Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights has long been the benchmark for large-scale haunt events, a sprawling celebration of fear that transforms a working movie studio into a landscape of nightmares. The 2025 season continues this legacy, unleashing a formidable lineup of eight haunted houses, a refreshed Terror Tram experience, and streets teeming with monsters. It’s an ambitious undertaking that largely succeeds, delivering a night of high-production horror that balances intense scares with moments of pure, unadulterated fun, even if a few missteps keep it from absolute perfection.

The heart of the event is, as always, the haunted houses, and this year’s collection is a masterclass in catering to a diverse horror palate. The standout experience of the entire evening was, without a doubt, Five Nights at Freddy’s. This house was an absolute joy to walk through, perfectly capturing the unsettling atmosphere of the source material. The stars of the show are the larger-than-life puppets of the pizzeria’s faux-animatronics, which move with a weight and presence that is genuinely menacing. The creators’ attention to detail was impeccable; at several points, the distinct smell of cheap pizza was pumped into the air, a brilliant multi-sensory touch that fully immersed you in the derelict, haunted restaurant. It was less about jump scares and more about a sustained, creepy ambiance that was incredibly effective.

Another massive success was Terrifier, a house that reveled in its own gleeful depravity. It was packed with charm and an abundance of gory fun, faithfully recreating the gruesome world of Art the Clown. The scare actors portraying the silent killer were a highlight, clearly having a wonderful time as they stalked and taunted guests with a theatrical flair that was both hilarious and unnerving. For all the talk of it being an extreme experience, the promised deluge of water and other fluids was less intense than anticipated, which was a welcome surprise, allowing guests to enjoy the carnage without getting completely soaked.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was Fallout. As a property not traditionally associated with horror, expectations were tempered. However, the execution was deeply impressive. The house wisely focused on world-building and immersion over cheap scares, and it excelled. The dedication to recreating the sets and characters from the video games and television series was remarkable, from the claustrophobic confines of Vault 33 to the desolate, rust-colored wasteland. The experience was capped off with a fantastic teaser for the show’s second season, a clever nod that rewarded fans and left everyone buzzing.

Unfortunately, not every house hit the mark. The weakest link in the chain was Scarecrow: Music by Slash. While the legendary guitarist’s original score was outstanding and easily the best part of the maze, the experience itself felt cramped and overly aggressive. The narrow corridors created a claustrophobic feeling that wasn’t enjoyable, and the scare actors were often uncomfortably close, invading personal space in a way that felt more clumsy than frightening. In one instance, an actor unintentionally knocked a phone out of my sister’s hand, a moment that broke the immersion and highlighted the house’s design flaws.

The rest of the lineup offered a solid, if not always revolutionary, slate of scares. Jason Universe was a bloody love letter to the slasher icon, presenting a “greatest hits” of his most brutal kills that felt fresh and exciting.

Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America effectively concluded the popular trilogy with chilling folklore and surprisingly gory scenes. The returning

Poltergeist house, while featuring a stunning exterior facade, felt a bit dated compared to the newer offerings, as I think most of the maze was made up of sets and props from the Poltergeist maze they did several years ago.

Beyond the houses, the park’s atmosphere was electric. The scare zones were effective, particularly the dual clown-themed areas, Chainsaw Clownz and Carnival of Carnage, which ensured anyone with coulrophobia had no safe haven. The single best atmospheric element, however, was the decision to have Art the Clown as a free-roaming character. Spotting him silently appear in a crowd or a gift shop created a pervasive sense of dread and excitement that elevated the entire event. The Terror Tram, themed to

Enter the Blumhouse, was another strong point, offering a refreshed walk through the iconic backlot with new scenes featuring villains from the Insidious franchise.

The event’s two live shows, the explosive The Purge: Dangerous Waters and the imported anime short Chainsaw Man: The Chaos, provided excellent diversions from the queues. The themed food and beverage offerings were also extensive and creative, though operational issues were apparent, with some of the most popular items selling out frustratingly early in the night.

Overall, Halloween Horror Nights 2025 is a resounding success. With knockout headliners like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Fallout, a brilliantly executed roaming character, and a consistently high level of production value, it delivers a spectacular night of horror. While minor issues like an overly cramped maze and food supply problems slightly tarnish the experience, they are mere smudges on an otherwise bloody, brilliant canvas.

Tips for Attending Halloween Horror Nights

• Arrive Early or Get an Early Access Ticket: The single best way to get a head start on the crowds is to be at the front gate at least an hour before opening. The Early Access Ticket, which allows entry to select houses at 5:30 p.m., is a valuable tool to knock out several popular houses before the general public arrives.
• Prioritize the Terror Tram: The Terror Tram is a unique, signature Hollywood experience, but it closes earlier than the rest of the event, typically around 11:15 p.m. Make sure to ride it before the cutoff time.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: You will be doing a significant amount of walking and standing throughout the night. Comfort is key to survival.
• Eat Early: Lines for the themed food stalls can get very long, and popular items have been known to sell out early in the evening. Plan to eat either before you arrive or during the first couple of hours of the event to avoid disappointment.
• Don’t Touch the Talent: Scare actors are not allowed to touch you, and you are strictly forbidden from touching them. Violating this rule will result in immediate removal from the park.

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