14 Killer Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows

halloween costumes jon snow eleven negan
Cole Saladino/Thrillist
Cole Saladino/Thrillist

Like Christmas, it feels like Halloween comes sooner and sooner every year. Lucky for you, we saw plenty of scary, silly, sexy pop-culture characters to inspire kick-ass costumes for every Halloween party. 

Since putting together a killer costume is never, ever as easy as it seems, we're giving you a leg up on the competition with some #relevant Halloween suggestions and how-to's. Because nothing is scarier than showing up to the party unprepared.

eleven stranger things halloween costume
Netflix/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Eleven

El was pretty quiet on Stranger Things, so you'll need to work on your angry-staring skills to really sell this one.
You'll need: 1) A buzz cut, or convincing pull-back action; 2) bloody nose; 3) denim jacket; 4) Peter Pan-collared dress; 5) Eggos, El's favorite snack

barb stranger things halloween costume
Netflix/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Barb

Give Stranger Things' dearly departed breakout star a second life. Justice for Barb!
You'll need: 1) Vintage deadstock glasses; 2) plaid button-down; 3) Trapper Keeper; 4) mom jeansBonus prop: Shotgunned beer can and fake blood.

silicon valley erlich bachman halloween costume
HBO/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Erlich Bachman

The stoner savior of Silicon Valley will liven up any party.
You'll need: 1) Pied Piper hat; 2) green hoodie; 3) baggy jeans; 4) stuffed unicorn; 5) stacks of cash

beyonce lemonade halloween costume
HBO/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Beyoncé

Car-smashing not advised.
You'll need: 1) Baseball bat labeled "hot sauce"; 2-3) costume jewelry; 4) yellow dress

chad the bachelorette halloween costume
ABC/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Chad

Get into character as the trash-talkingBachelor in Paradise contestant, and at the end of the night, you're definitely gonna get the girl.
You'll need: 1) Fitted button-down or V-neck; 2) muscle shirt; 3) meat-flavored protein powder 

jon snow halloween costume
HBO/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Jon Snow

Spend the entire night swearing you're dead.
You'll need: 1) Tousled wig; 2) makeup palette; 3) Night's Watch cape; 4) Bonus prop: stuffed direwolf.

harley quinn suicide squad halloween costume
Warner Bros./Oren Aks/Thrillist

Harley Quinn

Don't even try to take on the Suicide Squadder if you're not committed to a full face of makeup.
You'll need: 1) Hair dye; 2) makeup palette; 3) baseball bat inscribed with "GOOD NIGHT"; 4) costume jewelry; 5) Daddy's Little Monster tee

the walking dead negan halloween costume
AMC/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Negan

Season 2 of The Walking Dead debuts October 23rd, so we'll finally know who's on the receiving end of Lucille (that fearsome bat).
You'll need: 1) Leather jacket; 2) red scarf; 3) baseball bat; 4) tinsel for a safe barbed-wire alternative. Bonus prop: Five days' worth of stubble.

tom hiddleston taylor swift hiddleswift costume
Enews/Twitter/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Hiddleswift

Because nothing this year was scarier than Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's desperation. This one works best as a couples costume, so let the magic of Halloween convince you they never broke up.
You'll need: 1) Oversized sunglasses, 2) T. Swift's signature lipstick; 3) crop top & skirt set -- for her; 4) white tee and fabric marker for DIY "I ❤ T.S." shirt -- for him. Bonus prop: Jury duty name tag.

damn daniel halloween costume
negroloinci/Twitter/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Damn, Daniel

Back at it again with the meme-worthy costumes.
You'll need: 1) Shaggy hair wig; 2) skater boy tee; 3) white Vans; 4) backpack

deadpool halloween costume
20th Century Fox/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Deadpool

They call him the Merc with a Mouth for a reason, so make sure to be extra crude.
You'll need: 1) Mask; 2-3) full bodysuit and weapons; 4) carry a tiny baby-doll hand

bojack horseman halloween costume
Netflix/Oren Aks/Thrillist

BoJack Horseman

Bonus points if you can sing the Horsin' Around theme song.
You'll need: 1) Oversized fishbowl; 2) horse mask; 3) blazer; 4) knit sweater; 5) high-tops; 6) flask (not pictured, but an essential BoJack accessory)

bill clinton balloons halloween costume
edgyyeji/Twitter/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Bill Clinton

Nobody is having more fun than this guy.
You'll need: 1) Gray wig; 2) suit; 3) necktie; 4) some delightful balloons

michael phelps face halloween costume
NBC/Oren Aks/Thrillist

Michael Phelps scowling

Don't you dare break a smile.
You'll need: 1) Navy hoodie; 2) Beatsheadphones blasting Eminem; 3) red gaffer tape; 4) the meanest mug imaginable. Bonus props: 28 gold medals.

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.

Follow the Thrillist Entertainment editors on Twitter @ThrillistEnt.