Halloween Horror Nights has returned to Universal Studios Hollywood and we have good news. This is another very solid year for the event which boasts a healthy mix of haunted houses and new concepts that are worth a look. With three scare zones, three shows/experiences, and eight haunted houses, Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood savagely scares the masses and delivers gloriously gruesome fun.

HHN Hollywood still struggles with its age-old demons in the form of black walls, a lack of definitive scare zones, and the abuse of the letter Z. Thankfully, these misgivings have a minimal effect on what is a great event overall.

Here we will let you know about the event, what to expect, and what we consider a DO NOT MISS. We will also let you know about the different ticket options available and which ones might be right for you.

Scare Zones

This year the event features three separate scare zones to terrify visitors as they make their way from haunted houses to attractions, to shows. Two are fine, one is forgettable.

El Terror de las Momias – DO NOT MISS

Situated on French Street is El Terror de las Momias. Here mummies from Latin America saunter and scare in a hyper-colored landscape of fog and fear. Situated at the exit of the brilliant Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America house, Momias is a prime example of a scare zone done right. Photo ops, activations, monsters, and ambiance.

Toyz

At the crossroads below the Universal Plaza tower is the scare zone TOYZ. Marauding playthings aggressively wander the crowd in search of their own toy. This area has had a collection of interesting themes over the years and this one lands sort of in the middle. To their credit, the talent in this zone is relentless in their pursuit of a scare.

Ghostz

Situated just inside the front gates, the Ghostz Scare Zone lives up to the name. In fact, if you weren’t paying close attention to the white-clad performers wielding chainsaws you could miss it. to be fair, this section has an uphill battle in creating a sense of theme in a space that needs to remain thematically neutral. It’s a small stretch of no more than 100 feet between the front gate and the Toyz scare zone that simply doesn’t have a chance.

Shows and Experiences

The biggest kudos this year go to the inventive choices in shows and experiences. Here we have Harry Potter activations, the return of the Waterworld arena during HHN, and a Blumhouse concept with potential.

Death Eaters

Alright, Potter fans. Do you want to come face to face with Voldemort’s dark army? Grab a ticket to HHN and head to Hogsmeade because the Death Eaters are there waiting for you. These guys are cool, creepy, and on the prowl.

Terror Tram…The Exterminatorz

The Terror Tram puts guests on the world-famous Universal backlot and in the middle of an insect uprising led by the devious Larry Larva. We jump aboard a Universal Tram and head to the usual drop-off point near the Bates Motel.  Here we meet Larry himself. His goal is to exterminate humans from the Earth. NBD. The original concept gets praise from us here in that it is something entirely new. That’s not to mention that Larry is a hilariously disgusting character.

Of course, since we are down there we are allowed to walk along the historic set of Psycho, the expansive plane crash set from War of the Worlds and the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope where we encounter The Tethered from Us. First-time visitors will love the Terror Tram for the chance to walk through iconic sets while being terrorized by themed monsters. Loyal HHN fans will, again, lament the repeated path and hodgepodge of ideas.

On the plus side, the talent throughout is tenacious and phenomenal. The character design, the energy, and the talent make the Terror Tram what it is this year. If you are a loyal HHN fan, hit the Terror Tram and feed those monsters some screams. If you are budgeting your time, remember that this attraction closes early. Make sure to check the closing time on this if you plan to experience this one.

Blumhouse: Behind the Screams

Blumhouse: Behind the Screams is a great proof of concept. Situated in the Dreamworks theater, Behind the Screams is a mix of movie memorabilia exhibits, a clip show, and a live performance that has a great deal of potential.

We enter the lobby and are face-to-face with costumes, props, and set pieces from iconic Blumhouse films and upcoming releases. Our host ushers us into the theater and the clips begin. We see compressed trailers for upcoming Blumhouse releases. Then something goes terribly wrong and we are given a live performance element by way of an army of M3GAN DOLLS.

The execution was clunky, and the concept was threadbare, but there is huge potential for this experience. What if we were offered a new collection of creepy cinematic dangers to discover every year? We have the opening exhibit, the clip show, and then the reveal. The idea is a promising one. Let’s get the 4D seats involved in the next go around along with some in-theater digital projections.

The Purge: Dangerous Waters

The Purge: Dangerous Waters is fun. It’s not Bill and Ted, it’s not the Jabbawokeez, it’s not even The Hanging. Here we have a new chapter of the endless Purge franchise where the rich are taking over an ATOL to ride out the annual custom of 12 hours of lawlessness. Of course, conflicts ensue and we are treated to broad, bloody stuntwork and fun. This one is played straight and leans into the spectacle and mayhem.

