Spirit Halloween has released its annual trend forecast for 2026, and this year's costumes will be driven by blockbuster fandoms, gaming, mythology, horror and internet-fuelled chaos. The seasonal retail giant says it tracks pop culture, entertainment, gaming, nostalgia and social media all year to predict what shoppers will want, Reel 360 reports.
Among the biggest predictions is the continued rise of KPop Demon Hunters, which Spirit says remains a fan favourite after breaking out last year. Toy Story is back too, with Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Slinky Dog positioned as family-group favourites following this year's Toy Story 5. Prime Video's Off Campus drives a return to varsity styling — jerseys, campus jackets and collegiate looks for couples costumes — while superheroes surge again on the back of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Power Rangers.
Mythology and fantasy are expanding beyond niche fandoms: Greek-inspired armour, cloaks and dragon-rider looks are expected to have a strong year, alongside rogue adventurers and video-game outfits from Fortnite and Halo. Pure, unfiltered terror never goes out of style, the retailer notes — the horror renaissance unites viral internet horrors, new-school cinema and relentless slashers, NJBIZ reports.
The NRF's own costume rankings show the classics still win: witch (4.8 million adults), vampire (4.2 million) and Batman top the adult list, while Spider-Man leads for kids. People often ask how we predict Halloween trends — the reality is we're watching them develop all year long, said Kym Sarkos, Spirit Halloween's executive vice president. Retailers advise shopping early: with 49 percent of Halloween shoppers starting in September, popular sizes of licensed costumes routinely sell out before Halloween week. DIY versions built from clothes already owned remain the safest backup — and with Y2K fashion circling back, many wardrobes already hold the makings of a costume. Whatever the choice, 2026's trends reward commitment to the bit.