From strange mass events held all over the world like zombie walks and horror festivals, we’ve seen a number of movements that play with the macabre concept of the dead--and the undead.
On designer runways, we’re seeing a resurgence of Gothic fashion. In the realm of art, artists are increasingly using skulls, blood and gruesome imagery in their creations. In film, the ‘Twilight’ phenomenon has inspired a whole slew of vampire-related mania for individuals of all ages.
It’s no wonder we’ve become attuned to our mortality. Between natural catastrophes, terrorist attacks, war, and the economic crisis, many of the tenets of ‘normal’ and operational society have been broken. Death has traditionally been a taboo topic, but it is a universal phenomenon. Our global culture has evolved to embrace this taboo with a hefty dose of humor, perhaps to hedge against all of the chaos in our world.
Check out some more of the macabre innovations we’ve covered at Trend Hunter below.
50 Undead Obsessions
50
Full-Body Zombie Tattoos
Rick Zombie
49
Horror Body Painting
Beautiful Bodied Zombies
48
Vampire Photoshoots
The Twilight Zone in VMAN
47
Living Dead Bombshells
My Zombie Pinup Calendar Means Halloween All Year Long
46
Girly Gothic Art
Queenie's Pocket Full of Posiez
45
Designer Skeleton Watches
Marc Jacobs Skull Watch
44
Gothic Horror Fashion Shoots
Jean-Francois Campos for Flair magazine
43
Gothic Greetings
Alternative Christmas Cards By Night Moth
42
Morbid Musical Movies
Paris Hilton Goes Goth in Repo! The Genetic Opera
41
Face Made of Human Bodies
Who Do You Think You Are Ad
40
Zombies Against Consumerism
Zombiecon Encourages Amy Winehouse Costumes
39
Plasticized Human Bodies
Anatomy-Inspired 'Body Worlds' is Artistically Educational
38
Rebellious Toys
Pierced BeGoth Fashion Dolls with Tattoos Don't Conform to Barbie Beautiful
37
Gothic Avian Fashion
Alexander McQueen's Bird-Inspired Campaign
36
Recycled Zombie Dolls
Barbie of the Undead
35
Hoax Hacks
Skullphone Fakes Digital Billboard Hijack
34
Dead Bodytising
World First Aid Day
33
Skeleton-Inspired Transit
Bone Bikes
32
Anatomically-Correct Toys
Micro Schematic Lego Man
31
Fake Dead Seniors
Old Person's Home At The Saatchi Gallery
30
Social Networking For Goths
VampireFreaks.com
29
Fake Dead Rockstars
Faux Amy Winehouse Art Cadaver
28
Horror Stuffed Animals
Matt Kirkland's Dissected Toys
27
Pop Star Skulls
Dead Rebel Icon Artwork Series from Paul Insect Is Hauntingly Hip
26
Jewelry on Skeletons
Morbid Way to Sell That 'Diamonds are Forever'
25
Vampire-Themed Decor
Dripping Blood Tiles
24
Public Parties for the Undead
Organized Zombie Marches Take Over Streets in Spain
23
Pirate Bathrooms
Skull and Cross Bones Taps
22
Knitted Zombies
Crafts Get Creepy
21
Macabre USB Jewelry
Memory Skull Rings
20
Garden Zombies are the New Gnome
The Zombie of Montclaire Moors
19
Creepy-Chic Accessories
Skeleton Hand Hairclips
18
Zombie Portraits
Paint Yourself Dead
17
Caffeinated Zombies
Bonafide Noir ‘Intense Coffee' Campaign
16
Sculpted Skateboards
Corbusboard Gasmask, Skeleton and Artistic Aluminum Decks
15
Spinal Cord Jewelery
The Losselliani Skull Ring
14
Badass Ethereal Accessories
Skullerflies
13
Recreating Classic Horror Movies
Billy Bob Thornton As Freddy Krueger
12
Morbid Musical Belt Buckles
Human Skull MP3 Player
11
Rotting Skullptures
Macabre and Bizarre Cranial Art is Both Feminine and Freaky
10
Macabre Eco-Sculptures
Recycled Kitchen Utensil Skull
9
Glamorous Morbidity
Amy Sarkisian's Glitzy, Bejeweled Skulls
8
Advertising with Zombies
Zune's Piece of Me, Piece of You
7
Fascination with Macabre
Cephalogo Super Skull
6
Scary Sounds
Skull Speakers
5
Glass Bone Skeletons
The Melli Ink Skeletal Sculpture Is Some Pretty Glassy Art
