Hunky Halloween! See Past Sexiest Man Alive Winners in Their Most Swoonworthy Costumes

Mar. 15, 2025

Denzel Washington, Patrick Dempsey and Dwayne Johnson.Photo:Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures; Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Frank Masi/Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures; Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Frank Masi/Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock

FromDenzel Washington, who, at 69 years old, has turned heads in his toga forGladiator II,to our current reigning Sexiest Man Alive,Patrick Dempsey, who was so swoonworthy as a doctor he was nicknamed “McDreamy,” these men broughtallthe rizz to their characters, thanks in no small part to their sexy costumes.

In honor of Halloween, see past Sexiest Men Alive in their best costumes ever. (And feel free to bookmark it for couples' costume inspiration next year.)

01of 31Patrick Dempsey as Derek ShepherdPatrick Dempsey in Grey’s Anatomy.Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via GettyFans fell in love with the reigningSexiest Man Alivewhen he played Derek Shepherd for 11 seasons onGrey’s Anatomy —possibly the sexiest guy in scrubs since fellow Sexiest Man Alive winner George Clooney.

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Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd

Patrick Dempsey in Grey’s Anatomy.Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Fans fell in love with the reigningSexiest Man Alivewhen he played Derek Shepherd for 11 seasons onGrey’s Anatomy —possibly the sexiest guy in scrubs since fellow Sexiest Man Alive winner George Clooney.

02of 31Chris Evans as Steve RogersChris Evans in Captain America.Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockSure, we could have gone withChris Evansin his Captain America get-up, but who wouldn’t stand and salute for Steve Rogers in military uniform!

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Chris Evans as Steve Rogers

Chris Evans in Captain America.Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sure, we could have gone withChris Evansin his Captain America get-up, but who wouldn’t stand and salute for Steve Rogers in military uniform!

03of 31Paul Rudd as Ant-ManPaul Rudd as Ant-Man.Marvel/Disney/Kobal/ShutterstockSmall but mighty, Ant-Man plays a pivotal role in the eventual defeat of Thanos in the MCU, andPaul Rudd’s, charm and comedic timing in the entire franchise is just … chef’s kiss

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Paul Rudd as Ant-Man

Paul Rudd as Ant-Man.Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Small but mighty, Ant-Man plays a pivotal role in the eventual defeat of Thanos in the MCU, andPaul Rudd’s, charm and comedic timing in the entire franchise is just … chef’s kiss

04of 31Michael B. Jordan as Erik KillmongerMarvelMichael B. Jordan’s villain turn as Erik Killmonger inBlack Pantherwas so-bad-it’s-good — but we were partial to his “art student” vibes in the disguise he wore to steal Wakandan artifacts from a museum before his full transformation was complete. (We weren’t alone in this.)

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Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger

Marvel

Michael B. Jordan’s villain turn as Erik Killmonger inBlack Pantherwas so-bad-it’s-good — but we were partial to his “art student” vibes in the disguise he wore to steal Wakandan artifacts from a museum before his full transformation was complete. (We weren’t alone in this.)

05of 31John Legend as Prince PhillipChrissy Tiegen and John Legend.John Legend/InstagramJohn Legend’s romantic songs make him the king of romantic first dances at wedding, but his sense of humor really puts his sexiness over the top. For Halloween 2018, 2019’s Sexiest Man Alive dressed up as Prince Phillip, accompanying wife Chrissy Teigen, who went as Queen Elizabeth.

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John Legend as Prince Phillip

Chrissy Tiegen and John Legend.John Legend/Instagram

John Legend/Instagram

John Legend’s romantic songs make him the king of romantic first dances at wedding, but his sense of humor really puts his sexiness over the top. For Halloween 2018, 2019’s Sexiest Man Alive dressed up as Prince Phillip, accompanying wife Chrissy Teigen, who went as Queen Elizabeth.

06of 31Idris Elba as Stacker PentecostIdris Elba in Pacific Rim.Legendary Pictures/Kobal/ShutterstockWe could have gone with his role as Heimdall inThoror even John Luther, but something aboutIdris Elbain his Pan Pacific Defense Corps uniform fromPacific Rimjust seemed better than the rest.

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Idris Elba as Stacker Pentecost

Idris Elba in Pacific Rim.Legendary Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

Legendary Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

We could have gone with his role as Heimdall inThoror even John Luther, but something aboutIdris Elbain his Pan Pacific Defense Corps uniform fromPacific Rimjust seemed better than the rest.

