eBay bans Jeffrey Dahmer Halloween costumes after hit Netflix series


If you're planning to dress as a character from a Netflix show this Halloween, it would probably be best to stick to Stranger Things.
eBay is removing listings for Jeffrey Dahmer Halloween costumes from its platform following the success of Netflix's new series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, BuzzFeed News reports. A spokesperson for the online auction site told BuzzFeed that these costumes violate its violence and violent criminals policy, which states, "Listings that promote or glorify violence or violent acts, or are associated with individuals who are notorious for committing violent acts, are not allowed."
Monster has been a massive hit for Netflix, becoming the streamer's second-biggest English language show behind only Stranger Things. A mask of actor Evan Peters' portrayal of Dahmer, who murdered 17 people, is among the costume items that popped up on eBay.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But the show has also drawn criticism, including from the families of Dahmer's victims. Eric Perry, whose cousin was murdered by Dahmer, tweeted that his family was "pissed" about the show, writing, "It's retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need?" Rita Isbell, whose brother was murdered by Dahmer, also wrote for Insider that "Netflix should've asked if we mind or how we felt about making it," adding, "It's sad that they're just making money off of this tragedy. That's just greed."
Simone Biles was among those to condemn the idea of dressing up like a real serial killer for Halloween, tweeting, "I'm just gon go head and say it, put the Jeffrey Dahmer costumes back in the closet. We ain't having it!!!!!!"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - free trade, judicial pushback, and more
By The Week US
-
5 educational cartoons about the Harvard pushback
Cartoons Artists take on academic freedom, institutional resistance, and more
By The Week US
-
One-pan black chickpeas with baharat and orange recipe
The Week Recommends This one-pan dish offers bold flavours, low effort and minimum clean up
By The Week UK
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US