4
Gruesome Toys
The 'Dismember-Me' Zombie Doll
3
Skeletal Packaging
Pandor Absinthe
2
Open Source Content
Star in Your Own Horror Movie with Kaltura
1
European Fright Conventions
Weekend of Horrors
Related Ideas
Collectible K-Pop Dolls
Netflix's Most Popular Film Inspired the American Girl KPop Demon Hunters
Cinematic Horror-Inspired Doll Capsules
Mattel Debuts New Wave of Monster High Skullector Dolls
Origami-Inspired Holiday Collections
Guerlain Debuts the 2025 ‘Tale of Wonders’ Collection
Curated Halloween-Inspired Japanese Snacks
TokyoTreat is Boasting Japanese Snacks for Halloween
Halloween-Themed Flower Bouquets
Bouqs’ Spooky Collection Brings Halloween Charm to Floral Design
Interactive Fashion Horror Games
The Room by Gentle Monster Reimagines Brand Storytelling
Grim Heirloom Jackets
Columbia Sportswear's Death Wishes Jacket Includes a Will & Testament
Crime-Inspired Beauty Mockumentaries
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Vanity Vandals Explores Chaos at the Sink
Collectible Pop Culture-Referencing Toys
Mattel Debuts Its 2025 San Diego Comic-Con Showcase
Contemporary Fashion Retrospectives
The Balenciaga by Demna Exhibition Captures Attention
Halloween-Themed Self-Care Collections
Lush's 2025 Halloween Collection is Party-Ready
Gothic Footwear Capsule
The Wednesday Capsule reimagines Dr. Martens icons through an ornate lens
Debunking Skincare Campaigns
The Periodic Fable by The Ordinary Exposes Beauty Industry Buzzwords
Animated K-Pop Tech Accessories
KPop Demon Hunters x CASETiFY Channels Character Elements
Gothic Fantasy Film Soaps
Dr. Squatch x Nightmare Before Christmas Collab Embraces the Holidays
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Halloween Streetwear Capsule
Anti Social Social Club Unveils the No More Sleep Halloween Capsule
Spooky Dating-Inspired Candies
Sweethearts Launched Ghosted Sweethearts for Halloween
Family-Friendly Halloween Essentials
Oriental Trading Creative Decor Options
Whimsical Halloween Drinkware
Starbucks Unveils its 2025 Halloween Drinkware Collection
Enigmatically Suspenseful Fashion Campigns
Tom Ford Presents Its Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign
Fashion-Focused Novelty Collectibles
KIMMON Collectibles Combine Style with Self-Expression
Exclusive Halloween Cider Packs
Angry Orchard Unveiled its Limited-Time 'Thriller Variety Pack'
Defiant Hair Color Collections
Tha Aging Disgracefully Collection by Manic Panic Celebrates Grays
Characterized Monster Wines
19 Crimes Reprises its Glow-In-The-Dark Universal Monsters Collection
Halloween Essentials Campaigns
IKEA Turns Home Essentials into Shields for Scary-Movie Nights
Horror Movie-Themed Donuts
Krispy Kreme Night of the Skremes Donuts are Launching in the UK
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Horror Franchise Soda Ranges
These Fanta Sodas Showcase Horror Film Characters
Black Metal-Inspired Lip Balms
e.l.f. Cosmetics and Liquid Death Launched "Lip Embalms"
New York Streetwear Collections
Gap and Awake NY Launch a 90s-Inspired NYC Culture Capsule
Nostalgic Youth Culture Capsules
Coach Presented Its Fall 2026 Line During New York Fashion Week
Horror Doll Collectibles
Pop Mart's Blind Box Chucky Franchise Series Shares Scary Surprises
Night QSR Campaigns
The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Avant-Garde Haute-Couture Fashion Exhibits
The Rick Owens 'Temple of Love' Exhibition is Stunning
Femme Fatale-Inspired Campaigns
Marine Serre's Fall 2025 Campaign is Titled Heads or Tails
Glow-in-the-Dark Rum Bottles
Bacardí Launched a Limited-Edition Skeleton Bottle for Halloween
Filmic Solid Perfumes
'Til Death by Heretic Parfum Tells the Story of The Bride!
Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns
Liquid Death Created the Cellphone Bill Character for Boost Mobile
Thematic Vampire-Film Clogs
The 'Twilight Crocs Collection' Features Character Jibbitz
Crocheted Condiment Covers
Heinz's Grandma’s Darling Campaign Dresses Up Mayo Jars
Horror Franchise Vodka Spirits
Ghost Face Vodka Was Announced by Matthew Lillard's Macabre Spirits
Spellbinding Collectible Plushies
Jellycat Introduces its 2025 Halloween Plushies
Urban Metropolis-Inspired High-End Fashion
The Gucci NY Capsule Captures the Ethos of the City
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Culture-Inspired Dolls
Katseye and Monster High Debut a Music Video & Inclusive Doll Collaboration
Witchy Nail Design Collections
Kiss x Wicked: For Good Shares Styles Inspired by the World of Oz
Psychological Espionage RPGs
ZERO PARADES Blends Surreal Storytelling With Tactical Spy Gameplay
Limited-Edition Spooky Makeup Collections
Annabelle Cosmetics is Gearing Up for Halloween
Spooky Black Condiments
Mayo Halloween by Heinz is a Limited-Edition Black Garlic Condiment
Emotional Wellness Neurocosmetics
The Skin-Brain Axis Inspired Gotha Cosmetics' Neuroaura Concept
Collectible Fandom Packaging
Spider-Man-Themed Takis Bags Turn Snacks into Fan Collectibles
Intricately Artistic Fashion Lines
Pacsun and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drop a Holiday Line
Celebrity-Fronted Luxury Bag Campaigns
Gucci Debuts 'Beauty and the Bag' with Kate Moss
Symbolic Pop-Up Wellness Experiences
Hone Health Hosts Death of Midlife Pop-Up
Sophisticated Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Vivienne Westwood Spotlights Its Fall 2026 Collection
Retrospective Halloween-Inspired Home Capsules
Michaels Unveils a Diverse Halloween Assortment
Comedy Horror Cosmetics
The NYX Cosmetics x Wednesday Collection Creates Fun, Dark Designs
Poetic Secondhand Campaigns
Depop's Where Taste Recognizes Taste Celebrates Style Doppelgangers
Immersive Horror-Inspired Attractions
Six Flags Channels The Conjuring: Beyond Fear
Spooky Nail Polish Sets
Beetles Gel Polish's Scream on Halloween Gift Box is a Special Collectible
Conceptual Memory-Themed Fashion
Paranoid FW25 Explores Identity Through Nostalgia and Nature
Modern Nightlife Fashion Collections
Ksubi Dropped Its 12-Piece After-Dark Capsule
Timeless Literary-Inspired Fragrances
Immortal Perfumes Features Unique Story-Inspired Scents
Sci-Fi Streetwear Collections
The Brain Dead x Star Wars Capsule Features Drew Struzan Artwork
Nu-Metal Fashion Films
Gucci Generation Short Film Sees Slipknot with Surreal High-Fashion Visuals
Porcelain Doll-Inspired High-Fashion Runways
Maison Margiela Presented Its Fall 2026 Collection
Immersive Queer-Led Community Initiatives
Grimoire Unveiled Its 'United by Vanity' Campaign
Subculture-Themed Generational Fashion
Noskin Presents the Wildest ONes Yet Collection
Film-Inspired Luxe Fashion Capsules
Emilia Wickstead's 2026 Line is Inspired by Bonjour Tristesse
Maxxing Culture Campaigns
Lotto Max's Lotto Maxxing Campaign Celebrates Unique Passions
