The Best Cosplay At Comic-Con 2023
The WGA and SAG strikes won’t stop Comic-Con. True, the ongoing Hollywood strikes between SAG-AFTRA, the WGA and the AMPTP might have shrunk the San Diego Comic-Con schedule slightly, but it hasn’t stopped the cosplayers from attending in droves.
After two days surveying and photographing the crowds Variety is on the ground bringing you the biggest trends this year in the costume world. And what’s the hottest cosplay costume in at SDCC in 2023? The iconic, non-comic book related couple of Barbie and Mario. Denizens of overall-clad Marios (and Luigis) have taken the San Diego Gaslamp district by storm. And right behind them are Barbie and Ken. Check out the Barbie meetup along with several other snaps from the Indiana Jones meetup (complete with both boulder and Oscar-holding Ke Huy Quan cosplay).
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Our complete 2023 Comic-Con cosplay gallery includes Jokers, Willy Wonka, hitchhiking ghosts from Disney’s “Haunted Mansion,” Catwoman, Ricky Bobby Batman, a Lego “Across the Spider-Verse” Spider-Man, Pee-wee Herman and Snow White.
As for the mood, SDCC is decidedly less star-studded than years past. The hallowed Hall H, which can hold about 6500 people, isn’t empty but the lines are definitely shorter this go-round.
The first panel of the convention was focused on the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie, which was represented by the film’s director Jeff Rowe. “This is my 38th year at Comic-Con. I love coming here,” Eastman said, recalling his first appearance in 1985. “It was a much different show. I think that year they hoped for 7,000 attendees and I think we have 7,000 people in this room.”He continued: “It never gets old. It’s a chance for me to say thank you for giving me such a great life with a great job and almost 40 years later, I’m still drawing turtles.”
Barbie Cosplay Meet-Up
Barbie cosplayers pose outside the convention center during San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, on July 20, 2023.
‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Cosplay
Cosplayer Andrea Seale is dressed as Deirdre Beaubeirdre from ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ at the 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego.
Snow White Cosplay
A cosplayer is dressed as Snow White at the 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego.
Indiana Jones Cosplay Meet-Up
A group of Indiana Jones cosplayers participate in a group photoshoot at Comic-Con International 2023.
Indiana Jones Cosplay Meet-Up
A group of Indiana Jones cosplayers participate in a group photoshoot at Comic-Con International.
‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ Cosplay
Cosplayer Koichi Sims is dressed as Batman from “Batman: Arkham Knight” at the 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego.
2023 Comic-Con Cosplay
Cosplayers attend 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Robin and Batman Cosplay
Cosplayers John Hickey as Batman and Mark Fidelak as Robin pose at Comic-Con International 2023 on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
‘The Peacemaker’ Cosplay
A cosplayer dressed as “The Peacemaker” from the DC series by James Gunn attends 2023 Comic-Con International.
The Riddler Cosplay
The Riddler cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.
Austin Powers Star Wars Crossover Cosplay
Cosplayer dressed as Austin Powers and the Fembots crossed with “Star Wars” at the 2023 Comic-Con International.
Ricky Bobby Batman
A cosplayer is dressed in an original costume, “Talladega Nights Ricky Bobby Batman,” at the 2023 Comic-Con convention.
“Across the Spider-Verse” Cosplay
A Lego “Across the Spider-Verse” Spider-Man cosplayer attends 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Pee Wee Herman Cosplay
Pee Wee Herman cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.
Super Mario Bros. Cosplay
Cosplayer Matt Armstrong is dressed as Mario from Super Mario Bros. at the 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Catwoman Cosplay
A cosplayer contortionist dressed as Catwoman attends 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
Cosplayers attend 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
‘Last of Us’ Cosplay
Cosplayer Andrea Seale aka cosplaymom99, dressed as a clicker victim from The Last of Us, poses at Preview Night during 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2023 in San Diego, California.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
Cosplayers pose during 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Wolverine Cosplay
X-Men cosplayer Milan Nguyen as Lady Wolverine poses at Comic-Con International 2023 on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
‘Haunted Mansion’ Cosplay
‘Haunted Mansion’ as a person.
‘Haunted Mansion’ Cosplay
Three hitchhiking ghosts from the “Haunted Mansion” cosplay.
‘Breaking Bad’ Cosplay
“Breaking Bad” cosplayer John Tye as Walter White poses at Comic-Con International 2023 on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Wonder Woman Cosplay
Cosplayer Kelsey Hinesley is dressed as Wonder Woman at the 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego.
Vampire Cosplay
Vampire cosplay at the San Diego Convention Center.
‘Willy Wonka’ Cosplay
Cosplayers dressed as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory characters at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con.
‘Cobra Kai’ Cosplay
Karate Kid/Cobra Kai cosplayers attend 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
Cosplayers attend 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Judge Dredd Cosplay
Judge Dredd cosplayer outside the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
A cosplayer poses outside the San Diego convention center.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
Cosplayers attend Preview Night during 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2023 in San Diego, California.
Joker Cosplay
A Joker cosplayer attends 2023 Comic-Con International: San Diego on July 20, 2023 in San Diego, California.
San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay
A cosplayer with a guitar inside the San Diego convention center.
Bash the Piñata Cosplay
A cosplayer is dressed as Bash the Piñata.
Shego
A cosplayer is dressed as Sheego from “Kim Possible.”
Sofina
Cosplayer Jessica Patterson dressed as Sofina from “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”
Paul Atreides
A cosplayer dressed as “Dune” protagonist Paul Atreides.
Spider-Punk and Spider-Woman
Cosplayers dress as Spider-Punk and Spider-Man.
Mugatu
An army of cosplayers dressed as Mugatu from “Zoolander.”
Ursula
A cosplayer dressed as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.”
Princess Peach and Waluigi
Cosplayers dressed as Princess Peach and Waluigi from “Super Mario Bros.”
Queen Amidala
Cosplayer Hannah Gootzeit dressed as Queen Padmé Amidala from “The Phantom Menace.”
Jessica Rabbit and Roger Rabbit
Cosplayers dressed as the lovely couple from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
