The Big Bang Theory made a big deal out of Halloween, with the Pasadena gang taking time and effort to come up with their costumes. Because of its penchant for pop culture and science, Sheldon and his friends were very creative with their annual cosplay inspirations. While the boys always had a penchant for dressing up as their favorite non-fictional and fictional characters, Halloween was the only time that even the girls actively participated in it.
In its over a decade on the air, The Big Bang Theory had several holiday-themed episodes. The Pasadena gang had spent Thanksgiving several times. Meanwhile, they also staged a few outings that celebrated Christmas, despite Sheldon not being a huge fan of it. However, Halloween was the holiday that The Big Bang Theory consistently celebrated because it gave the cast the opportunity to go all-out with their costumes. Occasionally, their attires were also at the center of the narrative, making them all the more special.
10 Leonard’s Inspector Gadget
Before The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, CBS came up with one final Halloween episode, which saw all seven main characters of the show going all out with their respective costumes. One of the most memorable ones from the bunch, however, was Leonard’s Inspector Gadget. Granted that it isn’t as creative or elaborate as what his friends wore, what made Leonard’s ensemble great was the massive propeller attached to his hat. The headpiece was supposed to house a whole host of paraphernalia that he whips out depending on his circumstances — something that would have been great to see. Nevertheless, the whole look was already as interesting as it was.
9 Raggedy Ann & Raggedy C-3P0
In The Big Bang Theory season 6’s “The Holographic Excitation” the gang descended to Stuart’s comic book shop for its Halloween party, with Amy and Sheldon showing up as Raggedy Ann and Raggedy C-3P0, to match his lady love. Sheldon initially suggested that they come as R2-D2 and C-3P0, which Amy understandably turned down. In the end, they decided to compromise, hence Sheldon wearing an alternate version of Star Wars’ beloved droid, so they could still present themselves as a couple.
8 Sheldon’s Doc Brown
The boys were always enthralled by the idea of time travel. So it made sense that Sheldon chose Doc Emmett Brown as his initial costume in The Big Bang Theory’s final Halloween episode. Admittedly, Sheldon didn’t resemble the Back to the Future hero, but it was still fascinating to see him in something that was so easily recognizable, considering that many of his past costumes either covered his face or were difficult to pin down. Amy came out as Clara Clayton, but Sheldon clearly outshone her wife this time.
7 Ginsburg & The Constitution
In The Big Bang Theory season 12, CBS attempted to give Raj his own personal arc in an effort to fix the show’s mistake of consistently overlooking the character. With Sheldon and Amy getting married from the previous season, Raj remained the only member of the Pasadena gang who hadn’t settled down. So, it was a treat when he met Anu through his father’s help. The Big Bang Theory eventually dropped Anu and Raj’s romance before the pair could even make their marks. However, arguably one of their most memorable scenes was when they came as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Constitution in the show’s final Halloween show.
6 Leonard’s Hobbit
The Big Bang Theory‘s very first Halloween episode was “The Middle-Earth Paradigm” from season 1. Penny was throwing a costume party for the holiday, so of course, her new neighbors and their friends were invited to the event. After changing his costume, Leonard decided to go as a hobbit, which was quite adorable, especially with the pointy ears. That being said, what made his costume much more memorable was the kiss that he and Penny shared back in his apartment. While it took a while for them to start dating this was a massive indication that Penny was also developing feelings for her new neighbor.
5 The Four Flashes
Leonard’s hobbit costume came to be after he was forced to change out of his first choice — a Flash ensemble. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t the only one who chose the Scarlet Speedster as the ensemble for Penny’s Halloween party in The Big Bang Theory season 1. All four of the Pasadena gang boys showed up at Apartment 4A in the same garb, which made for a hilarious scene. At one point, there was even a suggestion that they walk in a line to make it look like they’re doing it very fast.
4 The Smurfs
The Big Bang Theory season 6’s “The Holographic Excitation” also featured another great couple’s costume aside from Raggedy Ann and Raggedy C-3PO. Howard and Bernadette decided to come as the Smurfs, but their evening was dampened by their friends’ criticism of his constant bragging about having been to space. The whole ensemble was impressive, however, with both Simon Helberg and Melissa Rauch having to spend hours on the make-up chair to paint the Marty of their upper body in blue to mimic the color of the smurfs.
3 Raj’s Aquaman
Although not technically a Halloween episode, it’s difficult not to include any entries from The Big Bang Theory‘s “The Justice League Recombination.” In the outing, the Pasadena gang came together to join the comic book shop’s New Year’s costume party. Everyone got their picks for their respective ensemble, except for Raj, who was essentially told to show up as Aquaman, but not Jason Momoa’s version from the DCEU. Instead, he came as the silly iteration of the character, complete with the seahorse, which makes the whole ensemble so much better.
2 Howard’s Sheldon
Howard and Sheldon’s relationship had always been tumultuous. While they regard themselves as good friends, they always bickered, primarily because Sheldon looked down on Howard as an engineer. Over the years, their dynamic got better, with some pockets of touching moments between the pair. However, in one of the most unexpected turn of events in The Big Bang Theory season 12 Halloween episode, Howard came out dressed as Sheldon. The whole ensemble was on point, including the hair. Sheldon wasn’t thrilled, but Howard and Leonard were definitely tickled.
1 Justice League
The Big Bang Theory has seen its fair share of cosplays. However, most of them were either individual or couple ensembles. It was only during “The Justice League Recombination” that the friend group dressed up as an actual team — the World’s Finest Superheroes. Joining Raj was Howard as Batman, Sheldon as the Flash, Leonard as the Green Lantern, and Penny as Wonder Woman. Somehow, the gang included Zack, Penny’s boyfriend, as Superman.
