Need a last-minute Halloween costume idea? Celebrate your favorite Hawkins characters by dressing up in some retro Stranger Things Halloween costumes. Rock a leather jacket (think Eddie Munson), a sports jersey similar to the ones worn by the Hawkins High basketball team, or a Hawaiian shirt to channel your inner surfer boy pizza style (Argyle, we love you). No matter who your favorite character is, there are a bunch of outfits you can recreate using items that might already be in your closet.
The show provides an endless source of inspiration for the spookiest of holidays, and you can go low or high commitment. Some are so simple that the act of wearing just a t-shirt is all that’s needed to give you instant street cred amongst your fellow fans. Others require a little more courage and creative effort because capturing Vecna in a full-body flesh suit isn’t exactly chill. We've also included the level of difficulty and scare factor for each pick, so you can easily decide how far you want to take things with your Halloween costume this year.
Stranger Things also makes for great group Halloween costume ideas that can work for best friends, couples, pets, and more. So let Halloween serve as a creative outlet to work through all the complicated feelings you might have had at the end of season four and get the chance to walk in the shoes of your favorite characters while in costume.
Plus, finding an excuse to rewatch the show is always going to be a good idea in our book. Consider it research. Here, find 16 of the best Stranger Things Halloween costume ideas that will have you running up that hill (to trick-or-treat), below.
1. Argyle Costume
Stranger Things brought in the wonderfully charming and hilarious Eduardo Franco as Argyle, a friend Jonathan Byers made in California, and while Argyle seemed to be just the stoner friend of Jonathan, he proved himself important to the California team in the way that he was willing to do whatever they needed.
Level of difficulty: 2/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Maybe not.
Scare Factor: 1/10
2. Henry Creel aka “001” Costume
Are you more likely to quote “you are like papa” or “sometimes papa doesn’t tell the truth”? If your answer is the latter, consider Henry Creel (played by Jamie Campbell Bower) for Halloween. The bone-chilling 001 is the source of all evil, despite his angelic all-white fit.
Level of difficulty: 2/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Most likely.
Scare Factor: 3/10
3. Vecna Costume
Take 001 to his final form as Vecna — because in terms of scariness, the Mind Flayer is the clear winner. You’ll need to put in a lot of effort to build this costume, combining a creepy mask and a flesh-printed bodysuit for the full effect. If you want to add a dose of humor, carry around a Starbucks coffee cup.
Level of difficulty: 9/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Not at all.
Scare Factor: 10/10
4. Will Byers Costume
From seasons one through four, we've seen the youngest member of the Stranger Things crew go through many changes mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you feel connected to his character, this would be the perfect opportunity to dress up like him. Just grab a classic button-down shirt, coordinating t-shirt, and trousers.
Level of difficulty: 1/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Definitely.
Scare Factor: 0/10. While the outfit is not scary, whatever is inside of Will is frightening.
5. Chrissy Cunningham Costume
To the untrained eye, you’re just a cheerleader for Halloween. But for those in the know, this green set obviously belongs to Chrissy Cunningham, the queen of Hawkins High. RIP to the most popular girl in school.
Level of difficulty: 6/10, given that it’s unlikely that you own a cheerleading outfit.
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Probably not.
Scare Factor: 1/10
6. Eddie Munson Costume
As the breakout star of season four, Eddie Munson is a no-brainer contender for the top Halloween costume of 2022. The ease of building his look makes this even more desirable, as chances are you already own a good percentage of his outfit. All you need is a denim vest, a leather jacket, an official Hellfire Club tee you can cop for $27, and a mullet wig if you want to go all the way.
Level of difficulty: 4/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Potentially, but you need the Hellfire Club tee to really set this off.
Scare Factor: 2/10, but only if you dislike ‘80s haircuts.
7. Max Costume
No spoilers, only tears. Remind everyone of Max’s ultimate sacrifice in a pair of old-school headphones and a turquoise windbreaker. Bonus points if you can levitate.
