Video Game Characters, Superheroes Top List of Popular Halloween Costumes
US holiday marked by costumed celebrants — some portray courage, some are frightening, others are just odd
From a battle video game to famous superheroes, several themes have emerged as the most popular costumes in the United States for Halloween, the scary but fun day at the end of October. The tremendously popular online video game, "Fortnite: Battle Royale," with its make-believe characters fighting for survival, tops the list according to Frightfest, which used Google Trends to determine the costumes people were searching for the most. According to Spirit Halloween, with the largest number of Halloween stores in the U.S., "Fortnite" characters such as skeleton-like Skull Trooper and the nutcracker soldier Crackshot are the costumes in demand. Superheroes are still popular, including superhuman climber Spider-Man, powerful Wonder Woman and Black Panther, the heroic leader of a fictional African country. Mythical creatures, including unicorns and mermaids, will also be trick or treating for candy this year. And it's not just children who are getting dressed up for Halloween. Adults are getting decked out in costumes, like a two-and-a-half-meter-tall blow-up dinosaur. They are also showing off their inner pop star through 80's comeback costumes featuring Madonna, Prince with his "Purple Rain" coat, and a one-hand silver-gloved Michael Jackson. The traditional swashbuckling pirate, beautiful princess, and broomstick-flying witch remain popular. The National Retail Federation says more than 7 million adults plan to dress up as the iconic Halloween figure this year. Spirit Halloween says the 1993 cult movie classic, , continues to bring customers into their stores to buy costumes of the three witches in the film. Animals such as rabbits, mice and bears are also in style. And clowns, both happy and frightening, are making a comeback. Pets will not be left out this Halloween. Twenty percent of pet parents are dressing their cats and dogs in costumes such as pumpkins, hot dogs, bees or superheroes. California's Hollywood Toys and Costumes says one of its biggest sellers is a canine pope costume called the Holy Hound. Celebrity fashion stylist Ali Levine says many owners are matching their outfits with their pet's. Also trending are quirky couples costumes featuring food, such as strips of bacon and eggs, or matching queen and king playing cards. The National Retail Federation estimates almost half of Americans will celebrate Halloween by wearing a costume to parties or going trick or treating. But since store-bought outfits are not cheap, ranging from about $20 to more than $100, many people make their own costumes. Either way, revelers can pretend to be someone or something else on the frightfully fun day.