bit more lively, consider going as an animal, devil, angel, superhero or villain.
Must-watch Halloween movies
Halloween is the time of the year when old classics start trending again. Even with new Halloween movie releases, nothing can beat a good classic. Here are a few binge-worthy Halloween movie recommendations.
- “Hocus Pocus” is a must watch every Halloween. The beloved movie has even developed a sequel as well as an expected third movie sometime this year. The magical chaos of the Sanderson sisters makes this a perfect lighthearted humorous watch for Halloween.
- Tim Burton films: Tim Burton is known for his gothic style films both live action and animated such as “BeetleJuice,” “Coraline,” “Corpse Bride,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Frankenweenie,” “Edward Scissorhands” and more. These are just a few of his movies that use dark fantasy and fit into any Halloween watchlist.
- The “Scream” franchise has always been a Halloween favorite. These slasher films have left a legacy as an iconic film choice. There are currently six movies, making it binge-worthy as well. It’s perfect for horror fans and has the audience at the edge of their seats trying to figure out who the ghostface killer is.
- “Fear Street” is a trilogy which is set across different time periods. The movie is a blend of many elements such as slasher and supernatural with intriguing characters and plot twists. It’s a movie with a solid story mixed in with a few jump scares.
- “Halloweentown” is a nostalgic movie that has lighthearted aspects including magic and fun. It’s a good option for those who want a break from horror flicks. It follows a magical family that resides in Halloweentown and is a cozy film that evokes childhood memories.
- “Trick ‘r Treat” is for fans of horror movies. This anthology film weaves together different stories all set on Halloween. The movie includes many myths and urban legends and various Halloween traditions.
Spooky decor ideas:
You can always count on adding some festive decor to elicit some Halloween spirit.
- Minimalist: It’s hard to go over the top on Halloween especially with a residence hall room. Something small and casual like a carved pumpkin can set the tone. Black and orange candles or even skull and ghost accents around your room can give a subtle nod to the holiday while keeping things laid back. Personally, I like to wear Halloween-themed pajamas and consider that my version of decorating.
- Candy: It’s not Halloween without having a few candy bags laying around. Even just buying Halloween candy can be enough to decorate your space. Old school candy returning on Halloween is always trendy, especially candies like Whoppers, Fun Dips, Smarties, Laffy Taffy and my personal favorite — the mini Hershey bars. With charcuterie boards trending, even having a candy charcuterie board arranged aesthetically in your room or at a party would be a fun way to add some Halloween spirit.