Halloween is right around the corner, and there are still so many people who are scrambling to get a costume for trick-or-treating or a party. While looking through the remaining choices in stores, some of the more popular costumes may already be off the shelves and totally gone, but how were you to know which ones would sell first? Here is a helpful guide to show you what the most popular costumes were for every single year since 1970.
Every year, there is a certain trend that takes over, and in the past decade or so, there have been more than one. Children and even adults latch onto that trend or character and turn it into everyday outfits but decide to go all out for Halloween when they can throw on a costume.
Cosmopolitan has put together a great list of the most popular costumes over the past number of decades, and it’s interesting to see just how things have changed. Gone are the days of simplicity, such as picking a ghost or witch or even your favorite music icon, as costumes now have special effects and cost a lot of money.
After seeing what the most popular costumes are from the past, do you wish that Halloween could return to a simpler time?
The ’70s
1970 – The Beatles 1971 – Willy Wonka 1972 – The Godfather 1973 – Jan Brady 1974 – Daisy Buchanan ( The Great Gatsby ) 1975 – Jaws 1976 – Rocky 1977 – Princess Leia 1978 – Tony Manero ( Saturday Night Fever ) 1979 – Superman
The ’80s
1980 – Daisy Duke ( The Dukes of Hazzard ) 1981 – Indiana Jones 1982 – Annie 1983 – Madonna 1984 – The Ghostbusters 1985 – Marty McFly ( Back to the Future ) 1986 – Jem ( Jem and the Holograms ) 1987 – Robocop 1988 -Garfield 1989 – Batman
The ’90s
1990 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1991 – Morticia Addams 1992 – Catwoman 1993 – Dinosaur ( Jurassic Park ) 1994 – Lion (The Lion King ) 1995 – Star Trek crew member 1996 – Scream 1997 – Spice Girls 1998 – Godzilla 1999 – Tarzan
Of course, there are sometimes other outlets that may say different costumes led the sales in a particular year. Pop Sugar is reporting that in 1993, TMNT and Barney were some of the top sellers while 1994 had Sailor Moon and Power Rangers.
In 1995, Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story were also some very popular Halloween costumes as the legendary Pixar franchise started.
The ’00s
2000 – Fred Flinstone 2001 – Josie and the Pussycats 2002 – Hermoine Granger 2003 – Spider-Man 2004 – Captain Jack Sparrow 2005 – Grey’s Anatomy cast member 2006 – V ( V For Vendetta ) 2007 – Hannah Montana 2008 – High School Musical cast member 2009 – Lady Gaga
The ’10s
2010 – Princess Tiana ( The Princess and the Frog ) 2011 – Sue Sylvester ( Glee ) 2012 – Katniss Everdeen ( The Hunger Games ) 2013 – Iron Man 2014 – Anna (Disney’s Frozen ) 2015 – Harley Quinn ( Suicide Squad ) 2016 – Stranger Things cast member 2017 – Wonder Woman
The Halloween costume you choose to wear is one that may define you or simply have you blend into the crowd of other Wonder Woman’s or Captain Jack’s that are around. If you’re looking to break out and be unique, veer away from what is popular or trending and do something on your own. As you can see from the list of the most popular costumes since 1970, the biggest sellers are usually what’s popular that year, and it will likely continue that way.
[Featured Image by Cindy Ord/Getty Images]
