Here Are 30 Of The Best Celeb Costumes From 2021’s Halloween

Halloween 2021 was the year celebrities collectively decided to stop “posting a pumpkin emoji and calling it a day” and
start treating costumes like a competitive sport. Suddenly, Instagram turned into a runway for movie tributes,
TV-inspired looks, deep-cut pop culture references, and enough prosthetics to make your local spirit gum aisle feel
underqualified.

What made 2021 so fun wasn’t just the money or the glam (though, yes, both were present and thriving). It was the
vibe: playful, nostalgic, a little chaotic, and proudly committed. The best celebrity Halloween costumes of 2021
weren’t trying to be “pretty.” They were trying to be rightthe kind of right that makes you say,
“Wait… that’s actually genius,” while texting your friends, “I’m never topping this.”

Why 2021 Halloween Felt Like the Big Comeback Tour

There are years when celebrity Halloween looks feel like a casual suggestion. And then there’s 2021, which felt like
the world’s most stylish group project. The biggest themes had a clear pattern: trending TV, iconic throwbacks, and
“I can’t believe they thought of that.”

Pop culture shaped the costume map. Netflix’s Squid Game became the season’s go-to reference, while classic
films and early-2000s music moments got dusted off and made fresh again. And because social media is basically a
highlight reel with a ring light, the costumes weren’t just outfitsthey were full presentations. If a look didn’t
come with a pose, a caption, and at least one “how is that even real?” detail, it didn’t stand a chance.

The 30 Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2021

These are the standouts that nailed accuracy, creativity, and pure entertainment value. Some are glamorous, some are
spooky, and some are so oddly perfect you’ll want to applaud with both hands and a tiny plastic skeleton.

1) Harry Styles as Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz)

A classic character, a bold commitment, and the kind of “I’m doing what I want” energy that makes Halloween feel
alive. The look worked because it didn’t feel like a jokeit felt like a fully realized homage with stage-level
confidence.

2) Hailey Bieber as Britney Spears (multiple iconic eras)

Halloween is the Olympics of pop culture references, and this was a gold-medal routine. Recreating multiple Britney
moments made it feel like a mini exhibit of early-2000s fashion historyrecognizable, detailed, and instantly
screenshot-worthy.

3) Justin Bieber as a Bear (cozy, meme-ready)

Sometimes “best” means “most fun.” The bear costume was simple, comfy, and weirdly on-brandproof that not every
standout needs a team of makeup artists. Bonus points for the “I can wear this to the afterparty and still breathe”
practicality.

4) Kendall Jenner as the Martian Girl (Mars Attacks!)

This is what happens when you choose a cult favorite and commit to the details: the costume becomes instantly
iconic. It wasn’t just a nodit was a near-perfect recreation that rewarded anyone who loves a clever, slightly
spooky throwback.

5) Olivia Rodrigo as Elvira Hancock (Scarface)

A sharp choice that balanced glamour with cinematic attitude. The styling hit that “recognizable even in a scroll”
sweet spot, turning a film character into a Halloween look that felt both vintage and totally current.

6) Ariana Grande as Miss Creature (Creature from the Black Lagoon)

Prosthetics, green texture, and classic monster-movie dramathis was a Halloween flex. The best part wasn’t just the
makeup; it was the mood. The costume looked like it came with its own soundtrack and fog machine.

7) Ariana Grande as Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors)

A second costume that leaned into theatrical nostalgia. The retro styling made it feel like a playful costume while
still delivering the kind of detail that reads “thoughtful tribute,” not “last-minute wig.”

8) Megan Thee Stallion as Pinhead (Hellraiser)

Horror, but make it high-impact. The look blended scary and stylish in a way that felt both bold and beautifully
executed. It’s a reminder that Halloween doesn’t have to choose between “fright” and “fashion.”

9) Megan Thee Stallion as Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Cruella is a Halloween classic, but this version had extra star powerbig attitude, dramatic styling, and that
unmistakable villain confidence. A great example of taking a familiar character and turning the volume up.

10) Lizzo as Grogu (Baby Yoda) (The Mandalorian)

The internet loves commitment, and this was commitment with a sense of humor. The look was detailed, playful, and
instantly memorablelike the costume equivalent of a perfectly timed punchline.

11) Lizzo as the “Red Light, Green Light” doll (Squid Game)

This costume worked because it was both eerie and oddly delightful. It captured a 2021 cultural moment so precisely
that you could practically hear the suspense. Halloween gold: topical, recognizable, and genuinely creepy.

