Halloween is when we all pretend we’re braver than we really are. But admit it, there’s something magical about the mix of fear and fun. From the glowing pumpkins in malls to the kids shouting “trick or treat!” in your subdivision, October 31 has become one big excuse to play dress-up, eat too much candy, and post your spookiest OOTD online.

Here in the Philippines, Halloween wasn’t always the big pakulo it is today. Before, it was more about Undas—visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and remembering loved ones. But over the years, thanks to social media, Western movies, and the creative Pinoy spirit, we’ve embraced the kulit side of the season, too. It’s normal to see barangay parties with costume contests, school “Spooktaculars,” and even barkada gimmicks where everyone comes as their favorite monster or movie character.

So whether you’re dressing up for a party, trick-or-treating with your pamangkins, or just scrolling through your feed full of DIY kababalaghan, these iconic characters make Halloween fun every single year — a little scary, a little silly, but always full of life and fright. 

Classic Monsters: The OG Creepy Crew

Before there was streaming horror or jump scares, these were the OGs that defined Halloween chills. The creatures that made black-and-white movies unforgettable.

• Frankenstein’s Monster
  The tragic creature with feelings (and stitches). In a UK poll by SFX Magazine, Frankenstein’s Monster was crowned the top classic horror character, beating Dracula and The Wolf Man.

   

• Dracula
  The original pa-cute na pale guy with commitment issues. He’s been charming and scaring people for over a century — still a Halloween favorite today. 
• The Mummy, The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man
  These vintage creeps never die (literally). Their old-school horror vibe makes them aesthetic for film buffs and nostalgic Halloween fans.

Bakit mahal pa rin sila? Because they’re timeless — creepy, tragic, and a bit dramatic. Parang telenovela villains in monster form!

Filipino Favorites: The Local Flavor of Fear

Of course, what’s Halloween without a Pinoy touch?

• White Lady — Every barangay has one. Usually found near schools, bridges, or comfort rooms.  
• Aswang — The shape-shifting legend that makes every probinsya story scarier.
• Manananggal — A flying half-woman looking for midnight snacks (a.k.a. your liver).
• Tiyanak — Proof that even babies can be terrifying in the Philippines.

These creatures may not always trend on Instagram, pero sa kwentuhan at takutan sessions, sila ang tunay na bida.

Pop Culture Heroes & Anti-Heroes: Capes, Chaos, and Masks

In recent years, as costumes and cosplay culture have exploded (Instagram filters, TikTok transitions, etc.), newer characters share the stage with the classic monsters.

• Spider-Man
  In 2024, Spider-Man was the most Instagrammable fictional character for Halloween costume posts — nearly 967,358 posts using tags like #SpiderManCostume, etc.

   

• Batman and The Joker
  These two perennial icons continue to dominate. Batman’s sleek, dark persona fits the Halloween mood, and the Joker’s chaos and theatricality make for show-stopping costumes. They appear high on the same 2024 costume-trend list.

• Harry Potter, Barbie, Ariel, Wonder Woman, Doctor Who
  These are the go-to choices when people want to be more magical or whimsical than spooky. They show up on trending costumes lists.

Hottest Halloween Characters & Costume Ideas for 2025

Here are some characters and costumes that are likely to be popular at Halloween parties this year!

• Demon Hunter Characters – Rumi, Mira, Zoey, Jinu, Baby Saja
• Labubu
• Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked
• Addams Family
• Pop Icon Couples
• Silent Hill Monsters
• Anime and Game Characters

The Final Boo-ths

Halloween has evolved from solemn candlelight traditions to neon-lit costume parties and spooky TikToks. And honestly, that’s what makes it so uniquely Pinoy: we can honor our dead and still laugh at our fears in the same season.

So whether you choose to be a vampire, a KPop demon slayer, or a manananggal na may eyeliner. Remember when October hits, lahat tayo may multo sa closet… literally or figuratively.