Halloween is two and a half weeks away, and Google’s top Halloween costume searches for 2026 show horror movie mascots and video game monsters dominating what shoppers are typing into search bars this year, according to Variety. The list, built from trending search data, leans heavily on characters from recent horror films and online gaming hits rather than traditional witches, vampires or superheroes.
For fans trying to decide what to wear on Oct. 31, the rankings offer a quick read on which pop culture characters are generating the most buzz right now. But Google’s list measures search interest, not confirmed sales or final costume counts, so a high ranking shows curiosity rather than proof that a costume will dominate porches and parties this Halloween.
What Tops Google’s Trending Halloween Costume List
Buddy the Unicorn sits at number one on Google’s top trending Halloween costume searches for 2026, per Variety. The character comes from Casper Kelly’s horror film “Buddy,” where Keegan-Michael Key plays a brightly colored children’s television host whose wholesome persona takes a disturbing turn. The costume’s rise suggests shoppers are drawn to the unsettling contrast between its cheerful design and horror roots.
NeeDoh, a squishy toy with no film or TV tie-in, ranks second. Its presence on the list alongside movie and game characters shows that trending costume searches for 2026 are not limited to entertainment franchises. Everyday pop culture objects can generate just as much search traffic as a blockbuster character.
Nikki from Curry Barker’s horror film “Obsession” rounds out the top three. Played by Inde Navarrette, the character is recognizable by a red-and-black animal-print top paired with black shorts. NBCUniversal has released official costumes tied to the character, giving shoppers a direct way to buy the exact look rather than piece one together.
Movie And Game Characters Fill Out The Rest Of The List
Agamemnon, the mythological king from Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of “The Odyssey,” lands at number four. The character’s appearance on the list reflects interest in Nolan’s blockbuster take on Homer’s epic ahead of the holiday.
Video game and internet culture also have a strong showing. Lily Lovebraids, a doll-like character introduced in the fifth chapter of the “Poppy Playtime” series, appears on the list thanks to her unsettling design. Verity, a yellow, smiling virtual assistant that built a following through online gaming content tied to a viral “Minecraft” horror series, also made the cut.
Carl, the protagonist of Matt Dinniman’s fantasy series “Dungeon Crawler Carl,” rounds out the gaming and literary representation. Carl is a former Coast Guard member who navigates a deadly, game-like dungeon alongside his cat, Princess Donut, and his search presence shows the franchise’s growing crossover into costume culture.
Disney’s “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” also cracked the top 10 with Hazel Hook, played by Kiara Romero. Hazel is the daughter of Captain Hook in the 2026 film, giving family-friendly franchises a spot on a list otherwise dominated by horror and gaming properties.
What The Rankings Do And Don’t Tell Shoppers
Google’s list spans horror films, video games and viral internet sensations, according to Variety, which signals that costume interest this year is scattered across a wide range of media rather than concentrated in one genre or franchise. That variety gives shoppers plenty of options, from officially licensed movie costumes to DIY takes on internet-famous characters like Verity.
What the rankings cannot show is how search interest translates into actual costume purchases. A character trending in search results may reflect curiosity, media coverage or meme activity rather than how many people ultimately buy or wear that costume on Halloween night. Shoppers interested in exact looks, such as Nikki’s official “Obsession” costume, can check retailers carrying NBCUniversal-licensed merchandise for availability as Halloween approaches.
With Halloween falling on Oct. 31, shoppers still have time to track down costumes tied to any of these trending characters before the holiday arrives.
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