Become your favourite movie hero or a character that no-one else will think of with our list of 25 top movie costume ideas for adults. You’ll be walking down the Hollywood red carpet signing autographs in no time!
1. GREASE LIGHTENING
Go Grease lightening! Grease was a ‘70s movie based on a 1950s American high school love story between Danny and Sandy. Sing along and get involved with some Grease lightening dance moves, dressing the boys as the T-birds and girls as the Pink Ladies. It’s a great idea for groups, couples, and a top choice for hen parties! ⚡️
2. TOP GUN
Tom Cruise’s Top Gun persona made him one of the coolest movie stars around. Famous for those tinted aviator shades and fine flight jumpsuit, he soared through the skies with Goose, flying into dangerous enemy territory. Suit up with a Top Gun costume and relive the golden ages of flight. With a new Top Gun film set for release in 2020, you’ll beat everyone to the party! Goose or Maverick – you decide.
3. BAYWATCH BABES
Show off that beach body as the hottest lifeguards at the party, and you’ll be giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation left, right and centre! It’ll be hard to pull off the lifeguard look as good as Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron in the latest Baywatch movie, but you’ll still turn heads and provoke high blood pressure! Don those red shorts and a Baywatch tee if you’re a guy or a racy red swimsuit for girls.
4. SUPERHERO MOVIE STARS
Superhero movies are released almost every month, and it’s one of the most popular film genres in cinema. From the Marvel universe of Avengers, Spiderman, Iron Man and Ant-Man to DC’s Batman and Superman, there’s no shortage of superhero costume ideas to get you Hollywood-ready.
5. THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
Harry Potter is one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time! What started as a series of books by JK Rowling has evolved into movies, merchandise, and even theme park worlds. It’s loved by kids and adults alike, and now you can recreate the wizarding universe in your own life. Dress up as Harry, Hermione, Ron, Voldemort or another main character and host your own Harry Potter house party, complete with themed snacks.
6. STAR WARS HEROES AND VILLAINS
The world of Star Wars needs no introduction. What started as a trilogy in 1977 has evolved into a growing franchise of films over the past 40 years, video games, merchandise, theme parks and more. Kids adore the latest Disney movies, and the classic movies’ stories and characters will always have a place in the hearts of adults. Costume-wise, you’re spoilt for choice at the variety of character outfits available. Ladies will love dressing as Princess Leia or a female Stormtrooper, while Jedi’s, Darth Vader and Jabba the Hut will impress the guys.
7. THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Lord of the Rings movie series is one of our personal favourites for fancy dress. The vast amount of live-special effects, stunning landscapes, and the epic storyline make it one of the most memorable film franchises. Over a decade after it was first released, now is a better time than ever to become your favourite LOTR character, especially as a TV-remake of the story is about to hit our screens! Dress as Gandalf, Bilbo, or Legolas and impress anyone you pass.
8. GHOSTBUSTERS
There’s something strange in the neighbourhood, and it doesn’t look good; who you gonna’ call? You, hopefully! Ghostbusters fancy dress never gets old, especially with the release of the new movies in 2018 and 2019. Become a classic Ghostbuster with a beige suit and energy blaster pack or dress as one of the ghosts and ghouls themselves! It’s a brilliant idea for groups of four.
9. DISNEY MOVIE CLASSICS
Disney studios have more than double the Box Office earnings than the next studio, and we can see exactly why. What began as animated movies in the early century has evolved in a movie brand loved by kids and adults of all ages. Dress up as a character from a classic animated film or one of the latest live-action movies. Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Frozen and countless other Disney movies all have accompanying costumes.
10. BRAVEHEART
Become the mighty William Wallace, the legendary Scotsman that defended the Scottish Highlands and marched against English rule. Mel Gibson’s performance in Braveheart made him a Hollywood legend and now you can re-invent his rough and ready appearance from the movie. Put on your best Scottish accent (or your own if you’re Scottish!), accessorise with face paint, and don a William Wallace kilt costume.
12. LAUREL AND HARDY
The comedic geniuses of the 1920s had their inspiring story told in the 2018 Laurel and Hardy movie, bringing to light their hilarious persona’s to younger generations and reigniting these character favourites for older adults. The movie tells the story of the rise of the comedy duo and the highs and lows of life. Celebrate Laurel and Hardy with authentic costumes – they’re great for a group of guy friends or brothers!