07of 31Blake Shelton as Blake SheltonChris HolloBlake Sheltonhas a uniform, and he’s sticking to it! You’ll usually catch the country singer in a blazer and jeans, whether he’s onstage or getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Blake Shelton as Blake Shelton

Chris Hollo

Blake Sheltonhas a uniform, and he’s sticking to it! You’ll usually catch the country singer in a blazer and jeans, whether he’s onstage or getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

08of 31Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as Spencer Gilpin/Dr. Xander BravestoneDwayne Johnson in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”.Columbia/Sony/Kobal/ShutterstockThis self-proclaimedforever Sexiest Man Alive title holderis no stranger to starring in action-packed films, but his gusto and playfulness inJumanjitook his sexiness to a new level.

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as Spencer Gilpin/Dr. Xander Bravestone

Dwayne Johnson in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”.Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock

Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock

This self-proclaimedforever Sexiest Man Alive title holderis no stranger to starring in action-packed films, but his gusto and playfulness inJumanjitook his sexiness to a new level.

09of 31David Beckham as TriggerDavid Beckham in “King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword”.Daniel Smith/Warner Bros/Kobal/ShutterstockIt can be argued thatDavid Beckhamlooks best in his soccer uniform, but the Manchester United legend tried his hand at acting, playing Trigger in 2017’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword,and honestly…chainmail looks good on him.

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David Beckham as Trigger

David Beckham in “King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword”.Daniel Smith/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Daniel Smith/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

It can be argued thatDavid Beckhamlooks best in his soccer uniform, but the Manchester United legend tried his hand at acting, playing Trigger in 2017’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword,and honestly…chainmail looks good on him.

10of 31Chris Hemsworth as Tyler RakeChris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake ‘Extraction’.Jasin Boland/NetflixAgain, pickingChris Hemsworth’s in his costume in Thor might have been the obvious decision, but how badass did he look playing black market mercenary Tyler Rake inExtraction?

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Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake

Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake ‘Extraction’.Jasin Boland/Netflix

Jasin Boland/Netflix

Again, pickingChris Hemsworth’s in his costume in Thor might have been the obvious decision, but how badass did he look playing black market mercenary Tyler Rake inExtraction?

11of 31Adam Levine from ‘This Love’Maroon 5 - This Love.Maroon 5/YouTubeOkay, so this is not exactly a costume, but we’d argue that thespiked hair, double T-shirts and low-hanging pants combo was atypeof uniform back in the early aughts.

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Adam Levine from ‘This Love’

Maroon 5 - This Love.Maroon 5/YouTube

Maroon 5/YouTube

Okay, so this is not exactly a costume, but we’d argue that thespiked hair, double T-shirts and low-hanging pants combo was atypeof uniform back in the early aughts.

12of 31Channing Tatum as Magic MikeWarner Bros/Kobal/ShutterstockChanning Tatumused hisprevious experienceas a male stripper to help createMagic Mike,and the result was so magical indeed that there’s a reason you hear the opening strains of “Pony” the second you look at this photo.

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Channing Tatum as Magic Mike

Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Channing Tatumused hisprevious experienceas a male stripper to help createMagic Mike,and the result was so magical indeed that there’s a reason you hear the opening strains of “Pony” the second you look at this photo.

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Bradley Cooper as Adam Jones

ThoughBurntmay not make Bradley Cooper’s personal Criterion collection, he makes that kitchen uniform look so good, he has us saying (all together now) “Yes, Chef!”

14of 31Ryan Reynolds as DeadpoolRyan Reynolds as Deadpool.Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVELRyan Reynolds’ indelible portrayal of Deadpool means this is his greatest costume, even when he removes the mask to reveal one of his many variants.

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Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool.Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVEL

Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVEL

Ryan Reynolds' indelible portrayal of Deadpool means this is his greatest costume, even when he removes the mask to reveal one of his many variants.

15of 31Johnny Depp as Captain Jack SparrowJohnny Depp in ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean - Dead Man’s Chest’.Disney/Kobal/ShutterstockJohnny Deppis perhaps one of the most widely-known character actors in the world, so nailing down justonecostume was tough. However, we venture to claim that since the firstPirates of the Caribbeanfilm came out in 2003, there hasn’t been a single Halloween without someone, somewhere, dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow, so this one wins!

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Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow

Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean - Dead Man’s Chest’.Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Johnny Deppis perhaps one of the most widely-known character actors in the world, so nailing down justonecostume was tough. However, we venture to claim that since the firstPirates of the Caribbeanfilm came out in 2003, there hasn’t been a single Halloween without someone, somewhere, dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow, so this one wins!

