Fan Behavior: The 20 Coolest Cosplays We Saw at Fan Expo Dallas 2025

Koh from Avatar: The Last Airbender has our vote for creepiest costume of the weekend. Carly May Gravley

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21721571",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21861991",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17105533",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18349797",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "22608066",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18349797",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17357520",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Over the weekend, fans of television, film, and greater pop culture coalesced at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center for one of the city's biggest conventions: Fan Expo Dallas.

This year, the annual convention allowed fans to meet stars of various media, like Parker Posey, who is fresh off a standout performance in season 3 of The White Lotus. Star Wars actors John Boyega and Anthony Daniels made appearances, and Dallasites got to meet Priscilla Presley, whom they know from, well, being Priscilla Presley. Between star sightings, attendees could also peruse the booths of local artists and vendors or attend fandom-specific meet-ups like "Anime After Dark."

Perhaps the most exciting facet of conventions like the Fan Expo, though, is the colorful array of attendees who dress up in awe-inspiring cosplays.

Even the most pop culturally unaware are likely to recognize characters like Spider-Man and The Flash. Cosplay appreciation isn't limited to those who keep up with niche interests, though. Fans often spend several months on preparation for their costumes, perfecting even the most minor details, which can involve everything from hand-made accessories to full body paint.

Of course, Dallas showed out with looks inspired by iconic characters, from X-Men's Wolverine to Glinda of Wicked. Check out some of the best cosplays we saw below.

click to enlarge

An entire posse of Spider-People was just the tip of the iceberg at Fan Expo Dallas last weekend.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

The Professor and Miss Bellum from The Powerpuff Girls brought along their trademark pipe and censored face.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Including the "Cha Cha Slide," which this Avatar cosplayer is participating in.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Cosplayers like this Ghost Rider fan made a meal out of the red carpet on Friday night.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Galinda (with a "guh") from Wicked somehow made sitting on the ground look glamorous.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Hazbin Hotel fans dressed to the nines to meet the voice cast in attendance.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

The surrealism fandom was represented thanks to this take on René Magritte's "The Son of Man."

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Of all the props we saw over the weekend, Tinker Bell's dandelion was the most whimsical.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

At Fan Expo, you can see virtual pop star Hatsune Miku live and in the flesh.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Koh from Avatar: The Last Airbender has our vote for creepiest costume of the weekend.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

We missed the memo on the dress code for this conga line.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

The Phantom of the Opera has picked up a side gig haunting convention centers.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Ace from One Piece's go-to pose was pretending to eat that plushy piece of meat.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Simplicity goes along way when you're dressing up as Wolverine.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Star Wars fans dominated this year's con.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Phoenix of X-Men fame showed us the importance of staying in character.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

"Who ya gonna call?"

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Many fans like to take creative liberties with the characters they're interpreting. We're told this a Victorian take on Captain America.

Carly May Gravley

click to enlarge

Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, as seen in the "I hate sand" scene from Attack of the Clones.

Carly May Gravley