Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Esmeralda

It’s Halloween time and that means costumes. Now we all know that Disney’s Esmeralda makes for a great Halloween costume as the components are easy to attain and on their own are very wearable for everyday use. It’s also very recognizable and warm enough for late autumn.

BUT is it the best version of Esmeralda to wear for the spooky season?

Is there a better Esmeralda Costume to wear while you acquire candy?

This is a ranked list of movie versions of Esmeralda’s primary costume that would work as a Halloween costume. It’s not a ranked list of the best costumes of Esmeralda from the Hunchback movie adaptations but rather how it works for an average person to go out into the world and get noticed as person dressed like the character Esmeralda.

I will also included tier levels from F-S just for fun. Sorry about not have the graphic but that is more fun in a video format anyway.

There are 8 major movie versions so it’s a list of 8. And this all for fun!

Number #8

The 1999 version Quasimodo d’El Paris

Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda
Melanie Thierry as Esmeralda

It’s a red dress. It’s a pretty red dress but unless you are wearing a wig – no one is going to notice this one as a costume. It will just be assumed you are not wearing a costume which not good for a costume party. Also only a super-die-hard fan of Hunchback version might notice or a die-hard fan of French comedy movies MIGHT notice but probably not, it’s a red dress.

F Tier

Number #7

The 1982 Version

Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame, picture image
Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

It’s not nothing. It does read as a costume but it’s more akin to a random person who doesn’t go to Ren-Faires’ last minute costume to a Ren-Faire. They tried and want have fun but they are not super into it and then they wore the same thing to a Halloween party.

D Tier

Number #6

The 1977 Version

Michelle Newell as Esmeralda 1977 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Michelle Newell as Esmeralda

You’re going to be confused as Juliet all evening.

D Tier

Number #5

The 1939 Version

Maureen O'Hara as Esmeralda
Maureen O’Hara as Esmeralda

You could see that this is more of an “Esmeralda” but only if you were told. Otherwise Ren-faire plus some pointed jewelry that indicates the character. Side note one COULD make it more of “costume” by going grayscale with the colors or you could pick your own colors but I just will say that the original design was red corset and blue skirt.

C Tier

Number #4

The 1923 Version

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Because of the whole 1920s interpretation with the look, it skews less Ren-Faire and more “fancy dress party” which is basically Halloween. Would people look at this costume and say “Esmeralda?” Probably not but it works for a Halloween event. Plus you can do whatever you want for the colors or lean into the grayscale angle, like with the 1939 version.

B Tier

Number #3

The 1997 Version

Salma Hayek as Esmeralda, 1997 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Salma Hayek as Esmeralda, 1997 Hunchback of Notre Dame

I know I have been dismissive of “Ren-Faire” costumes but this one is just enough where it looks like you didn’t just throw on a costume you had that you got randomly. It looks like some thought went into it. It could be the colors or the dye job on the fabric but something more went into it.

B Tier

Number #2

The 1956 Version

Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame , picture image
Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Like the 1923 version, the period specific interpretation, 1950s in this case, helps adds to the costume concept. Does it fully say Esmeralda? Maybe not but it’s fun and would serve you well at Halloween party plus the Sexy vibe does help.

A Tier

Number #1

Disney

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image
Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame

Yeah don’t pretend you didn’t see this coming either. It just works the best. It’s the Esmeralda we all know and the one that comes into our minds first. Helps that it’s Disney. Everyone will know right away who you are. No need to ask. They know.

S Tier

Which Esmeralda would you wear as a costume?

Now for some shameless self promotion. If you are planning on doing A Disney Esmeralda Costume for Halloween you can click here for some help on what you can get off of Amazon or maybe you’re going for the 1956 version you can click here to see what you can get off amazon

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