16of 31Hugh Jackman as LeopoldMiramax/Courtesy Everett CollectionIf you usually picture Hugh Jackman in action-star mode as the rough and rugged Wolverine, you may be pleasantly surprised at how well he pulls off period garb as a time traveler in this Meg Ryan romantic comedy.

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Hugh Jackman as Leopold

Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection

If you usually picture Hugh Jackman in action-star mode as the rough and rugged Wolverine, you may be pleasantly surprised at how well he pulls off period garb as a time traveler in this Meg Ryan romantic comedy.

17of 31Matt Damon as Tom RipleyMatt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley.Miramax/paramountGeorge Clooneyused this picture to campaign forMatt Damonto be named Sexiest Man Alive. And whilethat was a prank, we trust the two-time Sexiest Man Alive title holder knows a thing or two about sexy (even while playing a sociopathic murderer).

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Matt Damon as Tom Ripley

Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley.Miramax/paramount

Miramax/paramount

George Clooneyused this picture to campaign forMatt Damonto be named Sexiest Man Alive. And whilethat was a prank, we trust the two-time Sexiest Man Alive title holder knows a thing or two about sexy (even while playing a sociopathic murderer).

18of 31George Clooney as Doug RossGeroge Clooney in ER.Sven Arnstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyBefore he wasdelighting us all with his prank stories, Clooney had the ladies' hearts racing as Doug Ross onER.

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George Clooney as Doug Ross

Geroge Clooney in ER.Sven Arnstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Before he wasdelighting us all with his prank stories, Clooney had the ladies' hearts racing as Doug Ross onER.

19of 31Matthew McConaughey as CooperMatthew McConaughey in Interstellar.Paramount/Warner Brothers/Kobal/ShutterstockWhenMatthew McConaugheygot the Sexiest Man Alive title in 2005, he said he’d be ushering in a “new kind of sexy” and will be taking roles with “my gut hanging over.” It was all a joke, it turns out, as the actor has since delivered a myriad of stellar performances, this one inInterstellarincluded.

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Matthew McConaughey as Cooper

Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar.Paramount/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paramount/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

WhenMatthew McConaugheygot the Sexiest Man Alive title in 2005, he said he’d be ushering in a “new kind of sexy” and will be taking roles with “my gut hanging over.” It was all a joke, it turns out, as the actor has since delivered a myriad of stellar performances, this one inInterstellarincluded.

20of 31Jude Law as John H. WatsonJude Law in Sherlock Holmes.Silver Pictures/Kobal/ShutterstockObservant, intelligent and modest are just some words used to describe Dr. Watson,Jude Law’s role inSherlock Holmes— and Law’s on-the-nose portrayal of the detective brings all that home.

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Jude Law as John H. Watson

Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes.Silver Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

Silver Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

Observant, intelligent and modest are just some words used to describe Dr. Watson,Jude Law’s role inSherlock Holmes— and Law’s on-the-nose portrayal of the detective brings all that home.

21of 31Ben Affleck as Rafe McCawleyBen Affleck in Pearl Harbor.Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/ShutterstockBen Affleck’s brooding, contemplative and patriotic portrayal of Rafe McCawley inPearl Harborhad Kate Beckinsale’s character swooning — and moviegoers across the nation were equally as taken.

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Ben Affleck as Rafe McCawley

Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor.Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/Shutterstock

Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/Shutterstock

Ben Affleck’s brooding, contemplative and patriotic portrayal of Rafe McCawley inPearl Harborhad Kate Beckinsale’s character swooning — and moviegoers across the nation were equally as taken.

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Pierce Brosnan as James Bond

Clean. Sophisticated. Gentlemanly. That’s how we’d describePierce Brosnanas a person. Add Bond’s tailored tuxedos, slicked-back hair and mysterious nature, and you have a recipe for an irresistible icon.

23of 31Brad Pitt as AchillesBrad Pitt in Troy.Warner BrosThere is so much to be said about the crazeBrad Pittcreated with this role inTroy, but it’s best we let this photo speak for itself.

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Brad Pitt as Achilles

Brad Pitt in Troy.Warner Bros

Warner Bros

There is so much to be said about the crazeBrad Pittcreated with this role inTroy, but it’s best we let this photo speak for itself.