Culture Play Card Games
MONOPOLY Deal: KPop Demon Hunters Links Games and Fandom Through Netflix
Mexican Tradition-Inspired Timepieces
The Timex Day of the Dead Weekender is Vibrant
Bubble Wrap Billboards
Tombola's Interactive Billboards Engage Passersby with a Sensory Activity
Halloween-Themed Shiraz Wines
Barossa Ink Shiraz is Debuting New Branding for the Autumn
Ghost-Themed Snack Products
These General Mills Halloween Products Come in Three Options
Gothic Puzzle Houses
Addams Family LEGO Build Brings Spooky Charm in 2,999-Piece Gothic Mansion
French Beer Marketing Campaigns
1664 Features Robert Pattinson in Its New Acting-Inspired Campaign
Eerie Walking Tour Experiences
Toronto's Exhibition Place Introduces 'Ghost Walk Tours'
Halloween Countdown Doll Designs
Barbie Releases the 12 Days of Halloween Set with Daily Surprises
Creative Eerie-Themed Soccer Campaigns
Nike Football Reimagines Soccer with 'Scary Good'
Horror Doll Makeup Campaigns
Urban Decay x M3GAN Team Up for 'Killer Looks Only'
Product-Inspired Halloween Looks
Aldi and EllaDoesFX Created a Look Inspired by Professor Peppy
Supermarket Temporary Tattoos
Aldi's Specialbuy Temporary Tattoos Take After Favorite Items
Mashup Halloween Bath Products
Lush's Monster Mashup Range Features Mix-and-Match Designs
Fashion-Beauty Convergence
Première Vision and Cosmetic Valley Unite Fashion and Beauty Brands
Iconic Fantasy Character Soaps
Dr. Squatch x Harry Potter Capsule Features Harry and Voldemort
Halloween-Themed Pet Product Collections
The PetSmart Thrills & Chills Collection is Expansive
Black Garlic Mayonnaise
The Heinz Halloween Mayo Turns a Classic Condiment into a Seasonal Twist
Fandom Retail Experiences
TOUS les JOURS Transforms Bakery Cafés into BTS Fan Destinations
Spooky Patisserie Dessert Menus
The Paris Baguette Halloween Menu is Spooky and Delicious
Cultural-Influence Fashion Capsules
Denim Tears Presents its 5th Quarter Collection
Survival-Style Fantasy Football Experiences
Yahoo Sports and Liquid Death Inject Dark Humor
Halloween Cocktail Capsules
Bartesian's Spooky Sips Collection Elevates Cozy Evenings at Home
Pop Culture Wedding Collections
A Dynamic Duo Inspired The Engagement Era Collection by The Knot
Halloween Gaming Experiences
The Sandbox Unveiled a Haunted Mansion Experience
Horror-Inspired Sports Campaigns
Nike Presents the Scary Good Campaign with Satire Themes
Undead Energy Drink Refreshments
Scooter's Coffee Zombie Apocalypse Red Bull Infusion is Fruity
Collectible Baseball Figurines
Ghostwrite x MLB Game Face Taps into the Blind Box Craze
Gothic Smartphone Cases
OtterBox Unveils the Stunning Gothic Revival Collection
Horror Film Fragrances
Osmo Crafted "the Scent of a Nightmare" for the Dream Eater Movie
Cultural Heritage Beauty Branding
KATE Blends Kabuki Artistry with Shadow-Enhancing Makeup
Celebrity-Supported Luxe Fashion Campaigns
BOSS Taps Renowned Public Figures for Fall 2025
Glow-in-the-Dark Device Skins
Ddbrand Circuit Board Skins Share a Realistic 3D-Printed Pattern
Spooky Slasher Movie Experiences
