17 Cartoon Character Costume Ideas to Inspire You This Halloween

Halloween is all about the thrill of finding the perfect costume, feasting on frighteningly sweet treats, and having fun for the whole night. As we prep for the holiday, our anticipation cannot be contained as the surge of timely makeup looks and hairstyle inspiration continues to circulate by the hour. If you are just as excited but have no idea what to wear, there's no need to panic if you haven't decided on a costume yet — dressing up as your favorite cartoon will definitely turn heads and spark major nostalgia.

When looking for easy cartoon characters to dress up as, there are a few things to note. First: what are your personal favorite cartoon Halloween characters, and which are also beloved in pop culture? It's hard to resist bringing iconic characters like Cruella de Vil, Princess Tiana, Daria, or Carmen Sandiego to life. And because they are so popular, it's easy for people to get the reference, whether you re-create the look to the letter or go a bit more abstract.

It's safe to say that pop culture costumes will never go out of style, and new inspiration continues to thrive each year. Additionally, if you're a beauty lover, not only is Halloween your time to shine and truly flex those face-painting skills, but you can also prove once and for all that you are a wig-styling master. Seriously, what's not to love about this holiday?

Whether you would like to debut a look as a couple or fly solo with the most colorful hair in the room, we've got you covered. Here are 17 cartoon character Halloween costumes that are a blast from the past and will bring smiles to every person at the party.

— Additional reporting by Tasha Dowbachuk

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Cruella de Vil
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Cruella de Vil

Whip out that long, sleek, black dress and pair it with green earrings and a green ring to resemble the evil high-fashion icon Cruella de Vil. Don't forget to add a pair of red gloves, a large faux-fur coat, and a split-colored black-and-white wig to tie the look together.

DIY Cruella de Vil Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Carmen Sandiego
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Carmen Sandiego

Channel your inner superspy by assembling the ultimate red outfit, and go as Carmen Sandiego. Tie the look together with red lipstick and a long black wig, and you're ready to save the world.

DIY Carmen Sandiego Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Esmeralda
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Esmeralda

Dance the night away in your best red dress and gold jewelry to resemble the beautiful and fearless Esmeralda from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

DIY Esmeralda Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Eris
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Eris

Want to flaunt a long purple dress? Looks like the goddess of Chaos known as Eris from "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" is your perfect match. Sport a sultry smoky eye with a set of red contact lenses to tie the look together.

DIY Eris Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Maleficent
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Maleficent

Maleficent is so articulately and seductively evil that it's a wonder Prince Phillip doesn't forget all about Aurora. If you love getting dramatic and playing with face paint, she's an easy one.

DIY Maleficent Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Tiana
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Tiana

Have a tiara and the ability to make a fluffy updo? Then you, too, can be Princess Tiana. You could dress up as the frog version of her as well, which basically just involves a lot of green body paint.

DIY Princess Tiana Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Jessica Rabbit
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Jessica Rabbit

Jessica Rabbit is one of the sexiest cartoons of all time, and it's easy to see why. Get the look with a big red wig, red lipstick, false lashes, and purple eyeshadow.

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Jasmine
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Jasmine

A piece of blue ribbon with a jewel glued to it, a low ponytail, winged eyeliner, big earrings, and some seafoam pajamas will give you an easy Princess Jasmine Halloween costume.

DIY Princess Jasmine Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Daria Morgendorffer
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Daria Morgendorffer

Got 10 minutes to put together a costume? Fluff your hair up, grab a pair of glasses, and channel lots of sarcasm to go as Daria. She wouldn't want it any other way.

DIY Daria Morgendorffer Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Wonder Woman
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Wonder Woman

Generations of women have fantasized about wearing Diana Prince's golden tiara on top of jet-black curls. The tiara is easy to make with gold foil or cardboard and spray paint, and her hair only requires a wig or a set of hot rollers (and lots of hairspray).

DIY Wonder Woman Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dora the Explorer
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dora the Explorer

Dora is the antithesis of the sexy, expensive costumes that have dominated Halloween in recent years. Just get a cheap brunette bob wig, a pink T-shirt, and a backpack to pull off the look.

DIY Dora the Explorer Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lydia Deetz
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lydia Deetz

If you were a kid in the early '90s, you probably remember the "Beetlejuice" cartoon, which followed the post-movie adventures of Lydia and Betelgeuse. Any kind of black dress paired with white face paint and Lydia's cartoony eye makeup will suffice, and if you already have dark, bobbed hair, it's a natural fit.

DIY Lydia Deetz Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Gadget
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Gadget

The mouse with the mostest from "Rescue Rangers" just requires ears, goggles, a blond wig, and a jumpsuit.

DIY Gadget Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Mononoke
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Mononoke

If you have friends who are up on their anime, Princess Mononoke is certain to be a big hit. Triangle stencils will allow you to do her face paint at home with ease.

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch

Dr. Girlfriend from "The Venture Bros." is eminently capable and extremely attractive. If you have a pink dress or a Jackie O. costume, this one's a cakewalk. And in a pinch, any cute, retro dress and a brunette bob will suffice.

DIY Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lisa Simpson
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Lisa Simpson

If you've always wanted to try punky liberty spikes, here's your chance.

DIY Lisa Simpson Halloween Costume

Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Rainbow Brite
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Cartoon Character Halloween Costume Idea: Rainbow Brite

Admit it: you've always secretly wanted a purple star tattoo under your left eye. And that rainbow belt? A must.

DIY Rainbow Brite Halloween Costume