2024 Celeb-Inspired Halloween Costumes Every Pop Culture Lover Will Recognize

It's been an interesting year for pop culture, but what year isn't? We saw celebrities do a lot of bizarre things (here's looking at you Jojo Siwa), couples making up and breaking up (condolences, Bennifer). If we were to dive into why "demure" is currently the most looked-up word on Merriam-Webster, we'd be here all week.

But when people in the public eye behave bizarrely, badly, or even wonderfully, it gives the rest of us some major Halloween costume fodder. Whereas once upon a time Halloween was an evening for ghosts and ghouls, it's now heavily inspired by pop culture which, to be honest, can be equally terrifying. "Generally speaking, the '60s marked a shift in the way we dress up for Halloween," fashion historian, Nancy Deihl, told CNN. "Grown-ups, in particular, started ditching masks and full-on coverage, opting to show their faces. Costumes became a way to play a lighter, special version of oneself: showing the world you 'were' Wonder Woman, or Luke Skywalker, or what have you."

While there will always be some pop culture themes that never go out of style, each year offers a new batch of ideas that are specific only to that year. If you're scratching your brain and can't remember where 2023 stopped and 2024 began, we're here to help. Let's get everyone on track for the best 2024 celeb-inspired Halloween costumes that every pop culture lover will recognize.

While we saw quite a bit of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce together in 2023, there were a handful of moments in 2024 that really stood out. For example, even if you weren't fortunate enough to see the Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium on June 23, 2024, you've definitely seen the photos of Kelce joining Swift on stage when she sang, "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart." Kelce told his brother Jason on their "New Heights" podcast that he'd joked with Swift about maybe riding a bike out on stage or something for fun, but Swift came up with the idea of Kelce coming out in a tuxedo and top hat with the dancers for a portion of the performance instead. 

If this is the version of Taylor and Travis you want to do for Halloween, one person needs to rent or borrow a tux and top hat. Whoever is going to be rocking this super on-trend Swift outfit will need white, sparkly tap pants with a matching bra-like top, and black gloves. For the long white coat with the glitzy black lapel, you're going to have to get creative — you likely won't find something like this at Goodwill. But if you can find a white coat, see what you can do with it in regards to a makeshift sparkly lapel and you're ready to party.

Back in April, TikToker @girl_on_couch made a video in which she stated, and oh-so eloquently repeated, "I'm looking for a man in finance. Trust fund. 6'5". Blue eyes." Realizing she was onto something, she asked her followers to make it into a song "just for funsies." Of course, the Internet did its thing, and "I'm Looking for A Man in Finance (Man In Finance)" was born — as was a really fun (and easy!) Halloween costume idea.

Although Matthew Macfadyen, who played Tom Wambsgans in HBO's "Succession" wasn't exactly in finance, he has blue eyes, is just two inches shy of 6'5", and being married to Shiv Roy is basically like having a trust fund, so this should be your inspiration if you're going as a man in finance this Halloween. Of course, you can also use Cousin Greg as inspo, if you prefer, (he's 6'7" for those wondering), but Tom is far more refined. So grab yourself the snazziest corporate suit you can find, a "HELLO MY NAME IS" sticker that reads "Man in Finance," and you're good to go.

When break dancer Rachael Gunn — aka Raygun — took the stage at the Paris Olympics, the backlash was swift and harsh. Not only did she score a zero for her performance, but the online trolls were merciless. However, no matter what the haters had to say, you could tell while watching her that Raygun was having fun, and isn't that what any type of dancing is ultimately all about? "All I know is she represented hard, she has been the leading breaker in Australia for the women and I acknowledge her and respect her 100%," Jeff 'J-Attack' Dunne, Gunn's teammate told the BBC.

Similar to the Man in Finance costume, this is also an easy one to make happen. All you need is a dark green athletic suit, a matching baseball hat, and white sneakers. Write the word Australia in yellow on the pant leg and you're ready to steal the show with your break-dancing moves no matter where you find yourself this Halloween.

