With Halloween lurking around the bend, it’s time to start thinking about what costume you’d like to wear this year.  Some of us will dust off the same loyal costumes we have worn the past five years (myself included), while others will have to have the latest trendy T.V. and movie characters.

Once you've picked your costumes, don't forget to take photos and enter Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest!

According to Greg Likens, president of CostumeHub.com movies take the cake when it comes to costumes.

“Any time you have a summer with as many movie blockbusters as this previous one had, you’re going to see a big influence in what the popular Halloween costumes are,” he said.

Below is a compilation of predictions for this year’s most popular costumes by category.

Movie Characters

Movies such as Smurfs and Cars 2 launched a surge in character costumes. You can bet on seeing Smurfette, Papa Smurf, and Lightning McQueen in a neighborhood near you. Also popular are Monster High characters such as “Frankie Stein” and “Draculaurachild.” Older movies such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Avatar will still prove to have favored characters as well.

Stunning Superheroes

Superheroes have always been faddish and 2012 won’t be any different. There will still be Batmans and Robins making their rounds, along with Captain America, Iron Man, the Green Lantern and the X-Men. Another biggie will be Transformers. Isn’t it strange that the old-school toys like the transforming robots, as well as Strawberry Shortcake, Cabbage Patch, and the Smurfs are coming back? You will see a mini Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

All-Time Favorites

Prevailing costumes will come and go but there are some classics that are sure to withstand time’s test. There will always be Crayola Crayons, ballerinas, zombies, and vampires to name a few. Disney characters will forever be a hit. Can you ever remember a Halloween where you didn’t see a princess of some sort, a Minnie Mouse, or a Pooh Bear? Alice in Wonderland has also made a comeback since Johnny Depp’s version of the time-honored tale was released.

 Famous People

We’ve all seen our share of Marilyn Monroes, Richard Nixons, Bill Clintons and certainly more than our share of that “Scream” mask guy.  Previous celebs are said to be coming back again for more this year, such as the cast of Jersey Shore and Glee, and Lady GaGa (or her alternate ego “Joe Calderone”) is expected to make an appearance.

Amiable Animals

Another sure bet is cute little kids dressed up as cute little animals. Last year my one year-old was a pink plushy octopus. Though an octopus is not one you likely see often—lions, leopards and lady bugs are favorites. Also notable are elephants and doggies. It will never get old watching a sweet, tiny little bear appear at your doorstep.