12) Lizzo as Dorothea (Bebe’s Kids)

Deep-cut references are a Halloween power move, and this one landed. The character styling made it feel like a true
tributefunny, specific, and a great reminder that “best costumes” aren’t limited to the obvious picks.

13) Doja Cat as Princess Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire)

Kida is beloved, but rarely done with this level of polish. The look felt like a celebration of animated nostalgia,
brought to life with party-ready glam and enough accuracy to make fans instantly nod in approval.

14) Doja Cat as Ms. Sara Bellum (The Powerpuff Girls)

A clever, slightly mischievous pick that delivered a “waitYES” reaction. It stood out because it wasn’t the most
obvious character choice, and the styling made it feel like a fully formed concept rather than a throwaway gag.

15) Cardi B as Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)

Morticia is a Halloween icon for a reason: elegance with a side of menace. This take leaned into that spooky
sophistication, proving that sometimes the best costume is the one that looks like it belongs on a gothic movie
poster.

16) Kerry Washington as Player 456 (Squid Game)

Simple costume, huge cultural payoff. The green tracksuit became a 2021 shorthand for “I know what everyone is
watching,” and this version worked because it hit the reference cleanlyno overcomplication needed.

17) Hayley Kiyoko as a Squid Game contestant (067-inspired)

This is how you do a trend without looking like you bought it five minutes ago. The details made it feel true to the
show, and the overall look captured why Squid Game costumes were everywhere: they’re instantly recognizable
and surprisingly cool.

18) The Weeknd as Don Vito Corleone (The Godfather)

A classic character with unmistakable presence. The transformation was strong enough to make you do a double-take,
which is basically Halloween’s highest compliment. It’s the kind of costume that doesn’t just reference a movieit
channels it.

19) Billie Eilish (and Matthew Tyler Vorce) as Lobsters

Matching costumes win because they’re fun, and these were peak cozy chaos. The lobster onesies felt like a wink to
pop culture while still being the kind of outfit you could realistically survive a whole night insnacks included.

20) John Legend & Chrissy Teigen’s family as The Addams Family

A family theme that looked polished, coordinated, and delightfully spooky. Group costumes are hard because everyone
has to “fit” the concept, and this one worked because each look felt intentionallike a Halloween cast photo.

21) Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker as Clarence and Alabama (True Romance)

This costume was all attitude: a couples look that felt cinematic, specific, and a little dangerous (in a cool,
costume-only way). It nailed the characters’ vibe, which is what separates a “reference” from a real tribute.

22) Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker as Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen

Punk iconography is a Halloween shortcutunless you do it this well. The styling carried the gritty rock-and-roll
energy without feeling like a generic costume kit. It read as a concept with intention, not a last-minute leather
moment.

23) Rihanna as Gunna (viral fashion moment recreation)

Halloween is the one day you’re allowed to cosplay the internet, and this was a perfect example. The genius here was
choosing a highly recognizable modern referencefashion-meets-memethen executing it with complete confidence.

24) Niecy Nash & Jessica Betts as Kelly Rowland and Nelly (“Dilemma” era)

A couples costume that doubles as a music video flashback? Yes, please. The appeal was instant recognition plus the
fun of re-living a pop culture moment that still lives rent-free in everyone’s memory.

25) Yara Shahidi as Aaliyah

A tribute costume can be trickyyou want respect and accuracy, not parody. This one landed because it felt like
appreciation: clean styling, clear reference, and a thoughtful nod to a beloved artist’s lasting influence.

26) Paris Hilton as Cinderella

Fairy-tale costumes can be predictable, but this one worked because it was perfectly aligned with the wearer’s brand:
sparkling, nostalgic, and unapologetically extra. It felt like a costume and a statement at the same time.

27) Dua Lipa as a Vampire (glam classic)

The vampire is timeless because it’s flexible: spooky, stylish, and instantly readable. This version leaned into the
glam side, proving that Halloween doesn’t require a complicated reference if the execution is sharp.

28) Janelle Monáe as The Grinch

A holiday character on Halloween is a chaotic choicein the best way. The Grinch look stood out because it was bold,
theatrical, and a little mischievous, like someone showed up to spooky season with a wink and a plot twist.

