You and your significant other walk into a Halloween party this October. You see a Barbie and a man in a suit and porkpie hat posing for a photo by the spooky graveyard tapestry hung on the far wall. Then you look over to the snack bar. There's another Oppenheimer pouring another Barbie some orange-colored punch. To your left, yet another Barbie is sitting on the lap of Oppy No. 3. She waves at you and calls out, "Hey, Barbie!" You look down. You're dressed like Barbie, too.
You will undoubtedly be flooded by a sea of Pepto Bismol pink and fake cigarettes this Halloween season. And if you're already looking forward to suiting up as your favorite childhood toy turned social commentary blockbuster (or your favorite weapon of mass destruction turned social commentary blockbuster), then we won't begrudge you that. We love those movies, too, and even came up with a ton of clever Barbie Halloween costume ideas. But this list is about exploring other costume options for couples this Halloween that might not be as expected as the Barbenheimer combo. These are options that will help you and your hubby rise above the crowd. In a Halloween season where every couple is a Barbie and a physicist, choose to be a Johnny Cash and a June Carter. Or a Rip Wheeler and a Beth Dutton. Scroll through for more couples costume ideas perfect for Halloween 2023.
Baby Billy and Aunt Tiffany from Righteous Gemstones
HBO
This is the perfect couples costume for fans of HBO's Righteous Gemstones. You'll need a white wig and big fake chompers for Baby Billy. For Aunt Tiff, don a sundress with a pillow underneath to simulate a pregnant belly, and hold a bag of Funyuns.
Johnny Cash and June Carter
20th Century Fox
Walk the line and capture the essence of the legendary musical couple with this costume idea. Wear black and this wig, and sling a guitar over your shoulder for Johnny. And for June, any '50s or '60s-style dress will get the job done.
Bojack Horseman and Princess Carolyn from BoJack Horseman
Netflix
Embody the animal pun-filled and deeply moving Netflix series BoJack Horseman. For Princess Carolyn, get a yellow cardigan, a green dress and some pink cat ears. And for BoJack, get your hooves on a blue '90s sweater, gray suit jacket and a horse mask.
Bob Ross and a Happy Little Tree
PBS; Amazon
Share the joy of painting this Halloween season. The designated Bob will need an afro wig, a beard (painted or real) and perhaps a palette and brush. And the work of art will need to either relive their first grade acting career and wear a tree costume, or wear something like this Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little Tree tunic.
Fred and Wilma Flintstone from The Flintstones
Yabba-dabba-doo! Fred and Wilma Flintstone are the world's favorite prehistoric couple. Espouse your love for the classic cartoon (and vitamins) with this easy costume from Amazon.
Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone
Paramount Network
Yellowstone is America's favorite show, and you can get Halloween party guests up close and personal to Beth and Rip by rocking a cowboy hat for Rip and a faux fur coat for Beth.
Shiv Roy and Tom Wambsgans from Succession
HBO
HBO's Succession dominated pop culture this year with its whirlwind final season, and you can be Shiv with this cozy-yet-businesslike turtleneck and Tom with this blue lanyard paired with a suit. Just don't re-create that balcony shouting fight at the Halloween party, or everyone else is in for a really awkward night.
Midge and Joel Maisel from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amazon Prime
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel may have ended its run this year, but you can keep things rolling with this couples costume by nabbing Midge's vintage shades and wool cap.
Jack and Rose from Titanic
Near. Far. Wherever you are this Halloween, a couples costume of Jack and Rose from Titanic is sure to be a hit. Get Rose's evening dress and Jack's suspenders for a classy look. And to all the Roses out there, if it comes to it, make some room on the door, will ya?
Pac-Man & Ms. Pac-Man
Bandai-Namco
Wakka-wakka into Halloween in style by dressing as everyone's favorite partially eaten pizza-shaped video game couple, Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man. See how to make this DIY couples costume at Unblushing.
Mario and Princess Peach
Universal
The classic video game became a massively successful movie this year, and now everybody's got Mario fever. A Princess Peach and Mario costume is sure to be a brick-smashing hit this Halloween.
Ashitaka and San from Princess Mononoke
Getty Images
Fans of the Studio Ghibli animated film Princess Mononoke are sure to get a kick out of this couples costume. For the wild San, rock this fur cape; and for Ashitaka, a blue unitard will help you bring the bow-wielding hero to life.
Georgie and Pennywise from It
Getty Images
Float into the Halloween festivities — and provoke a few nightmares along the way — with this spooky costume coupling. Stay dry in a yellow raincoat for Georgie, and stay scary in a Pennywise mask.
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu from Pokemon
The Pokémon Company
Let your partner know that you choose them with this Pokemon-inspired couples costume. Catch this look with Ash's signature hat and fingerless gloves and a cute Pikachu hooded zip-up.
Steve and Robin from Stranger Things
Getty Images
Steve and Robin made for a hilarious pairing at their soulless Scoops Ahoy mall job in the '80s nostalgia-filled Stranger Things. Don their sailor-themed ice cream uniforms with this sailor hat and scarf package.
Beetlejuice and Lydia from Beetlejuice
Getty Images
Bring Tim Burton's spooky and funny romp to life with this classic Halloween couples costume idea. Get Beetlejuice's striped black-and-white pants and a creepy-cute lacy dress for a dead-on impersonation.
Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Getty Images
Let's keep the Tim Burton train rolling. This Halloween, you can live like Jack and Sally if you want. Strap on this bare-bones Jack mask or Sally's patchwork dress for a tried-and-true Halloween couples costume classic.
Luke and Princess Leia from Star Wars
Getty Images
Yes, Luke and Leia end up being siblings; but wield a lightsaber and throw on a futuristic-looking white dress, and you'll have an out-of-this-world couples costume.
Nerds in Love
According to our calculations, looking like a couple of dorks this Halloween is a pretty adorable idea. Refer to the picture above for anything you may need to complete the look; and if you want to get really nerdy with it, check out these suspenders.
