Google’s 2026 Halloween Searches Span Squishy Toys, Spooky Snacks and Horror

Halloween planning in 2026 stretches well beyond familiar monsters and movie characters. Google’s annual Frightgeist report tracks rising searches for costumes, party food, candy and horror films, and this year’s results move from a squishy sensory toy to ancient Greek mythology. These rankings show which ideas are gaining attention online as October 31 approaches; they don’t establish what people will ultimately wear or serve.

Costume searches mix characters and internet culture

Buddy the Unicorn leads Google’s trending costume list. NeeDoh, the squishy sensory toy, follows in second place, giving a toy rather than a fictional character one of the report’s most visible spots. Nikki from Obsession ranks third, with Agamemnon from The Odyssey fourth and Lily Love Braids from Poppy Playtime fifth.

The range suggests that costume inspiration is coming from several directions at once: entertainment, online interests and objects that are recognizable in their own right. Oliver Tree ranks sixth, followed by Verity from Minecraft and Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl. Disco Scooby Doo takes ninth place, bringing a retro variation on a familiar character, while Hazel Hook from Descendants completes the top ten.

For designers thinking about what makes a reference work as a costume, the list offers a useful mix of visual cues. A character may be identifiable through a distinctive silhouette, a recognizable accessory or a strong color combination. A toy such as NeeDoh presents a different challenge: its appeal is tied to its simple shape and tactile quality. The search ranking doesn’t explain why each idea caught on, but the spread points to a broad appetite for references that can be communicated quickly in a look.

Pairs draw on familiar characters and unexpected combinations

Google’s couples costume searches place Disco Scooby and Shaggy first, followed by Cyclops and Jean Grey from X-Men. Nikki and Bear from Obsession rank third. JLo and Maverick take fourth, and Hannah and Garrett from Off Campus are fifth.

The remaining searches bring together a varied set of screen and story references: Cowboys and Angels, Ricky Bobby and Carley Bobby from Talladega Nights, WALL-E and Eve, Woody and Bullseye, and Joe Dirt and Brandy. The source also lists Ricky Bobby and Carley Bobby at number seven in its couples ranking.

Pair costumes have a built-in visual structure: two looks need to read as connected while remaining distinct. That can come from contrasting colors, shared motifs or a recognizable relationship between the characters. The results include both well-known pairings and combinations that rely on a particular film or series reference, giving groups different levels of familiarity to work with.

Party food turns the table into part of the costume

For drinks, “witches brew punch” is the leading trending Halloween query over the past month. Searches for edible glitter are also drawing interest among people looking for seasonal beverages. Both ideas point to presentation as part of the recipe: color, sparkle and a memorable serving vessel can make a familiar drink feel suited to the occasion.

That presentation extends to the equipment. Searches for “cauldron crock pot” have reached an all-time high, and “how to make a bubbling cauldron” is a breakout query this month. Dry ice remains a recurring seasonal topic, with searches for “where can I buy dry ice” showing October spikes dating back to 2007. Taken together, these queries show how a serving setup can become a centerpiece, especially when the food or drink is designed to suggest a bubbling potion.

Novelty food searches lean into recognizable shapes. “Feet loaf” and “hot dog mummy” have registered breakout interest over the past month; “lychee eyeballs,” “cinnamon roll guts” and “brain cupcake” are also attracting searches. These concepts rely on visual transformation: an ordinary ingredient or baked good takes on a Halloween identity through its shape and presentation. Cookie dough, Jell-O and candy corn appear among searches related to sugar-free Halloween sweets, though the report doesn’t specify particular products or recipes.

Candy searches aren’t a sales ranking

KitKat leads this year’s candy search list. Oreo ghost ranks second, followed by Reese’s Halloween candy, Jelly Belly and Swedish Fish.

These positions reflect increases in search interest, not sales totals. That distinction matters for anyone using the list to understand seasonal attention: search activity can show which products people are curious about, but it doesn’t say how many packages are bought or which treats end up in candy bowls. The rankings work best as a snapshot of what’s on people’s minds.

Horror searches split between atmosphere and mascots

Google says searches for “nostalgic Halloween movies” have risen year over year since 2019. This year’s leading trending horror-film queries are “gothic horror movies” and “mascot horror movies.” One points toward mood and setting; the other toward unnerving characters linked to games and other entertainment.

For a Halloween watch list, those searches suggest two practical starting points: choose films for atmosphere or build a lineup around a distinctive character type. The report doesn’t name individual films, so the trend is about the kinds of horror viewers are seeking rather than a definitive list of titles.

Across costumes, snacks and movies, the report captures ideas gaining search momentum rather than a fixed picture of the holiday. The most useful takeaway for planners is the range: a recognizable duo, a cauldron-themed drink or a simple snack with a strong visual twist can each provide a clear creative starting point.