The Halloween rush in New York City has been overtaken by a new phenomenon — Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. Costumes inspired by the film’s fierce, neon-drenched heroines have become this year’s most in-demand getups, with stores from SoHo to Midtown running out of stock weeks before Halloween night.
At Manhattan’s iconic Abracadabra costume shop, racks that once displayed the showy KPop-inspired ensembles are now bare. “They were gone before we even unpacked the second shipment,” said store manager Brian Clark. “Kids, teens, even adults — everyone wants to be one of the Demon Hunters.”
The craze mirrors national trends, with Google data showing “Rumi costume” as the most-searched Halloween outfit in the New York metro area. Her teammates Mira, Zoey, and Jinu fill the next three spots, signaling the film’s deep cultural grip.
Prices are hardly deterring fans. Complete costume sets, often including metallic jackets, LED accessories, and signature wigs, cost an average of $60–$70 for kids and upward of $150 for adults. Some collectors are spending thousands on custom versions or rentals for parties and influencer shoots.
Abracadabra employee Joselynne Ramirez noted that while classics like cowgirls, witches, and Ghostface remain steady sellers, nothing this year has touched the “KPop Demon Hunters” demand. “We sold out faster than any trending costume I’ve seen,” she said.
The surge comes amid record-breaking Halloween spending in 2025. The National Retail Federation projects U.S. consumers will spend $13.1 billion — with nearly three-quarters of that dedicated to costumes.
In New York’s cultural melting pot, KPop Demon Hunters’ rise reflects more than a movie fad. The animated film’s blend of dazzling visuals, catchy pop anthems, and empowered female leads has transformed it into both a global hit and a fashion statement. For this Halloween, Rumi and her crew aren’t just slaying demons — they’re taking over the streets.