The Babadook Costume
Bring the terrifying pop-up book monster to life with this guide.
The Babadook is a modern horror icon from the acclaimed 2014 psychological horror film. Fans choose this costume for its deeply unsettling, gothic silhouette and theatrical flair. The look consists of an oversized black Victorian coat, a tall top hat, pale face paint, and terrifyingly long claw-like fingers.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as The Babadook
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What you need for a The Babadook costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Babadook costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black Victorian-style trench coat
A long, structured black coat that drapes past the knees to create a dramatic, shadowy silhouette.
DIY: Use an oversized black winter coat or a long black bathrobe.
Black felt top hat
A tall, structured black magician's top hat, ideally around 6 inches high.
DIY: Roll black poster board into a cylinder and attach a cardboard brim painted black.
Black claw gloves
Black fabric gloves featuring extended, pointed claw-like fingertips.
DIY: Glue long, pointed strips of black cardstock or craft foam to the fingers of cheap black gloves.
Black dress pants
Simple, loose-fitting black trousers to blend into the dark silhouette.
DIY: Any plain black pants or sweatpants will work.
Black dress shoes
Plain black leather or faux-leather shoes to complete the all-black lower half.
DIY: Any dark or black sneakers.
White and black face paint
Pale white cream makeup for the face, with dark black paint or eyeshadow to hollow out the eyes and lips.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Babadook costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Apply a base of pale white face paint across your entire face and neck, leaving the eye sockets bare.
- 2
Use black face paint or dark eyeshadow to heavily shade around your eyes, creating a hollow, sunken look.
- 3
Paint your lips black, stretching the corners slightly outward into a creepy, wide grin.
- 4
Put on the black dress pants and black shoes, followed by the long black Victorian trench coat.
- 5
Place the tall black felt top hat securely on your head, tilting it slightly forward.
- 6
Slip on the black claw gloves to complete the menacing, elongated silhouette.
Makeup & hair
Apply stark white face paint as a base, then use black eyeshadow or cream paint to create deep, hollowed-out eye sockets and a dark, exaggerated mouth. No hair styling is needed, as the top hat covers the head, but messy black strands peeking out can add to the disheveled look.
The Babadook for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Amelia (the mother) in a disheveled cardigan and nightgown to recreate the movie's tense dynamic.
- group
- Have friends dress as other modern indie horror monsters like Slender Man or the Lupita Nyong'o character from Us.
- kids
- A scaled-down version using a black felt hat and a black cape or oversized jacket.
- Plus size
- An oversized, double-breasted black trench coat provides an excellent, dramatic drape for all body types.
- pet
- A small black cape and a tiny black top hat secured with an elastic band for a spooky pet look.
Tips
- Ensure your claw gloves allow enough dexterity to hold a drink, or use removable finger extensions.
- Wear lightweight clothing under the heavy trench coat to avoid overheating at indoor parties.
- Practice the signature wide-mouthed, unblinking stare in the mirror to perfect the character's eerie presence.
The Babadook costume FAQ
- What does the Babadook wear?
- The Babadook wears an all-black ensemble consisting of a long, tattered Victorian-style trench coat, black trousers, black shoes, a tall black top hat, and long, spindly clawed hands.
- How do you make Babadook claws DIY?
- You can make DIY claws by cutting long, pointed finger shapes out of black craft foam or cardstock and hot-gluing them to the fingers of a pair of cheap black jersey gloves.
- What makeup is needed for the Babadook?
- You need stark white face paint for the base, and black face paint or dark charcoal eyeshadow to create heavily sunken, hollowed-out eyes and a dark, creepy mouth.
Did you know? The Babadook unexpectedly became a viral LGBTQ+ pop culture icon in 2017 after a Netflix categorization glitch sparked a wave of internet memes.