Hi, hello, glad you're here because I'm on a mission to make Halloween funny again. Listen, as easy as it is to dress up like a sexy Halloween bunny or the classic last-minute scary Halloween vampire, let's be real: the best costumes are the ones that get a laugh. But before you get any Napolean Dynamite paired with your BFF sporting a "Vote for Pedro" T-shirt ideas, take a beat. While it was fun years back, we've been-there-done-that, and it's time for a more of-the-moment or unique blast from the past, funny Halloween costume that'll make people say why didn't I think of that?! while they're LOL'ing, obvi.
From the breakout baby hippo star of 2024 to TikTok trends and niche pop culture moments of both past and present, keep scrolling for 18 funny costume ideas to try this Halloween.
1. Moo Deng
The real star of 2024? Thailand's sassiest baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. Her name quite literally translates to "bouncy pork," and she is an ultra-moisturized ball of cuteness who jumps, screams, sleeps, and bites people's legs. If that ain't me, IDK what is.
2. Justin & Hailey Bieber at the Rhode Launch
I don't care if this is so last year—when I think of one of the most iconic LOL-worthy celeb moments, Justin and Hailey Bieber at the Rhode Dunkin' Donuts event immediately comes to mind. This couples costume is so easy to do, and you guys will have fun recreating the epic pics.
3. Sonny Angel
Quite literally created to bring smiles and happiness to all who get their hands on this three-inch tall figurine, the Sonny Angel toy has people obsessed, to put it lightly. And what's funnier than dressing up in a full-nude-colored bodysuit with your favorite Sonny Angel headgear in tow? Nothing.
4. Coastal Grandma
Each year brings with it new fashion trends that have ~creative~ nicknames: balletcore, coquette cowboy, regency royal, barbie-core, and my favorite: coastal grandma. But instead of dressing in the breezy, elevated style, to make it funny, take the term literally. Need inspo? Jimmy Fallon and Jane Fonda put this concept to play in their hilarious "Coastal Grandma" music vid.
5. Sexy Patrick Star
SUPRNOWA Turtleneck Footless Spandex
When I wore this costume a few years back, I got the most laughs I ever had. A pink full-body suit, Bikini Bottom shorts, fishnet tights, and some killer platform knee-high boots will bring everyone back to the good ol' Spongebob days.
6. Carrie Bradshaw when Big Moves to France
If there's one thing a majority of Sex and the City fans can agree on, it's that sometimes Carrie made the most cringe moves, and all you could possibly do was laugh. So why not make a costume out of it? One of the top moments? Season 2, Episode 12, "La Douleur Exquise!" when Carrie finds out Big is moving to Paris and shows up with Big Mac in a beret, ready to uproot her life in a heartbeat.
7. Chipotle Fork
Those who get it, get it. Those who don't, move on.
8. Jojo Siwa's Video & Dance Move
Outfitted in the viral music video look, SNL poked fun at Jojo Siwa's rebrand, and it didn't take long for Jojo to post about how "ICONIC" the parody was. Dress up as the former Dance Moms star in her bad girl era, and don't forget to hit *that* dance move all night long.
9. The Simple Life
Grab your BFF this Halloween and channel the two most iconic best friends there ever were: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in The Simple Life. Don the best of your "farmer-chic" clothing, and pull it all together with a pitchfork and a stuffed chihuahua.
10. Dua Lipa & her Pickle-Jalepeño-Diet Coke
Niche? Maybe, but those who get it know that this combo is elite—don't knock it 'til ya try it. Dressing up as Dua herself is a slay enough, but adding the viral TikTok element of her Diet Coke/pickle/jalepeño combo to the lewk will make you get a few laughs.
11. Justin Timberlake's Ruined World Tour
This year, Justin Timberlake went through some ups and downs that inspired a plethora of hilarious memes alluding to that world tour comment. To dress up as this concept, channel JT in his NSYNC days with that classic frosted tips hair, some very nineties sunnies, and one of the million shirts on Amazon that say "This is going to ruin the tour...the world tour."
12. Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox Blood Necklace
When MGK announced he wore Megan Fox's blood around his neck, the whole world, including myself, was intrigued. Grab your boo and have them channel MGK with a prop "blood" necklace (or real, hey, not trying to yuck someone else's yum), and dress up like Fox in one of her iconic red carpet looks yourself.
13. Anna Delvey on DWTS
Nothing made me giggle more than Anna Delvey's comments on Dancing with the Stars this season—she was brutally honest, and the internet had its fun with it. Choose one of her flashy looks accompanied by her signature (prop) ankle monitor—bonus points if you bling it out like Anna.
14. Raygun
Do I expect to see a bajillion and one Raygun looks this Halloween? Yes. Does it make it any less of an elite Halloween costume? Absolutely not.
15. Megan from Bridesmaids with Nine Puppies
I don't care how old Bridesmaids is now, Megan will forever be one of my favorite comedy characters of all time. I swear, I've never laughed harder than when Megan announced that she took nine of the real-life puppy party favors. If you need some inspo, check out this TikTok that nails the look on the head.
16. Guy Fieri
The Mayor of Flavor Town never goes out of style, baby. 'Nuff said.
17. Dwight from The Office
Do The Office costumes ever get old? No, no they don't. If you've got a group, have your friends go as the whole cast, but if you're going for a solo costume? You can't go wrong with Dwight. Bonus points if you recreate his DWIGHT poster board.
18. Men in Black
Toying between the idea of going cute or funny for Halloween this year? Solution: Dress as Men in Black but make it *fashion*. An oversized blazer and black tie will pair perfectly with a black mini skirt and sunnies—just don't forget your alien-blasting laser.
Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.