Popular Halloween Costumes for the 1980’s

October 2, 2023

So did you trick-or-treat in the 80’s…I remember seeing some of these characters back then but rarely see any of them these days.

  1. Freddy Krueger: The character from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” film series, with his distinctive striped sweater and glove with knives, was a terrifyingly popular costume choice.
  2. Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” era continued to inspire Halloween costumes, with many people dressing up as the King of Pop.
  3. Pac-Man: The iconic video game character Pac-Man, as well as the colorful ghosts, made for playful and recognizable costume choices.
  4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: These crime-fighting turtles, named Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael, were a massive hit, and many kids wanted to dress up as their favorite turtle.
  5. Ghostsbusters: Following the release of the “Ghostbusters” movie in 1984, Ghostbusters costumes with proton packs became a popular choice.
  6. E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial): The lovable alien from Steven Spielberg’s movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was a favorite costume for both kids and adults.
  7. Madonna: Madonna’s distinctive ’80s fashion style, with lace gloves, fishnet stockings, and layered jewelry, inspired many costume choices.
  8. Rock Stars: The 1980s were known for rock music, and rock star costumes, complete with wild wigs and leather jackets, were in demand.
  9. Rubik’s Cube: The colorful Rubik’s Cube puzzle toy inspired creative and nostalgic costumes.
  10. Horror Icons: Classic horror icons like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolfman remained popular costume choices during the 1980s.