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What’s Everyone Dressing Up As for Halloween This Year?

5 hours ago
4 min read

 

The assortment of ghoulish masks and pumpkin-shaped candies I saw during my most recent visit to Cold Storage left me with a feeling somewhere between excitement and panic: the unmistakable harbinger of Halloween had arrived in my neighborhood, and I once again had no costume planned. The Superman T-shirt I settled for last year was so underwhelming that I almost wish I hadn't worn it at all. I made a silent promise that if I ever dressed up for the year's only spooky holiday again, I would do it right. But how do we do a Halloween costume right in 2026?

 

Before we dive in, I'd like to welcome readers celebrating their first Halloween in the Lion City: Welcome to Singapore! It's worth noting that while Halloween isn't nearly as big here as it is in the United States, there's still something for everyone to look forward to; a quick search I ran on Eventbrite (a handy platform to find fun local happenings) returned results for the perennially popular Halloween Horror Nights, an array of Halloween dating events, and even a Halloween…deadlift? Whatever you choose to do on the 31st, you'll want to do it in style. Using a 3P (popularity, practicality, and permeation) framework I formulated, I've put together a list of outfit ideas to help you do just that.

 

To put it simply, the framework makes costume predictions for this season based on a weighting of the local box office numbers of various movies released this year (popularity), the ease of replicating costumes from those movies (practicality), and the presence of those movies in the cultural conversation; just because a movie did well at the box office doesn't mean you'll be hearing people talk about it in the break room (permeation). Without further ado, here are my picks:

 

#1 The Odyssey


 

If you were lucky enough to snag an IMAX ticket for The Odyssey in the first month of its release, you ought to consider keeping it as a trophy — The Odyssey currently sits at the top of the country's list of highest-grossing films this year, and the movie is still in the middle of its legendary theatrical run.

 

Director Christopher Nolan’s latest cultural phenomenon flaunts a wardrobe that will undoubtedly appear in the homes of Halloween party hosts across the Little Red Dot this season. Whether you opt for the fuss-free linens in neutral tones pictured above or a Homeric geared-up get-up in burnished sheens, you can rest assured that everyone will catch the reference.

 

 


#2 Obsession (Couples’ pick!)



Every now and then, a movie with the power to transcend the screen and enter the cultural conversation comes along, and there is no better example on this list than Obsession. Everyone I know was talking about this movie, and that's certainly no mean feat for a directorial debut shot on a shoestring budget.

 

In addition to being the only inclusion on this list that incontrovertibly falls within the horror genre, Obsession possesses the unique edge of having a twisted romance lie at the heart of its narrative, presenting an unmissable opportunity for couples to show up in comfortable coordinated costumes (the “costumes” in this film are just everyday outfits composed of versatile essentials) with little effort — and lots of worrying implications!

 

 

  

#3 Spider-Man: Brand New Day



If the name Ben Cooper rings a bell, you know superhero costumes have been a fixture on party-store shelves since the 1960s. While you could probably get away with dressing up as Spider-Man on any Halloween, it's a choice that feels especially relevant and fresh in 2026 — released just under two months ago, Spider-Man: Brand New Day still feels brand new.

 

I'll be the first to admit it's not easy to find a full Spidey costume for adults that looks good, feels good, and doesn't cost a fortune. With that in mind, the more practical alternative pictured below features Peter Parker’s corduroy-collared denim jacket and a heroic compression undershirt. I'd suggest adding a hooded layer to match the outfit in the poster above, but let's be realistic: it's way too hot here for that!

 

 

  

#4 Project Hail Mary

 

I’m sure Spider-Man’s Halloween appeal will be impaired when Ryan Gosling shows up in theatres as Marvel's Ghost Rider in 2028. Until then, you're free to show your support for the actor’s work in Project Hail Mary this October.

 

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s interstellar blockbuster made waves across the universe this year with an epic story revolving around a rocky creature and a middle school teacher. The best part? You'll need nothing more than a white ringer tee and mustard-yellow pants to recreate Gosling's look in this space-survival spectacle.

 

 

 

  

#5 Toy Story 5 (Children’s pick!)


 

Giving the fifth spot on this list to the fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise was a calculated decision. To be honest, none of the world-weary souls in my aging social circle have seen this film, and I can only assume the movie's astronomical local sales revenue came from families with young children. With most of the ideas shared being aimed at adults, it seemed fitting to round out the list with a pick for the kids.

 

I took the liberty of doing a little online window shopping and found that Spotlight (a crafty cornerstone of Plaza Singapura) carries full costume sets inspired by the film. That said, Halloween can be a great opportunity for children without off-the-rack costumes to get creative with their party attire!

 

 

 

That's all folks! I hope this list is useful this spooky season. If not, I hope it at least gives you an idea of which films might be worth including in your holiday movie marathon this December.


Happy Halloween!



 
 
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