42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (2024)

Table of Contents
Rock Any Halloween Party With These 80s Costume Ideas Stranger Things David Bowie and Prince '80s Andre Agassi + Tennis Ball The Breakfast Club The Shining Twins Princess Peach and Toad Totally Killer The Princess Bride Glow Hall and Oates Sexy Marge Simpson From TV Shows To Music Stars, These '80s Halloween Costumes Got You Covered Operation + Surgeon Treasure Trolls Saved by The Bell Ghostbusters Stranger Things Fraggle Rock Adam and Barbara Maitland from Beetlejuice Young Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Jem Ariel and Eric from The Little Mermaid Jessica Rabbit Twins Army Toy Soldiers Princess Leia The Coolest Part? These Are '80s Themed Outfits You Can DIY Ghostbuster and Marshmallow Man Waldo and Wenda Top Gun The Little Mermaid's Ursula Wonder Woman These '80s Costume Ideas Are Totally Rad Lisa Frank and a Unicorn Labyrinth Phases of the Moon Baywatch Babes E.T. '80s Halloween Costume Return of the Jedi Ewoks Ewoks Strawberry Shortcake Alvin and the Chipmunks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Axl and Slash Barbie Ring Pop

The '80s were a heyday of pop culture icons, which is why 80s costume ideas are always en vogue. There's something for everyone: a plethora of John Hughes movies, iconic slashers, comic book characters, and even more recent shows like Stranger Things.

And if you've spent every Halloween since 1991 dressed up as Madonna or Michael Jackson from that Pepsi commercial, it's time to change up your throwback outfits a bit. These costumes will help you get in the spooky spirit, regardless of whether you're heading to a party or spending the night handing out candy and watching your favorite Halloween movies. No matter what your plans are, these '80sHalloween costumes will definitely honor this rad decade. Want to try out a different decade too? Check out our '90s costumes and 2000s costumes!

Rock Any Halloween Party With These 80s Costume Ideas

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (1)

Brit + Co

Stranger Things

Stranger Things may not be from the '80s, but it is set in the decade. This great-for-group costume lets you pick you favorite character and channel them. (via Brit + Co)

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David Bowie and Prince

These two megastars are worth a trip to DIY land. (via Brit + Co)

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'80s Andre Agassi + Tennis Ball

This sporty couple's costume is really cute even sans bump. It's time to ace that virtual costume contest, y'all. (via Brit + Co)

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The Breakfast Club

If you came of age in the '80s, than you're sure to have grown up with this motley crew of high school misfits. (via Brit + Co)

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The Shining Twins

Get creepy with your BFF and reenact this cult classic. (via Brit + Co)

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Princess Peach and Toad

Even if you didn't waste countless hours playing Super Mario on your Nintendo, we can all agree this costume duo is cute AF. (via Brit + Co)

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Prime Video

Totally Killer

This new murder movie makes for the perfect weekend watch, but it's also a very '80s Halloween costume idea. Bold makeup, shoulder pads, and lots of pearls will turn you into Olivia Holt's Pam, or you can give yourself a blowout and wear her gym uniform instead!

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Brit + Co

The Princess Bride

As far as group costumes go, all you need is a giant, someone who looks amazing with a mustache, and a pirate to make up your clique. (via Brit + Co)

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Brit + Co

Glow

You're destined to have a knockout Halloween when you dress up as this dynamic '80s-inspired cast. We're always in it to win it! (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (10)

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Hall and Oates

Wait, what? Yep. We went there. You really do make our dreams come true. (via Brit + Co)

From TV Shows To Music Stars, These '80s Halloween Costumes Got You Covered

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Operation + Surgeon

Bringing this classic board game to life delivers on comfort, a hint of sexy, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. (via Brit + Co)

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Brit + Co

Treasure Trolls

Using wigs, a ton of hairspray and nude dresses, you can be a Treasure Troll in no time flat. (via Brit + Co)

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Saved by The Bell

Who's the Zack to your Kelly? (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (15)

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Ghostbusters

Grab your friend group, and a few tan jumpsuits, and you have an instantly recognizable, super easy costume. Grab some reflective tape for the uniform detail, but for the Ghostbusters logo, feel free to attach a paper cutout ;). (via Brit + Co)

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Stranger Things

Hype up the teen spirit by dressing as Nancy, Barb, Jonathan, and Steve too! (via Brit + Co)

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Fraggle Rock

Throw your cares away! Why? You've found your costume. (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (18)

Brit + Co

Adam and Barbara Maitland from Beetlejuice

Before they met the man himself, they were just two recently deceased humans navigating the afterlife. (via Brit + Co)

