Pop culture has long influenced what trick-or-treaters want to wear on Halloween each year. That’s especially true in 2026, according to multiple lists of the most popular costumes purchased or Googled in advance of the big night.
Iconic superheroes will still rule the streets tonight, but music legends, video game characters, and a few unexpected pop-culture personalities will make plenty of appearances, too.
Spider-Man is By Far One of the Top Costumes in 2026
In multiple rankings, a beloved superhero who’s been around since 1962 — and a perennial favorite on Halloween — is still topping kids’ costume requests in 2026.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Spider-Man is the most popular children’s costume this year, with an estimated 4.6 million kids expected to dress as the web-slinging Marvel hero. According to Forbes, a list of the top Google searches for kids’ costumes also puts Spider-Man at number one by far. Meanwhile, HalloweenCostumes.com ranks Spider-Man at number two on its list of most popular costumes, behind K-Pop Demon Hunters.
While Spider-Man has long been a popular costume, the fact it’s risen to the number one or two spots in major rankings is likely driven by the massive success of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” released in theaters in July. But according to Forbes, the hugely popular kids’ show “Spidey and His Amazing Friends” on Disney+ is likely another influence on why so many kids want to tap into their Spidey senses this Halloween.
What Are the Other Most Popular Kids’ Costumes in 2026?
NRF’s research shows that behind Spider-Man, generic superheroes come in second place, with 2.3 million children planning to dress as a superhero, followed closely by princesses at 2.2 million. Meanwhile, be on the lookout for 1.6 million witches and the same number of ghosts at your doorstep.
Pop culture is a big driver of the other most popular costumes in 2026. In addition to Spider-Man and K-Pop Demon Hunters, HalloweenCostumes.com says its Top 5 trending list also features characters from Disney’s “Descendants,” “Minions,” and “Toy Story.”
Meanwhile, Google’s Freightgeist list of the most-searched for children’s costumes in September, when many families are starting to plan their costumes, showed that the late Dolly Parton and chart-topping country star Ella Langley were the top two searches this year for kids’ costumes.
While kids are out trick-or-treating, many Americans are celebrating the holiday in other ways. According to the NRF, 74 percent planned to celebrate Halloween in some way. Among them 6 percent said they’d hand out Halloween candy, half said they’ll dress up in a costume, 42 percent planned to decorate their home or yard and the same amount said they’ll be watching a scary movie.
Most Popular Kids’ Halloween Costumes of 2026 Topped By Beloved Superhero