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Features Art the Clown
Interactive Horror Video Games
The Unhinged Horror Game is a Netflix Exclusive
Spontaneous Holiday Experiences
Virgin Red Challenged People on the Street to Turn FOMO into Go-Mo
Ritual-Based Mobile Design
ECAL and Google Explored Hardware Inspired by Everyday Habits
K-Pop Movie Shoe Capsules
Vans Releases a New Collection Themed Around K-Pop Demon Hunters
Halloween-Themed Qsr Menus
Burger King Reveals a Monster Menu with Vampire Nuggets and Mummy Fries
Curated Horror Subscriptions
the Tales of the Weird Subscription Offered Eerie Stories
Tarot-Inspired Floral Bouquets
UrbanStems Unveiled its 'Flowerlore Collection' for Halloween
Immersive K-Culture Expos
K-EXPO USA Combines K-Pop, Food and Lifestyle Experiences
Seasonal Fair Trade Brews
Death Wish Coffee Celebrates Sober October with a Maple Cinnmamon Brew
Halloween-Themed Advent Calendars
The 13 Nights of Halloween Advent Calendar Builds Excitement
Niche Club Apps
Phictly Connects Fans of Books, Movies & Shows in Small, Engaged Groups
Visual Inspiration Searches
Braindead Search Helps Users Discover Web Design Ideas By Vibe
Anime-Inspired Graphic Tees
UNIQLO Japan Teases Chainsaw Man T-Shirts for its New UT Collection
Haunting Whisky Spirits
Folklore Inspired The Whisky Exchange's Caoineag – The Weeping Spirit
Themed Hotel Bars
Disney Cruise Line Launches Haunted Mansion Parlor at Sea
Process-Driven Fashion Capsules
Mystephenm Vol. 4.0 Unravel Captures the Process of Becoming
Dressed-Up Bourbon Bottles
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Creates Customized Whiskey for Halloween
Halloween-Themed Amusement Park Activations
The Disneyland Resort Begins Halloween Festivities
Vampirecore Nail Art Kits
Beetles Released its Vampiric Feast Halloween Gift Box in July
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Halloween Season Candy Campaigns
World Business Chicago is Promoting Chicago-Based Candy
Superstitious Soccer Campaigns
Sedano's Supermarkets Launched Where Superstitions Are Born
Nature-Inspired Lifestyle Design
SuperNatural Explores How Organic Phenomena Can Shape Objects
Vampire-Inspired Nail Polish Lines
Beetles Gel Polish Debuts Vampiric Feast Gift Box
Gothic Romance Film-Inspired Stationary
Open Sea Design Co. Taps THE BRIDE! for Inspiration
Startup Failure Archives
404tomb Documents Defunct Startups And Their Digital Legacy
Corporate Horror Gaming
Mr. Magpie and Behaviour Interactive Turn Office Culture into Suspense
Fake Video Gaming Essays
Super Eyepatch Wolf Explores Imaginary Gaming Worlds
Fall-Themed Merchandise Sets
The Dinner Service NY x Sunday Scaries Collab is Chic
Immersive Narrative Tourism
EF Ultimate Break Turns Ashridge House Into a Live Murder Mystery Game
Celebrated Athletic Prosthetics
The Ffate Prosthetic Leg Redefines the Limb by Honoring Bodies
Interactive Horror Adaptations
Creepshow Brings Anthology Storytelling to PC Gaming
Shapeshifting Roguelike Mechanics
Ubisoft And Screen Juice Launch Morbid Metal On Early Access