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Dolls, Jason, and Terrifier Lead a Terrific Year at Halloween Horror Nights 34
Halloween Horror Nights 34 has officially unleashed the fog at Universal Studios Florida, and this year’s event is one of the most terrifyingly fun in recent memory. Running for 48 nights through November 2, HHN 34 is packed with 10 haunted houses, four all-new scare zones, and an array of roaming street experiences that make sure there’s nowhere safe to hide once night falls.
Related: Survive the Night in the Five Nights at Freddy’s House at Halloween Horror Nights 34
The vibe this year feels bigger, bloodier, and more immersive, with Universal’s Entertainment team flexing their creative muscles across both IP-driven and original concepts. Guests can scream their way through Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, wander into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout, survive Art the Clown’s sadistic playground, or face the unrelenting wrath of Jason Voorhees. The original houses stand toe-to-toe with these blockbuster IPs, delivering unforgettable nightmares like Dolls: Let’s Play Dead and El Artista: A Spanish Haunting.
Beyond the houses, the park is alive with eerie energy. Vampires dance at masquerades, mutants spill through the streets of 1920s New York, and zombie carhops take your order at Mel’s Die-In. Add in Club Horror’s undead DJ and the ever-unpredictable roaming scareactors, and HHN 34 has crafted a complete horror playground.
We were fortunate enough to be hosted by Universal again this year to an opening-night media event, where we were provided access to all 10 houses, the sinister scare zones, and a showing of Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay with full permission to record and take photos inside all of the houses! Here’s our full ranking of the haunted houses and our thoughts on this year’s scare zones.
Haunted House Rankings
#10: Hatchet and Chains Demon Bounty Hunters
The concept is wild — lava demons descending on an Old West town, melting everything in sight. Unfortunately, our first run felt uneven, with the storyline difficult to follow and scares that didn’t land as consistently as other houses. It’s not a bad house by any stretch, but compared to the competition, it chopped its way to the bottom. We’ll definitely give it another shot to see if timing improves.
#9: Grave of Flesh
The idea of attending your own funeral and then being hunted by flesh-eaters is deliciously dark. The scares here are solid, and the atmosphere is oppressive in all the right ways. Still, the limited underground setting kept it from feeling as visually varied or expansive as the other houses. Fans of claustrophobic horror will dig it, but we found ourselves ranking it lower than the more ambitious offerings.
#8: Gálkn Monsters of the North
This Nordic nightmare has a compelling backstory and impressive scale, with monsters rising from the dead to chase you through icy ruins. We loved the mythological vibe and the massive set pieces. But when stacked against the rest, it just didn’t demand multiple run-throughs the way our top picks did. It’s still worth a trek for fans of folklore horror.
#7: WWE Presents The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks
This house surprised us with its atmosphere, and even though we’re not die-hard WWE fans, the sinister carnival-meets-funeral aesthetic worked well. Creepy characters lurked around every corner, and the scares were plentiful. Hardcore fans of the Wyatt Sicks will rank this much higher, but for us, it ended up mid-card. Still, it’s a house we’d happily revisit on a return night.
#6: Fallout
Stepping into Vault 33 and the wasteland beyond is a thrill for anyone who’s binged the show or spent hours in the game. From Lucy’s disastrous wedding to encounters with The Ghoul and the Brotherhood of Steel in full T-60 power armor, the detail here is outstanding. While it’s not particularly scary, it’s one of the most immersive houses of the year. Fans will adore it, and even casual guests will be impressed by the scale of the sets.
#5: Five Nights at Freddy’s
This one is pure fan service done right. The animatronics created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop are jaw-droppingly good, making Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, and even Mr. Cupcake feel terrifyingly real. The pacing is excellent, and the house keeps you guessing with well-timed jump scares. Whether you’re a veteran player of the game or brand new to the franchise, you’ll walk out impressed — and maybe a little hungry for pizza.
#4: El Artista A Spanish Haunting
One of the most visually stunning houses of the year, El Artista is dripping in gothic atmosphere. The 19th-century Spanish manor is brought to life with breathtaking sets and creepy details, while the tortured artist at the center of the story adds emotional weight. The scares are steady, but it’s the aesthetic that elevates this house into our top tier.
#3: Terrifier
Art the Clown proves HHN has not gone soft. This house is brutal, bloody, and relentless, with gore-filled set pieces that recreate some of the franchise’s most iconic kills. The finale features a “wet path” that leaves guests literally wading through blood. It’s shocking, it’s over-the-top, and it’s everything a hardcore horror fan could want.
#2: Jason Universe
This house is a dream come true for Friday the 13th fans. Every era of Jason shows up, from the original camp slasher to his more bizarre later iterations. The scares are constant, the number of scareactors is staggering, and the use of the iconic ki-ki-ki ma-ma-ma theme music is perfection. With different Jasons popping up on repeat runs, this is one of the most rewatchable houses of the year.
#1: Dolls Let’s Play Dead
This twisted dollhouse towers above the competition. The premise — being doll-sized and stalked by toys warped by a sinister little girl — is brilliantly executed. The sets are massive, the scares are creative, and the pacing never lets up. It’s creepy, it’s clever, and it’s our pick for the house you absolutely can’t miss at HHN 34.
Thoughts on Scare Zones, Nightmare Fuel and Street Experiences
The Origins of Horror
Statues and eerie monuments greet you right at the park entrance, setting the tone the moment you step into the fog. It’s a strong atmospheric opener.
Masquerade Dance with Death
Universal does vampires so well, and this lavish masquerade ball filled with bloodthirsty partygoers proves it. The costumes are dazzling, the mood is seductive, and the scares hit when you least expect them.
The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane
Hands down the most unique zone of the year. The winding lane, complete with the Cat Lady’s eerie home, feels like a mini haunted house in its own right. We caught the “feeding time” show moment, which added a theatrical layer we loved.
Mutations Toxic Twenties
The concept — a radioactive truck crashing in a 1920s neighborhood — is great, but the execution felt a little too spread out for the large New York section of the park. It’s still fun to wander through, just not as concentrated with scares as others.
Mel’s Die-In Zombies
A clever twist on a fan-favorite location. The zombie carhops are both creepy and campy, serving up scares alongside classic diner nostalgia.
Club Horror
The pumping beats and flashing lights make this a fun spot, but it felt more like a pass-through than a true party. A dedicated space to stop and dance would have really elevated the vibe.
Roaming Terrors
Chainsaw carnies, zombies, and even Art the Clown pop up unannounced, ensuring the streets are never safe. We didn’t catch Art this time, but just knowing he could appear adds extra tension.
Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay
Of course, Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just about houses and scare zones; the live entertainment continues to set the stage ablaze. The fifth and final iteration of Nightmare Fuel closes out the storyline that has thrilled fans for the past five years, and it does so in fiery fashion. This year’s show cranks the spectacle to new heights with jaw-dropping stunts, hypnotic dance, and that signature mix of fire and sensual energy that leaves the entire crowd buzzing. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t just entertain, it electrifies, sending guests back into the fog ready for another round of scares.
Related: The World of Fallout Comes To Life at Halloween Horror Nights 34
Final Thoughts
Halloween Horror Nights 34 is a frighteningly strong year, with houses that balance IP powerhouses and original nightmares, plus scare zones that are some of the most inventive in years. Whether you’re in it for the gore of Terrifier, the nostalgia of Jason Universe, or the sheer creativity of Dolls: Let’s Play Dead, there’s something for every type of horror fan.
Huge thanks to Universal for hosting us during media night; we’ll definitely be back in the fog again soon! And to all of you who followed along, thanks for joining us on another terrifying night at the world’s premier Halloween event.
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