At Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, the shadows lengthen and the nights are filled with chilling thrills. From the eerie presence of Death Eaters to iconic horror tales reimagined and even inventive original frights, Halloween Horror Nights reigns as one of LA’s most beloved haunt experiences. Starting September 7th and culminating on Halloween night, October 31st, here’s your guide to the spine-tingling Halloween Horror Nights 2023!
Halloween Horror Nights Haunted Houses 2023
Universal Studio Hollywood isn’t just home to the movies, it’s also home to a host of neverending nightmares. This year’s haunted house (that’s Uni’s preferred term over maze) lineup includes a selection of box office franchise hits, all-new original concepts, and a couple of returning favorites. There’s also a sprinkle of humor this year with two houses that feature humorous elements and some macabre humor on the Terror Tram.
Universal Halloween Horror Nights is home to 8 new houses this year, all of which we enjoyed. Of course, some are more spectacular than others, so let’s take a look at our top 5 houses. We’ve created a highlight video for you of our top mazes. Don’t miss this one-minute look at this year’s best houses:
1. Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
There’s nothing scarier or more fun than a little red-headed doll with humorous banter and a psychopathic streak. If you enjoyed the campiness and shocks that the franchise has offered through multiple films and the recent USA & SyFy series, then this house should be on your must-see list. This house features the infamous slasher doll and his best kills through the years!
In addition, there’s a meta addition to the storyline— Chucky knows he’s hosting a house and feels he should add the audience to his kill count, starting with those who paid extra to skip the line.
To really bring Chucky to life, his house is filled with approximately 30 dolls, and around 18 of them are incredible animatronics! This house commanded some of the highest wait times the entire opening night, and for good reason. Ultimate Kill Count is Horror Nights at its best, with a devilish mix of horror and humor that everyone needs to experience!
2. Universal Monsters: Unmasked
We weren’t sure if Universal would be able to top their Universal Monsters house from last year featuring not one, but three classic monsters… but this year was incredible! The premise of this year’s Universal Monsters house brings FOUR of the classic horror monsters into the catacombs beneath Paris. You’ll come face-to-face with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Invisible Man. We were wowed by last year’s Universal Monsters house, so it was wonderful to see the classic Monsters given so much care for another amazing year.
The level of detail bringing the catacombs of Paris alive was astounding. Every monster has an intricately themed part of the house, including genuine surprises in how they attack those who have entered their lair. The Hunchback’s cauldron left us dripping in terror!
3. Holidayz in Hell
Nothing is sacred during Halloween Horror Night, not even your favorite holiday. Holidayz in Hell returns from 2019 and showcases how the iconic festivities during the year can become nightmare fuel.
This was a surprise winner for us. Like Chucky, it had a wonderful mix of horror and humor in a house that nails perfect pacing, keeping you both engaged and on your toes for the next horrifying holiday monster. Holidayz in Hell retained short waits throughout opening night, which makes for a great opportunity to see a clever house without a long wait (your milage may vary)!
4. Stranger Things 4
We’re headed back into the world of Stranger Things where Vecna threatens the balance of Hawkins, Indiana. This year’s house is based on season 4 of Stranger Things, the scariest season of the show thus far. Even if you’re not caught up on the story, you’ll still be able to enjoy this house. Here’s a sneak peek for you to get excited about:
This is definitely the scariest Stranger Things house yet. Vecna stalks you the moment you enter Eddie Munson’s trailer and the scares never cease. For fans of the show (like some members of our staff), they’ll find a bit of a highlight reel that skims the roughly 13 hours of season 4, but one that nails the chosen scenes with absolutely stunning results! Don’t miss this one.
5. The Exorcist: Believer
Although The Exorcist is a classic franchise that has spawned multiple iterations of houses in HHN’s history, this house is based on the new Blumhouse film that releases on October 13th. Following two girls possessed by demons, their parents seek out the mother of Regan, the girl who was possessed in the original Exorcist film.
Like the Exorcist houses that came before, Believer utilizes a lot of buildup and tension to create its scares. Throughout, there are several visually striking scenes with clever uses of lighting and special effects.
While those were our favorites, Horror Nights is home to three more amazing houses:
The Last of Us
It’s been a great year for zombies. The hit HBO show The Last of Us spawned a new generation of fans. The HHN house is unaffiliated with the HBO show and is instead based on the original award-winning video game that spawned the show. This house brings guests into the world of Naughty Dog’s video game based in a post-apocalyptic Pittsburgh overrun with zombie-like Clickers and Bloaters covered in Cordyceps fungi infection.
