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Halloween Horror Nights 35 has plenty of reasons for Stranger Things fans to head back to Hawkins, but one of our favorite surprises of opening night was Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins, the new lagoon show at Universal Studios Florida. We caught the show during opening night of HHN 35 and found it to be an incredible homage to the series, packing years of monsters, music, memories, and iconic moments into one impressive nighttime spectacular.
Related: Halloween Horror Nights 35 Top Ten House Ranking
The show takes over the Universal Studios lagoon with projections, water effects, lighting, and plenty of familiar Stranger Things imagery. Guests are pulled into a special WSQK radio broadcast before the lagoon comes alive with scenes inspired by all five seasons of the series. Characters appear across mist screens while familiar locations, including Starcourt Mall, transform the buildings surrounding the lagoon. Demogorgons, Vecna, and plenty of other familiar threats from the Upside Down also make appearances as the story moves through some of the biggest moments from the series.
One of the best parts is how well the music ties everything together. Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins blends the show’s score with classic ’80s tracks, creating something that feels less like a simple recap and more like a celebration of everything that has made Stranger Things such a huge part of pop culture. The finale brings everything home with the unmistakable Stranger Things title sequence.
The show runs right around 11 minutes long, and yes, Universal, we see what you did there. Between the runtime, music, visuals, and callbacks packed throughout the show, we think Stranger Things fans are going to absolutely love this one. It is also an easy addition to an HHN night when your feet need a break from running between haunted houses and scare zones.
Related: Our Complete Halloween Horror Nights 35 Review
We have our full video of Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins up on YouTube, and you can watch the entire show embedded above. If you are heading to Halloween Horror Nights 35, make some room in the schedule for a trip back to Hawkins. And if HHN 35 has you ready to plan your own Universal Orlando getaway, our partners at Get Away Today can help get your trip to the Upside Down on the books.
