10 Epic Group Costume Themes for Halloween Fun
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Group costumes are my favorite way to do Halloween. From the bonding aspect of working together to make a cohesive theme, to the “ah-ha” moment when someone realizes the theme of your group; the group costume just makes the whole Halloween experience more fun.
My goal with this post is to inspire you to come up with a group costume idea that everyone in your crew will be excited about. Instead of just giving you a list of costumes to choose from, I wanted to give you my top ten themes. This way you can pull from some of the examples I give or get inspired by a category to come up with a group costume that no one has ever dreamed up before. Shop our big list of costume suggestions here!
Popular Group Costumes
Let’s start with the easiest category to pull from. These costumes are readily available at any big box or costume store. Plus, they work well in the group as well as on their own. The rise in popularity of Marvel comic characters has made it one of the best group costume ideas. Who doesn’t want to be a superhero? Maybe someone who wants to be a super villain… well, both options are available in the Marvel theme. Other notable group costumes in this genre include DC cinematic universe and characters from the books or movies from the Harry Potter franchise.
Classic Halloween Costumes
It’s Halloween, you want to be a ghost, a ghoul, a monster… I get it. Luckily, there are a few movies and shows that make a spooky group costume totally doable. The Addams Family (and subsequently the show Wednesday) offer a variety of dark and spooky characters to divvy up between your friends. Want more classic monsters? Try drawing inspiration from the classic show the Munsters.
Cult Classics
If you’re like me, you enjoy that moment when a party-goer gets excited because they recognize what your costume is supposed to be. To achieve this moment, your costume has to be a bit more obscure and original. That’s why going to cult-classic shows and movies for costume ideas can be a lot of fun. Some great movies with big, recognizable characters include Napoleon Dynamite, Zoolander, and Clueless.
Ensemble Movies
It’s often more fun for each person in a group costume to have their own distinct character/costume. That’s why pulling from a movie with a strong ensemble can be a great idea. The most popular ensemble movie costume is probably the Wizard of Oz. You’ve literally got a wicked witch, a scare crow, a lion, a tin man, a farm girl in glittery ruby shoes, and that’s not even including your more obscure flying monkeys, castle guards, munchkins, good witch, etc. If you want something a little more subtle or challenging, try putting together a Princess Bride group costume. Look for movies that have a cast of unique characters and you’re bound to find some great group costume ideas.
Ensemble Shows
Just like ensemble movies, television shows can be a great source of characters. Some of the bigger, more recognizable characters can be found in shows like Scooby Doo, the Fintstones, and Sesame Street. Other shows like Game of Thrones, Arrested Development and the Office offer slightly more obscure costumes for your group to enjoy. But be aware that when you’re not with your group, people might not be able to discern who you’re trying to portray. For example, when I was in high school, our group of friends dressed up as the Gilligan’s Island cast. When we were together, it was great, when we were apart it was hard to tell that Jessica and I were dressed as the “millionaire and his wife”.
Bands
This one is tricky because a lot of bands have one or two recognizable members, but the hole band isn’t very distinct. For example, you could easily be recognized as Elvis but who’s going to recognize Scotty Moore (probably no one). But there are a few bands out there where a group costume works perfectly. The Spice Girls and the Beatles are probably the most easily achievable. But if you want more of a challenge, get yourself some spiky leather jackets and some black and white make-up to become the band KISS.
Genre Crossing Themes
One year, we decided to not do a theme and let everyone pick out their own costumes, Luke was Mickey Mouse, Jacob was a Pirate, Bailey and Parker were characters from Big Hero Six. Then we realized that with a couple of tweaks, we were actually part of a broader theme… Disney. Jessica dressed as the Little Mermaid, and I dressed as What Disney himself. This is an interesting way to get costumes from across movies, TV shows, literature, and genres. You could have a group that all dresses as different princesses or villains. One of my personal favorite ideas is to have everyone in your group dress as a character portrayed by the same actor. You could have Ace Ventura, Count Olaf, the Grinch, and the Riddler (Jim Carey); or Anchor Man, Elf, that Robbery Guy, and Mugatu in your group (Will Ferrel).
Inanimate Objects
Looking for something whimsical and unique? How about dressing up as inanimate objects or items that go together? You can create a fun dynamic by going as pairs of foods that complement each other like M&Ms, burger and fries, or ketchup and mustard. Another creative option is peanut butter & jelly or become a box of crayons, each person representing a different color.
Non-Branded Theme
For a fresh take on group costumes, consider non-branded themes. Explore the beauty of the seasons by having each member of your group represent a different season, from spring blossoms to winter wonderland. Or, become a menagerie of animals, with everyone embodying their favorite creature. The circus is another exciting non-branded theme that allows for unique and colorful costumes.
Video Games
If you and your friends are gamers, video game-inspired group costumes can be a fantastic choice. Super Mario and his pals, gobble your way through the maze as Pac-Man and his ghosts, or create a pixelated world as characters from The Sims. Video game-themed group costumes are not only fun but also a fantastic conversation starter for fellow gamers at your Halloween party.
Group Costume Roundup
So, there you have it—ten fantastic themes for group costumes to ensure you and your friends stand out this Halloween. Remember, the key is to choose a theme that excites everyone, promotes teamwork, and sparks that magical “ah-ha” moment when others recognize your collective brilliance. Whether you opt for the popularity of Marvel characters, the obscurity of cult classics, or the creativity of inanimate objects, the choice is yours. Happy Halloween, and may your group costume be legendary!
We’ve put together a variety of costumes that you can grab here!
We have a video for best group Halloween costumes too! Check it out here!
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Ensemble Shows Do the show the office
Fun post and great ideas!
Love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costumes
It would have been nice to actually see you guys in the costumes, not just with your head photoshopped on someone else’s pic. Kinda disappointed.