Eerie Ink
12 Halloween Tattoos Inspired By Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, & More

Yep, that’s the mayor.

by Katie McPherson
Nightmare Before Christmas mayor of halloween town tattoo
Cory Craft / @corycraft on Instagram

Halloween lovers carry the spirit of spooky season in their hearts all year long, so why not display it on your skin, too? Halloween tattoos — especially ones inspired by your favorite seasonal movies and treats — are such a fun way to show off that Halloween-loving part of your personality. Whether you’re totally obsessed with Hocus Pocus or you’re a lifelong The Nightmare Before Christmas fan, there’s something here for everyone.

If you’ve never gotten a tattoo, maybe this October is finally the time to go for it. Many tattoo studios do special Halloween flash events, where you can pick from a set of pre-drawn designs for a special discounted rate. It’s a great way to get a small, spooky tattoo within your budget and to see if you like the whole process enough to get a larger piece. Or, maybe you’ve been dreaming of having something bigger done for years and just need some inspo pics to send to your artist.

Well, look no further. There are truly countless Halloween tattoo ideas to scroll through on Instagram, but we’ve rounded up some of our favorites. From knitting ghosts to massive, vibrant haunted houses, these are the Halloween tattoos we’re considering showing to our own tattoo artists.

01A Mayor of Halloween Town Tattoo

The mayor of Halloween Town is an under-appreciated character — Jack, Sally, and Oogie Boogie get all the attention, but this local politician’s mood swings are, admittedly, relatable. Tattoo artist Cory Craft’s piece feels true to both the character and the American traditional style of tattooing, and the color palette is just *chef’s kiss*.

02A Vampire Teeth Halloween Tattoo

We all have a collective memory of popping in some plastic vampire fangs and the way they cut into your gums, but you were determined to wear them anyway. If trick-or-treating and school Halloween parties hold a special place in your heart, a vampire teeth tattoo — like this one by Dom Wagner — could be a super cute tribute. That little pumpkin treat just out of focus is pretty awesome, too.

03A “BoOoOoOok” Tattoo

Yes, that’s the Sanderson sisters’ spell book, complete with its signature moving eyeball clasp. Artist Marty Fletcher managed to fit so much texture and detail into this tattoo (those stitches!).

04A Tattoo of Merlin’s Talisman

Arguably the best Disney Channel Original Movie to ever exist, what mom alive today doesn’t have fond memories of watching Halloweentown? This tattoo of Merlin’s talisman, by artist Marisa Rae Mathews, is such a cool ode to the classic movie.

05A “Benny” Halloween Skull Tattoo

If you like traditional tattoos, artist Casey Sullivan’s rendition of Benny, the skeleton taxi driver from Halloweentown, will definitely speak to you. It looks cool whether anyone knows who Benny is or not, but when someone recognizes him, you’ll have found a new friend.

06An Aggie Cromwell Tattoo, Of Course

OK, this one is a deep, deep cut for Halloweentown lovers: Grandma Aggie’s walking alligator purse from a later installment in the franchise, Halloweentown High. Tattoo artist Skylar Rose Wasserman totally nailed this one, down to the glittery magic background.

07A Knitting Ghost (*Squeal*)

I’m sorry, has there ever been a cuter Halloween tattoo? I think not. UK-based artist Jack Barrow has a signature bold style that really stands out in a crowd. This design — of a content little ghostie knitting itself a Ghostface something-or-other — is perfect for moms who love their hobbies and Halloween in equal measure.

08A Jack Skellington Tattoo

A Jack Skellington jack-o-lantern? Sign me up. Tattoo artist Moisés Filho’s black and gray piece looks real enough to reach out and touch, and it’s perfect for fans of the Pumpkin King who don’t want Jack’s entire (very long) body tattooed on theirs.

09A Cottagecore Halloween Tattoo

Um, excuse me, who knew Halloween tattoos could be this freaking adorable? This little witch frog holding its bottled-up ghost was drawn and tattooed by Dani Harkey. If this is the vibe you want for your Halloween tattoo, you have to scroll through her Instagram and look at her work.

10A Spooky-Yet-Cute Halloween Tattoo

If you didn’t grow up fantasizing about wandering through a desolate, dark mansion, clutching your candlestick in your hand, do you even love Halloween? This piece by artist Millie Barton combines a candleholder, spider webs, and the cutest little flame ghosts into a truly unique tattoo.

11A Haunted House Halloween Tattoo

There’s nothing more iconic and Halloween-y than the silhouette of a looming haunted mansion with bats flying out of the attic beneath a bright moon. Artist Austin Britt’s tattoo even includes a cemetery in the front yard, and the whole piece is framed perfectly inside a coffin.

12A Cauldron Halloween Tattoo

Are you a fan of all things witchy? This cauldron by tattoo artist Becci Murphy is boiling, toiling, troubling, and clearly cooking up something truly magical.

Did you find the Halloween tattoo of your dreams in this list? At the very least, perhaps these pieces jogged some memories of your favorite movie scenes or spooky images you want to carry with you forever.