A Guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2024

As a die-hard fan of Halloween Horror Nights and someone who has been attending this spine-tingling event since its humble beginnings in 1974, I must say that this year’s lineup is shaping up to be the most terrifying yet!

The Universal theme parks have unveiled all the attractions for their Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) events in Hollywood and Orlando this year. The Hollywood event will offer eight houses while Orlando’s will feature ten. This year’s lineup includes a variety of franchises from different Universal parks, such as ‘A Quiet Place’, ‘Ghostbusters’, and the Classic Monsters, plus original concepts like Latin American legends and hordes of zombies.

Every autumn, I eagerly anticipate Halloween Horror Nights, an exhilarating after-hours extravaganza at Universal Studios that transforms the park into a terrifying realm of haunted houses and spine-tingling scarezones. These chilling experiences are crafted from iconic Universal properties and inventive original ideas. While some haunts return each year, others receive sequels or fresh concepts, ensuring an ever-changing lineup that keeps fans like me on our toes. Here’s a sneak peek at the houses set to invade Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando this Halloween season!

A Quiet Place

A Guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2024

Inspired by: A Quiet Place Franchise
Location: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood

The acclaimed horror series, famously known as “A Quiet Place“, has left an indelible impact on the horror genre with its newest addition, “A Quiet Place: Day One“. This year, the series is set to make its premiere at Halloween Horror Nights, and it seems that the house will reenact some well-known sequences from the movies. As described in the house’s outline:

Keep quiet as you travel from the farmhouse, to the woods, to the foundry.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Inspired by: Ghostbusters Frozen Empire
Location: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood

As a longtime fan of the classic ’80s movie “Ghostbusters,” I’m thrilled to hear that it will be returning to Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights this year! I remember attending the event in 2019 and being blown away by the immersive experience they created with iconic horror films from the ’80s, including “Ghostbusters.”

As a gamer, I’m hyped to step into the shoes of the latest Ghostbusters adventure, Frozen Empire! This immersive experience promises to introduce us to the younger Spengler family and even bring back the original Ghostbusters crew for some spooky encounters throughout the house. It’s going to be an unforgettable night!

Insidious: The Further

Inspired by: Insidious Franchise
Location: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood

As a long-time fan of horror movies and Halloween Horror Nights, I’m thrilled to see the Insidious franchise making a comeback this year! Back in 2015, I had the chilling experience of walking through their house at the event, and it left me on edge for days. This time around, the focus appears to be on the two most recent films, The Last Key and The Red Door, which I’ve been eagerly awaiting since their releases. I can hardly contain my excitement as I prepare myself for another terrifying journey into the dark world of the Insidious universe!

1) Avoid being captured in The Further by fearsome creatures looking to capture you. Venture into the lair of the Red-Faced Demon through The Red Door. Also, be wary of KeyFace to prevent him from imprisoning your soul.

Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines

Inspired by: Universal Monsters, Dracula, Frankenstein
Location: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood

Yearly since 2019, Universal Monsters have been showcased during Halloween Horror Nights. However, this year’s event takes a new direction by centering on female characters in horror stories. Accompany Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein as they confront Dracula’s daughter, also known as the She-Wolf of London, and Anuck-Su-Namun, the mummified Egyptian princess, in their battles.

As a die-hard fan, I’m thrilled about the upcoming summer opening of Epic Universe, where Dark Universe will be unveiled! This whole section is devoted to the iconic Universal Monsters, whose popularity has skyrocketed among theme park enthusiasts due to their appearances at Halloween Horror Nights in recent years.

Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America

Inspired by: Latin American mythos
Location: Universal Studios Florida

Monstruos: Latin American Monsters has its premier in Orlando, following its showcase at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. The Hollywood exhibit earned “House of the Year,” making the Orlando unveiling and sequel news an eagerly anticipated update.

Audience members will accompany Death while navigating the chilling tales of three ominous Latin American folklore figures: Tlahuelpuchi, the Mexican vampire; La Lechuza, the Witch Owl revered across Mexico and Texas, seeking vengeance against her wrongdoers; and El Silbón, also known as The Whistler, notorious throughout Colombia and Venezuela for his brutal murders and tortures but also for the distinctive whistle that signals his presence. Keep your nerve as you journey through these spine-tingling stories.

Slaughter Sinema 2

Inspired by: Retro Horror B-Movies, a sequel to the 2018 Slaughter Sinema
Location: Universal Studios Florida

Slaughter Sinema is making a comeback for its second run following its premiere in 2018. With nostalgic nods to the drive-in cinema era, 80’s B-movie horror flicks, and a vintage children’s arcade, Slaughter Sinema quickly became one of the most sought-after attractions that year and has remained so since then. This year, it’s expected to deliver an even more chilling movie marathon filled with horror movies.