29) Jamie Lee Curtis as Marion Crane (Psycho tribute)

This one had real storytelling behind it: a tribute with film history attached. It’s the kind of costume that feels
meaningful and clever, turning Halloween into a moment of pop culture appreciation, not just dress-up.

30) Drew Scott & Linda Phan as Bob Ross (couples costume perfection)

A couples costume that’s funny, sweet, and instantly recognizable is basically a Halloween jackpot. The Bob Ross
concept worked because it’s warm, nostalgic, and surprisingly easy to “get” at a glancelike a happy little
Halloween accident that went right.

What These Costumes Got Right (So You Can Steal the Magic)

The secret sauce behind the best celebrity costumes of 2021 wasn’t just moneyit was intention. If you want your
costume to feel “celebrity-level” without a celebrity budget, borrow these ideas:

• Pick a reference people can recognize fast. Trending shows, iconic movies, or viral moments win on sight.
• Commit to one “signature detail.” A wig shape, a prop, a makeup elementone strong clue sells the whole look.
• Match the attitude. The pose, expression, and energy often matter as much as the outfit.
• Don’t underestimate “simple done perfectly.” A tracksuit or bear suit can beat a complicated look if it’s styled well.
• Group and couples costumes work when everyone has a role. Think “cast photo,” not “random assortment.”

Real-Life Costume Experiences: The Stuff the Red Carpet Never Shows

Watching celebrity Halloween costumes from 2021 is like watching cooking shows: it looks effortless until you try it
yourself and realize you’ve been holding a hot glue gun like it’s a microphone at karaoke. The truth is, the best
costumesfamous or notusually come with a behind-the-scenes story. And that’s part of the fun.

First, there’s the “idea phase,” which is basically your brain opening 27 tabs at once. You start with a big theme
(“I want to do something from a movie!”), then spiral into the specifics (“Which movie? Which character? Do I look
like someone who can pull off a full green monster prosthetic at 10 p.m.?”). In 2021, you could feel that energy
everywhere because the references were so strong. Squid Game costumes, for example, looked easy on papera
tracksuit, a number, done. But then you remember you still need the right shade of green, the right font for the
numbers, and shoes you can stand in for three hours while someone’s playlist switches from spooky to heartbreak
ballads.

Then comes the shopping reality check. Celebrity looks can be “custom” and “tailored,” while real-life costumes
sometimes involve convincing yourself that a slightly-too-small hoodie is “fitted.” This is where the 2021 costumes
offer a useful lesson: focus on the detail people recognize. If you’re channeling Dorothy, you don’t need a film
studioyou need the blue dress silhouette and the red shoes moment. If you’re going for Morticia Addams, the vibe is
the costume. Hair, posture, and a confident slow walk can do more than spending extra money on something nobody
notices.

Makeup is its own adventure. In 2021, celebrities reminded everyone how powerful makeup can beespecially with
monster looks and horror references. In real life, though, makeup experiments usually happen five minutes before you
need to leave. That’s when you learn the universal Halloween truth: eyeliner is either your best friend or your
greatest enemy, and it decides at random. The smartest move? Do a test run earlier. Not because you want to be
perfectbecause you don’t want to discover that your face paint transfers onto everything you love, including your
phone screen, your jacket, and the snack bowl you promised you wouldn’t touch.

And finally, there’s the “living in the costume” part. Celebs can change outfits mid-night. Most people are wearing
the same look while carrying a purse, holding a drink, taking photos, and trying not to lose a wig in a doorway. The
most underrated costumes in 2021 were the ones that looked good and still let people move. That’s why cozy looks
(like the lobster onesies or a simple-but-funny animal suit) hit so hard: you can actually enjoy the night without
constantly fixing something.

The best real-life Halloween experience, though, is the moment someone recognizes your costume instantly. It’s the
same reason celebrity looks go viral: recognition is a tiny spark of shared culture. Whether you’re recreating a
famous movie character, honoring a music icon, or doing a “2021 trend” costume with your friends, that little “Oh my
gosh, you’re that!” moment is the whole point. The costumes are funbut the shared laughter and hype is what
makes Halloween feel like a holiday instead of just a wardrobe challenge.

Final Thoughts

Halloween 2021 proved that the best celebrity costumes aren’t just about being seenthey’re about being
understood. The top looks balanced creativity with clarity, nostalgia with freshness, and style with humor.
Whether your inspiration is a cult classic, a trending show, or an iconic music moment, the winning formula stays the
same: pick a strong reference, commit to the details, and have fun with the performance.