Best Halloween Costume Ideas 2018: Easy Movie, TV Show Character Options

Getting your costume together for Halloween this year doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. Simply turn to pop culture to find the right option for you. With all the new movies, seasons of shows and flicks announced in 2018, there’s more than enough for you to choose from.

Here are some of the best 2018 pop culture Halloween costumes:

Black Panther/Okoye

The biggest movie of the year, and one of the biggest of all time, deserves some major love this Halloween season. Whether you want to dress up as the titular superhero from “Black Panther” or the impressive general of the Dora Milaje, you won’t have any trouble finding a one-buy costume.

Retailers are well aware of the number of people that will likely want to be these characters this Oct. 31, which is why places like Spirit Halloween, Amazon, and Costume Supercenter have you covered.

Kim Possible/Ron Stoppable

With a live-action movie version of Disney Channel’s animated series, “Kim Possible,” on the way, now’s the perfect time to transform into the kick-butt, crime fighter or her trusty sidekick. Both costumes require black gloves, black three-quarter or long-sleeve shirts, dark-colored boots or sneakers and a pair of cargo pants.

For Kim, the pants should be an olive green color, while Ron’s should be a dark gray. A long, orangey-red wig is optimal for the Kim costume and a short, blonde one would be great for Ron. For both costumes, complete the look with a brown or beige utility belt.

If you want to make sure everyone really knows who you’re dressing up as, go ahead and print out a photo of Rufus to either have sticking out of your pocket or on your shoulder.

Lara Jean

Netflix revealed that “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is one its most-watched original movies, and if you’re one of the many people who watched the rom-com, you likely fell in love with Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) style. The teen combines preppy, grunge, and sweet pieces to get a look all her own. But that doesn't mean you can’t imitate that look for Halloween this year. It’s all about mixing different pieces and styles together.

The look she sported when making the fake-relationship deal with Peter (Noah Centineo) can be achieved with just a pink, floral dress with a pale-pink bomber jacket thrown over it. Instead of bringing along a purse for your night out, swing a brown backpack over your shoulder, as Lara Jean does. Don’t forget to straighten your hair and pull it into a fairly high ponytail.

“Riverdale” Characters

The CW series just started airing Season 3, meaning all of the Riverdale residents — Betty (Lili Reinhart), Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Veronica (Camila Mendes), Archie (K.J. Apa), Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch), Josie (Ashleigh Murray) and more — are likely at the top of your mind right now. As an ensemble show, there are so many costumes to choose from when thinking about the series.

You can purchase a Riverdale cheerleading outfit from Amazon to dress up as one of the Vixens or you can pull down a beanie over your ears and rock a leather jacket with “South Side Serpents” written on it, either by buying one like that or making your own. Become Betty with a sweet, fluffy sweater with a collar coming through the neckline, a sleek ponytail and either a pair of blue jeans or mid-length denim or corduroy skirt. Grab a Riverdale football t-shirt and varsity jacket online to quickly transform into Archie.

“Shadowhunters” Characters

Whether you’re actively trying to find ways to show your support of the #SaveShadowhunters campaign, which aims to get the series un-canceled, or you just love the Freeform show or the Cassandra Clare “Mortal Instruments” series it’s based on, there are some good costumes to choose from here.

No matter which character you’re going for — Clary (Katherine McNamara), Jace (Dominic Sherwood), Isabelle (Emeraude Toubia), Alec (Matthew Daddario) and Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) — the costumes are pretty similar. When in doubt, put on some black jeans or leather pants, a black t-shirt or tank top, a leather jacket, and a pair of black boots. For Izzy, feel free to go with the aforementioned get-up, or go with a bold, red tank top or a tight red or black mini-dress and heels. Make sure to paint your runes on with body paint to complete the costumes.

When it comes to Magnus, don’t forget to go hard on the eyeliner, and don’t be scared to have some fun with patterned shirts and jackets. Throw some rings and necklaces on, as well.