In 2025, Americans were expected to spend a record $13.1 billion on Halloween — about $114 per person, with costumes alone accounting for $4.3 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
The NRF surveys thousands of shoppers every fall, and the results show the classics are awfully hard to beat — though every so often a pop culture moment breaks through. In 2025, that was KPop Demon Hunters, which landed at No. 9 for kids, and the Addams Family, which charted for children and adults alike.
- Spider-Man
- Princess
- Witch
- Ghost
- Superhero
- Witch
- Vampire
- Pirate
- Cat
- Batman
- Pumpkin
- Hot Dog
- Bumblebee
- Ghost
- Superhero
It wasn’t always witches and Spider-Man, though. Dressing up is a beloved annual tradition that has changed drastically over the decades, reflecting popular (and unpopular!) characters, ideas, and more.
Growing up, were any of these part of your memories?
- 1950: Cowboy
- 1951: Tarzan
- 1952: Don Lockwood
- 1953: Mickey Mouse
- 1954: Batman
- 1955: Davy Crockett
- 1956: Anna Leonowens
- 1957: Frankenstein
- 1958: Zorro
- 1959: Marilyn Monroe
- 1960: Hula Girl
- 1961: Holly Golightly
- 1962: Rocky & Bullwinkle
- 1963: Elizabeth Taylor
- 1964: The Beatles
- 1965: Sonny & Cher
- 1966: Barbie
- 1967: Morticia Addams
- 1968: Rosemary Woodhouse
- 1969: Astronaut
- 1970: Elvis Presley
- 1971: Willy Wonka
- 1972: Don Corleone
- 1973: Marcia Brady
- 1974: Richard Nixon
- 1975: Dr. Frank-N-Furter
- 1976: Charlie’s Angels
- 1977: Star Wars
- 1978: Michael Myers
- 1979: Rocky Balboa
- 1980: John Travolta
- 1981: Indiana Jones
- 1982: E.T.
- 1983: Princess Leia
- 1984: Freddy Krueger
- 1985: Hulk Hogan
- 1986: Care Bears
- 1987: Where’s Waldo?
- 1988: Elvira
- 1989: Batman
- 1990: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- 1991: The Terminator
- 1992: Catwoman
- 1993: Barney
- 1994: Power Rangers
- 1995: Star Trek
- 1996: Scream
- 1997: Batman & Robin
- 1998: South Park
- 1999: The Matrix
- 2000: Austin Powers
- 2001: SNL Spartan Cheerleaders
- 2002: Spider-Man
- 2003: Pirates
- 2004: SpongeBob SquarePants
- 2005: Star Wars
- 2006: Superman
- 2007: Spider-Man
- 2008: The Joker
- 2009: Vampires
- 2010: Lady Gaga
- 2011: Snooki & The Situation
- 2012: The Avengers
- 2013: Twerkin Teddy
- 2014: Frozen
- 2015: Star Wars
- 2016: Harley Quinn
- 2017: Hocus Pocus
- 2018-2019: Fortnite
- 2020-2022: Witch
- 2023: Barbie
- 2024: Beetlejuice
- 2025: KPop Demon Hunters
Whatever your family lands on this year, we hope it’s a good one. What are your kids going as?
