While we citizens of the real world love dressing up for Halloween [1], there's another group that can also go over the top for the spooky occasion — some of our favourite characters in TV and film! Whether it's the "Stranger Things" gang [2] dressing up as Ghostbusters, the "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" squad taking Halloween a little too seriously, or the cast of characters on "Euphoria" [3] celebrating the last night of October, there are a lot of fictional Halloween celebrations that have brought us a ton of delight over the years.
Ahead, you can revisit some of these iconic moments, like the Halloween scene in "Mean Girls [4]" and the many, many Halloween episodes of "The Office." Whether you want to go for the world's most meta Halloween costume — Jake Johnson as "New Girl"'s Nick Miller as "Bee" Arthur — or just find some fun and festive shows to revisit this season, we've got you covered. There are friend groups — like the core four from "Insecure," the crew of "Living Single," and the besties on "Happy Endings" — and there are couples [5], like Ben and Leslie on "Parks and Recreation."
Revisit from of our favourite fictional Halloween moments and costumes ahead, and maybe get some major inspo for your October nights.
Halloween in "Stranger Things"
In the second episode of season two of "Stranger Things [6]," titled "Trick or Treat, Freak," Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will dress as the Ghostbusters. Steve also dresses up as Tom Cruise [7] in "Risky Business."
Halloween in "Euphoria"
In season one, episode six, of "Euphoria [8]," Jules dresses up as Juliet from the 1996 movie "Romeo + Juliet."
Halloween in "Insecure"
In the second episode of "Insecure"'s fourth season, the friends celebrate a pretty awkward Halloween [9]. Issa dresses as Jiggaboo from "School Daze," Molly is Isis from "Bring It On [10]," Tiffany dresses as Cleopatra, and Kelly dresses as Nisi from "B.A.P.S."
Halloween in "Mean Girls"
Famously, in "Mean Girls [11]," Cady doesn't know she's supposed to dress sexy for Halloween [12] — and shows up to a party as an undead bride.
Halloween in "Riverdale"
In an episode titled simply "Halloween [13]," many of the Riverdale [14]'s residents dress up for the holiday. Archie is Pureheart the Powerful and Mad Dog is The Shield. Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz dress as Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. "Halloween" is the fourth episode in "Riverdale"'s season four.
Halloween in "WandaVision"
For "WandaVision [15]"'s Halloween [16] episode, the sixth episode overall, Wanda dresses as the comic-book version of herself. The episode is titled "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!" — and it lives up to its name.
Halloween in "WandaVision"
Tommy and his "uncle" Pietro dress up as the classic comic-book version of Quicksilver.
Halloween in "Bob's Burgers"
"Bob's Burgers" has done multiple Halloween [18] episodes. One of the best is season three, episode two, titled "Full Bars." Louise dresses as Edward Scissorhands, Tina is a single-mom mummy, and Gene is Queen Latifah [19].
Halloween in "Bob's Burgers"
Another iconic "Bob's Burger" Halloween [20] episode is season nine, episode four, titled "Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street." Louise is a dragon with a girl tattoo, Gene is André 3000 the Giant, and Tina is "Nun of Your Business." The twins Andy and Ollie are peanut butter and jelly.
Halloween in "Gilmore Girls"
Season five, episode 17 of "Gilmore Girls [22]," "Pulp Friction," is technically not a Halloween [23] episode, but it's the only time we see Rory and company in costumes. She attends a Quentin Tarantino-themed costume party and dresses up as GoGo Yubari from "Kill Bill."
Halloween in "Living Single"
"Living Single" celebrated Halloween [24] in season two, episode eight, titled "Trick or Treat." Synclaire dressed as the bride of Frankenstein.
Halloween in "Living Single"
In the same episode, Khadijah dressed up as Little Bo Peep, and Scooter dressed up as a pirate.
Halloween in "Parks and Recreation"
"Parks and Rec" has many Halloween [25] episodes, including season six, episode seven, titled "Recall Vote." Leslie and Ben dressed as Princess Buttercup and Wesley from "The Princess Bride," a nerd's dream come true.
Halloween in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" has multiple legendary Halloween [28] episodes, all to do with a contest over a heist. In season one, Jake dresses as a king, Amy wraps herself in caution tape, and Diaz rocks a bride of Frankenstein costume.
Halloween in "New Girl"
"New Girl" is another sitcom with many Halloween [29] episodes. In season two, episode six, Nick dresses as "Bee" Arthur.
Halloween in "New Girl"
In season three, episode six, titled "Keaton," the group from "New Girl" mastered Halloween [30] again. Jess dressed as Joey Ramona Quimby, Nick dressed as a king, and Winston dressed as David Letterman [31].
Halloween in "Happy Endings"
In season two, episode five of "Happy Endings," Penny and Max dressed as a slightly horrifying baby and mom. The episode, titled "Spooky Endings," also included Dave dressed as Austin Powers (who had a more Elton John vibe), Alex as Marilyn Monroe, and Jane as bacon — even though Brad doesn't want to be a matching egg.