Halloween is coming, and if you haven’t picked a costume yet, Google has some data for you. Google just unveiled Frightgeist, which compiles the top Halloween-related searches, from costumes to candy. This year’s list is a mix of movies, games, memes, and some very strange choices. timeout

The top 5 trending costumes

According to Google, the top five are: timeout

1. Buddy the Unicorn. The costume comes from “Buddy,” a horror movie where a seemingly cheerful unicorn takes a dark turn. kark
2. NeeDoh. The squishy stress ball is the surprise of the list. There’s a surprising number of people interested in dressing up as one. yahoo
3. Nikki from “Obsession.” The movie turned her wardrobe into one of 2026’s most copied looks. Google says searches for her red zebra halter top have been especially high. 8newsnowkark
4. Agamemnon from “The Odyssey.” Searches for his costume are running three times higher than Penelope costumes. kark
5. Lily Love Braids from “Poppy Playtime.” It isn’t the first year the horror game has produced a popular costume, and Lily is this year’s breakout character. 8newsnow

More trending looks

The list goes beyond the top five. People are also searching for Hazel Hook from “Descendants,” Oliver Tree, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Agamemnon. Verity from Minecraft is also on the list, and “Verity mod outfits” is the top search related to her. yahookark

Couples and duo costumes

If you’re dressing up with a partner or friend, the trending pairs are a mix of classic and goofy. Some play it safe as Wall-E and Eve, Woody and Bullseye, or Cyclops and Jean Grey. Others go for Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Ricky and Carley Bobby from “Talladega Nights,” or Joe Dirt and Brandy. timeout

Pet costumes

Your pet isn’t off the hook. Top-trending pet costumes include Dolly Parton, Tow Mater, Princess Donut, and a literal baked potato. Other trending pet looks include a giant centipede, a roach, or a can of Diet Coke. timeoutyahoo

What the list does and doesn’t tell you

This is a list of search spikes, not sales. Trending ranks the biggest spikes in search traffic against the previous equivalent period, and it doesn’t tell us how many costumes sold or which outfit will have the most people wearing it. A costume at the top of the list may not be the most common one you see on Halloween night. the-gadgeteer

How to avoid showing up in the same costume as a neighbor

Google offers a searchable trending map in Frightgeist, so you can check what’s popular in your area before you buy. If you want a low-effort costume, Google also has tools for building one from closet finds. yahooyahoo

Shopping tips

• Read the item list closely. A costume named after a character, like Agamemnon, may include only the cape. the-gadgeteer
• Compare the whole outfit and hairstyle to the character before buying a wig.
• Order early, since popular items can sell out close to Halloween.

Bottom line

From a killer unicorn to a stress ball, this year’s list proves there’s no wrong answer. Pick something you’ll enjoy wearing, and check the map if you’d like to stand out.