NPH and his family won Halloween. Again! Beloved American actor Neil Patrick Harris, together with his husband David Burtka, and their two children, 12-year-old twins Gideon and Harper, revealed their Halloween costumes for 2022. And the reaction has been amazing.
The post instantly went viral on Instagram, alongside Burtka’s epic behind-the-scenes pics. We loved the costume idea so much, we couldn’t wait to share them with all of you, Pandas! The family dressed up as well-known fast food icons. NPH became Ronald McDonald. Burtka embodied a sleepy rendition of the bearded and regal Burger King. Meanwhile, Gideon dressed up as Colonel Sanders and Harper became Wendy.
Scroll down to see how the family’s costumes progressed over the years to the epic result this Halloween. They keep raising the bar! Meanwhile, read on for Bored Panda's interview about NPH with entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle expert Mike Sington! He shared some really awesome insights.
When you’re done, check out Bored Panda’s coverage of the Burtka-Harris family’s Halloween reveals over the years here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
Neil Patrick Harris, his husband David Burtka, and their twins Gideon and Harper have been making the internet smile with their Halloween costumes every year
Image credits: nph
Here's what their costumes looked like over the years. It's an awesome trip down memory lane!
Peter Pan in 2011
Image credits: nph
The Wizard Of Oz in 2012
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Alice In Wonderland in 2013
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Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, The Bride of Frankenstein, and Dracula in 2013
Image credits: nph
Halloween From Gotham City in 2014
Image credits: nph
The family dressed up as characters from Star Wars in 2015
Image credits: nph
Image credits: nph
Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean in 2016
Image credits: nph
Harris Halloween Carnival of Curiosities in 2017
Image credits: nph
Image credits: nph
Hitchhiking Ghosts in 2018
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NPH and his loved ones invited us to visit the Burtka-Harris Boo-seum’ in 2019
Image credits: nph
In 2020, the gang paid homage to the 1971 American musical movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Image credits: nph
And in 2021, the family embodied classic horror movie characters, putting them in one creepy composition
Image credits: nph
Mike, aka Hollywood’s Ultimate Insider, was kind enough to answer our questions about NPH's fame and what lies behind continued success. What's more, the entertainment expert explained why other celebs shouldn't necessarily 'compete' against NPH during Halloween. It's all about having fun, instead!
"Neil Patrick Harris and his family always come up with creative and unique Halloween costumes. Fans look forward to what they’re going to come up with. Also, the cuteness factor of the kids is pretty much off the charts," the LA-based celebrity expert told Bored Panda.
"NPH is a multi-talented performer whose talents have spanned decades. Not only does he have talent, he has charm, charisma, and a likability that we find comfortable and want to be around," Mike told Bored Panda that NPS is "just a guy you want to spend time with."
"For other celebrities, know it’s going to be difficult to compete with someone like NPH for a Halloween costume. He’s one of a few celebrities who have a 'lock' on Halloween, there’s really no sense in competing," he shared.
"My suggestion is just go for a costume that works for you, that you find fun, original, and interesting. Let your celebrity status power through, and don’t even worry about competing with another celebrity."
Here's the grand reveal for Halloween 2022. The family all dressed up as fast-food mascots
Image credits: nph
At the time of writing, NPH’s post on Instagram had nearly 597k likes. Meanwhile, Burtka’s behind-the-scenes pics got nearly 60.5k likes. But the true achievement isn’t in all of the (notably, impressive) likes and views and engagement. It’s the smiles the photos brought to people’s faces.
Social media users from around the world absolutely loved the theme, as well as how the family posed on the brown leather sofa. NPH perfectly embodies how many of us feel when we’ve eaten just waaaaay too much fast food. And Burtka is literally us after any larger meal.
NPH tagged his post with “Happy Halloween from the BOOrtka-Harris Family” and we’re giving a virtual thumbs up for bringing back the pun that we all know and love. Meanwhile, Burtka wrote, “Trick or Meat!! Here is our family Halloween photo, year 11! I hope ‘da da dat da daaaaa your lovin’ it.’
What did you think of this year’s costume, dear Pandas? Which family costume idea did you think was the best over the years? What do you think NPH and Burtka might come up with in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Here are some awesome behind-the-scenes pics that are brimming with family fun
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
Image credits: dbelicious
A couple of Halloweens ago, Bored Panda spoke about wholesome family traditions with Lenore Skenazy, the preside of childhood independence-promoting nonprofit Let Grow and the founder of the Free-Range Kids movement. She told us that dressing up for Halloween can be a “great tradition,” whether the entire family does it together or just the kids.
“After a couple of times, it becomes a ‘thing’—like leaving stuffed grape leaves for Santa instead of cookies: something that is the way your particular (even peculiar) family celebrates. Kids will remember this pretty much forever, and may even pass it along to the next generation,” she shared.
According to Lenore, the family can pick something that they all love and build their Halloween costumes around the theme. It can be pretty much anything, whether it’s a movie, beloved pet, or memorable vacation. However, as time goes by and your kids grow into teenagers, it can be more difficult to maintain these wholesome family traditions.
“You’re connecting to that beloved time, place, or thing, but you’re also connecting to your family because you’re all in it together. Kids will love this… until at some point they don’t. (Not a lot of tweens want to dress up as fish, even though you all loved your lake vacation in 2012.) Doesn’t matter. Take pictures now and in the future, they’ll look back at and cringe, perhaps, but also maybe cry. As Carly Simon sang, ‘These are the good old days.’ Relish them.”