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Young Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

We still love these iconic twins, but how CUTE were they in their Full House days?! (via Brit + Co)

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Jem

You're going to want to collect pink everything starting now. Go solo or jam with the Holograms! (via Brit + Co)

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Ariel and Eric from The Little Mermaid

This idea is straight out of 1989 and never gets old. “Under the sea, under the sea! Darling, it's better, down where it's wetter!" (via Brit + Co)

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Jessica Rabbit

Create the silhouette of Jessica's signature dress by layering a sequined tube top with a sweetheart neckline on top of a maxi skirt. Smokin'! (via Brit + Co)

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Twins

Let's journey back to 1988 when the world accepted the idea that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito could be… twins? Wait, WHAT? (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (24)

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Army Toy Soldiers

“Don't worry, boy. I've got your back." (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (25)

Brit + Co/Walt Disney Pictures/Lucasfilm

Princess Leia

Skip the double hair buns for the classic look from Star Wars (via Brit + Co)

The Coolest Part? These Are '80s Themed Outfits You Can DIY

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (26)

Brit + Co

Ghostbuster and Marshmallow Man

For those of you who have no desire to DIY but still want a legit getup, look no further than these '80s-inspired pre-made costumes. (via Brit + Co)

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Waldo and Wenda

You can never go wrong with classic picture book characters like these two. But can you pick them out of the party crowd? (via Brit + Co)

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Top Gun

Shop around for an army green, khaki, or navy jumpsuit or a dress like the one we found. You can order a batch of movie-inspired patches on Amazon. Once you've got those, you can turn basically anything into a Top Gun costume. (via Brit + Co)

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The Little Mermaid's Ursula

This iconic Disney villain makes for a great costume because it's fun, colorful, and easily recognizable. Whether you're going to a more low-key party where you can wear jeans and a tee or you're going all-out with octopus legs, this makeup look is out of this world. Pair with other characters under the sea for the ultimate group costume! (via Brit + Co)

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Brit + Co

Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman might have come out in 2017, but Lynda Carter's TV show of the same name hit our screens in the late 1970s, making this a perfect '80s Halloween costume. (via Brit + Co)

These '80s Costume Ideas Are Totally Rad

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (31)

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Lisa Frank and a Unicorn

Be sure to hit up online thrift stores now for the makings of this costume. Is it just us, or does this make you want to listen to “Pony" by Ginuwine? (via Brit + Co)

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Brit + Co

Labyrinth

ICYMI, David Bowie stars in this fantastical movie from the '80s. It's creepy, strange, and beautiful all at the same time. And a pretty great Halloween costume idea too. (via Brit + Co)

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Phases of the Moon

What's more '80s than a galactic two-piece suit?! (via Brit + Co)

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Baywatch Babes

Prepare to save the shoreline with your amazing team AND whistleblowing skills. (via Brit + Co)

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Brit + Co

E.T. '80s Halloween Costume

This 'fit takes the cake for easiest Halloween costume ever! While it's originally a maternity costume, you can definitely make it your own, no matter what stage of life you're at. (via Brit + Co)

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Return of the Jedi Ewoks Ewoks

Early Star Wars gave us the Ewoks, and we are forever thankful. (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (37)

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Strawberry Shortcake

This '80s classic can be played down with a pair of white sneakers or sexified by wearing a pair of T-strap pumps. (via Brit + Co)

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Alvin and the Chipmunks

This playful group costume is comfortable and very school-appropriate. (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (39)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Cowabunga! Throw together green tights, turtleneck leotards, and spray-painted shells with a pair of gladiator sandals. Then celebrate this awesome costume's success with plenty of pizza after a night of trick or treating. (via Brit + Co)

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Axl and Slash

Welcome to the jungle, baby. (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (41)

Isabella Behravan for Brit + Co

Barbie

Okay, Barbie is not expressly '80s, but that does seem to be her heyday, and the costume above feels very Miami Vice meets a Jane Fonda workout video. (via Brit + Co)

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (42)

Studio DIY

Ring Pop

Nothing represents an '80s kid like this colorful lollipop jewelry. (via Studio DIY)

What are some of the most unique '80s group costumes you've seen? Share with us on Twitterand check out our email newsletter for more Halloween inspo ahead of spooky season.

This article has been updated from a previous post.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

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Annie D'Souza

Annie is the founding father and editor-in-chief of The Midwestival and a long-time jean-on-jean enthusiast.

42 Of The Best ’80s Halloween Costume Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before (2024)
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