The Most Popular Halloween Costumes for 2016
Life and Leisure

The Most Popular Halloween Costumes for 2016

© Aly Song / Reuters

After 11 years as the top Halloween choice for kids, the princess costume has finally lost its crown. More children will dress up as an action or superhero this year, dropping princess to the No. 2 costume choice, according to a new survey from the National Retail Federation.

For adults, the most popular choice is a witch for the 12th straight year.

Related: The 24 Most Popular Halloween Costumes for Kids

Major movies in the last year — including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad — are inspiring both children and adults alike this Halloween season. Classic costumes and comic book heroes and villains also remain popular.

The presidential election also is inspiring adults, who are either dressing up as the candidates themselves or as political abstractions such as Hanging Chads from the 2000 election or Binders Full of Women from the 2012 election.

Two-thirds of Halloween enthusiasts plan to buy a new costume this year, spending $3.1 billion, according to the NRF. On top of that, Americans plan to shell out $2.5 billion on candy, $2.4 billion on decorations and $390 million on greeting cards. Average spending is estimated at $82.93 per person, up almost 12 percent over 2016.

Related: The 17 Most Popular Halloween Costumes for Adults

Overall, 171 million Americans are planning to celebrate Halloween in one way another this year. Seven in 10 will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. Almost half plan to decorate their home or yard, dress in a costume or carve a pumpkin. 

The NRF survey asked 6,791 U.S. consumers in September about their Halloween plans.

Click here for the most popular costumes for kids and adults.

TOP READS FROM THE FISCAL TIMES