22 Halloween Costumes Inspired By '80s Pop Culture

Ah, the 1980s. A time when no color was too bright, you couldn't have big enough shoulder pads, and the world was bursting with fun music, fun movies, and fun times.

As NBC news noted, the 1980s were "a modern Renaissance of creativity." MTV launched, blockbuster film series came to the big screen, music was everywhere (including Walkmans!), and fashion was eclectic. The era's pop culture has enjoyed a revival, reports NBC News, saying the "brash attitudes, bold color schemes, and cultural touchstones still resonate today because of the artistic forces [the era] unleashed and the social change it cemented."

In a decade where Jane Fonda released her famous "Workout" aerobics video, per History, there are tons of 1980s icons to channel for your Halloween costume. Neon workout gear is just the first dress-up idea for you!

So many great characters! Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker were all stars of 1983's "Return of the Jedi," the hotly anticipated third film (in terms of movie release dates) in the "Star Wars" series. Film critic Roger Ebert reviewed the film, saying it was "a feast for the eyes and a delight for the fancy."

For Halloween, you can either go full-out with a full hairy costume for Chewbacca, or do something simpler like the black vest and white shirt of Hans Solo. Princess Leia's space buns are a braided crown in this movie, and you can either don a flowy dress, or go with the famous gold bikini worn by Carrie Fisher in the film.

Though the movie wasn't a box-office hit when it was released in 1987, per Variety, "The Princess Bride" became a cult classic thanks to the numerous ways people began to watch it from home (VCRs, DVDs, cable, etc.). The movie, says The New Yorker, found an audience with an "enthusiasm for the story, and, especially, for the many quotable moments."

If you're looking for a couple's costume, you can't get more romantic than Buttercup and Wesley. A sparkly dress and crown for the princess, and an all-black ensemble for her hero will meet your Halloween needs. As you wish.

Going back to the original, "The Little Mermaid" movie was released in 1989, and, as reported by TIME, "this was the picture that launched the Disney Renaissance that soared with 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin,' and 'The Lion King.'" Yup, Ariel was the Disney heroine who kicked off the whole shebang.

For the classic Ariel look, you'll need to don a wig of long, red hair if you don't have your own. A shell bikini top is a must, too. For that mermaid tail, you can opt for a slim green skirt with a train for a modern twist you can walk in.

One, two... Freddy came for audiences for the first time in the 1984 film "Nightmare of Elm Street." Dubbed "the most famous scarred face in horror-movie history" by Rolling Stone, Freddy Krueger was literally the stuff of nightmares. SyFy ranked it as master writer and director Wes Craven's best movie, and Slant declared it "the most influential horror film of the '80s."

If scary is what you're after in a Halloween costume, Freddy Krueger is your guy. His tattered trademark red-and-green striped sweater is a must, as is the brown hat. A mask or creative makeup will help you create the scarred look, while a pair of gloves with a few modifications will finish the look.

In 1984, the world was introduced to Crockett and Tubbs, two detectives chasing bad guys and doing it in style on the hit television show "Miami Vice." With fast action, and eye-candy scenery and characters, NBC's "Today" noted it "became a 1980s pop-culture sensation for its clothes, music, MTV glitz, and ambitious storytelling that brought big-screen flair to the small tube."

A great costume for a couple or a friend pair, you can each pick your favorite style. Crockett, played by Don Johnson, was all about loafers with no socks, and t-shirts paired with pastel suits. Tubbs, played by Philip Michael Thomas, was more conservative with classic suits, button-down shirts in black or pastel shades, and always a wildly patterned tie.

Who you gonna call? In 1984, it was "Ghostbusters," a film about a team of scientists and regular guys who caught ghosts and saved New York City from an overgrown marshmallow man. It was the highest grossing film of the summer, and the second highest of the year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

To be a ghostbuster for Halloween, you'll need a khaki jumpsuit with a belt and a few patches. You'll also need a proton pack to catch ghosts, which you can fashion with cardboard or a backpack with hoses. As a bonus, you can either be a solo ghostbuster, or you can ask a few friends to join you for a group costume.

The highest-grossing film of 1985, "Back to the Future" was an undeniable hit, showing in movie theaters for almost 40 weeks, according to USA Today. It was even nominated for four Academy Awards. A review in The Hollywood Reporter described the adventures of Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) as "fun at the speed of light, a whiz-bang time-travel adventure."

Marty's classic look throughout the film shows off the 1980s layering trend perfectly. For your Halloween costume, start with a maroon T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Next, throw on a button-down plaid shirt, topped off with suspenders. A denim jacket goes over that, and then a puffy vest. Got it all?

Wax on, wax off. If you've ever watched "The Karate Kid," the original movie released in 1984, you're familiar with the phrase. And even if you've haven't seen this classic that's spurred multiple sequels and TV shows (per Deadline), you might still know about Daniel's cleaning and karate skills courtesy of Mr. Miyagi. Film critic Roger Ebert called "The Karate Kid" "one of 1984's best movies," and that's saying a lot, considering all the blockbuster flicks released in the summer of 1984 alone (via IndieWire).

You have two choices for a "The Karate Kid"-inspired Halloween costume: good guy or bad guy. If it's the hero you want to emulate, a Daniel costume would consist of a traditional white karate Gi and a blue-patterned headband. If you prefer the villain, you can dress as a Cobra Kai in a sleeveless black Gi and a mean face.