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Shop 16 scary Halloween costume ideas for adults and kids in 2023

The spookiest time of the year is among us: Halloween.

The weather gets cooler and stores everywhere stock up on everything pumpkin spice (*cough* Starbucks pumpkin-flavored lattes). Halloween is all about the aesthetics, spooky stories, and, let’s not forget, the costumes too.

While you can easily trick-or-treat your way around to grab your favorite candy, great Halloween costumes are hard to come by (especially if you have many scary movie favorites). If you’re looking for something that screams scary, creepy, and insane, all-in-one, let us help you with this list of the scariest Halloween costumes of 2023.

Going to a Halloween party? You can transform into your favorite Halloween character and win the best costume. Looking to dress up with your partner? We also have couples costumes, too!

While there are pop-culture looks you can wear for a good laugh, the spooky classics are the best way to stand out (Chucky, Michael Meyers, Freddy Krueger, Pennywise, to name a few).

So, grab the face paint, fake blood, makeup, deadly eyes, and everything you can to make sure you nail the best Halloween costume of the year and scare the crap out of your neighbors, friends, and family.

To shop this article by category, simply click on each link below:

Men’s Scariest Halloween Costumes

1. Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”

A man wearing a scary mask, hat, and bladed gloves.
Amazon

While this year will have the actual day falling on a Friday, you can prey on teenagers with this Freddy Krueger costume. This set comes with the famous stripped shirt and deranged mask. You’ll probably have to buy the bladed glove separately, but this will scare off the demons from your dreams.


2. Michael Meyers from “Halloween”

A man wearing a Michael Meyers costume. He is shown wearing a mask and a jumpsuit while holding a knife.
Amazon

The iconic movie that everyone watches can grab a jumpsuit, knife, and mask to call themselves Michael Meyers. While it maybe the end of the “Halloween” franchise, you can never go wrong putting this costume on to go on a murder-spree with your close friends.


3. Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

A man wearing a Jack Skellington costume. He is wearing a mask and a striped tuxedo.
Amazon

While your two favorite holidays are two months apart, combine the two with this Jack Skellington off from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Scream and shout “This is Halloween!”


4. Pennywise from “It: Chapter Two”

A man wearing a clown costume referring to the It movie.
Amazon

Any of your family or friends afraid of clowns? Pennywise will give them the creeps while you and your friends walk together at night and promise to never step foot in a circus ever again.


Women’s Scariest Halloween Costumes

1. Carrie White from “Carrie”

A female woman wearing a long dress  costume with satchel covered in blood.
Amazon

You can go to prom on Halloween night with the iconic bloody Carrie prom dress. This dress comes with fake blood, sash, and dress to show off your telekinesis super powers.


2. Reagan MacNeil from “The Exorcist”

A female wearing a nightgown.
Amazon

Remember going to the theaters to see “The Exorcist” and you couldn’t handle the whole movie? All you need is this to make your hair look crazy and this nightgown that comes in 20 old-fashioned colors that screams the 70’s.


3. The Nun from “The Nun”

A female wearing a nun halloween costume.
Amazon

The scariest movie of the year “The Nun” deserves to be on the list. What’s cool that this costume is its on sale under $50 and you can get into your evil alter-ego this spooky season.


4. Morticia Addams from “The Addams Family”

A cut off women wearing a black dress holding a plastic skull.
Amazon

A witch is an easy costume, so why not dress up as Morticia and get your witchcraft on this spooky season. This simple velvet dress is all you need to charm your guests at the next Halloween housewarming.


Boy’s Scariest Halloween Costume

1. Chucky from “Child’s Play”

A little boy is smiling wearing a Good Guys Chucky Halloween costume.
Amazon

Get your little one to scream “Hi, I’m Chucky! Wanna play?” There’s nothing like having them act innocent and scary at the same time.


2. Demogorgon from “Stranger Things”

a kid wearing a monster costume off from a Netflix show Stranger Things.
Amazon

Remember that one monster everyone was scared from “Stranger Things?” Well, now your little one can dress up to scare off his classmates when he goes to school.


3. Grim Reaper

a child wearing a grim reaper costume while holding a chain and scythe.
Amazon

Nothing like the Grim Reaper to take your soul away. This Grim Reaper costume has eyes that glow in the dark and all throughout October, he can scythe through your whole body if you don’t do what he wants.


4. Beetlejuice from “Beetlejuice”

a little boy wearing a Halloween costume from the movie Beetlejuice.
Amazon

The little monster will scream “showtime” when the sun comes down. Your mini me Beetlejuice will look sharp and fly with this two-piece suit. If you want the set with the wig, make sure to add to your carts while supplies last.


Girl’s Scariest Halloween Costume

1. The Grady Twins from “The Shining”

A girl wearing a old-fashioned dress.
Amazon

When you sleep at night, you’ll likely to see the Grady Twins from “The Shining” in your dreams. If you have twin girls, they’ll love dressing up together in this old-fashion dress. Watch out when they ask you to come play.


2. Tiffany Valentine from “Bride of Chucky”

A little girl wearing a halloween costume while holding a toy knife.
Amazon

Here comes the bride, and that’s Tiffany Valentine, thank you for asking. Tiffany will do whatever it takes to get Chucky’s love. What’s great about this set is it includes the mini wedding dress, blonde wig, jacker, and engraved necklace.


3. Annabelle from “The Conjuring”

A display of the Annabelle dress from The Conjuring.
Amazon

Unlike Chucky, Annabelle can stir trouble on Halloween night. This Annabelle costume comes with the dress and wig that you can teleport and scare off trick-or-treaters when they’re coming to grab their treats.


4. Wednesday Addams from “The Addams Family”

A little girl wearing a Wednesday Addams costume.
Amazon

Many girls will love to channel their inner Wednesday and recreate her dance scene. This costume comes with the signature braid long wig, black chiffron ruffle dress, black belt, and thigh-knee socks.


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