[…] creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns and more.

The Museum: Deadly Exhibits

Inspired by: Original concept
Location: Universal Studios Florida

A folklore museum’s newest exhibit, The Rotting Stone, has released an evil spirit that decays everything. And it’s coming for you.

Very little additional information is available regarding the Museum residence, so its mysteries remain for those attending the gathering to discover.

Major Sweets Candy Factory

Inspired by: Sweet Revenge Scarezone, 2022
Location: Universal Studios Florida

In the year 2022, Major Sweets made its debut in the Scarezone known as Sweet Revenge, narrating a chilling tale about an unscrupulous candy maker who transformed innocent town children into bloodthirsty assailants. This captivating narrative proved to be one of the most beloved scarezones that year, prompting the decision to expand its storyline and construct a dedicated house for this year’s event.

Experience a guided tour at the 1950s Sweet Manufactury, however, watch out for the confections and the mischievous kids who’ve consumed them!

Goblin’s Feast

Inspired by: Original concept
Location: Universal Studios Florida

Hey there, adventurer! Step right up and join me at the Goblin’s Banquet Tavern. I’ve got a tip about an exciting event happening in the neighboring goblin hamlet: they’re throwing a grand feast for goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, and even some witches! Don’t miss out on this rowdy gathering – let’s go check it out together!

Halloween Horror Nights consistently transforms classic fairy tales and childhood legends into terrifying narratives and haunted attractions. In the past, they’ve given modern twists to stories like Hansel & Gretel, the Tooth Fairy, among others, demonstrating their skill in reimagining mythical beings as frightening characters.

Triplets of Terror

Inspired by: Original concept
Location: Universal Studios Florida

You are cordially invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday celebration! However, be cautious as they commemorate their birthdays by reenacting their family’s tragic deaths. Expect a grisly get-together.

Little information has been disclosed about the innovative idea making its first appearance at this year’s gathering, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating some heart-pounding scares.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface

Inspired by: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series is set to appear at various Halloween Horror Nights celebrations this year, marking its 50th anniversary. The Legacy of Leatherface will serve as a tribute spanning multiple universes to the Texas Chainsaw franchise, showcasing different iterations of Leatherface from the original movie up until now, as well as the entire Sawyer family.

Visitors can enjoy different renditions of the beloved character, Leatherface, and traverse the terrifying events depicted in each movie from the classic series dating back to 1974. This franchise has expanded to include a video game inspired by the original film as well as appearances across multiple media formats.

Dead Exposure: Death Valley

Inspired by: Radioactive Zombies
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood

Revisiting Halloween Horror Nights is Dead Exposure, now set in the desolate Death Valley. Visitors are invited to step into a clandestine laboratory where the creation of super soldiers has taken a terrifying turn. Rather than becoming superhuman, the test subjects have mutated into radioactive zombies, desperate to break free.

Since its initial release in 2008, zombies from the Dead Exposure series have intermittently appeared in both Hollywood and Orlando. The narrative often revolves around Bloody Mary. The latest installment of Dead Exposure, released in 2018 as Dead Exposure: Patient Zero, functioned as a prequel to the main franchise, providing an origin story for the zombie outbreak.

Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America

Inspired by: Latin American legends
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood

2023’s Monsters: The Nightmares of Latin America is a follow-up to the 2023 movie titled Monsters: The Monsters of Latin America. In this new installment, the house showcases legends such as El Charro, a Mexican entity that rides his horse and steals souls; El Cadejo, spirit beings in Central America that hunt for prey in their dog-like forms; and El Cucuy, the Portuguese bogeyman who seeks out disobedient children and punishes them by eating them.

The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy

Inspired by: The Weeknd’s albums and music videos
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood

As a long-time fan of The Weeknd and a regular attendee at Halloween Horror Nights events, I am beyond excited about his return to these spooky celebrations! Having experienced the After Hours Nightmare house last year in both Hollywood and Orlando, I can attest that it was one of the most captivating and memorable experiences I’ve had at a horror event.

In the upcoming 2024 Halloween Horror Nights season, guests can expect an exhilarating experience with ten houses at Universal Orlando and eight houses at Universal Hollywood, along with numerous themed scare zones at both resorts. Each location offers a balanced blend of houses based on popular franchises or intellectual properties, as well as innovative original concepts. Tickets for this spooktacular event were snapped up quickly due to the high anticipation. The Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood will take place on selected nights from September 5 to November 3, while the event at Universal Orlando runs on selected nights from August 30 to November 3.

2024-08-18 06:04