When spooky season takes over the grounds of Hollywood’s Universal Studios, so does the fog that leads the way for screams and scares. Halloween Horror Nights is an event that takes place nightly from September to November. Starting at 7:00 p.m., Tinseltown’s Universal gates open to a whole new world of terror and thrill.
The first Halloween Horror Nights kicked off 27 years ago, and although it wasn’t their first Halloween event, it paved the way for many more to come. There have been many new additions to the park throughout the two decades of the event, leading up to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights 2024.
Horror has changed significantly since the 90s, with jumps from the murder-mystery “Scream” to the supernatural horrors of “Smile.” This year, Universal Studios will bring multiple new movie-themed mazes to the table including “Insidious” and “A Quiet Place.” However, there will be some recurring concepts such as the Weeknd’s appearance in Hollywood’s nights of terror.
The Weeknd’s maze debuted in 2022 and will now feature a changing storyline: a Nightmare Trilogy. This year, the attraction starts as a lighthearted party, leaving the crowd shocked and horrified after figuring out it wasn’t just a dance party. Having made rounds through Gen Z’s musical atmosphere, the Weeknd’s maze isn’t the only attraction that is impacting the community.
American Sign Language (ASL) is featured in “A Quiet Place” and has been incorporated into Halloween Horror Nights for the first time ever. News of this addition has sparked interest in both the deaf and hearing communities, and will definitely have a major impact on the horror-loving crowd.
Jessica Harris, a deaf ASL teacher at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), found herself excited for it. She said, “I absolutely cannot wait to go with my deaf friends and be able to use our own language to ‘survive’ in this new attraction, talk about inclusivity!” She also said, “I hope this continues to shift ASL into a positive light, further pushing away any negative stereotypes associated with it.”
The supernatural thriller “Insidious” will also take part in the terror of Halloween Horror Nights as “Insidious: The Further.” In celebration of the classic film’s 50th anniversary, there will be a returning appearance from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s” Leatherface as he roams through the park with his famous chainsaw for an extra touch of thrill.
Another attraction at Horror Nights is the Terror Tram. This ride includes interactions with the familiar faces of Blumhouse productions such as “M3GAN,” a technological horror well-known for its incorporation of Artificial Intelligence. Visitors can expect to see new and classic characters alike terrorizing the park!
Halloween Horror Nights is a beloved event for all thrill-seekers and their reluctant friends. The event runs through October to the beginning of November and tickets begin at $77.
