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Many people keep a bowl of candy by the door during Halloween for the many trick-or-treaters that come calling on October 31st. But if anybody turns up on your doorstep dressed like anyone in the pictures below, it's not candy you're going to need. No, it's a crucifix and a bottle of holy water. Because as you can see from this list compiled by Bored Panda, these vintage Halloween costumes are absolutely terrifying.
There probably are many components in making these vintage Halloween costumes looking as creepy as they do. First of all, the vintage photos were taken using much less sensitive cameras, so the picture itself looks quite gloomy and eerie, no matter its contents. Secondly, the arts and crafts supplies for making these Halloween costumes were close to nothing, so people often had to go about with old sheets, papier-mache masks, and low-quality dyes. And lastly, pictures for vintage Halloween character reference weren't so easy to come by, so imagination took a significant part in creating these creepy costumes.
Feeling adventurous? Then take a peek to our compilation of these scary costumes...if you dare! Oh, and you could probably still use these Halloween costume ideas today, especially if you want to scare the bejesus out of everybody.
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#2
Daria B 9 years ago
Ha! I wanted to comment oh how this picture would fit perfectly for an artsy music band, and then I saw your comment.
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Bobbi Newell 9 years ago
The perfectly placed trees/shrubs in the background give it a full-face effect!
Alyssa McIntosh 3 years ago
Did each of your eyeball grow on your face, or did your head shrink? Those eyeballs look like they can see through your soul. Uh-uh. Not today. Not ever
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MeiMei.Panda 9 years ago
I imagined that in order to have this mask, they have to cut the back of the head, remove the skull together with the brain and the tongue and eyes then sew the cut. I also imagined putting the mask on my head...my skin and hair meeting the fatty, bloody inside of the head then suddenly it will shrink to wrap my head...and forever be a part of me. The smell! The shivers! The horror! How can I unseen that?
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
It concerns me that you could see it in the first place. Creepy.
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Ronja Rövardotter 9 years ago
Ok very very bad idea to look at these pics before I go to bed :-D This one is way too scary.
Alyssa McIntosh 3 years ago
Ain’t no way I’m babysittin’ those little nightmares. Forget the tip, I’m tailing my hide out the exit
#7
Alc11 9 years ago
My god! this reminds me of 'American Horror Story.' its just the 3rd thing....
Ashley Conover 5 years ago
Is it supposed to be a donkey or a horse or a rabbit? Either way, the whole thing is just weird especially the lips.
Nuclear Joe 9 years ago
Everyone's super creepy, except for the 3rd one's Just like I WANNA BE A DONKEY HEAD FOR HALLOWEEN
Tricia Ferrell 9 years ago
They're so totally unphased. Like "yeah, these are our costumes. What of it?"
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Koko Sempai 9 years ago
Imagine if those three came running up to you to ur bedroom window! lol
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ADayInTheLife 9 years ago
Is anyone else having flashbacks to the kids in Pink Floyd's The Wall? imgres-57f...136149.jpg 
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Ronja Rövardotter 9 years ago
I don't know whether I am more scared by the masked guy or by the two bystanders at the back :-o very creepy
Kirsten Lee 9 years ago
I saw where people would make this into saying like if this guy was coming after you the thing on to your right is your weapon and all i had was a remote or a cat lol
Lilith Lavine 8 years ago
Just noticed the two creepiest kids in the background no sleep for me tonight aaahhhhh
#11
Janice Foster 9 years ago
It was a different time. I don't think many parents would do it now
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Kirsten Lee 9 years ago
I heard a story about this mother she had a daughter and she loved dolls so much that she wanted to make a real life doll out of real hair, skin eyes and etc... but anyways one night she ripped her daughters hair out then she skinned her daughter alive and made a doll into her thats what i heard but this reminds me of this urban legend its so cool though but then again really creepy lol
Briaubin 5 years ago
Looks just like the corpse of that woman that was stolen by her obsessed lover and turned into a "doll" of sorts. He covered her decaying skin with silk and wax, made her hair into a wig for her, and made a few other... ummm...alterations, then kept her in his house and used her INTIMATELY for years until finally her sister tracked down her missing body. It was featured on HBO' Autopsy years ago.
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Fayza Sanchez 4 years ago
Ohhhhhhh errrrr that Frank thing has always terrified me. I used to have nightmares about it
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Koko Sempai 9 years ago
I had a dream once similar to the one on the right side in the dress looking at the boy
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David Lyle 9 years ago
Not a photo, This is one of my paintings titled "This Ends Here". Prints available at http://davidlylepaintings.bigcartel.com/
Alexandra Lee 9 years ago
Oh really? It's very photorealistic...and creepy.
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Nathalie Bédard Morin 9 years ago
Nice painting David Lyle! It's a shame that Bored Panda doesn't give the right credit!
