I BRAVED UNIVERSAL'S HORROR NIGHT AND LIVED TO TELL

‘Every night, I’ll jump,’ John Murdy tells me, as I stand outside one of the eight haunted houses at Universal Studios, Hollywood.

The launch of Halloween Horror Nights is almost upon us, and even John, the event’s creative director and executive producer of 20 years, is scared.

Every year, Universal Studios transforms for spooky season. The park closes early to regular guests, and as night falls, the monsters come out to play.

From 7pm to 1am (2am on weekends), it’s nothing short of a horror-fest. There are murderous clowns and huge skeletons to dodge, and thrill-seekers can explore eight terrifying haunted houses, as well as the iconic Terror Tram.

The houses, each themed on some of the biggest names in horror – plus some of Universal’s own creations – are known for their elaborate theming, costumes and realistic scare actors who seem to just stop short of actually hacking away at you with a chainsaw.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights — which also takes place in Orlando, Florida — is considered one of the scariest events in the world. While, of course, it’s all theatre, there have been reports of guests fainting or being so terrified, that the houses have to be temporarily paused.

For some thrill-seekers, a night being perpetually afraid is heaven dressed up as hell. But the truth is, I’ve never liked horror films.

I was just 10-years-old when I was too embarrassed to tell my friends that no, I didn’t want to watch Scream. Even now, that ghoulish mask makes me shudder.

Just prepping for this event has been an endurance test, watching horror films on the Tube was the only way I could get through them (getting nervous side-eyes from the passengers sat next to me), as I obviously couldn’t watch them home alone in the evenings.

So, by the time I walked into Universal Studios, my heart was racing. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or run for the Hollywood Hills.

At one point, as I walked through the park, I saw a fellow guest grab her friend and, with fear in her eyes, yell: ‘Run’. You never know quite what is going to befall you at any point.

While it’s fair to say I spent the night on edge, I somehow endured every single one of the haunted houses, and lived to tell the tale.

Here’s my full round up — and the unique experience not to be missed.

The Haunted Houses

Monstruos 3

Based on Latin American folklore, the series focuses on three monsters and as Universal says: ‘One wails. One bites. One beguiles.’ As you move through a grand mansion, bloody dismembered bodies are scattered at your feet, and ghoulish creatures jump out when you least expect it.

Perhaps the most chilling section is when you stumble upon La Llorona, the scorned woman who drowned her children. As she wails with remorse in the corner, you pass by the bodies of her dead offspring floating in the water.

If you grew up with these ghost stories – or if the supernatural is what gets your spine tingling – this will be the house for you.

Scarecrow

Forget The Wizard Of Oz, we all know scarecrows are creepy, and this house – soundtracked by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash – certainly proves that.

You walk into a farm where scarecrows are taking revenge on those who’ve harvested their land. While there’s a fair few gruesome dead bodies lurking around (it’s not every day you see a farmer impaled by corn lying on the kitchen table), it’s the scarecrows that do the heavy lifting.

As you walk through the house, you’re not sure what’s a dummy and who’s a real person waiting to pounce. There’s also a particularly disturbing moment involving a slaughterhouse and a very aggressive pig…

Five Nights At Freddy’s

Probably the most hotly anticipated house for this year, Freddy’s is based on the 2023 film by Blumhouse (the horror production company). At one point, I spotted a staggering queue-time of 180 minutes – and it only climbed higher as the night wore on.

The film itself is all kinds of creepy: the souls of missing children have been captured by a serial killer and turned into giant animatronic toys that live in an abandoned Chuck-E-Cheese-style restaurant.

The haunted house feels like walking into the 80s diner, and the attention to detail – from the arcade to the kitchen – is impressive.

This house isn’t particularly scary, perhaps because the animatronics move so slowly that you can almost anticipate the scares coming. But terrifying or not, Freddy’s fans will love it.

Fallout

I’ll admit, I watched two episodes of Fallout then gave up, so this house was never going to come top for me. In post-apocalyptic LA we follow protagonist Lucy, who sheltered from the Great War of 2077 in Vault 33, as she emerges from her bunker into a new world.

