Halloween is two months away but don’t tell Universal Studios Hollywood. Its popular Halloween Horror Nights event kicks off next week with plenty of scares and treats. We've got a look at what may tempt or terrify you.
The annual event will bring the thrills with eight all-new haunted houses, a reimagined Terror Tram, multiple scare zones, stunt show and other live entertainment, inspired by the biggest names and intellectual properties in horror.
Beginning with "Chainsaw Punkz," a troop of chainsaw killers who will confront guests as they enter the event, Horror Nights' killer lineup also includes:
"Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines" an all-female monsters led haunted house inspired by Universal Pictures' classic monsters;
"The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy," an immersive experience curated by the musician and creator;
"A Quiet Place," a terrifying new experience based on Paramount Pictures' acclaimed franchise that will incorporate American Sign Language into a haunted house for the very first time;
"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," inspired by Sony Picture's horror-comedy;
"Insidious: The Further," based on Blumhouse Production's supernatural horror film series with characters such as the Red-Faced Demon, KeyFace, the Bride in Black and the Man Who Can’t Breathe;
"Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface," which pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic maniacal monster;
"Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America," a sequel to the 2023 hit haunted house including the rider El Charro, the devil dog El Cadejo, the boogeyman El Cucuy and La Muerte;
"Dead Exposure: Death Valley," an original concept house with petrifying radioactive zombies;
"Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse," a Terror Tram experience taking fans on a close encounter with characters from the production company's popular franchises, including "M3GAN," "The Black Phone," "Freaky," "The Purge" and "Happy Death Day";
"The Purge: Dangerous Waters," a live stunt show that takes visitors on a fiery, rock-fueled adventure while they fight to survive the night;
"Luchadores Monstruosos," an all-new scare zone putting guests in the middle of a Lucha Libre horror film;
"Skull Lordz," a scare zone featuring a gothic-inspired royal court of the dead; and
"Murder of Crowz," a flock of menacing crow stilt-walkers who will terrify guests.
Also new this year is "Late Night with Chucky," an all-original live talk show that will put the notorious doll with the self-deprecating sense of humor into the late-night host slot. The interactive attraction will invite guests to submit questions for Chucky to answer via a QR code available in the lobby of the theater.
After facing their fears, guests can enjoy themed treats at six different locations.
The event menu also features vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items and courage-fortifying co*cktails for those 21 or older (with a valid ID).
The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy Bar (located in Lower Lot by "Jurassic World — The Ride") will offer a Saw Blade Flatbread with braised short rib, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, spicy tomato sauce and ranch drizzle, and a vegetarian version with mushrooms, roasted tomato, mozzarella cheese, green pepper, crispy onion and spicy tomato sauce.
co*cktails include Too Late (tequila, raspberry puree and peach and lime juice, with a grenadine-filled syringe and red light-up cube), Out of Time (cola, raspberry and ginger syrup and a red light-up cube and strawberry heart jellies), How Do I Make You Love Me? (rum, peach and passion fruit puree and lemonade served with an orange light-up cube and dark chocolate butterfly) and Is There Someone Else? (vodka, blue curaçao, lime juice and Sprite soda garnished with a multicolor light-up cube and a gummy eyeball).
Over at Chucky's Dive Bar (located behind Animation Studio Store) sample a trio of co*cktails: Cult of Chucky (spicy tamarind vodka, strawberry syrup, lemon juice and club soda with a chamoy and Tajin, topped with chamoy gummy bears), Friend Till the End (tequila, Sprite, blue curaçao, lime juice and orange popping pearls with an orange sugar rim and a rainbow lollipop) or Chucky's Got Jokes (bourbon, amaretto, corn simple syrup, lime juice and ginger beer topped with chamoy-drizzled corn and cinnamon powder).
Inspired by "A Quiet Place," City Snacks featuring (located in Upper Lot) will serve a wooden board eclair, filled with dark chocolate mousse, dipped in chocolate ganache with a chocolate nail sticking up (if you know, you know) and Abbot's Corn Chowder, a creamy stew with shrimp, corn, vegetables and cornbread croutons.