Haunted Houses

Great news! There are no stinkers in the haunted houses this year! The collection of eight haunted houses ranges, in quality, from good to WOW.

The Last of Us – DO NOT MISS

Based on Naughty Dog and Playstation’s award-winning post-pandemic video game The Last of Us provides a distinctly brutal experience. The infected have permeated the Pittsburg metro area and heroes, Joel and Ellie, must survive the future. The experience begins at a government facility where a disease is erupting. Soon after we follow Joel and Ellie as they encounter the infected and other survivors in a post-apocalyptic landscape.

The standout in this house is the expert use of space. Situated along the back side of the Mummy Coaster, this long stretch of real estate was transformed into a nightmare world of militant survivors and fungal freaks. Note the full-size hum-v and rapid-fire gunshots hitting the walls. A very well done house with a solid cast and phenomenal effects.

Stranger Things 4 – DO NOT MISS

Easily the best incarnation of the series as an HHN House, Stranger Things 4 depicts a nasty battle between 11 and Vecna. Set design is king here in evoking the key moments from the series, with capable look-alikes and brilliant makeup effects filling in the gaps to make visitors feel as if they are literally inside Stranger Things 4.  From sound design to set pieces, this house works. Save for a rather abrupt ending, this is a house that is worth the wait.

The Exorcist: Believer

David Gordon Greene is coming out with a new chapter of a beloved franchise with the help of Blumhouse. That means we get a haunted house based on the upcoming film The Exorcist: Believer. Here we are thrust into the mysterious world of the upcoming movie, starting with a visit to an open-air market and an encounter with a demonic doll. We then jump to the forest where search parties are looking for two missing tweens. Good news, they are found. Bad news, they are seemingly possessed.

What follows is a clip show that vacillates between fleshed-out scenes and peculiar red and black-tendril hallways. The film purports to feature “a terrifying new chapter as Chris MacNeil fights a nefarious demonic force which has possessed two girls.” Yet, MacNeil was not apparent in this experience. Instead, we are subject to an ambiguous narrative of innocence lost and demonic boo boxes. It’s a fun diversion but nothing noteworthy.

Universal Monsters: Unmasked

Situated just past The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal Monsters: Unmasked is a worthy, if minimal walkthrough that pays homage to the classic Universal Monsters including The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Here they have taken up residence in the catacombs of Paris. As luck would have it, the catacombs have been opened to the public for tours.

This is the first time these horror icons have come together in a chilling new story and it works for the most part. Here we travel to a dark subterranean world of bloody mayhem with an emphasis on the dark. Black walls substitute for an ornate set design with well-lit patches of skulls suggesting tunnels paved with bones. This leaves the heavy lifting to the actors who rise to the occasion.

Sporting an original score from guitar legend SLASH, Universal Monsters: Unmasked is an atmospheric jaunt that commands your imagination to fill in the blanks. Thankfully the actors and the rich history of the Universal Monsters require little else.

Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count – DO NOT MISS

In the running for best house of the event is Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count. We arrive at the front door of the Good Guys factory to have the malevolent doll barking bleeped obscenities at us as he invites us in. Into what? Oh, this is all a big kill machine fixed on processing as many victims as possible. Through the experience, we are treated to the greatest hits, as it were, from the Chucky series. The house, the hospital, Christmas, and a forest finale to die for.

Really, this house hit all of its marks consistently for us. The wry tone and ultraviolent comedy is a great fit for Halloween Horror Nights. What’s more, there are some impressive technological moments including real-scale, fully articulated Chucky dolls that are on the attack. This is fun, silly, gory, nutty fun.

Evil Dead Rise

An adequate repurposing of last year’s Universal Horror Hotel, Evil Dead Rise brings guests to a new twisted tale in the Evil Dead franchise, based on the 2023 box office film. The good news is that unfamiliarity with either the film or the previous house only stands to serve as a plus. Here we venture past a killer elevator and up to the ill-fated apartment that plays host to the Necronomicon and the hapless fool who reads its passages aloud.

Of course, violent mayhem erupts and we are treated to blood-drenched monsters that lurk behind every door and around every corner. The scares are well-paced in this house along with the solid talent and inventive set design. Everyone involved deserves props here with the clever reuse of a custom creation. Still, if we couldn’t have a totally new house here, it would have been wonderful to see the Universal Horror Hotel evolve. Regardless, we have a bloody, technically sharp walkthrough this year with Evil Dead Rise.

Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America – DO NOT MISS

Fighting for the best house at Hollywood’s HHN, we have Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America. Fully realized and expertly crafted, Monstrous delivers on every level. This is an original house, with a top-to-bottom set design, gut-churning scenes of gore, brilliant creature design, and solid talent.

