Human beings are visual creatures. People are influenced by what they see. Children are perhaps among the most easily influenced by images. Perhaps this is why film characters have been influencing children’s costumes for Halloween for decades, although many people don’t recognize the connection anymore.
Some of the most classic Halloween costumes are based on film characters, though some of those originated in literature before cinematographers and directors gave us images to match the words. Today’s Dracula costumes are influenced by a string of films that started in the 1920s and 30s. Frankenstein is based on a film character, first depicted as the green, square-headed monster in the 1931 film starring Boris Karloff. A more recent example is the hockey-mask-wearing Jason from the Friday the 13th films which began in the early 1980s. Because of the influence of films on children’s costumes, looking at releases in the last year can predict trends for 2012.
Heroes: Children love the idea of heroes. Those from comic books have long been a favourite for children’s costumes. With new films coming this year in the Spiderman series and the Batman series, those costumes can be expected to surge in popularity this Halloween. Other well-liked film hero choices that will be found roaming around on October 31 include the characters from the Avengers films based on the Marvel comics: the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor and Iron Man. Despite the lack of a new film this year, two other film heroes are likely to be popular again because their last appearances in the cinema were only a year ago: Harry Potter and Jack Sparrow, the quirky hero of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Snow White: Snow White made a comeback at the cinema this year, as the star character in two-live action films: Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman. Childrens costumes from the story are therefore likely to be popular this Halloween; some children will want to go dressed as Snow White while others will prefer to go as the wicked queen. Still others may choose their favourite of the seven dwarfs.
Disney & Other Cartoons: Disney is famous for its cartoon films, and its characters have been the basis of children’s costumes for years. In 2012, Disney will release Finding Nemo 3D in September. With the film coming to the screen before Halloween, it’s likely that costumes for Nemo, the little orange fish, and his sidekick Dory, a blue fish, will also return to popularity for Halloween. Other cartoon characters likely to be seen on the streets on Halloween night are the range of characters from the Smurfs film including the villain Gargamel, his companion cat Azrael and, of course, the little blue smurfs. Some possible choices include Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf and Jokey Smurf (but there are far more smurfs in the film than dwarfs in Snow White, so the list is too long to fit here). Grownups may not be able to tell the difference between the smurfs all dressed in blue, but the children surely will be able to!
Star Wars: Although there hasn’t been a Star Wars film in a long time, parents can nonetheless expect that characters from those films will remain a perennial favourite in children’s costumes this year too. The franchise has become such a cultural staple that they may not lose popularity for decades. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Yoda are the most likely choices, but Hans Solo, Ewoks and the loveable but hairy Chewbacca may also be among the chosen ones.
Horror Film Villains: In addition to the classics like Dracula, Frankenstein and Jason, some other horror film villains never go out of style for children’s costumes too. Trick-or-treaters are likely to encounter Freddy Kreuger from the Nightmare on Elm Street films, with his razor-laden glove and fedora; Chucky from the Child’s Play series, with his denim overalls, striped shirt and red hair; and, of course, Mike Myers of the Halloween films, with his pale face and sharp knife. With the rise of vampire and zombie films into a cultural mainstay in recent years, these costumes too will be on trend for 2012.
Any discussion of children’s costumes should address age appropriateness. Not all costumes are appropriate for all ages. While young children may choose of smurf, dwarf or fish costumes, it may not be advisable or desirable for them to choose scary horror villain costumes, especially those that may involve fake weapons. Despite what the trends may be for Halloween costumes in 2012, parents should always use discretion when determining which costume is appropriate for their child’s age.
Arabesque has many wonderful and age appropriate children’s costumes for sale, including all you favorites from the movies.