#15
Juliana Maurice 4 years ago
if a child came to my door like that they whed be geting kicked no joke
Juliana Maurice 4 years ago
if a child came up to my door like that they whad be geting kicked no joke
Lobo 8 years ago
I'd say it's supposed to be a ghost. Not quite as friendly looking as Casper, but....
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#16
Kathrin Earthbindress 9 years ago
This is no Halloween costume. Looks like Austrian folk Tradition characters called Krampus who use to scare Children who have been misbehaving throughout the Year. They also use (as they can be seen in the pic) cojoined twigs (mostly from willows) for corporal Punishment or (fortunately despite Fifty Shades of Grey times have changed) only for the Threat of it. Very nice Tradition, still gives the creeps although I'm in my mid-thirties and I look up the 5th of Dec in my Calendar every Year to find out if I can avoid Leaving the House instead of Meeting some Krampusses who are Roaming the Streets in this Very day
#17
Flora Polvado 9 years ago
I wish these had the year they were taken. A few look pre- twentieth century.
#18
Savannah greenleaf 1 month ago
Probably just what they had available for materials. Not bad for a couple of masks and trash bags.
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Ophelia Brooks 8 years ago
Hops onto the Holy F**k Express to Nopesville with stops in Heebie Jeebies, Run Screaming, and What the Actual F**k
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OdangaUsagi 9 years ago
Is she having trouble standing or is she affectionately cuddling that photo?
#22
Elena Ktmr 7 years ago
The homemade cardboard mask is not creepy. All the horror films we've seen make it creepy!
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Elaine Flynn 9 years ago
The guy in the middle is a bear, he has a ring through his nose & he's on a chain. I think he's supposed to be a dancing bear & the other 2 his cruel masters. The fact that it still goes on in real life is truly scary 😦
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Christopher Brown 3 years ago
1883 Philadelphia Phillies mascot. See https://thatballsouttahere.com/2022/03/23/phillies-first-mascot-absolute-nightmare/
#25
Maureen Heartwood 9 years ago
If this picture inspired Tim Burton I would not be at all surprised.
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Angeline Mckew 5 years ago
This isso crreepy but I love it! This had to be an inspiration for the kids in nightmare before christmas, it even has very similar face expressions to barrel(the small one)
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Golgo 13 9 years ago
I'm probably wrong but the Earth Defense Force? Ha ha
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Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
Not satanic. Looks like its a big picture and they go stand behind it and put their face up to the hole. Or maybe not.....I have no idea.
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Grace Barclay 9 years ago
I am so very glad I live in a country that does not celebrate? Halloween. Truly, believe me, serious damage would be done to adults and/or children on my doorstep if they looked like this. I would not recover, ever, after a scare like this. Sorry kids...
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Maggie Grover Bacher 9 years ago
the kitchen witch. (actually a german witch that sweeps out the bad spirits during faschings)
Briaubin 5 years ago
All witches are supposed to 'sweep out the bad' prior to conducting a ritual
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#38
More Halloween inspo
- DIY spooky décor ideas
- Kids’ Halloween costume ideas
- Clever costume inspiration (photo list)
- Pets in costume (ideas)
- Ultra-realistic decorations (police called)
#39
Debie Fehling 9 years ago
Something about the shag carpet, the window AC unit, with the drapes pulled back make this look even creepier somehow.
#40
Šu Ma 9 years ago
it's satan's co*k (sorry, i love bill hicks so much, couldn't help myself :D)
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Ged Maybury 9 years ago
There's something uncanny about that shadow. notice that it points down but not up behind him? THAT'S NO SHADOW!
#41
Nuclear Joe 9 years ago
This looks like a ransom video. "Give us 100 pieces of candy by tomorrow, or he loses his costume."
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Richard Murray 1 year ago
What is the deal with the Cop?? Um I think I will be staying out of trouble!!
Amber Bedard 3 years ago
I wonder what the one on each ends say? They have writing across the chest
#44
Dawn Frank 9 years ago
Weird!! And he masks really freak me out and don't even mention the children!! *shudder*
#46
Ashley Conover 5 years ago
I actually know a guy that works with my best friend who for every Halloween dresses up as a bunch of vegetables. He absolutely loves vegetables and he makes his own costumes.
#48
Ashley Conover 5 years ago
I think it was an attempt at Donald Duck. The mask however looks like one of those masks you would have worn during the plague.
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#52
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
Looks a little like Jim Carrey in that movie "The Mask".....just added upright ears and a horn.....and a longer snout. lol.....nevermind
Squid•Wizard 8 years ago
Therapist: "so you said you had 'childhood trauma'?" Guy: *shows picture* "need I say more?" Therapist:
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#55
EVELYN SPIDELL 6 years ago
Ah yes my grandmother, Margret and her alien husband George. He always did think it was halloween even in january when this picture was taken. reminds me of simpler times
Janet Rossbach 9 years ago
This one's hilarious. She could be telling the judges about her design on Project Runway.
