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Hollywood is providing plenty of Halloween inspiration this year, though some of the most-searched costumes for 2026 are coming from considerably stranger corners of the internet.
Google has unveiled its top trending Halloween costume searches ahead of Oct. 31, with characters from horror films, video games and viral sensations dominating this year’s list. Leading the rankings is Buddy the Unicorn, the deceptively cheerful mascot from Casper Kelly’s horror film “Buddy,” followed by the popular squishy toy NeeDoh and Nikki, the obsessive love interest at the center of Curry Barker’s breakout horror hit “Obsession.”
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” also makes an appearance, with Agamemnon coming in fourth, while the rest of the top 10 includes characters from “Poppy Playtime,” “Minecraft” and Disney’s “Descendants” franchise, alongside musician Oliver Tree.
The rankings are based on search terms that experienced the largest spikes in traffic compared with the previous equivalent period, rather than the most-searched costumes overall. In other words, they offer a snapshot of which pop culture references are gaining momentum in the lead-up to Halloween.
The data also points to some popular couples costumes, including Cyclops and Jean Grey from “X-Men,” Nikki and Bear from “Obsession” and several pairings inspired by Prime Video’s hockey romance “Off Campus.”
Below, see Google’s top 10 trending Halloween costumes for 2026.
Buddy the Unicorn
The top spot goes to the nightmarish mascot from “Buddy,” Casper Kelly’s horror film starring Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace and Keegan-Michael Key. Key plays the titular unicorn, a brightly colored children’s television host whose seemingly wholesome world takes a disturbing turn. The character’s oversized orange costume and purple heart offer an unsettling alternative to the usual Halloween mascots.
NeeDoh
The squishy stress-relief toy has become an unlikely Halloween costume inspiration after emerging as a viral favorite among younger consumers. Produced by Schylling, NeeDoh comes in a variety of colorful, squeezable shapes, with its popular Nice Cube among the most recognizable versions.
Nikki From ‘Obsession’
Inde Navarrette’s Nikki is one of the year’s more obvious Halloween contenders, thanks to the success of Curry Barker’s supernatural horror film “Obsession.” The character’s red-and-black animal-print top and black shorts have become a recognizable look from the movie, while NBCUniversal has released official costumes inspired by Nikki and her dangerously infatuated counterpart, Bear, played by Michael Johnston.
Agamemnon From ‘The Odyssey’
Christopher Nolan’s Greek epic is making its way into Halloween celebrations, with Agamemnon ranking fourth among Google’s trending costume searches. The mythological king is one of the characters featured in Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which has brought ancient Greek mythology back into the pop culture conversation.
Lily Lovebraids From ‘Poppy Playtime’
The horror video game franchise “Poppy Playtime” continues to generate Halloween inspiration with Lily Lovebraids, a doll-like character introduced in the series’ fifth chapter. Her unsettling appearance fits neatly into the franchise’s growing lineup of toy-inspired horror characters.
Oliver Tree
Musician and internet personality Oliver Tree is another popular choice, thanks in no small part to his distinctive visual identity. His signature bowl haircut, oversized clothing and deliberately eccentric styling make for a relatively recognizable costume without requiring much explanation.
Verity From ‘Minecraft’
The gaming world claims another spot with Verity, a character associated with a viral “Minecraft” horror series. The mysterious yellow, smiling virtual assistant has gained a following through online gaming content, giving the sandbox game a more unsettling Halloween presence.
Carl From ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’
The protagonist of Matt Dinniman’s popular fantasy series “Dungeon Crawler Carl” also makes the list. The story follows Carl, a former Coast Guard member forced to navigate a deadly, game-like dungeon alongside his cat, Princess Donut. Its growing fandom has made the character another contender for genre-minded Halloween celebrations.
Disco Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo never really goes out of style, but this year, Google’s rankings suggest a disco-themed spin on the classic cartoon character is gaining traction. The costume also tops the company’s couples list when paired with Scooby’s longtime companion Shaggy.
Hazel Hook From ‘Descendants’
Disney’s “Descendants” franchise rounds out the top 10 with Hazel Hook, played by Kiara Romero in the 2026 film “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.” The daughter of Captain Hook is among the newer additions to the musical fantasy franchise, which continues to generate Halloween costume inspiration for younger audiences.