Universal Studios ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ Gives Fans a Chance to Step Inside Their Favorite Horror Movies

Horror movies are inherent to Universal Studios. And every year on Halloween, they celebrate by throwing an event that pays homage to their greatest hits. Moreover, it allows fans to step inside their favorite horror movies. Here’s everything you need to know about Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is now 30 years old 

The famous event began as a three-day event dubbed Fright Nights at Universal Studios Florida in 1991. However, it was quickly renamed Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights in 1992 and expanded to five nights. 

And a tradition began. In 1992, Halloween Horror Nights featured two haunted houses: The Dungeon of Terror and The People Under the Stairs. The latter was a realistic homage to the 1991 Wes Craven horror film released by Universal Pictures. According to Wikipedia, The People Under the Stairs was located at Soundstage 23. 

As a result of the event’s popularity, the Florida event continued to expand. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that Universal Studios Hollywood got in on the action. Building on independent Halloween events held in 1986 and 1992, Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood ran from 1997-2000, then halted from 2001-2006. 

Universal Studios has subsequently held an increasingly popular event every year. Additionally, Universal Studios’ theme parks in Japan and Singapore have since added their own yearly events, held similarly during the autumn months. 

Halloween Horror Nights includes live entertainment, mazes, haunted attractions, and scare zones. Above all, Universal Studios wanted to provide an event for teenagers and adults to enjoy the Halloween season. They succeeded; Halloween Horror Nights is known as one of the scariest Halloween experiences available. 

‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is famous for its movie-themed mazes

There’s no shortage of Halloween haunted houses, mazes, and other haunted attractions during the Halloween season. 

However, Halloween Horror Nights has the corner on the movie experience. Universal Studios features several mazes each year that are based on favorite horror movies. They generally blend classic horror movies, old favorites, and hot new franchises for an overall experience. 

For example, in 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights featured mazes for Poltergeist, The First Purge, Trick ‘R Treat, Universal Monsters, and The Walking Dead Attraction. 

Moreover, in 2019, Universal added another Stranger Things maze due to the emerging popularity of the Netflix thriller. 

In the same vein, other mazes included Universal Monsters: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, Creepshow, Ghostbusters, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, Jordan Peele’s Us, and House of 1000 Corpses. 

In each case, fans have a chance to literally step into terrifying scenes from the most iconic horror movies of all time. There’s little Carol Ann Freeling of Poltergeist, kneeling and staring vacantly in front of a blank television screen. 

Michael Myers of the Halloween franchise jumps into a window frame, wielding a massive knife. Similarly, a Demogorgon from Stranger Things lunges from a dark corner. Halloween Horror Nights is meticulous in its recreations of the most beloved horror movies of all time. 

‘Halloween Horror Nights 2021’ features a blend of old and new horror movie themes

This year, Halloween Horror Nights is back after a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood’s haunted attractions included a ‘Terror Tram’ to The Ultimate Purge, which runs through the set piece of Bates Motel. 

Moreover, Universal Studios features The Texas Chainsaw Massacre; Halloween 4; The Exorcist; Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives; and The Haunting of Hill House this year. 

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights has subsequently grown steadily in popularity. Today, fans anticipate the announcements of new mazes months in advance of the next event. 

True horror movie fans simply don’t miss this event. Learn more about attending and what to expect at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights event site. 

To sum up, whatever you do, don’t go alone.