Google's Frightgeist Reveals the Top 10 Trending Halloween Costumes of 2026
Google's Frightgeist tool, which tracks Halloween-related search trends across the United States, has published its 2026 top-ten trending costume list — led by Buddy the Unicorn, with the squishy NeeDoh stress ball landing at a surprising number two.
Google's annual Frightgeist feature compiles the most-searched Halloween costume trends across the country, and its 2026 list is a wide-ranging mix of pop culture, niche lore and outright ridiculousness. Topping the chart is Buddy the Unicorn, followed closely by the squishy NeeDoh stress ball at number two. The rest of the top ten are Nikki from Obsession, Agamemnon from The Odyssey, Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime, musician Oliver Tree, Verity from Minecraft, Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl, Disco Scooby-Doo and Hazel Hook from Descendants.
Couples are also trending toward creative pairings this year, including Wall-E and Eve, Woody and Bullseye, Cyclops and Jean Grey, Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Talladega Nights' Ricky and Carley Bobby, and Joe Dirt and Brandy. Pets are not being spared, with top-trending animal costume searches including Dolly Parton, Tow Mater, Princess Donut, a Baked Potato, a giant Centipede, a Roach and a can of Diet Coke.
Beyond costume inspiration, Frightgeist includes a searchable trending map that lets users check how popular a given costume is in their area — handy for avoiding a double. Google's most-searched Halloween candies this year are KitKats and Reese's, and the platform also offers tools to help build horror movie watchlists, spooky playlists and trick-or-treat makeup looks.