14. BIG DADDY'S SCUBA STEVE
As one of the most unique movie costume ideas on our list, you’ll be swarmed with attention and plenty of laughs by dressing as Scuba Steve. This quirky character features in the ‘90s Big Daddy movie starring Adam Sandler, where he dresses up as Scuba Steve to impress adopted son Julian and get him to have a bath. The film is still super-popular today and regarded as a classic that everyone’s seen countless times, so you’ll need no introduction in a Scuba Steve outfit.
16. THE LEGEND OF ZORRO
The masked bandit Zorro is a hero of the free people, defending California against an oppressive dictator. His distinct outfit is entirely black, with a cape, hat and iconic bandana that covers his eyes and conceals his identity. Will you live up to the Zorro name? Zorro costumes are great for adults and kids that have a rebellious streak and want to look mysterious at the fancy-dress party. Accompany your costume with a rapier sword to complete the ‘Bandito’ look.
17. THE FULL MONTY
An idea for the adults, a Full Monty costume will instantly put you at the centre of the limelight and could involve a lack of clothes by the end of the night! The Full Monty is a ‘90s film classic where a group of factory steelworkers lose their jobs and resort to stripping to make some extra cash. It’s a cult-comedy movie costume idea that’s sure to get plenty of laughs and a few raised eyebrows.
18. THE WIZARD OF OZ
Head off to see the wonderful Wizard of Oz as one of the colourful characters from the movie. Choose from the Tin Man, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Wicked Witch of the West or a cheeky Flying Monkey and follow the Yellow Brick Road! The Wizard of Oz is a well-known movie about a girl from Kansas that gets lost and finds herself trapped in a fantasy world where she must find the wizard to escape, making plenty of friends along the way. Sing along and get all of your friends dressed up!
19. THE ADDAMS FAMILY
The go-to movie costume idea for families and friends at Halloween is one of the spookiest families around – the Addams Family! Costumes are available for all of the main characters so everyone can have a makeover, re-creating the classic appearances of Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia and even cousin Itt! The Addams Family is a movie theme that has lived on for decades and never gets old.
20. SHREK
We think the Shrek movies are some of the funniest animated comedies of all time and the characters are genius! Unsociable ogre Shrek finds himself dragged into a fantasy world of storybook creatures, fire-breathing dragons, an annoying yet endearing donkey, and unexpectedly meets his one true love. Everyone knows the story, and it makes a great dress-up idea for groups of friends or a family. Shrek, Donkey and Fiona costumes will turn you into the funniest trio at the party!
21. STAR TREK
An idea for the adults, a Full Monty costume will instantly put you at the centre of the limelight and could involve a lack of clothes by the end of the night! The Full Monty is a ‘90s film classic where a group of factory steelworkers lose their jobs and resort to stripping to make some extra cash. It’s a cult-comedy movie costume idea that’s sure to get plenty of laughs and a few raised eyebrows.
22. WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Mr Willy Wonka is the wild and wacky owner of a giant chocolate factory. He invites a special group of Wonka Bar ticket winners to his factory to choose a successor and a trail of trouble ensues! Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is a timeless family movie that everyone can appreciate and dress up as a character from the film is for any occasion, in particular, World Book Day! Choose a colourful Willy Wonka costume or gather your friends and paint yourself bright orange as a group of Oompa Loompa’s. It’s a popular group dress-up idea for Stag and Hen parties.
23. ROBIN HOOD
He steals from the rich and gives to the poor, and his story has been adapted into movies for decades. Recreate the legend of Sherwood Forest as Robin Hood and his Merry Men or accompany your Robin Hood partner dressed as Maid Marian. Robin Hood costumes come in different styles, from the outfit shown in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves to more recent on-screen adaptations. Get your bow ready and be the hero the party needs!
24. CLOCKWORK ORANGE
Clockwork Orange is a crime thriller on the darker side. Set in a dystopian near-future Britain, it tackles gangs, psychology, violence, and other controversial subjects, telling the story of Alex and his gang of misfits. If you’re a big fan of the movie, dress up as the main characters in their iconic white uniforms and bowler hats.
25. THE HUNGER GAMES
Katniss Everdeen is the heroic tribute from District 12 that is entered into a deadly game of survival. Her energetic and determined character seeks to break down the divisions in society and put an end to the Hunger Games once and for all! Based on the books, this popular movie series tells Katniss’ brave story, and any female fans will love dressing in her sleek Hunger Games costume.
MORE HOLLYWOOD MOVIE COSTUMES TO MAKE BRAD AND ANGELINA JEALOUS
That’s a wrap folks! Use our 25 inspirational movie costume ideas to help you plan your star performance at the party and dress to impress. For more film fancy dress ideas and plenty of options for kids, browse our online movie fancy dress shop.