The Last of Us commanded some of the longest waits on opening night. Make no mistake, this is a franchise that sold close to 40 million copies of the game and was HBO’s second-biggest premiere in more than a decade.
It was all the more disappointing when we initially had a hard time following the storyline (especially for members of our team who are mega-fans of the franchise). The Last of Us house adapts the gameplay and atmosphere more than the actual storyline, which may be confusing to visitors who were expecting the renowned character-driven story from the game and TV show.
The Last of Us house follows Joel and Ellie through one of the game’s action setpieces, which culminates in a terrifying encounter with a thick fungus-covered Bloater. This is a gorgeous house filled with references to the game, unique monsters in absolutely stunning costumes, and extremely detailed sets.
Here’s a teaser we’ve put together of The Last of Us:
Evil Dead Rise
If you’re a fan of the Evil Dead franchise, then this year was a great return to the ancient curse. Now, you’ll be able to see the horrors for yourself in this new house set in an LA apartment building. The Book of the Dead has returned home to wreak havoc on those brave enough to enter.
Evil Dead Rise is interesting because it redresses the wonderful Universal Horror Hotel sets from last year into an apartment building. It does this in clever ways that bring out the ancient curse storyline from the source material.
Some of the sets are of cinematic quality.
Some cool special effects in this maze have walls melting away…
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America
Outside last year’s La Llorona, there was a scare zone that featured other monsters from Latin America. This year, that concept has been fleshed out into an entire house. Latin America has a mythology rich with ghosts and monsters, and they’re all on display in Monstruos.
In a way, Monstruos is the gorier, scarier sister house to the Universal Monsters.
Terror Tram… The Exterminatorz
The Terror Tram returns with an entirely new premise. Tour Guide Larry Larva and his team of bug-headed exterminators are looking to rid the world of human pests with the help of his new pesticide.
Exterminatorz leans into a campy insect theme that’s more humorous than horror (although there are plenty of bugs with chainsaws). The Exterminatorz are focused on eradicating annoying human pests like influencers and Karens.
While not the best year for the Terror Tram, it works well enough. And the real thrill is just being able to walk through historic sets from Psycho, War of the Worlds… and the amazing finale…
The Terror Tram conclusion is a Jorden Peele mash-up walk through the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope, filled with the Tethered from Us. This remains one of the best experiences in the entire event and is worth the trip on the Terror Tram!
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Scare Zones
All three scare zones this year are new, and filled with frightening, nightmarish themes. Plus, last year’s wildly popular Death Eaters are also making a return. And while we enjoyed this year’s scare zones, we do wish they were larger and there were more of them. There isn’t a single scare zone on the lower lot, which hosts half of this year’s houses.
Dusty went live through the three official scare zones and Wizarding World on opening night. Join us for a trip into the fog… and chainsaws…
Scare Zone: Ghostz
The entry experience of chainsaw-wielding maniacs is returning but with a brand-new theme. This year, instead of killer clowns or raving denizens of a nightmarish LA, HHN is presenting a band of “ghostz” to terrorize incoming guests.
Scare Zone: Toyz
Nothing is sacred at HHN, not even your favorite childhood toys. These “toyz” have been brought to life by a maniacal toymaker with dark magic for nefarious purposes. You can find classic toys gone rogue, including a porcelain doll, teddy bear, nutcracker, and ballerina.
Scare Zone: El Terror De Las Mommias
There’s nothing that makes the blood run cold quite like a mummy. This scare zone takes its inspiration from Mexican mummy movies from the 50s, complete with a Skeleton Queen, undead Aztec warriors, and undead villagers. This scare zone is located outside the Monstruos house, tying into the Latin American theme of the house.
Unofficial Scare Zone: Death Eaters
Universal isn’t counting this as a scare zone, but we feel it should be. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter wasn’t considered a part of the event until last year, but with the addition of the Death Eaters, they’ve created one of the best atmospheric sections of the entire event. The Death Eaters were so popular last year that they also had a short stint over the summer!
While the Death Eaters had a bit of a theatrical flare during the summer, during HHN they return to their atmospheric sense of horror, bidding you to follow them down their sinister alley filled with dark magic.
