From cartoon masterminds to horror movie slashers, it’s no secret that famous villains are often canonically queer. Whether these characters were meant to stigmatize LGBTQ+ people or not, we’ve since reclaimed most of them anyway: if society sees us as monsters, then we might as well embrace the monstrous. This means for queer and trans people especially, our Halloween costume options tend to veer into villainous territory.
Every October, we roll out the goriest, weirdest, and most creative looks at every spooky season function. While straight people put on sexy animal costumes and call it a day, queer people know the real secret to stealing the show: After all, what’s hotter than an evil femme fatale, a nonbinary monster, or a well-dressed queer anti-hero?
If you need any inspiration this October, here is a list of deliciously queer-coded (or just plain queer) villains to dress as for Halloween.
Any of the witches from The Craft (1996)
There’s no way these girls aren’t queer. If you need proof, just look at their makeup and outfits: the dark eyeliner, the giant silver chains, and of course the big clompy boots. Conveniently, so many queer people I know have the exact clothes and jewelry required for this look hanging around in their closets already. This really takes the stress out of any last-minute costume construction for that party you have to be at later tonight. Just choose your favorite teenage witch and get goth with it. Huge win for fans of big jewelry.
The xenomorph from Alien (1979)
This one’s a specialized costume for people who love crafting, or for any master puppeteers who happen to need a project. Aside from the technical aspects of this costume, the xenomorph’s proximity to queerness goes beyond being a fun look for the drag things among us.
For anyone doubting the queerness of the alien itself, they spent the whole movie waiting to be alone in an enclosed space with Sigourney Weaver. That’s a major “Oh no! There’s only one stasis pod on the shuttle back to earth! I guess we have to share it” trope.
Orochimaru from Naruto
This famously nonbinary idea is really intended for all my snake owners out there. Show up at the function with a ball python and some purple around your eyes and you’ll be hailed as the genderfluid and villainous-ish Sannin himself.
Bowser from Super Mario Bros.
Okay, hear me out. Just look at those sweet spiked leather collars and feel the envy pulse through your veins. Oh, to be the King of the Koopas and spend all your time clubbing in the Mushroom Kingdom’s best leather bars! I know you don’t need an excuse to put on your favorite harness, but what’s the harm in creating an opportunity anyway?
Psycho Mantis from Metal Gear Solid
Yet another costume for my leather harness owners, but now with an additional gas mask, a fruity little tank top, and long black gloves to go with it. Wearing this villain’s look will get you stopped at any queer Halloween festivity, especially a weird goth rave.
Jennifer of Jennifer’s Body
Jennifer Check is probably the most famous man-eating bisexual cheerleader out there. Queen of the big screen, blood makeup for days, and silly scary teeth? What’s not to love about this idea? Everyone looks good in a cult classic costume. For bonus points, there’s also fun T4T potential with a Megan Fox / Machine Gun Kelly couple’s costume.
Gustavo Fring of Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad has been undergoing a revival recently, so why not celebrate it by dressing up as Gus Fring and bringing out your villainous homosexual energy? This costume could be flirty and low energy — sort of like dressing up as a bourgeois gay uncle for Halloween, which is something I’m sure we’ve all fantasized about. Plus, it’d be fun to turn a button-up shirt into a crop top just to be a little zesty.
The Thing from The Thing
The Thing is perfect if you want to add some body horror to the mix. Let’s get fleshy! I’m feeling something like the Norris-Thing which involves a distended head and a weird little body with lots of skinny little arms and legs coming out of it. I believe in your vision and ability to show up and make everyone at the party a little uncomfortable. Also, the Thing is obviously nonbinary. How could it not be?
The Cenobites from Hellraiser
The Cenobites from the Hellraiser franchise are another set of queer-coded villains with very fun and freaky designs. I’m not just talking about the newest movie, though Pinhead is obviously a great choice. There’s a whole world of Cenobites out there for you to choose from, from classics like Chatterer and Dreamer to more outré options like Butterball or Camerahead. That’s a universe rife with scary gay sex freaks, all thanks to the wonderful mind of Clive Barker.
Griffith (or Femto) from Berserk
Griffith is a perfect and beautiful evil femboy with a delectably disturbing transformation scene. One of the most refined characters on this list, his stunning cloak and armor are sure to make an impression whenever you walk into a room. You also get to wield a sword, which is fun all by itself. It’s giving cruel femme sword lesbian, it’s giving annoying Twitter vibes, and it’s giving elegance.
Mercutio from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet
Last, but certainly not least, I’m bending the rules and choosing a queer-coded non-villain for you. I’m specifically thinking of the ballroom scene in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation, in which Mercutio is in drag and really putting on a show. Not to discredit the open white shirt look, either — Harold Perrineau is hot, no matter the outfit — but why not go the extra mile and lean into doing fun and excessive drag for the night? Just watch (or rewatch) the scene already and you’ll understand why I’m pushing this so hard.
These costumes prove playing the villain doesn’t have to be a drag, especially if you’re queer. Whatever costume you pick, go spend a night dressing up, hang out with your little group of queer friends, and engage in some productive debauchery or mischief. We all deserve a little treat this time of year. After all, Halloween is famously gay Christmas.
Get the best of what’s queer. Sign up for Them’s weekly newsletter here.