This year will be my first time ever at Halloween Horror Nights (and how fun that it coincides with the event’s 35th anniversary)! My graduation present for completing my undergrad two years ago was a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, and although it was only a one-day visit, I did get the chance to do the VIP Tour Experience and absolutely loved it. I’ve been dying to go back ever since, and with perfect luck and timing, I am beyond excited to finally experience the Halloween season there with my girlfriend. Since we will be there for a few nights, I wanted to properly prepare and give you all a chance to do so too by compiling an essential movie watchlist, complete with gore and scare meters, for all of the licensed IP and original houses at the event.
See you in the fog!
1) Sinners
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸🩸▪️ (4/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️ (4/5)
What to Watch
Sinners (2025)
I know Sinners and The Darkest Deal from Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 32 in 2023 were both loosely inspired by the legend of Robert Johnson. After seeing a few videos circulating and watching the full walkthrough of that past house, Sinners has become one of my most anticipated on this list. I think the gore and the scares will be top-tier, but I also think Universal is going to do what it does best: make it atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful to walk through. I’m very excited to hear the music in the queue and so stoked to see the comparisons between the two, especially since Sinners is a licensed house.
2) Stranger Things 5
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸▪️▪️ (3/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️▪️ (3/5)
What to Watch
Stranger Things: Season 5 (2025)
With this house being based on a show, I would recommend watching the entirety of Stranger Things now that it has finally ended. However, if you don’t have the time to sit through all of it, you can just watch a YouTube recap of the first four seasons and then dive straight into the final one. It’s one of the biggest shows talked about in recent history, so even if you haven’t watched it, you probably already know enough of what happened. Although I was a huge fan when it first came out back in middle school, I feel like the later seasons (and especially this final one) started to fall off and drag on. Even though I’m glad the series has reached its conclusion, I’m at least happy that I get to experience what will likely be the last Stranger Things house at the event.
3) Hellraiser
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸 (5/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️ (4/5)
What to Watch
Hellraiser (1987)
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
I am so unbelievably excited for the Cenobites to roam this house. I’m preparing for chains and unsettling psychological torment, and I really think this house has the potential to be one of the most disturbing yet. I just binged the entire Hellraiser franchise (see the button below if you want to read it!), and I really loved the first three movies that the house will be based on. I found out this is a house fans have been wanting for a while, so I’m really excited to see how they deliver on all that anticipation.
4) Evil Dead Burn
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸 (5/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️ (5/5)
What to Watch
Evil Dead Burn (2026)
Every Evil Dead installment has been so brutal, especially since the 2013 reboot. If the house leans into the New French Extremity style of the new film, I just know it's going to be the scariest and goriest at the event. I think I’m going to be the most scared for this house, but I love the concept of the Deadites so much that my excitement will hopefully outweigh my fear.
5) Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸▪️▪️▪️ (2/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️▪️▪️▪️ (2/5)
What to Watch
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
I first saw this movie as a freshman in college and absolutely fell in love with it. I’ve written about how much I love this movie a few times (like in my gateway horror list, The Gentle Grotesque - the button is linked below of you want to give it a read!), and even though I know some people are upset that it’s been at the event twice in the last few years, I, selfishly, am so happy they decided to bring it back for a third time so I can experience it. Killer Klowns is one of my favorite movies ever, and I am so beyond excited for cotton candy cocoons and bright neon circus colors. I know hearing the theme song while waiting in line is going to do something to me. I already know this is going to be my most revisited house and will be a good breather from the nightmare-fuel houses.
6) Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸▪️▪️ (3/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️▪️ (3/5)
What to Watch
Black Sabbath (1963)
Trick or Treat (1986)
Music Videos (links included)
For the Ozzy house, I feel like there is a lot of media to watch to prepare. You can watch Black Sabbath, the 1963 horror anthology starring Boris Karloff (which actually inspired the band's name), or Trick or Treat, which features a cameo by Ozzy himself. And of course, to immerse yourself in his art, I compiled a list of a few music videos that give insight into who he was and what his personality was like. I know this house is going to be a lot of fun, and I'm excited for all of the classic gothic influence that I'm hoping makes its way into the design.
1) Dead, Deader, Deadest
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸🩸▪️ (4/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️▪️ (3/5)
What to Watch
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Re-Animator (1985)
Cemetery Man (1994)
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
I am so beyond excited for this. I love zombies (as many of you can tell by how much I write about them), but this original house concept just sounds like it was made for me. I am so intrigued by what they are going to do, and I have heard how good the scares can be in these original houses because Universal doesn't need IP approval, so this is definitely high up on my list.
