If you’ve been wondering what people are planning to wear this Halloween, Google has the answers. And judging by this year’s Frightgeist trends, we’ve got some pretty interesting choices on our hands.
Google’s Frightgeist tracks trending Halloween costume searches, and the latest list is a mix of pop culture, video games, movies, and a few choices that might leave you scratching your head like you just walked into a Meijer and forgot what you came for.
And here in Michigan, where Halloween can mean anything from a crisp fall night to freezing your costume off while trick-or-treating, choosing the right outfit is serious business.
The Top 20 Trending Halloween Costumes
Google’s list has something for just about everybody, including a few characters you might need to Google before you can explain them to your kids.
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Buddy the Unicorn from Buddy
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NeeDoh, the squishy cube toy. Yes, apparently a squishy toy is now Halloween inspiration.
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Freaky Nikki from Obsession
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King Agamemnon from The Odyssey
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Lily Lovebraids from the horror video game Poppy Playtime
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Oliver Tree
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Verity from Minecraft
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Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl
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Disco-themed Scooby-Doo
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Hazel Hook from Descendants: Wicked Wonderland
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Captain Clark from Backrooms
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Dolly Parton
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Grand Regent Thragg from Invincible
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Kenny Rogers
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Bowser Jr. from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
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Princess Rosalina from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
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Green Lantern
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Michael Jackson from the Thriller music video
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Skeletor from Masters of the Universe
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Cyclops from X-Men
A few of these make perfect sense. Michael Jackson’s Thriller look is a Halloween classic, Skeletor is ready-made for spooky season, and Mario characters are always popular with the kids.
But NeeDoh? A squishy cube? Somewhere in Michigan, a parent is about to spend $40 putting together a costume that looks suspiciously like a toy sitting on the living room floor.
And we have to give a nod to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers making the list. A Dolly costume could be a big hit at a Halloween party, especially if you’ve got the hair, the sparkle, and enough confidence to pull it off. Find a friend to go as Kenny Rogers, and you’ve got yourself a country music duo ready for karaoke night.
The Top 5 Trending Halloween Movies
Costumes aren’t the only thing Google is tracking. These five movies are also trending in Halloween searches:
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Buddy
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Other Mommy
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The Whisper Man
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Passenger
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Brute
That list gives you a little bit of everything, from titles that sound mysterious to ones that sound like they might make you leave a light on overnight.
The Michigan Halloween Costume Test
Now, let's be honest. Picking a costume in Michigan requires a little extra planning.
Are you going trick-or-treating in a neighborhood where the kids walk for miles? You might want something comfortable. Heading to a Halloween party? Go ahead and get creative. Standing outside in late October while the wind blows off Saginaw Bay? You might want to build your costume around a winter coat.
A few unofficial Michigan costume rules:
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Check the weather first. Nobody wants to be a frozen superhero by 7 p.m.
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Make room for a hoodie. Even the best costume can use an extra layer.
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Don't underestimate a last-minute costume. A flannel shirt, jeans, work boots, and a sign that says “Michigan Fall” might be the most accurate outfit of all.
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If you're dressing as a squishy toy, make sure people know what you are. You don't want to spend the entire party explaining yourself.
So, What's Your Halloween Costume This Year?
Are you going with a classic like Michael Jackson, getting dressed up as a video game character, paying tribute to a country legend, or taking the easy route and wearing a flannel shirt because, well, you're in Michigan?
Google has its list, but we'd like to hear what Mid-Michigan is planning.
And if your costume requires explaining three different movies, a video game, and a squishy toy, we respect the commitment. Just make sure you can still fit through the door at the Halloween party.
Happy Halloween, Michigan!
