We are about one month away from Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights kicking us off into haunt season, and we’ve got the full class of 2023 HHN haunt lineup to celebrate! Universal previously announced houses based on The Exorcist: Believer, Stranger Things 4, Chucky, The Last of Us, and Universal Monsters: Unmasked. Today we get three more announcements and are losing our minds over Evil Dead Rise coming to HHN. We speculated, we wished, we made human sacrifices… that is neither here nor there, the point is… it’s happening! And might I add, this is the second year in a row that a FANGORIA cover has been turned into a Horror Nights haunt. Last year we had a double dose with Freaky (Vol 2 Issue #9) and The Black Phone (Vol 2 Issue #14) and this year’s Evil Dead Rise (Vol 2 Issue #19). We just think that’s neat.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America and Holidayz in Hell will be rounding out this year’s offerings. Our minds are reeling at the possibilities of being stuck in a big city high-rise setting with Deadites, and being tormented with chants of “Mommy’s with the maggots now!” Last year, Universal featured a La Llorona house based on the morbid Latin American folktale of the wailing woman and her drowned children, it was one of the scariest in the lineup, and I’m excited to see what they can do as they expand the scope to include more Latin American monsters. Chupacabra, anyone? This year’s Terror Tram is always a signature staple of HHN, as Universal is the only haunt that can fully immerse you in the backlot where some of the best horror movies ever to grace the screen have been shot. To think Karloff and Lugosi stalked around these very buildings adds a certain je ne sais quoi to it all. The theme of the tram itself rotates, sometimes guests face killer clowns, and sometimes Chucky is running the show. This year’s tram has been dubbed The Exterminatorz… yeah, it’s bug-centric, and I’m already squirming. I can’t look! Get your first peek at this year’s Terror Tram below along with a full lineup of this year’s haunts.
“The Last of Us” engrosses guests in a struggle to survive against fearsome Clickers, Bloaters, and more from Naughty Dog and PlayStation’s award-winning video game.
“Stranger Things 4” transports guests to Hawkins, Indiana where they will face off against the evil Vecna in the fourth season of Netflix’s original series.
“The Exorcist: Believer” invites visitors into a terrifying new beginning in horror, as two families battle a sinister demonic force that has possessed their young daughters.
“Universal Monsters: Unmasked” expands on the Universal Monsters legacy with horror icons The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame coming together for the first time ever in a chilling new story.
“Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” features the infamous slasher doll and his best kills throughout the hit USA & SYFY series and cult classic films.
“Evil Dead Rise” brings guests to a new twisted tale, based on New Line Cinema’s return to the iconic horror franchise and 2023 box office hit.
“Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” includes the most terrifying ghosts and creatures from Latin American folklore.
“Holidayz in Hell” takes visitors on a petrifying trip through a series of psychotic seasonal celebrations.
“Terror Tram…The Exterminatorz” puts guests on the world-famous Universal backlot and in the middle of an insect uprising led by the devious Larry Larva whose goal is to exterminate humans from the Earth. Horror fans will also walk along the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope where they will encounter The Tethered from Us in an epic crossover from two of director Jordan Peele’s blockbusters.
Horror Nights always goes hard with themed food and drinks, last year they had a whole Killer Klowns menu with all sorts of pink pastel offerings. This year, Stranger Things is taking over the menu with Surfer Boy Pizza and Scoops Ahoy. Here’s more on the themed food and drink offerings fans can expect to partake in this year:
Stranger Things” fans can visit Surfer Boy Pizza for a variety of pizza flavors, Scoops Ahoy for tasty ice cream creations and a new 80’s themed Stellar Bar with mixed cocktails.
Quick service restaurant Hollywood & Dine will transform into a “Chucky”-themed BBQ featuring brisket and Nashville popcorn chicken sandwiches, pulled pork macaroni and cheese, funnel cakes and themed drinks.
The Carl Laemmle Patio will feature Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar with themed cocktails from The Purge and “Chucky” and photo opportunities with scareactors.
Universal Plaza will serve up a celebration in honor of Dia de Los Muertos featuring an array of Latin Folklore-themed cocktails, Lil Cocina Taco Stand and a margarita bar.
Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, October 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance.
