Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is one of my favorite events at Universal Orlando, and this year’s lineup brought a mix of nostalgia, creativity, and pure terror. Each house tells its own story, immersing you in a world of fear that Universal’s creative team has brought to life in stunning detail. Here’s my personal ranking of this year’s houses—from least favorite to absolute must-do.
10. Five Nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’s is based on the hit video game series where players take on the role of a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a family-friendly restaurant that’s home to colorful animatronic mascots. By day, these characters are meant to entertain children, but by night, something goes horribly wrong. This house transports you into Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where animatronic mascots aren’t as friendly as they look. The premise is strong, but the execution felt a little flat. The heavy reliance on animatronics left me feeling like I was stuck at a creepy Chuck E. Cheese rather than truly terrified. Fun fact about this house is that Universal collaborated with Jim Hensen Creature Shop to create the animatronics in this house.
9. Fallout
Fallout is inspired by the legendary post-apocalyptic video game series where humanity struggles to survive after nuclear war devastates the world. Players emerge from underground “Vaults” decades after the bombs dropped, only to find mutated creatures, raiders, and eerie remnants of a once-thriving civilization. You’ll see mutants, vault dwellers, and the ruins of civilization. While the sets were creative, I struggled to connect with the storyline since I’m not familiar with the franchise. For me, HHN houses are at their best when they fully engage all the senses—this one didn’t quite deliver on the scares. I do also think because I am not well versed on the show or the game that it could have contributed to the disconnect to the house as well.
8. Galkn: Monsters of North America
Galkn: Monsters of North America takes you to a remote northern village where a wicked being rises from the dead, unleashing a horde of monsters and demons from the fjords to terrorize the townspeople. As you move through the house, you’ll encounter icy, horned, winged, and wolfish fiends that gradually merge into one giant horror before you attempt to escape the belly of the beast. This original house cleverly draws from cryptids and folklore legends—think Chupacabra and Wendigo-style terrors—brought to life with visually stunning designs and a rich mythological backstory. While I loved the creativity and atmosphere, the scares themselves didn’t land as hard as I hoped. Gorgeous to look at, but not quite scream-inducing.
7. Hatchet & Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
Hatchet & Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters drops you into the wild, wild West—where chaos reigns, survival is brutal, and something far darker than outlaws stalks the plains. Demons infest the land, wreaking havoc and leaving only carnage behind. The biggest bounties are pinned on the nastiest of these creatures, and only two have the guts to take them down: a professional demon hunter wielding a rope of devil-binding metal, and a demon who’s chosen to turn his violent tendencies toward good. This house is actually a continuation of the story first introduced to park guests in last year’s Slaughter Cinema 2, carrying forward the gritty, grindhouse-style universe into a new frontier. It feels like a spaghetti Western gone horribly wrong, with a fiery showdown at every turn. I loved the originality of this house and its unforgettable atmosphere—especially the smoky BBQ scent pumping through the air. While it leaned more on immersion than pure terror, the story and creativity made it a standout experience.
6. Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
Dolls: Let’s Play Dead shrinks you down to doll-size and drops you into the warped imagination of a twisted little girl. Her toys have been melted, burned, and stitched together into grotesque creations, turning once-playful companions into porcelain nightmares and life-sized marionettes that hunt you down. You’ll even crawl beneath her bed, where her stitched horrors lurk in the shadows, before ending inside her eerie Victorian dollhouse filled with undead playthings. To make it even more interactive, there are three guest-activated scare buttons hidden throughout the house, putting you right in the middle of the terror. If creepy dolls make your skin crawl, this house is unnerving in the best way.
5. El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
El Artista is a fan-favorite original that blends art and horror into something truly haunting. In the 1800s, famed artist Sergio Navarro relocated to a remote manor rumored to inspire tortured artists. What he didn’t realize was that the grounds were infested with the spirits of creators who had come before him, their restless energy rooted in the manor’s Conservatory. There, Sergio’s mind unraveled as evil whispers compelled him to paint horrifying images that gave the spirits a portal into our world. On the night when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest, his creations broke free, turning his art into living nightmares. Walking through this house feels like stepping directly into Sergio’s unraveling madness. Every room is dripping with detail, making it easy to miss something if you don’t look closely. The final room in particular is a masterpiece of design and terror, cementing El Artista as one of the most visually stunning houses at HHN this year.
4. Grave of the Flesh
Grave of the Flesh welcomes you to your own funeral—where things quickly go from bad to worse and you quickly learn what its like to be buried alive. You’ll descend into your grave and pass through the gates of the underworld, entering a cavernous realm ruled by flesh-eaters who feed on the dead. Their endless gauntlet stretches on for eternity, hunting you mercilessly at every turn. This house is a grisly, gothic continuation of Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America from HHN 33. If you remember that house’s chilling finale with the gravestone marked “You,” this is where the story picks up. Packed with flesh-obsessed followers, and relentless scares, Grave of the Flesh is consistent from start to finish, keeping the tension high with an abundance of jump scares. For fans of HHN’s original lore, this house is a must-see.
3. WWE: The Horrors of Wyatt Sicks
WWE: The Horrors of Wyatt Sicks was one of the biggest surprises of the event for me. You step through an ominous, lantern-lit doorway into the eerie arena of The Wyatt Sicks, facing the twisted minds of Uncle Howdy, Rambling Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard, Abby the Witch, and Huskus the Pig. The house brings the darker side of WWE to life, blending wrestling theatrics with unsettling horror in a way I didn’t expect to work—but it absolutely does. The set design is excellent, the atmosphere feels immersive, and the scareactors brought incredible energy to every scene. Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, this house is worth your time.
2. Terrifier
Terrifier was one of my most anticipated houses this year. Terrifier proves that Art the Clown is no joke. Based on all three of Damien Leone’s films, this house plunges you into his twisted funhouse where nothing can prepare you for the carnage inside. You’ll come face-to-face with some of the most gruesome and shocking moments from the franchise, recreated in grisly detail. From grotesque torture scenes to over-the-top gore, Art’s gleeful handiwork balances the grotesque with a bizarrely playful vibe that makes this house both horrifying and unforgettable. Before you escape, you’ll be forced to make a chilling choice—do you take the dry path, or dare to walk the blood path? This house also features one guest-activated scare button, leaving you to wonder: do you push it, and what happens if you do? It’s a whole new level of gore that will leave you literally dripping with terror. And just when you think you’ve escaped—beware. Art the Clown doesn’t stay confined to the house; he roams the park too, proving that nowhere at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando is truly safe.
1. Jason Un1v3rse
Jason Un1v3rse was the other house I had been anticipating since the very first speculation map was released—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The iconic horror villain Jason Voorhees is unleashed as you step into his terrifying world, starting in his sinister shack in the woods before fleeing into Camp Crystal Lake, where his gruesome legend first began. This house brilliantly takes you down memory lane through the first eight Friday the 13th films, immersing you in some of Jason’s most brutal and unforgettable kills. The flow of the house is seamless, with Jason stalking you at every turn, delivering intense scares, chilling atmosphere, and relentless tension. It’s especially terrifying at night when the ambiance makes the experience hit even harder. For me, this was a true HHN standout—and easily my favorite house of the year.
Final Thoughts
Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 34 proved once again why Universal Orlando is the leader in immersive horror. From cult classics to original nightmares, this year had something for everyone. Whether you’re into slashers, supernatural scares, or creepy dolls, you’ll find your scream-worthy moment.
There’s still time to plan your visit to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights! As a travel planner and HHN superfan, I can help you book your tickets, hotels, and even RIP tours so you can maximize your night in the fog. Reach out today—I’ll do all the work while you enjoy all the screams! Contact me today!
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