The male superhero characters of Cyclops and Wolverine, and villains Magneto and Saber Tooth, he adds, are expected to be big sellers. Other industry sources say that children and adults both are still seeking out the mask and dark robes of the sinister killer in the Scream movies and in the recent parody, Scary Movie, and that very young children may also turn up as characters from Thomas the Tank Engine. More traditional characters, such as Disney's Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, remain popular, as does Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Barbie is also a classic. Professional sports, for one.
Wrestlers remain a hugely popular identity among adults and children alike.
The Summer Olympics in Sydney has the potential to inspire even more sports-related costumes, complete with gold medals. Some shops are stocking up on cheerleader outfits, in expectation that the movie, Bring It On will catch the attention of little girls who want to dress as members of a high school pep squad. Bruce Reid, Vice President of Sales for the Paper Magic Group, says that there are a number of costumes which are extremely popular, but which are unlicensed, or, in other words, not tied to a specific character or brand name. These costumes tend to be favorites year after year. Inspired by various books, TV shows and other influences, especially the phenomenally popular Harry Potter series, this is a trend that is expected to grow markedly.