We can't say for certain if this will be the only year in the history of the world that our beloved feminist icon, Queen Bey, will put out a country album. But because she's the master of invention and re-invention, it's safe to say, yes, this will be the only country album. So, naturally, this is the year to don your best red, white, and blue cowboy-style look and "Cowboy Carter" sash. You'll also need a very long blonde wig, which you may want to order now because this is likely to be a look that will sell out fast. If you're feeling extra creative, you can either get a life-size, plush horse or make yourself one out of cardboard. You'd be amazed by what patience, glue, and a little paint can do. Remember to channel as much of Beyonce's confidence as you can, to really make the look authentic.

Although Harley Quinn isn't a new character, Todd Phillips, the director of the upcoming film "Folie à Deux" has a different take on The Joker's love interest this time around. Played by Lady Gaga, this version of Harley Quinn is darker, both in appearance and in character. To go as Gaga's interpretation of Quinn this Halloween, you'll need some harlequin print attire — tights and a top is a great place to start, but if you want to dive into some harlequin accessories as well, that's cool too. Combine this print with a black skirt and a slim-fit blazer. Your makeup should be simple and mostly focused on and around the eyes, then add a red lip and you've completed your costume. If you have a partner who's willing to dress up as Joaquin Phoenix's version of The Joker — yikes — based on the trailer, it's looking like all they'll need is an ill-fitting 1970-something suit and a facial expression of pure misery and madness.

Lucky for us, Jojo Siwa is at that age where she thinks rocking some black makeup is all it takes to enter into your "bad girl" era or, as she told Entertainment Tonight, her "beast era." If you want to unleash your inner beast and put together Siwa's "Karma" costume, you're going to need a lot of black and sparkles. While there's a good chance this costume will pop up online to buy, you'll have to pay a hefty price for one night of fun, so save your pennies. 

All you need to do is bedazzle the heck out of a black leotard with rhinestones — both of which you can probably pick up at Target or a similar store. Then, make sure you go heavy on the black makeup and do your best to recreate whatever "beast" madness this is. Siwa also appears to be wearing small, bat-like wings which is something you can find at any Halloween store, or, again, cardboard could work for this too. Just cut the wings to the size you want them to be, paint them black, and then bedazzle them!

While rumors have been swirling that this couple have called it quits, it's not our business. But what is our business is what Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan delivered at the 2024 Met Gala. This year, the theme was "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," and most people who attended knew the assignment, including Carpenter and Keoghan. Looking as though she was plucked from a dream, Carpenter wore a custom-made dress by Oscar de la Renta. The bodice was a snug, velvet drop waist that exploded into a blue and white satin bottom that looked very cloud-like. Keoghan rocked an olive velvet suit, a high-neck poplin shirt, and, of all things, a top hat — all of which were by Burberry.

Before you start doubting yourself, yes, you can make this Halloween costume work. Whoever is going as Barry just needs a velvet suit in a dark color and a matching velvet top hat. Although Carpenter's look will be more complicated and you can't expect to pull an Oscar de la Renta dress out of your back pocket, a black dress with a billowy bottom made out of a sheet or a couple of yards of fabric from Michaels should get you on track to making this costume come to life.

Group Halloween costumes are always fun to do with friends. They also especially come in handy if you're at a party or the iconic New York's Village Halloween Parade — should you get separated, you can just ask strangers if they've seen someone who looks like you, and voila. You're all back together again! But convenience aside, the USA Women's Gymnastics Team killed it and should be celebrated the best way Americans know how to celebrate something they love: by turning it into a Halloween costume. While Simone Biles tends to get the most recognition, at the end of the day, it's a team sport, therefore making it a team costume.

For this Halloween costume, you just need to grab four of your willing friends and white, long-sleeve leotards that you'll cover in stars and stripes. If you want to pull it all together, the five of you can proudly march around holding an American flag all night.

If you can't be bothered to go all out with some complicated costume, but you know you need to wear something if you're invited to a party or work in an office where it's pretty much expected you dress up, then we have the best costume for you and the brat you are. As we know, this has been a Brat summer thanks to Charli XCX. While the word technically means an annoying, often-spoiled child, in 2024, according to The Independent, "brat" is a "noun and means an icon or an embrace of authenticity and confidence in oneself." 

So, bratty Brat, let's make this work for you. All you need is to either buy a "brat" t-shirt or make one yourself, and you will have succeeded in rocking the most 2024 Halloween costume of the year. Learn the dance to Charli XCX's song "Apple" and you will win Halloween. Who knew being a brat would eventually payoff?