2) Killceañera
Gore Meter: 🩸🩸🩸🩸▪️ (4/5)
Scare Meter: 🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️▪️ (4/5)
What to Watch
Carrie (1976)
Prom Night (1980)
Happy Death Day (2017)
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
I know people love Universal’s Latin America-themed houses, and I remember seeing so many videos of the one from last year (Monstruos: The Horrors of Latin America) that looked absolutely insane. I have never heard of an idea quite this original before; even trying to find some movies that match this vibe was difficult, but I am very excited to see what they come up with.
1) Fortnitemares: Freaky Fields - IP Scare Zone
What to Watch
Fortnitemares Cinematic Trailers (2020-Present)
Fortnite x Horror Crossover Shorts: Shortnitemares (2021)
The cinematic teaser trailers for past Fortnitemares events might set the tone for what we will experience in the scare zone. I also know that there are a few Fortnite x horror crossover shorts that came out that would be good to watch ahead of the event. Back in 2021, there was a dedicated, limited-time virtual horror film festival held inside Fortnite called Shortnitemares. There were 7 official animated short films in the lineup (We Will Be Monsters Part 1, The Eye, Alma, But Milk Is Important, INN, Nightmare In The Morning, and Mon Ami Qui Brille Dans La Nuit), but from my research, I think We Will Be Monsters Part 1 is the best to watch. It was officially made with Universal Pictures, and it directly reimagines the Universal Monsters (i.e., The Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula). I know this announcement was controversial and has everyone talking, but if you still want to be prepared, this is a good place to start. This was probably the worst reception for a HHN announcement in history from what I’ve seen, but I read that people are just hoping we get some good licensed characters in the scare zone because of it, so I’ll be manifesting with them.
2) Nikki from Obsession - New IP Roaming Character
What to Watch
Obsession (2026)
Honestly, when they dropped this announcement at Midsummer Scream, I didn't see it coming for a roaming character, even though I knew people wanted something from this IP at the event. I’m a little confused about how it'll play out, but I'm super down to see Nikki walking around (hopefully, a wish is made to free her). Curry Barker’s Obsession blew up way bigger than anyone expected this year, so it definitely makes sense to include it, and people should definitely watch the movie beforehand just to fully get her character. Ultimately, I’m just really glad more Latinas get to be face-casted for HHN.
Other Original Scare Zones
El Circo de la Muerte, Hackerz, Blood Bog, Murder of Crowz, Shriek of the Banshee
1) The Purge: Dangerous Waters - Stunt Show
What to Watch
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
The Purge: Election Year (2016)
The Forever Purge (2021)
Preparation
WaterWorld (1995)
I know that out of all the announcements, this was up there as one that wasn't received well. As much as I was entertained by the WaterWorld show, it wasn’t my favorite, so I didn’t get too excited about what the HHN theme would be. For those who don’t know, the 1995 movie Waterworld is actually a great way to see the foundation of the high-dives and massive pyrotechnic rigs they use during the day, giving you a cool look at what they are changing into The Purge for the season. I know The Purge has been recycled for four years now and fans are pretty tired of it, but my girlfriend absolutely loves the franchise, so we are just taking this one as a win for her.
2) Terrifier - Terror Tram
What to Watch
All Hallow’s Eve (2013)
Terrifier (2016)
Terrifier 2 (2022)
Terrifier 3 (2024)
Hell Fest (2018)
Preparation
Psycho (1960)
War of the Worlds (2005)
I am so beyond excited for Terrifier taking over the Terror Tram! But for the ultimate backlot preparation, make sure to add Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds (2005) to your mandatory movie watchlist. These classics are the exact physical landscape for the Terror Tram, and you will physically walk right past the infamous Bates Motel and straight through the authentic looking wreckage of the movie's plane crash site. I was already pretty excited at the idea of maybe getting to experience the iconic Blumhouse setup I’ve seen for years, but this is ten times better to me. I first saw Terrifier years ago and even went to a screening back in 2022 here in NYC where hardly anyone showed up, which included an attached meet-and-greet where I talked to both Damien Leone and David Howard Thornton. They were so down-to-earth and genuinely interested in talking to everyone (since there were only a handful of people), and I remember how inquisitive they were about me. It’s crazy to see how big Terrifier and Art the Clown have become, and I was incredibly jealous of missing the house last year, so this is everything I could ever hope for. Even though I don’t really find myself wanting to rewatch the Terrifier movies, I will say Art the Clown is definitely a modern-day horror character who has reached legacy status, something that hasn't been done in a while.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.