NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Wonder Woman and Supergirl are likely to be roaming the streets in the days leading up to Halloween, according to a popular New York costume company.

At Rubie's Costume Co. in Richmond Hill, Queens, the largest costume manufacturer in the world, executive vice-president Howard Beige said he noticed that customers were buying costumes of strong female characters about two years ago, with Wonder Woman leaping into the lead after the release of the movie this year.

Beige also said the popularity of the movie IT led to a surge of interest in costumes of Pennywise, the child-eating clown. Halloween is celebrated around the world on Oct 31.