The long-standing partnership between Universal Studios and Blumhouse has birthed many wonderful things, and over the years, Halloween Horror Nights attendees have had the opportunity to enjoy those frights in the flesh with The Horrors of Blumhouse mazes. The houses typically feature a Blumhouse double or triple feature, and invite fans to come face to face with Blumhouse baddies. Last year, we faced off against The Black Phone’s Grabber and Freaky’s Butcher. Blumhouse and Universal have opted to do something a little different this year. Not only will Blumhouse do a double-billing for this year’s festivities, but rather than a maze featuring their latest offerings, Horror Nights will be presenting two Blumhouse live experiences. What the hell does that mean? Well, we’re about to tell you.
First up, we have The Purge: Dangerous Waters, which will be presented as a live show. Here’s the official synopsis from the press release:
It’s been a decade since The Purge first declared all crime legal for 12 hours as part of the government’s annually sanctioned Purge and an iconic horror franchise was born. Now, for the first time, “The Purge: Dangerous Waters” takes the blockbuster film franchise into an entirely new environment…open waters, in an all-new live show.
It’s a race against time when a politician and his entourage escape to an island to avoid The Purge. Sanctuary is fleeting when the island is quickly overrun by Purgers and the hunt is on. Located in the WaterWorld venue and featuring adrenaline-filled action sequences, stunts, spectacular lighting and laser effects, high fall fire burns and massive explosions, “The Purge: Dangerous Waters” celebrates an evening of anarchy without thought of punishment or fear of retribution.
Holy moly. Honestly. this sounds pretty brilliant. Waterworld tends to be a highlight for many visitors during normal park operations. The set and stunts are impressive as hell. In the regular show, we’ve got villains gone wild on jet skis, pyrotechnics, an impressive airplane stunt, and a fiery finale you can feel on your face all the way in the back row. This stadium is usually shut down during Horror Nights, instead used as a queue to funnel folks into a maze adjacent to the set. But not this year! It sounds like Universal and Blumhouse will be putting that impressive Waterworld set to good use for Horror Nights. We’re getting excited just thinking about the possibilities of The Purge On Water.
For their second offering, fans will get to go behind the scenes of some Blumhouse favorites (and upcoming Blumhouse titles) in “Blumhouse: Behind the Screams.” This sounds like it will be presented in an exhibit-like style featuring props, costumes, and more. But this is Horror Nights, so we don’t imagine fans will get to leisurely browse the goods entirely at peace, so just be sure to look over your shoulder every so often to make sure a M3GAN isn’t stalking you, wielding a paper cutter like a katana.
“Blumhouse: Behind the Screams” is an original concept that showcases a selection of Blumhouse horror films, including the highly anticipated films Five Nights at Freddy’s and The Exorcist: Believer, and fan-loving hits like M3GAN and The Black Phone. This unique experience breaks the fourth wall and invites guests to explore these films as they step through the silver screen for an up-close look at authentic film props, costume displays and terrifying character encounters.
Three new scare zones have also been announced, expanding on the new maze “Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.” Here’s a full breakdown of what you can expect with that trio of new scare zones:
“El Terror de las Momias” is a Latin-themed scare zone and an extension of the “Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” haunted house that takes guests on a desperate attempt to escape an ancient army of unearthed mummies.
Located on New York Street, the “Toyz” scare zone dares guests to play in the toy box of terror where a wicked toymaker used dark magic to bring his evil toys to life.
A welcome wagon of “Ghostz,” featuring a horde of blood-soaked, chainsaw-wielding ghosts, gather at the entrance to Halloween Horror Nights to rattle nerves.
That makes two new live experiences (that Purge show sounds like an epic-level production, and we can’t wait to check it out), eight haunted houses (including Chucky’s first-ever house), the Terror Tram experience, and brand new scare zones.
“The Last of Us” is based on Naughty Dog and Playstation’s award-winning post-pandemic video game.
“Stranger Things 4” transports guests to Hawkins, Indiana where they will face off against the evil Vecna in the fourth season of Netflix’s original series.
“The Exorcist: Believer” features a terrifying new chapter as Chris MacNeil fights a nefarious demonic force which has possessed two girls.
“Universal Monsters: Unmasked” expands on the Universal Monsters legacy with horror icons The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame coming together for the first time ever in a chilling new story.
“Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” features the infamous slasher doll and his best kills throughout the series and films.
“Evil Dead Rise” brings guests to a new twisted tale in the Evil Dead franchise, based on the 2023 box office hit.
“Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” includes Latin American folklore’s most terrifying ghosts and creatures.
“Holidayz in Hell” takes visitors on a petrifying trip through a series of psychotic seasonal celebrations.
“Terror Tram…The Exterminatorz” puts guests on the world-famous Universal backlot and in the middle of an insect uprising led by the devious Larry Larva whose goal is to exterminate humans from the Earth. Horror fans will also walk along the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope where they will encounter The Tethered from Us in an epic crossover from two of director Jordan Peele’s epic blockbusters.
Universal Studios Hollywood offers a variety of Halloween Horror Night ticket options, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2 P.M. Day/Night, and the premium R.I.P. Tour, as well as the Early Access Ticket, which provides access to select haunted houses prior to the scheduled event opening (starting at 5:30 p.m., subject to change), and the popular Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass. Click here for more information about each ticket type, Terms and Conditions and to purchase tickets.
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.