We enter a mausoleum only to be treated to encounters with various legends and monsters with a gritty bite. Parading through Tlahuelpuchi’s Lair, La Lechuza’s Lair and Nest, El Silbon’s Village, the Pulqueria, and El Silbon’s Sack, we are pummeled with deliciously vile depictions of fantastic violence. These cautionary creatures serve to guide the careless to safety, for sure. Yet we cannot get enough. Hit this house as soon as the sun sets and get ready for a fantastic experience.

Holidayz in Hell – DO NOT MISS

When Holidays in Hell debuted a few years ago, it was an acceptable, if inconsistent experience. The house returns and is vastly improved for no other reason than to get the feel of the concept right. Here we kick things off on New Year’s Eve. Baby New Year attacks us in the nursery and we venture to other holidays including Valentine’s Day, Easter, St. Patty’s Day, Christmas, and, of course, Halloween.

The talent knew what they were doing when we visited and everyone was in on the absurdity of the inventive house. Each scene featured actors who were all-in, including that terrifying Thanksgiving turkey toward the end.

Goofy, silly, hilarious, and unnerving, Holidays in Hell has found its footing and is here to taint even the most cherished of holiday memories.

Tickets

It’s time to buy your ticket. But which one is right for you? Here we go through the options and give you our opinion based on value and overall experience. The name of the game here is time vs. money. The less of a rush that you are in, the more money you can save. Also, the rule of thumb is ALWAYS BUY ONLINE before arriving.

General Admission – Starting at $74

This is NEVER a good option. This is a no-frills ticket that only includes admission to the event. This does NOT include early entry, nor does it include admission into Super Nintendo World during Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal Express – From $219

If you have one night and a limited budget, this is the ticket to get. This gets you admission and ONE-TIME Universal Express admission to each participating attraction and house.

Universal Express – From $219

If you have one night and a limited budget, this is the ticket to get. This gets you admission and ONE-TIME Universal Express admission to each participating attraction and house. this does NOT include early admission or access to Super Nintendo World.

Universal Express Unlimited – From $259

If you have one night and a limited budget, this is the ticket to get. This gets you admission and UNLIMITED Universal Express admission to each participating attraction and house. this does NOT include early admission or access to Super Nintendo World.

After 2pm DAY/NIGHT – From $149

If you are in town and want to check out the new Super Nintendo World along with Halloween Horror Nights, this is for you. This Ticket gets you into the park to enjoy all available attractions with special access to Super Nintendo World during Halloween Horror Nights from 7 pm to 10 pm. Of course, if time is a factor…

After 2pm DAY/NIGHT UNIVERSAL EXPRESS- From $339

This is THE ticket to get if you have one day to take in Universal Studios Hollywood AND Halloween Horror Nights on the same day. This Ticket gets you into the park to enjoy all available attractions with ONE-TIME per day access to each attraction and house offering Universal Express. This also gives you special access to Super Nintendo World during Halloween Horror Nights from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Frequent Fear – $209

A pass with admission into Halloween Horror nights on the following dates
September: 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
October: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 31

Ultimate Fear – $329

A pass with admission into Halloween Horror Nights valid on any night that the event is open.

Halloween Horror Nights Early Access Ticket – $10

For $10 you can get a head start on your night 1.5 hours before the event begins. This means that you can enter the park and jump in line at your favorite houses to be ready for when they open. Sometimes they even open a little earlier than planned.

R.I.P. Tour – $409

Okay. If you REALLY love Halloween and Halloween Horror Nights, you have to do the R.I.P. Tour at least once. Yes. It’s spendy. But WOW. You are treated like the celebrity that you are. With this ticket you get…

• PARKING – Complimentary valet parking (one vehicle).
• DINNER – Gourmet dinner in the private VIP dining room (alcoholic beverages excluded).
• PRIVATE TOUR – Exclusive Universal Backlot Halloween experience with a private VIP trolley transportation.
• RESERVED SEATING – Reserved VIP seating at a live show (based on tour itinerary) while on the tour with R.I.P. Tour Guide, and Universal Express Unlimited access (with R.I.P. Tour credential) at select haunted houses, rides, and attractions for the night of your tour.
• Universal Express Unlimited access all night.

Final Thoughts

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood is a very solid year and an event worth the time. While there are a few things that could be better, the consistency of the shows and houses is what makes this worth the money.

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights from Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, October 31 at Universal Studios Hollywood and Friday, September 1 through Saturday, November 4 at Universal Orlando Resort. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance.