9 Viral Pop Culture Costumes for Halloween 2026

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGoogle's trending Halloween costume searches put Buddy the Unicorn first, from the horror film Buddy, Variety reports.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA unicorn from a horror film. That's the number one thing people want to be. I'd like to know who's hurt them.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNikki from Obsession is third, and Agamemnon from The Odyssey is fourth. There's also a Dolly Parton costume and a Tow Mater.

4. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI'm not bothered. Costumes are costumes. People can be a car if they want.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTime Out says the surprising number of people searching for a squishy NeeDoh stress ball earned a special mention for unhinged creativity.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA stress ball. A whole room of grown adults, dressed as something you squeeze when you're losing it. Do you see where this goes?

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNot really, no.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe list also has a literal Baked Potato costume. For pets. The Drama Index rates this a six out of ten.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSix, because the dog never agreed to be a potato, and nobody has asked whether the potato agreed to be a dog.