Unforgettable '90s Halloween Costume Contest Ideas
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Halloween will be here before you know it, so now is a great time to start brainstorming and assembling this year’s show-stopping costume idea. While every decade has its perks, there’s something about the 1990s that still feels relevant today. Maybe it’s the memorable media, such as Friends, Aladdin, and Hocus Pocus, or the celebrities still gracing our screens today, such as Britney Spears, The Rock, and Beyoncé. Whatever it may be, the ‘90s still has us hooked over two decades later. To celebrate the decade and the incredible moments that came from it, we put together a list of iconic ‘90s costume ideas that are perfect for this year’s Halloween.
Many of these ideas lend themselves to couples costumes, trio costumes, group costumes, and family costumes, so you can get your favorite people together for a jaw-dropping ensemble. Because these ideas are popular picks from the ‘90s, the chances of someone having the same costume as you (either at a Halloween party or while trick-or-treating) are slim.
For more Halloween costume ideas, make sure to check out our list of the best Disney couples' costumes, best Halloween costumes for women, and best scary couples costumes.
'Toy Story' Costumes
Round up your gang for this cast ensemble from the beloved 1995 film franchise Toy Story. If you have more than three people dressing up, consider adding Bo Peep, Mr. Potato Head, and Slinky Dog to the mix as well.
Get the Toy Story Costume tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
RELATED: Creative Family Halloween Costumes That Everyone Will Love
'Space Jam' Costumes
If you're after a sports costume that also touches on nostalgia, Space Jam is where it's at. Go as Bugs Bunny or Lola Bunny. Basketball skills are not required, though they're certainly a bonus.
'Friends' Rachel Green Costume
Perk up your Halloween gathering with this adorable Rachel Green costume from the popular '90s sitcom, Friends. It's easy to recreate and recognizable, thanks to the branded apron.
Get the Friends Rachel Green Costume tutorial at The Blonderella.
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Costume
Whether you have three friends to help you play Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael, or you just want to go solo, everyone will recognize this costume.
Easy Bake Oven Costume
You'll find a truly unique yet recognizable costume in this cardboard-crafted Easy Bake Oven. It's a great opportunity to flex or sharpen your DIY skills.
Get the Easy Bake Oven Costume tutorial at Club Crafted.
'Sonic the Hedgehog' Costume
For the OG gamer, opt for a Sonic the Hedgehog costume. The iconic videogame debuted in 1991. For a fun two-person costume, recruit a friend and get them to go as the evil Doctor Eggman — Sonic's archnemesis.
'Teletubbies'
Whether you take on Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, or Po, dressing up as a Teletubby is the way to go.
'The Addams Family' Costumes
Before Netflix's Wednesday, there was The Addams Family TV show (1964) and movie (1991) that focused on the family's odd cast of characters. Dress up as your favorite Addams' for a spooky tribute this Halloween.
Get The Addams Family Costume tutorial at DIY Inspired.
RELATED: Best Wednesday Addams Halloween Costume Ideas
'Spice Girls' Ginger Spice Costume
Whether you take on Ginger Spice alone or recruit some friends to play Baby, Sporty, Scary, and Posh, a Spice Girls costume will definitely spice up a party.
RELATED: Best Halloween Costumes for Women 2024
'Jurassic Park' Costumes
To become a paleobotanist like Dr. Alan Grant or Dr. Ellie Sattler, simply recreate their cargo and linen outfits then cover yourself with dirt to make the look more believable.
'Supermarket Sweep' Costumes
Get your shopping cart, nametag, and trivia on for this game show-inspired Halloween costume. Dress your little one as produce and stick them in the cart seat for easy trick-or-treating.
Get the Supermarket Sweep Costume tutorial at The Merry Thought.
'Good Burger' Costume
Dress up alone or with a friend to take on the Good Burger's most iconic employees, Ed and Dexter.
'Wayne's World' Costumes
If you're ready to party on with your BFF or partner on Halloween, then dressing up as Garth and Wayne from Wayne's World is the way to go.
Serena Williams
With Challengers (2024) on the mind, a great '90s take is Serena Williams in her early career. The tennis legend began playing professionally in 1995 at just 14 years old.
Get the Serena Williams Costume tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
"...Baby One More Time" Costume
Britney Spears has had a ton of memorable outfits over the years, but "...Baby One More Time" is one of the easiest and most iconic to recreate.
Troll Doll Costume
It's all about the hair — and belly button jewel — when it comes to this '90s toy ensemble.
Get the Troll Doll Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
'Pretty Woman' Costume
All you need to do is replicate Vivian Ward's iconic cut-out dress and bobbed wig to become the star of Pretty Woman. Bonus points if you can get someone to dress up in a suit to play Edward Lewis.
'Aladdin' Genie Costume
Instead of trick-or-treating, exchange a wish for a treat with this creative genie costume from Disney's Aladdin, which hit screens in 1992.
Get the Aladdin Genie Costume tutorial at Crafty Little Gnome.
RELATED: Best Disney Couples Costumes for Adults to DIY or Buy
'Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?' Costume
You can become an international woman of mystery with this fun Carmen Sandiego getup.
'Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?' Costume
amazon.com
$39.99
Fun Costumes'Clueless' Costumes
Whether you take on Cher Horowitz solo or grab a friend to play Dionne Davenport, taking on characters from Clueless involves a lot of plaid and a lot of attitude.
'Mario Kart' Costumes
"It's a me, Mario" — or whoever else you'd like to dress up as from the Mario Kart universe. As a fun couple's costume, opt for a Mario Kart couple such as Luigi and Princess Daisy, Mario and Princess Peach, or Waluigi and Rosalina.
Get the Mario Kart Costume tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
'Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century' Costumes
If you want to look totally supernova for Halloween then take on intergalactic pair Zenon and Proto Zoa with the help of hair gel and shiny apparel, of course.
Beanie Baby Costume
Customize this costume by simply adding the "TY" tag to any outfit resembling your favorite beanie baby toy.
Get the Beanie Baby Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
'Rugrats' Costumes
While you have plenty of options to choose from, Angelica Pickles and a life-sized version of her doll, Cynthia, may be the most memorable option.
'Beauty and the Beast' Cogsworth Costume
When you think of Beauty and the Beast, your mind may jump to Belle or the Beast, but don't sleep on the incredible cast of side characters: Cogsworth, Lumière, Mrs. Potts, and Chip!
Get the Beauty and the Beast Cogsworth Costume tutorial at DIY Inspired.
'Doug' Costumes
For costumes everyone is sure to find funny, take on Doug's Patti Mayonnaise and Doug Funnie.
RELATED: Couples Halloween Costumes That Are Funny, Unique and Everything in Between
'Hocus Pocus' Costume
You'll put a spell on everyone if you and your girls dress up as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.
'A League of Their Own' Costume
There's no crying on Halloween! Dressing up as the ladies of the Rockford Peaches will definitely earn you a home run.
Get the A League of Their Own Costume tutorial at Camille Styles.
'Power Rangers' Costume
Whether you go solo or with a group of friends, dressing up as a Power Ranger couldn't be easier (or more fun). At the end of the night, you'll also have the pleasure of saying, "Power Rangers, assemble!"
'The Magic School Bus' Costume
You'll take everyone on a trip to the past when dressed as Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus.
RELATED: Best Book Character Costume Ideas for Halloween
'The Magic School Bus' Costume
amazon.com
$39.99
Fun Costumes'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Sally Costume
Go the spooky route this Halloween with The Nightmare Before Christmas's Sally. This costume is perfect for the Halloween and Christmas lover.
Get The Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Costume tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
RELATED: Best Scary Couples Costume Ideas for Halloween
'Romy & Michele's High School Reunion' Costumes
All you and your pal need are pink and blue dresses to take yourselves back to high school as Romy and Michele.
Get the Romy and Michele Costume tutorial at Camille Styles.
'Pokémon' Costumes
If you want your costume to be the very best, you've got to go with Ash Ketchum and his adorable sidekick, Pikachu, from Pokémon.
Furby Costume
If you grew up in the '90s, chances are you had a Furby. The cuddly (and sometimes creepy) toy was so popular, they brought it back years later. This DIY costume is an ode to the animatronic.
Get the Furby Costume tutorial at Club Crafted.
'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' Costumes
For a couples costume that's totally groovy, baby, you and a partner can take on Austin Powers and a Fembot.
'Pulp Fiction' Costumes
With the help of a bolo tie and a short bobbed wig, you can easily become Pulp Fiction's Vincent and Mia. Bonus points if you perform their dance too.
'The Simpsons' Costumes
For a showstopping costume, a character from The Simpsons is the way to go. Their bright yellow skin and distinctive outfits are hard to miss. If you can master their voice, that'll be the cherry on top!
Get The Simpsons Costume tutorial at A Sparkle of Genius.
'Dumb and Dumber' Costumes
You'll certainly make an entrance at your Halloween party in Lloyd and Harry's brightly colored suits from Dumb and Dumber.
'Men in Black' Costume
Whether you go with your significant other, friend, or simply by yourself, this seriously easy costume will only require sunglasses and a black suit.
'The First Wives Club' Costume
All you need is a group of three and some all-white ensembles to take on Elise, Brenda, and Annie from The First Wives Club.
Get the First Wives Club Costume tutorial at Living After Midnite.
RELATED: Iconic Trio Halloween Costumes 3 Besties Can DIY or Buy
Mary Katherine Gallagher Costume
One of the most iconic SNL characters to date, Mary Katherine Gallagher, makes for an amazing Halloween costume. And no, you don't have to smell your own fingers the whole night.
'Hey Arnold!' Helga Costume
Take on Arnold's occasional love interest Helga Pataki with this funny costume, complete with her trademark unibrow.
'The Powerpuff Girls' Costume
If your trio is made of sugar, spice, and everything nice, then this Powerpuff Girls group costume was made for you.
Get the Powerpuff Girls Costume tutorial at Living After Midnite.
'Forrest Gump' Costume
You'll give everyone a craving for Bubba Gump Shrimp when you don this iconic Forrest Gump costume.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Costume
Becoming the Fresh Prince is as easy as donning loud, colorful prints and a sideways cap.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Costume
amazon.com
$34.64
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