Every October, Hollywood’s finest set out to outdo themselves with the most glamorous, elaborate, funniest — and yes, most viral — Halloween costumes. It makes sense: Celebrities are already masters of transformation with unlimited budgets and the best hair and makeup teams at their disposal, so why shouldn’t they go all out for a holiday dedicated to dressing up?
Often paying tribute to pop culture moments, like vintage movie classics, beloved television characters, or musical icons, we absolutely love to see a celeb step out of their comfort zone and embody a whole new role for Halloween.
Before we see what the stars have in store for us this fall, let’s take a look back at some of our favorite celebrity costumes from years past. From Heidi Klum’s total transformations to Kylie Jenner’s visit to the dark side to Rihanna’s childhood nostalgia, you might even get some inspiration for your own Halloween look this year.
Heidi Klum
Any list of celeb Halloween costumes has to start with the holiday’s queen, Heidi Klum. She has a full roster of memorable costumes, and her mesmerizing worm costume from 2022 was no exception.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski paid a bright yellow tribute to cartoon legend Marge Simpson.
Jennifer Lopez
Of course J.Lo (with then boyfriend Casper Smart) managed to make skeletons sexy with this super glam skull makeup.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift managed to both stay cozy and incorporate topical humor with her furry “hot squirrel” suit.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer paid tribute to the iconic Selena Quintanilla.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian’s costumes have gotten progressively more elaborate every year, and her 2022 turn as the X-Men’s Mystique went all out.
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson
Jessica Simpson was unrecognizable — and completely hilarious — with her husband Eric Johnson as Danny Devito and Arnold Schwarzenegger in their 1988 movie, Twins.
Brooks Nader
Model Brooks Nader had a Pretty Woman moment dressed as Julia Roberts’s famed character Vivian Ward.
Julia Fox
Though it isn’t much more elaborate than her everyday outfits, Julia Fox dressed as a monster from Where the Wild Things Are to celebrate the occasion.
Taylor Hill
As you wish! Model Taylor Hill went for a fairy tale moment with her Princess Bride costume.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid went as everyone’s favorite good-girl-gone-bad, Sandy from Grease.
Cindy Crawford
Flanked by some very dapper pilots (her husband, Rande Gerber, and George Clooney), Cindy Crawford earned her wings as a retro flight attendant.
Amal Clooney
Amal Clooney was queen of the disco at this ‘70s-themed Halloween party.
Related: 18 ‘70s Fashion Trends That Will Never Go Out of Style
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber looked sleek and chic as Trinity from The Matrix.
Jessica Alba
With pal Kelly Sawyer, Jessica Alba dressed as the lovable teen couple from Juno.
Ashley Benson
We’ve seen a lot of yellow plaid suited Chers from Clueless for Halloween, but major props to Ashley Benson for channeling Cher in like, a totally important designer, Alaïa.
Lupita Nyong’o
As if we’d forget Cher’s best friend Dionne — Lupita Nyong’o certainly didn’t.
Bella Hadid
Next to then-boyfriend The Weeknd’s Beetlejuice, Bella Hadid took on Lydia Deetz.
Kendall Jenner
Yeah, baby! Kendall Jenner perfectly portrayed a sweet but deadly Austin Powers fembot.
Cardi B
Sometimes, you just want a classic costume — and Cardi B nailed perennial Halloween favorite, the witch.
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
Their marriage may sadly be over, but this Lizzie McGuire Movie costume will live on in our hearts. After all, it’s what dreams are made of.
Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling paid tribute to five of her fellow female comedy legends, including Awkwafina (pictured), Ali Wong, and Reese Witherspoon.
Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley
Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley found the perfect couple’s costume as Velma and Daphne from Scooby Doo.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
Couple’s costume enthusiasts Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. went Back to the Future with this one.
Pink
The “Cutest Family Costume” award has to go to Pink and hers for their group E.T. outfits.
Rebel Wilson
Hi Barbies! Rebel Wilson and friends made a whole boxed set of Mattel’s hottest doll.
Elle Fanning and Max Minghella
Embracing the spooky side of Halloween, Elle Fanning and then-boyfriend Max Minghella dressed as Chucky and his bride.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis kept it in the family by dressing as her own mother Janet Leigh’s character from Psycho.
Judy Greer
Two funny ladies: Judy Greer paid homage to Diane Keaton’s iconic Annie Hall.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson went ghostly for her talk show, in a costume she described as “haunted Stevie Nicks.”
Winnie Harlow
It was a royal holiday for Winnie Harlow as Queen Nefertiti.
Kylie Jenner
Jenner channeled her inner Ariel for this Little Mermaid costume.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio kept things totally chill as an ice princess.
Rihanna
Leave it to Rihanna to painstakingly recreate the exact look of a fashionable photo of rapper Gunna.
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen as the Brazilian Bombshell herself, Carmen Miranda.
Anne Hathaway
Major Party Animal Anne Hathaway reporting for duty.
Stephanie Beatriz
Honestly, Stephanie Beatriz and her husband Brad Hoss out-Kravis’d the real Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini needs to speak to the manager as a Halloween “Karen.”
Martha Stewart
In a way, isn’t Martha Stewart fairy godmother to us all?