Level of difficulty: 3/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Yes, but you might need to ask your parents for old over-ear headphones.
Scare Factor: 2/10. This depends on the levitating bit.
8. Joyce Costume
Joyce has proven herself to be one of the coolest TV mom's ever. From fighting demogorgons to bad guys and Vecna, she's not afraid of anything. So grab a plaid shirt, a white tee, and some swimming goggles to recreate her look.
Level of difficulty: 1/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Yes.
Scare Factor: 0/10
9. Lucas Sinclair Costume
You loved Lucas’ character arc this season, turning him into a bonafide jock. Get your head in the game (sorry, wrong reference) with a basketball kit in Hawkins High colors.
Level of difficulty: 4/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Unlikely.
Scare Factor: 3/10 depending on your relationship with high school hierarchies.
10. Jim Hopper Costume
Did you, too, spend your entire binge session anxiously awaiting Hooper’s return? Direct from Russia, he’s back this season with a shaved head. If you prefer going for a more laid-back look this Halloween, opt for Jim's plaid button-up shirt paired with a brown baseball cap, just like the one below.
Level of difficulty: 3/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Yes.
Scare Factor: 0/10.
11. Murray Bauman Costume
As a black belt in karate who speaks Russian, everyone needs a friend like Murray, flame torch or not. The off-kilter character provides much-needed comic relief, and his personal style should not be overlooked. This Halloween, test drive Murray’s cozy look in a shearling-lined jacket, wool cap, and Nordic red scarf.
Level of difficulty: 4/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Unlikely.
Scare Factor: 1/10
12. Erica Sinclair Costume
You can’t spell America without Erica. The Sinclair sister stepped up her game for season four and easily became one of the most enjoyable characters to watch. This is partially due to Priah Ferguson bodying the role, but also thanks to Erica’s zippy dialogue and killer, ‘80s fits. Copy her look with a printed ‘80s knit, a low-slung belt, and an American flag draped across your shoulders.
Level of difficulty: 6/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Unlikely. You might need to visit a thrift store for a similar vintage sweater or get the exact costume version below.
Scare Factor: 2/10
13. Hellfire Club Member Costume
If you’re not the type to go all out for Halloween, the club tee is all you need to get a few nods of approval from fellow fans. You can just tell everyone you’re just another member of the club who didn’t get any lines in episode one.
Level of difficulty: 2/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: All you need to do is to shop the official merch.
Scare Factor: 2/10
14. Eleven Costume
From eggos to hospital gowns, there are plenty of Eleven-inspired costumes to choose from. If you want to pluck a look from season four, recreations of her geometric romper are all over the internet. Otherwise, you might have a hard time tracking down a neck collar. You can spend a night DIY-ing her pizza glasses to go with a blue flannel, pink floral long-sleeved shirt, and white high-waisted denim, too.
Level of difficulty: 5/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Maybe, depending on how close to her original outfit you want to stay.
Scare Factor: 6/10, if you incorporate fake nose blood.
15. Dustin Henderson Costume
Arguably the wisest of the Hawkins boys, Dustin remains the ever-loyal friend who just happens to have a killer trucker hat collection. Grab any screen print tee you have in your closet and pair it with his exact Thinking Cap, available on Amazon.
Level of difficulty: 3/10 because all you need is a hat.
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: Maybe.
Scare Factor: 1/10. As much as we love actor Gaten Matarazzo, there’s nothing scary about his character.
16. Angela Costume
We don’t condone Angela’s treatment of Eleven, nor Eleven’s violence toward Angela et. al, but we do approve of Angela's peak ‘80s style. Channel the decade’s aesthetic in fluorescent bodysuits, hot pink hot pants, acid wash denim, and a pair of roller skates.
Level of difficulty: 6/10
Can you build it from your own wardrobe: It’s possible, but you might need to scour for some roller skates.
Scare Factor: 3/10. You’re basically dressed up as Workout Barbie, which is decidedly unscary.
