10 Awesome Superhero Cosplays Based on Characters from Movies and TV Shows

Whether you’re choosing the perfect costume for Halloween, a costume party, a comic book convention, or just having fun pretending to be someone else for a little while, dressing up as a superhero is always a great choice. Even those who already live in a fictional world agree with this.

There are countless examples of characters assuming famous comic book roles in movies that take place at Fan Expos, classic Halloween episodes of TV shows, and other shows that require this type of activity. Some of these movie and TV show superhero cosplays can be great inspiration for some fans looking for the perfect outfit for the occasion.

10. Creed was the best joker in the office.

It’s always fun to look forward to Halloween episodes of The Office and see what fun costumes Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin branch comes up with (and which ones Jim lazily puts together). One of the most striking examples was born in 2008. This was also the year that The Dark Knight was released and inspired one of the most popular costume ideas, as reflected in the episode.

Three characters from The Office, including Kevin Malone (Brian Baumgartner) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), will appear as unique versions of Heath Ledger’s Joker from Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Batman. But Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton) not only looked the creepiest, he also embodied the role perfectly, sending chills down the spines of his colleagues and perhaps even a few viewers.

Community is another TV show known for its classic Halloween episodes, and the sitcom’s first spooky special saw series central character Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi) attend a costume party in Greendale as Batman. His interpretation of the Caped Crusader, inspired by Christian Bale, was realized in an attractive but not very impressive store-bought ensemble. But the same can’t be said about his amazing dedication to actually becoming Batman.

The second time the community discovers Abed as Batman is in Season 3’s “Foosball and the Vigilante,” when Annie (Alison Brie) accidentally destroys Abed’s limited edition DVD copy of The Dark Knight, sparking an investigation into the matter by…well, the Dark Knight. Abed really gets into character this time around, even going so far as to break into the prime suspect’s room while holding on to the side of an apartment building, but Troy (Donald Glover) is the only one willing to join in the show.

8 The Big Bang Theory cast created for the epic Justice League

Whenever the cast of The Big Bang Theory cosplayed, there was no doubt that it would end up in the history books, given their dedication to all things related to geek culture. In Season 4, the crew went to a New Year’s Eve costume party at a comic book store as some of DC Comics’ greatest heroes.

Penny (Kaley Cuoco) is initially reluctant to take on the role of Wonder Woman due to personal issues with her hunky then-boyfriend Zack (Brian Thomas Smith), who is dressed as Superman, but she almost backs out completely after The Flash character Sheldon (Jim Parsons) scolds her for not covering up her blonde hair with a brunette wig. Luckily, the Justice League ends up attending the party together and winning the costume contest.

Some of the best cosplay in fiction serves as a clever inside joke about the person wearing the costume. One of the funniest examples of this occurs in 2015’s Ted 2. There, the eponymous sentient teddy bear (writer, director, and star Seth MacFarlane) spots his friend Guy (Patrick Warburton) dressed as a tick at New York Comic Con.

Eagle-eyed fans of the irreverent indie superhero may have noticed that Warburton is technically recreating his role in the first live-action series, The Tick, which ran for nine episodes in the early 2000s. In addition to that, Guy’s boyfriend Rick is played by Michael Dorn, who also wears the costume of the actor’s Star Trek: The Next Generation character Worf.

6. Phoebe and Monica, friends are about to battle as Supergirl and Catwoman

Friends Season 8’s Halloween episode is full of memorable costumes, including Ross’ (David Schwimmer) “Spudnik”, which Joey (Matt LeBlanc) mistakes for something other than a potato. Of course, the most famous costumes are those worn by Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Monica (Courtney Cox) as Supergirl and Catwoman, two of DC Comics’ most iconic female characters.

Always a competitive person, Monica becomes convinced that Selina Kyle’s alter ego can defeat her Superman cousin, even with Kryptonian powers. Comic book fan Joey agrees with Phoebe (and perhaps agrees with Batman’s warning that he has a contingency plan), but he’s not sure he can beat Phoebe in a real fight.

5 Tony’s Flash Costume Was Part of a Memorable Daddy’s Daycare

In the 2003 family comedy Daddy Day Care, Eddie Murphy played a husband and father who loses his job and decides to start a child care business with his laid-off colleagues (played by Jeff Garlin and Steve Zahn). One of his young students was initially known primarily as The Flash (Jimmy Bennett) because he refused to take off his costume modeled after a speedster.

When all the supervillains named as potential rivals, including the Joker and Lex Luthor, turn out to be related to other DC heroes, there comes a time when it becomes clear that kids aren’t all that familiar with the history of their supposed superhero idols. Eventually, when Tony abandons the Flash costume, the child comes to accept his true identity, causing the caregiver to go wild until they find a boy they don’t recognize before they can put two and two together.

4 Ben treated himself to an awesome Batman costume at Parks and Recreation

In one of Parks and Recreation’s most quotable classic episodes, Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) and Donna Meagle (Retta) decide to take down-to-earth Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) on their annual “Treat Yourself” day. While Tom and Donna indulge in easygoing activities and frivolous shopping, Ben struggles to find solace in anything until the trio finds something that suits his interests.

They stop at a comic book store, where Ben finds and dons an epic Batman costume modeled after Christian Bale’s original costume in 2005’s Batman Begins. With some encouragement from Donna, Ben decides to buy it on the spot, wear it, and leave the store. The joy he experiences at this moment is so overwhelming that he begins to sob and tears begin to fall into his rubber suit. This is certainly something no one expected to see the Dark Knight do. Of course, that’s what makes this song a classic Parks and Rec clip.

3 Kevin made his own Mr. Incredible costume at the office.

In some cases, great costumes are created when cosplayers add variations to their costumes to make them unique. Kevin Malone apparently had this idea in mind for his costumes for the first episode of NBC’s The Office, which was set on Halloween.

The accountant appears in a skintight red jumpsuit and black mask as Mr. Incredible in the popular 2004 Pixar film, The Incredibles, one of the best superhero movies of its time. However, it’s not a complete representation of the super-powered alter ego of forced-retirement vigilante Bob Parr, as Kevin replaced his signature “i” insignia with the official Dunder Mifflin logo.

2 Raj Channeling Halle Berry’s Catwoman in The Big Bang Theory

Before their award-winning New Year’s Eve outing as the Justice League, the guys from The Big Bang Theory went in a different direction cosplaying DC characters for season 3 of the sitcom. But this time it wasn’t by their own choice.

After losing a bowling match to Wil Wheaton (playing himself) as part of a deal with the former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor, Howard (Simon Helberg), Sheldon, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) show up at a comic book store dressed as Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Catwoman, respectively. But Raj really steals the show here, bouncing back by going all-in with a highly suggestive costume modeled after Halle Berry’s costume in the much-maligned 2004 film Catwoman.

1 Wanda and Vision became an original comic book in WandaVision

This entry may be a bit of a cheat, considering the fictional character in question is basically cosplaying himself. Then again, Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) aren’t exactly “themselves” for much of WandaVision, but this only makes their cheap costumes all the more appealing and especially appropriate on All Hallows’ Eve.

In the sixth episode of the popular Disney+ original series, one of the best Halloween episodes ever for a superhero show, the couple wears costumes similar to the original designs from Marvel Comics, with Wanda boasting a red leotard and matching tiara and cape, and Vision donning a green jumpsuit and yellow cape. Evan Peter’s version of Pietro (as it appeared to be at the time) also wears a homemade version of Quicksilver’s original costume, and Wanda’s twin boys, Billy (Julian Hilliard) and Tommy (Jett Klein), go trick-or-treating as their respective superhero identities, Wiccan and Speed.