A visit to the Death Eater is definitely worth a stop in Hogsmeade on your way to Chucky and Universal Monsters…
Last year, there were some unofficial zones, including a roaming hoard of Pumpkinsawz. This year, some of the gorgeous giant crow monsters that roamed outside the now-closed Animal Actors stage were relocated near Chucky and Universal Monsters. Some work was done to improve the atmosphere of this area built on a parking lot, and we hope that it’s improved more in the future if the crows are to continue inhabiting it. Some fake trees, fog, and dimmer lighting would do wonders.
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Entertainment
HHN’s entertainment got a refresh this year, and it’s a big improvement over the hip-hop dance troupe of the last few seasons.
Halloween Horror Nights is home to two new productions this year, including a major new stunt show! The Jabbawockeez usual spot is now totally demolished in preparation for the upcoming Fast & Furious coaster, so Universal decided to go all new this year.
Here are the 2 all-new shows for Halloween Horror Nights 2023.
The Purge: Dangerous Waters
If you think you’ve seen everything The Purge has to offer, Universal has something new and surprising this year. The thriller film franchise takes on a new iteration as a stunt show— using the WaterWorld venue as its setting! The premise of the show is centered around a politician seeking safety from The Purge by fleeing to an island… only to find that nowhere is truly safe. You can expect a high-octane show with all the thrills deserving of the WaterWorld stage.
Dangerous Waters is a delightful surprise addition to the entertainment lineup this year. Not only does it take full advantage of the WaterWorld set, but it also ups the level of blood and violence with a story fueled by revenge! Definitely set aside some time to see this show, which does fill up!
The show is worth your time for the pyro, lasers, and dramatic lighting, even if the storyline doesn’t appeal to you. It’s a stunning show visually.
And here’s a fun teaser of the show we took on opening night. Lots of fun and a big surprise for this year’s HHN:
Blumhouse: Behind the Screams
Blumhouse is a frequently mentioned name during HHN, and for good reason. The multimedia company is regarded as a driving force in modern horror and HHN often features at least one house based on a current film from the company. This year, Blumhouse has not only a house (The Exorcist: Believer) but also a behind-the-scenes experience of some favorite and upcoming Blumhouse films. This experience brings guests into the movies with a look at film props, costumes, and a killer surprise or two.
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Themed Food
You’ve got to keep your energy up if you plan on visiting all the houses in one night. Between screaming your head off and waiting for the next chance to do so, you can refuel with some HHN-themed food and beverages. Here’s what to look forward to this year:
- Stranger Things fans can head to Surfer Boy Pizza for a variety of pizza flavors, Scoops Ahoy for tasty ice cream creations and a new ’80s-themed Stellar Bar with mixed cocktails, all inspired by the hit show
- 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.
What Else is Offered During Halloween Horror Nights 2023?
Halloween Horror Nights is a full-night experience in itself. But if you’re feeling like you’ve got to take a break from the nightmares, there are ways to get your mind off the scary things for a bit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be open, along with all of its attractions. Just remember, if you don’t want to avoid the scares, stay away from the Death Eater alley. Otherwise, the land is a eerie safe zone.
Other attractions will also be available during HHN, including Jurrasic World, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, and The Simpsons Ride (which we wish they’d give a Treehouse of Terror overlay).
One thing you should be aware of is that USH’s latest addition, Super Nintendo World, will NOT be open during the event to general admission tickets. However, those with a day/HHN combo ticket will be allowed entry to Super Nintendo World from 7-10pm. We saw very few guests going into Super Nintendo World, so that may be a good tip for those of you who want to see the land without crowds.
Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights 2023
Now that you know all about Halloween Horror Nights this year, the only thing left to do is buy a ticket! Here are the details for tickets and upgrades for the 2023 haunt season.
Single Night Tickets
There are several versions of single-night tickets to HHN. Options include general admission, a day-part ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood during the day and access to HHN, and upgrades with Universal Express. Guests can save up to $40 by purchasing their tickets online, and select tickets include 6 months of Peacock streaming service at no extra cost.
General Admission
This dated ticket grants admission to the event. Tickets range from $74-112 depending on the date.
Day-Part Tickets
If you’re interested in seeing Universal Studios Hollywood without the sounds of screams and chainsaws, you can opt for a same-day ticket that gives you access to the park anytime after 2pm. This ticket gives guests general admission to the park for the afternoon and access to Super Nintendo World from 7-10pm.