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#57
Richard Murray 1 year ago
Must have gotten all the candy, after everyone took off out the back door....
Angeline Mckew 5 years ago
I love this one for some reason, it looks quite artistic and with the doggy
#58
Elaine Flynn 9 years ago
Edward and Archibald knew that they shouldn't have stolen a nibble of Aunt Agatha's 'special' chocolate brownies.
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Donald Scott 3 years ago
Aaah, times when you had to make your own masks.. so much better don'tcha think?
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James Harrington 3 years ago
Not Dumbo but the Yellow Kid.The Yellow Kid (Mickey Dugan) is an American comic strip character that appeared from 1895 to 1898 in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, and later William ...
First appearance: 17 February 1895
Publisher: New York World
Created by: Richard F. Outcault 976765-001...a3217f.jpg 
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Lisa-Turtlet Bell Bell 2 years ago
they're coming to get you bar-ba-rahhhhh
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brandon sat 9 years ago
it took me a second but the guy in the middle is standing with his back to us.
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James Harrington 3 years ago
The Yellow Kid (Mickey Dugan) is an American comic strip character that appeared from 1895 to 1898 in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, and later William ...
First appearance: 17 February 1895
Publisher: New York World
Created by: Richard F. Outcault the left is The Yellow Kid. 976765-001...65e6c3.jpg 
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Rafi'ulfath Riwansia 9 years ago
I think many of these costumes get scarrier just because of the photo effect. the vintage. if you try to wear it in real, you'll just look silly.
Fatemeh 9 years ago
I was just about to say the same thing.Most of them are just simple hats and masks and just because they are freezed in black and white photos,it's kind of creepy.
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Country Nana 6 years ago
Remember c they couldn't go to Walmart and buy a plastic mask with elastic to hold it on their faces. So they had to make their own. And most people not only aren't that artistic, they also don't have the skills to make something look realistic. Seeing these from our perspective, they look creepy because they are so amateurish. But the people who made them or wore them didn't think they looked strange, because everyone else also wore poorly made costumes and masks. They probably thought a lot of the masks we find scary were well made and enjoyed wearing them. That was what was normal back then.
Marie Garmon 8 years ago
Why do all of these look like something out of American Horror Story?! They're innocent costume pics but i swear every single one looks like something terrifying HAS or is about to happen..NO....THANKS.
Julie Richards 9 years ago
I think they got it right back in the day : didn't go out and spend a months wage on a costume . Bloody scary anyway .
Lazy Panda 9 years ago
I don't understand, these aren't scary they're just awesome, with the xceptiom if some less awesome ones
Larry Bud Melman 9 years ago
What am I missing? Isn't the point of a Halloween costume to be scary and creepy? Well, then BRAVO!
Heini Ozor 9 years ago
Very surrealistic... The lack of personality and color is what makes them scary, the strange shapes, also the "facelessnes" in others... The fear of the unknown... Straight from your nightmares. Any recognizable costume in colors would never look scary like these.
Country Nana 6 years ago
Yes, because the people who made them didn't have the skills to add personality and give shape to the faces.
Load More Replies... Rafi'ulfath Riwansia 9 years ago
I think many of these costumes get scarrier just because of the photo effect. the vintage. if you try to wear it in real, you'll just look silly.
Fatemeh 9 years ago
I was just about to say the same thing.Most of them are just simple hats and masks and just because they are freezed in black and white photos,it's kind of creepy.
Load More Replies... Country Nana 6 years ago
Remember c they couldn't go to Walmart and buy a plastic mask with elastic to hold it on their faces. So they had to make their own. And most people not only aren't that artistic, they also don't have the skills to make something look realistic. Seeing these from our perspective, they look creepy because they are so amateurish. But the people who made them or wore them didn't think they looked strange, because everyone else also wore poorly made costumes and masks. They probably thought a lot of the masks we find scary were well made and enjoyed wearing them. That was what was normal back then.
Marie Garmon 8 years ago
Why do all of these look like something out of American Horror Story?! They're innocent costume pics but i swear every single one looks like something terrifying HAS or is about to happen..NO....THANKS.
Julie Richards 9 years ago
I think they got it right back in the day : didn't go out and spend a months wage on a costume . Bloody scary anyway .
Lazy Panda 9 years ago
I don't understand, these aren't scary they're just awesome, with the xceptiom if some less awesome ones
Larry Bud Melman 9 years ago
What am I missing? Isn't the point of a Halloween costume to be scary and creepy? Well, then BRAVO!
Heini Ozor 9 years ago
Very surrealistic... The lack of personality and color is what makes them scary, the strange shapes, also the "facelessnes" in others... The fear of the unknown... Straight from your nightmares. Any recognizable costume in colors would never look scary like these.
Country Nana 6 years ago
Yes, because the people who made them didn't have the skills to add personality and give shape to the faces.
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