Is it any wonder that celebrities consistently deliver some of the best Halloween costumes year after year? After all, the ability to transform themselves into new, memorable characters is the lynchpin of most entertainers’ careers. In recent years, those talents have been on full, fantastical display. Whether on Instagram or at Heidi Klum’s infamous annual Halloween party, celebrities have offered no shortage of dazzling disguises and over-the-top ensembles.

In some cases, the best celebrity Halloween costumes have also become instantly iconic. Consider, for example, Kim Kardashian and her daughter North’s Clueless-inspired costumes designed by Dolce & Gabbana in 2023. Or, Kylie Jenner’s haute bride of Frankenstein moment care of Jean Paul Gaultier in 2022. In both cases, the recreations were so spot-on that even the most careful viewer might have been briefly fooled.

Of course, there have been plenty of other impeccable impersonations from other A-listers as well—including Lizzo as Marge Simpson, Hailey Bieber as Britney Spears, Rihanna as the rapper Gunna, and Margot Robbie as Ginger Spice. And who could forget when Bella Hadid dressed as Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice, Cardi B embodied Medusa, and a heavily pregnant Emily Ratajkowski mimicked Demi Moore’s legendary Vanity Fair cover shoot? Within the last decades, there have also been multiple (and stellar) iterations of Morticia Addams, Jessica Rabbit, Marilyn Monroe, and Sandy from Grease.

Just last year saw unexpected costumes that were just as winning. Doja Cat transformed herself into a sunflower; Kim Kardashian, an albino alligator. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, meanwhile, went full Alice in Wonderland.

Here, we revisit those and many more of the best celebrity Halloween costumes over the years. One thing is certain: a good costume always elicits delight and—when they are really good—also a fair share of fright. Either way, they are sure to help you come up with some killer costume ideas of your own. Happy hauntings!