Head south of the border at Dia de Los Muertos (located in Universal Plaza), which will serve carne asada nachos, with pico de gallo, queso fresco and guacamole; beef birria tacos, served with onions, cilantro and red consomé sauce; pineapple spears with chamoy; esquites, corn sliced off the cob topped with grated cotija cheese, cilantro and Tajin; and sweet nachos muertos, cinnamon sugar chips with strawberry topping, Oreo bits, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
The area's co*cktails include the Muerte Michelada (Modelo, michelada mix, jalapeno syrup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce), El Cadejo Mangorita (tequila, triple sec, mango puree, lime juice and margarita mix), El Charro (spicy tamarind vodka, pickle brine, margarita mix and triple sec), Horror-Chata (rum, horchata and banana syrup), a piña margarita and spicy strawberry vodka margarita.
Inside Monster Eats (located in Lower Lot), pick up Into the Fog Fish 'n' Chips, crispy beer-battered cod nuggets with tartar sauce; the Fiery Bite Corn Dog, a Korean-style corn dog with spicy ketchup and chips; She-Wolf Midnight Delight Cheesecake, fried and dusted with powdered sugar and strawberry claw marks; and the black-and-white Bride's Cookie.
Bring your appetite to Leatherface's BBQ (located in Lower Lot), which will serve Pam's Brisket Sandwich (smoked brisket with Coca-Cola barbecue sauce and creamy coleslaw with a side of potato salad and barbecue baked beans), Franklin's BBQ Ribs (with Coca-Cola barbecue sauce, served with potato salad and barbecue baked beans); Drayton's Chili Cheese Dog (all-beef hot dog, served with potato salad); and the co*cktail Grandpa's Porch Pounder (vodka, mezcal, passion fruit puree, Sprite, citrus sour and grenadine topped with bloody bone candy).
Horrific limited-time food and beverage offerings will also be served at Universal CityWalk at spots such as The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, Voodoo Doughnuts and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.
Halloween Horror Nights will also offer a variety of new merchandise collections including some inspired by "The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy" haunted house, the Dia de Los Muertos activation and fan-favorite character Lil Boo, an adorable yet creepy baby pumpkin.
Killer doll Chucky is back with an updated popcorn bucket featuring new phrases and a stitched-up look inspired by Bride of Chucky. A new HHN collection features house T-shirts; a pierced, reversible bucket hat; bat-eared beanie; and skull shot glass.
Halloween Horror Nights runs Sept. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29; Oct. 3-6, 9-13, 16-20 23-27 and 30-31; and Nov. 1-3 at the park, 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City.
Visit hhntickets.universalstudioshollywood.com to purchase tickets.
General admission tickets start at $77 with a discount available on select nights when tickets are purchased online.
The Universal Express (starts at $229) offers a one-time express access to each participating haunted house, ride and attraction but not early event access.
The Universal Express Unlimited (starts at $269) offers unlimited express access to participating haunted houses, rides and attractions.
Those who want admission to the theme park in advance of the evening's special event can purchase the After 2 p.m. Day/Night pass (starts at $117) or After 2 p.m. Day/Night Universal Express (starts at $289).
If you want to start the scares early, purchase the Early Access Ticket (starts at $10) that grants ticket holders access at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change) to select haunted houses prior to the event opening at 7 p.m. This is an add-on experience and a separate Halloween Horror Nights admission ticket must be purchased.
Impress your party with the R.I.P. Tour (starts at $409 per person), offering "an evening of first-class horror" with a shared expert-led guided tour of the haunted houses, exclusive experiences along the way and a gourmet dinner.
Scare fans who plan on repeat visits can purchase the Frequent Fear Pass (starts at $179) that allows for up to 33 nights (based on your selected first visit date during purchase) of general admission to this year's event. The pass is valid on select nights only and blackout dates apply.
Meanwhile the Ultimate Fear Pass (starts at $299) offers access on all event nights (based on selected first visit date during purchase) with no blackout dates on return visits.