24of 31Richard Gere as Billy FlynnRichard Gere in Chicago.Miramax/Producers Circle/Storyline/Kobal/ShutterstockRichard Geremade a career playing polished, charismatic dudes who look great insuits and while Edward Lewis fromPretty Womanwas a contender, his role as Billy Flynn in 2002’sChicagoearned him his first Golden Globe.

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Richard Gere as Billy Flynn

Richard Gere in Chicago.Miramax/Producers Circle/Storyline/Kobal/Shutterstock

Miramax/Producers Circle/Storyline/Kobal/Shutterstock

Richard Geremade a career playing polished, charismatic dudes who look great insuits and while Edward Lewis fromPretty Womanwas a contender, his role as Billy Flynn in 2002’sChicagoearned him his first Golden Globe.

25of 31Harrison Ford as Indiana JonesHarrison Ford in Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom.Lucasfilm Ltd/Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockWe imagine there was a rush to apply for archaeology degrees after Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the adventurous professor.

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Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom.Lucasfilm Ltd/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

We imagine there was a rush to apply for archaeology degrees after Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the adventurous professor.

26of 31Denzel Washington as MacrinusDenzel Washington in Gladiator II.Aidan Monaghan/Paramount PicturesDenzel Washington, who got the Sexiest Man Alive title back in 1996, has still got it. At 69 years old, the two-time Oscar winner had the internet going bananas when the trailer for the upcomingGladiator IIdropped back in July. You might say … this was our Roman Empire.

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Denzel Washington as Macrinus

Denzel Washington in Gladiator II.Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington, who got the Sexiest Man Alive title back in 1996, has still got it. At 69 years old, the two-time Oscar winner had the internet going bananas when the trailer for the upcomingGladiator IIdropped back in July. You might say … this was our Roman Empire.

27of 31Patrick Swayze as John CastlePatrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.Vestron/REX/ShutterstockBetweenGhost, Roadhouseand his many other works,Patrick Swayzewas quite the heartthrob (and frequently shirtless and shiny!) but no other role captured hearts quite like John Castle inDirty Dancing.

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Patrick Swayze as John Castle

Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.Vestron/REX/Shutterstock

BetweenGhost, Roadhouseand his many other works,Patrick Swayzewas quite the heartthrob (and frequently shirtless and shiny!) but no other role captured hearts quite like John Castle inDirty Dancing.

28of 31Tom Cruise as Pete MitchellTom Cruise in Top Gun.Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockTom Cruise’s piloting in 1984’sTop Gunwas so good, the film was rebooted in 2022 — with him in it, looking pretty much the same.

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Tom Cruise as Pete Mitchell

Tom Cruise in Top Gun.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Tom Cruise’s piloting in 1984’sTop Gunwas so good, the film was rebooted in 2022 — with him in it, looking pretty much the same.

29of 31Sean Connery as James BondSean Connery as James Bond.Bettmann ArchiveLike his fellow James Bond actor, Brosnan,Sean Connerywas a ladies' man before he stepped into 007’s shoes.

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Sean Connery as James Bond

Sean Connery as James Bond.Bettmann Archive

Bettmann Archive

Like his fellow James Bond actor, Brosnan,Sean Connerywas a ladies' man before he stepped into 007’s shoes.

30of 31Harry Hamlin as PerseusHarry Hamlin in ‘Clash of the Titans’.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via GettyDecades beforeHarry Hamlinwas playing the vicious Cortland Mayfair onMayfair Witches,he played the sword-wielding, monster-slaying Greek god, Perseus, in 1981’sClash of the Titans.

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Harry Hamlin as Perseus

Harry Hamlin in ‘Clash of the Titans’.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Decades beforeHarry Hamlinwas playing the vicious Cortland Mayfair onMayfair Witches,he played the sword-wielding, monster-slaying Greek god, Perseus, in 1981’sClash of the Titans.

31of 31Mark Harmon as Freddy ShoopMark Harmon in ‘Summer School’.Mark Harmonis now mostly recognized for playing the straightforward, always stern Leeroy Gibbs onNCIS.Years before that, though, the first-ever Sexiest Man Alive worea lotof Hawaiian shirts as Freddy Shoop in 1987’sSummer School.

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Mark Harmon as Freddy Shoop

Mark Harmon in ‘Summer School’.

Mark Harmonis now mostly recognized for playing the straightforward, always stern Leeroy Gibbs onNCIS.Years before that, though, the first-ever Sexiest Man Alive worea lotof Hawaiian shirts as Freddy Shoop in 1987’sSummer School.

source: people.com