Best Last-Minute Movie Halloween 2020 Costume Ideas | Screen Rant
With Halloween only a day away, coming up with any costume will be a last-minute effort. But whether it's for a party or socially-distant trick-or-treating, there are still some options for movie-lovers. A few iconic looks can be easily achieved by digging around the back of the closet, making a quick trip to the store, or borrowing the perfect shoes from a friend.
New films in 2020 were few and far between with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down movie theaters, but there's still a plethora of options from films that were streamed and premiered early in the year. A last-minute costume is mostly dependent on the clothing or props that are already lying around the house, so one taking an inventory before committing is a good idea. And, while the costumes of some major characters may be too complex to copy, recreating the threads of a favorite supporting character is a less challenging task.
For a costume that needs to be put together quickly, the best choice is something simple but striking. A bold color and a unique prop can convey a character without too much work. Supplies or items that aren't easily accessible could be acquired with a quick trip to a big-box store like Wal-Mart or a party store. Thrift stores are also a great resource for clothing in different styles and colors.
Mulan's costume in Disney's 2020 live-action adaptation may seem complex, but it's actually pretty straightforward. Imitation of the Chinese heroine only requires a few items of clothing and a visit to the closest party store to pick up a plastic samurai sword. With a wardrobe raid and a shopping trip, anyone can feel as empowered as this feminist warrior.
A red bathrobe (ideally silk, but plush also works) is the main focus of the costume. Some loose linen pants, or any white or off-white trousers, along with a white or off-white blouse, will complete the look. Brown boots and a brown belt to cinch around the waist is also a must. Mulan's armor is the most complicated element of the costume and may have to go by the wayside for a last-minute effort, but if a person is feeling truly enterprising, some string and two pieces of square cardboard can make serviceable plate skirt. A little silver spray paint shines it up and dries within an hour.
The whole point of the The Invisible Man is that he's, well, invisible. In Leigh Whannell's terrifying 2020 remake of the film, based on a 1897 novel of the same name by H.G. Wells, optics engineer Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) spends 90% of the movie out of sight. His ability gives him the power to stalk and terrorize his girlfriend, Cecilia Kass (Elizabeth Moss), in a horrifyingly accurate depiction of domestic abuse. Hollywood achieved invisibility with a variety of special effects. One option for a last-minute costume, though, is to reference the remake with a classic look from the 1933 film, The Invisible Man, directed by James Whale.
The costume is easy to put together and may even provide some extra protection from coronavirus with a cloth face mask. Claude Rains' Invisible Man interacted with the world by covering himself from head to toe, wearing dark pants and a dark coat, a scarf, dress shoes, a hat and sunglasses. He also covered his face in gauze, available at pretty much any convenience store. The costume will be ready in no time after simply pulling out some winter gear. Bonus: it's warm for those chilly October nights.
Harley Quinn's costumes in Birds of Prey are fun, stylish and eye-catching, but also custom-tailored, meaning none of them are easily recreated at the last minute. Luckily for party-goers, however, Birds of Prey is an ensemble movie also featuring some equally powerful women with simpler costumes — Cassandra Cain, The Huntress and Detective Renee Montoya. Cassandra's costume is made up of shorts, a t-shirt, a red hoodie and a trucker cap. For true accuracy, a cosplayer can match colors, but most of these items are easily available from the closet. A quick stop at a sports store will yield some pink athletic tape, which can be fashioned into Cassandra's well-known lower arm cast. Simply layer the tape over an old sock with finger holes cut out of it.
Helena Bertinelli, a.ka. The Huntress, is one tough chick. Her street fighter look can be achieved with black leggings or jeans, a black halter top and black boots. Black fingerless gloves are an optional extra. An all-black ensemble also works as a costume for Black Widow, although it may need to be a little more skintight. Be sure to bring a fake pistol or some thick black leather wrist cuffs to mimic her Widow's bite.
Finally, recreating Renee Montoya's costume from Birds of Prey is a quick and easy way to become someone else for Halloween. Regular business wear plus a plastic police badge and/or fake gun will do. People who want to go the extra distance may be able to pick up a pair of fake brass knuckles at the party store.
Borat's infamous look is easily achieved with a loosely-tailored gray suit, pair of sunglasses and a fake mustache, and is more infamous than ever after the recent release of a sequel on Amazon Prime. For added style, invest in a short, curly black wig and a mini American flag. Borat's multiple disguises from the new film also make good Halloween costume options. A quirky sweater vest and khakis reimagines one, while a brown suit, cowboy hat and American flag tie makes another costume reality. In any case, you'll have to bring a brazen attitude and your best offensive accent.
Hamilton's period costumes are rare and often expensive, but some lesser-known looks from the musical, which was filmed for Disney + this year, may give fans a chance to step onto the stage. Eliza's soft, polk-dot nightgown is easily recreated with a floor-length white dress and a length of pastel blue ribbon, available at craft stores. Hamilton's (Lin Manuel-Miranda) look is a little harder, but one of his costumes could be recreated with a puffy white button-down, black vest and black slacks (if breeches are a no go). Slicked back hair and a pair of eyeglasses will complete the costume.
Rey's costume from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker isn't the easiest to copy, but any true fan of the franchise is already halfway there if they have a lightsaber, although they may not have a yellow one on hand. Of course, with Rey, there is the second option of a long wooden staff — a walking stick or stripped down branch will work. A white tank top and a pair of white leggings or capris creates the base of the costume, and a long white or off-white scarf can be easily fashioned to create the outer layer. A scarf draped around the neck and twisted to create an X shape can be held in place with a brown leather belt. (Even a thin white bedsheet could work in a pinch.)
As always, the hairstyle is the next most important factor for a convincing Halloween costume. Rey's triple bun isn't too hard to replicate with a few hair ties and some time spent in front of the mirror. Rey's wrist to elbow cuffs can be imitated with some white gauze, tape or whatever white fabric that might be lying around.