The After 2 PM Day/Night tickets range from $149-187.
Ticket Upgrades
If you’re looking for a premium experience for your night at HHN, there are a couple upgrades you can choose to make your time in the nightmares even better.
Universal Express ($209-329)
This ticket option grants general admission access to the event, plus a one-time express admission to each haunted house, ride, and attraction. However, access to Super Nintendo World is not included, thus the express pass cannot be used on Mario Kart.
Universal Express Unlimited ($249-369)
This is an upgraded version of the above ticket. It grants unlimited express access to each haunted house, ride, and attraction. This ticket still does not grant access to Super Nintendo World of Mario Kart.
After 2 PM Day/Night Universal Express ($329-459)
This upgraded day-parted ticket grants one-time express admission to rides and attractions during the day (excluding Mario Kart), in addition to the one-time express admission to haunted houses during the event. Additionally, the ticket grants early admission to HHN starting at 5:30pm with access to select haunted houses.
Halloween Horror Nights Early Access Ticket ($10-25)
This ticket add-on includes early access to select haunted houses starting at 5:30pm. Guests must have valid admission to HHN in order to utilize Early Access.
HHN R.I.P. Tour
If you want the most luxe experience during HHN, your best bet is to opt for a R.I.P. Tour. While this is the priciest option ($399-509), it’s a guided tour that not only gets you priority R.I.P. entry to each haunted house, as well as select rides and attractions (based on tour itinerary), and reserved VIP seating for a live show (based on tour itinerary) while on the tour. Additionally, the tour includes Universal Express Unlimited access (with R.I.P. Tour credential) for select haunted houses, rides and attractions for the night of your tour.
Although this tour is pricy, it also includes some extra bonuses that help make the experience worth the cost. The R.I.P. Tour features an exclusive Universal Backlot Halloween experience with private VIP trolley transportation. Additionally, the cost includes a gourmet dinner in the private VIP dining room and complimentary valet parking.
It should be noted that a R.I.P Tour does not include daytime admission, early access to HHN, or access to Super Nintendo World.
Frequent Fear Passes
If you’re planning on visiting HHN multiple times this season, the best bang for your buck is to purchase a Frequent Fear pass. This multi-use pass gets you into the event for up to 30 nights or for the entire duration of HHN depending on the tier selected.
Frequent Fear Pass ($209)
This level of pass grants purchasers up to 30 nights of HHN. Considering that there are 38 event nights, this gives guests a high level of flexibility to choose which nights they’d like to visit HHN.
Frequent Fear Passes can be used starting September 7 with return visits on the following nights:
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
There are 8 blackout dates for this level of pass. Those dates are October 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29.
Ultimate Fear Pass ($329)
If you’re the ultimate horror fan and planning on visiting every night (or pretty darn close to it), the higher tier pass is more your speed. This grants access to every night of HHN with no blackout dates.
Universal Orlando HHN Merchandise
Universal has unleashed a wide variety of merchandise this year. We love the pumpkin and raven design. You can find it as a t-shirt, sweatshirt, pin set, and hat. The pumpkin even shows up as a plush!
Dusty loved the pumpkin hat so much that he bought one during the event… along with a massive Lard Lad doughnut (which they were selling 35% off at the end of the night).
There’s also a great sleeveless jean jacket with attached hoodie themed to Stranger Things.
There are a variety of Stranger Things options this year from shirts and hats to coffee mugs.
We saw a number of guests wearing this disturbing, but fun, Chucky shirt:
Of course, there are a variety of Chucky options to choose from.
Each of the mazes has at least one shirt, and some with an expanded line.
Is there a merchandise item you are most interested in this year?
Universal Studios Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2023
Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just located at USH. You can also find its sister event on the east coast in Orlando, Florida. While there are a few shared houses between the California and Florida events, the majority of the houses are unique to each park. Get all the details about USO’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023 event lineup in the article:
Unearth 2023’s Frights: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Details!
Let’s Hear From You
While Halloween Horror Nights still isn’t operating at 2019 levels (which had 10 houses and 5 scare zones) or before, seeing a majority of new experiences and houses is a great step forward for the event. We think the lineup for this year is killer!
Is there a particular haunted house that you’re looking forward to for Halloween Horror Nights 2023? Do you think HHN excels more at IP or original concept houses? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