This house is more about the set-pieces than the scares. You feel like you’ve walked straight into the Amazon series – and fans should watch out for nods as to what might be to come in season two.

While I don’t think it delivered on scares, it’s a faithful recreation of the show. There’s also a massive bear puppet at the end that’ll stop you in your tracks (or have you running for the exit).

Terrifier

There’s nothing scarier than a clown. So of all the houses, I was most nervous to walk through a hellscape with Art, the murderous clown, lurking in the shadows. Plus, John Murdy himself told me this house is home to his favourite scare – so you know you’re in for a heart-stopper.

While it’s based on the Funhouse from the second movie, you’ll spot kills from the entire trilogy. The most gruesome has to be the murder from the first film, when poor Dawn is suspended upside down and cut in half.

There’s also a scene where Art, dressed as Santa Claus, jumps out from nowhere. I’ll never look at that big red suit in the same way again.

Terrifier is an assault on the senses. ‘Bleach’ and ‘blood’ spray you in the face, and then there’s the positively disgusting bathroom scene, where you walk past dead people, caught out midway through their ablutions. There’s ‘poop’ smeared on the walls – and they even pump in a scent…

Jason Universe

A word of warning: this is one that will keep you up at night.

Horror villain Jason Voorhees from the Friday The 13th movies is coming to get you, and he’s nothing if not determined. As you walk through the house, fans will delight in the kind of gruesome ‘kills’ we’ve seen in the 12 movies – including beheadings, an electrocution and a rather inventive bow and arrow moment.

There is no time to relax with Jason on the loose, you’re getting shrieked at from every angle – and just when you think you’re safe… you’re not. At one point I cowered on the floor in fear.

A house not to be missed.

Poltergeist

Based on the 1982 cult classic, you walk into the Freeling family’s home to find little Carol Anne on her knees in front of the TV, about to exclaim the ominous line: ‘They’re here.’ Despite it not feeling as high-tech as the other houses, the 80s vibe seems to add to the creepiness.

John Murdy actually used his own daughter’s voice for Carol Anne, as the original actor, Heather O’Rourke, tragically died at 12 years old in 1988.

‘When I was doing it originally I couldn’t use Carol Anne’s voice and I was thinking where am I going to find a five year old girl who can do this,’ he said. ‘Then I realised I had one.’

A particularly horrific jump-scare comes when you walk into the bathroom to see poor Marty the investigator peeling the skin off his own face. You think it’s an animatronic, until the scare actor reveals his disgusting half-face.

Walking through a hallway of coffins – not knowing which skeleton is going to attack you –is terrifying.

The Horrors Of The Wyatt Sicks

The Wyatt Sicks are a creepy group of wrestling villains in WWE. Created to honour the late wrestler Bray Wyatt, they’re a team of five sinister characters, with the sixth member being Bray’s memory.

It’s an original horror story, but honestly, I didn’t know what was going on. Although, when there’s a massive monster with horns jumping out at you with a bat, does it really matter?

The wait times were pretty low for this one – and it’s not too scary – so could be a good starter house for those who need some warming up.

Terror Tram: Enter The Blumhouse

The Terror Tram celebrates 15 years of Blumhouse’s most memorable villains. It’s a version of the backlot Studio Tour, but at night.

You’ll walk past the Bates Motel and the real Psycho house. You’ll also meet M3Gan and Grabber from The Black Phone and be forced along a path lined with killers from The Purge movies.

At one point I seemed to be pinballing between masked murderers with chainsaws, bats and knives, who were relentless in their pursuit.

Rumour has it that the scare actors in LA are more ruthless than those in Orlando – and after racing around the backlot, screaming, I can see why.

Buy a one day Universal Studios Hollywood ticket and get a second day free with attractiontickets.com. Prices from £82 per adult and £78 per child based on autumn/winter 2025 arrivals. The second day can be used any time within a week of the first.

Tickets to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood cost from £62 per person. Tickets give one night admission and are date specific. Book at attractiontickets.com.

For more information on Los Angeles, see discoverlosangeles.com

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2025-10-13T06:11:15Z