6 Last Minute Halloween Costumes Inspired By Iconic Black Characters

In need of ideas for your next Halloween costume? Luckily for you, you’ve come to the right place. Just like Winona Ryder, call me the undisputed queen of Halloween. In 2022, we have seen a rise in engaging and multidimensional stories centering around black characters. With All Hallow’s Eve right around the corner, here are six costume ideas inspired by the influx of black representation in the past year.

Emerald ‘Em’ Haywood from Nope

If you were like me, this past summer you were in the theaters watching Jordan Peele’s highly anticipated horror film, Nope. This movie follows siblings O.J. and Emerald Haywood as they face off against an extraterrestrial life form on their family’s horse ranch. I was immediately drawn to Keke Palmer’s character after being a long-time fan of her acting and musical work(“So Uncool” anyone?). I thought who better to dress up as than the fiercely vibrant and extremely loyal Em Haywood, herself? With your luck, you might see an alien or two.

Annabeth Chase from Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Demigods, rise up! If you consider yourself a part of the Percy Jackson fanbase, this one’s for you. At this year’s D23 Expo, it was announced that Leah Sava Jeffries would be playing the quick-witted daughter of Athena, Annabeth Chase, in Disney+’s new Percy Jackson adaptation. In the books, Annabeth is described as a young white girl, with blonde hair and gray eyes, which greatly differs from Jeffries, a young Black girl. I am excited to see Jeffries’ portrayal of the character as I grew up reading the series, and like the author Rick Riordan, I am sure she’ll do an amazing job of playing the character, too. 

So don Annabeth’s infamous Yankees hat, grab your camp necklace, and let’s head to Long Island this Halloween! 

Calliope ‘Cal’ Burns from First Kill

What’s Halloween without a few vampires? Netflix’s First Kill is a story about a forbidden high school romance between two teenage girls, one a vampire and the other a vampire hunter. Imani Lewis’ Calliope is a fearless and headstrong monster hunter in training, but behind her hard exterior, she’s simply a young teen torn between her duty to her family and her secret yearnings for love. It’s like Kate from Bridgerton all over again! But just like Kate, I can’t help but want to be Cal, and what better time to do that than on October 31st?

Princess Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid

“Out of the sea…wish I could be…part of that world.” Just like those little girls on TikTok, the live-action teaser trailer had me emotional. If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the singing sister duo ChloexHalle and in 2019, upon hearing that Halle would be the newest rendition of the iconic redheaded princess, my world shifted. Halle Bailey’s Ariel signifies one of the very few times a Disney princess has been played by a black lead. Being a Disney princess for Halloween might sound played out, but to emulate one who looks and sounds as majestic as Halle?  Let me get started finding my Prince Eric. 

Kat Elliot from Wendell & Wild

Halloween and stop-motion go hand in hand, which makes me all the more excited for the release of Wendell & Wild at the end of the month. It will be Henry Selick’s first feature since Coraline 13 years ago. Unlike many modern stop-motion films, most of Wendell & Wild’s characters are not white, including the film’s protagonist. Kat is a Black teenage orphan with a trauma-filled past, green natural hair, and a love for punk rock music. For this year’s costume, mesh dark academia and Afro-punk aesthetics and you’ll have yourself the newest Hell Maiden, Kat Elliot.

House Velaryon from House of the Dragon

I was there when the unspoken Season 8 of Game of Thrones unfolded. And yet, despite better judgment, when HBO announced a Game of Thrones prequel series, I was tuned in (and rightfully so!) One of the many ways in which House of the Dragon distinguishes itself from the original series is its more diverse cast as co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal changed the members of House Velaryon into wealthy Black seafarers for the new HBO series. I know members of House Velaryon are not without their faults, but I think they would make perfect costumes for families or best friends. Just remember not to forget the platinum blonde hair!

Featured image via Walt Disney Studios/YouTube. Design by Her Campus Media.