Halloween Horror Nights 2025: Terrifier, FNAF & Friday the 13th Stars on Best Kills, Horror Icons & What’s Next
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Hollywood truly brought out the creativity. We headed to opening night to celebrate one of the best horror events in the country — and yes, I mean it, its only real competition is the Orlando counterpart. Kicking things off on the iconic red carpet, we spoke with horror legends, both past and present, before diving into the event’s top mazes.
Table Of Content
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Five Nights at Freddy’s
This was hands-down one of the most accurate and immersive mazes I have seen. The animatronics were top-tier, and the design captured the eerie charm of the games perfectly. While I would’ve liked both animatronics to be on stage at the beginning like in Orlando, the atmosphere more than made up for it. And as a pizza lover, the subtle aroma throughout was a perfect extra detail.
We also caught up with Kellen Goff — the voice behind Foxy in the FNAF maze at Universal Studios — who nailed the character’s iconic “Diddleedum” lines. Having voiced multiple versions of Freddy Fazbear and other beloved characters over the years, Goff shared what it means to see the FNAF universe brought to life, how his career has grown alongside the beloved franchise, and what it means to portray a character that so many now associate with him.
Terrifier
One of the most intense and unforgettable mazes Horror Nights has ever delivered. The world of Art the Clown was gruesome, immersive, and stayed true to the twisted tone of the films. You could practically smell and taste the horror.
David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown, talked with us about what it means to see Terrifier now standing alongside icons like Jason, Freddy, and Michael Myers. Not for the faint of heart — but a must for die-hard horror fans. We also spoke with Krsy Fox, Alexa Blair Robertson, Chris Jericho, Amelie McLain, Elliot Fullam, and Antonella Rose who shared their favorite Terrifier kills and revealed how they would defeat the immortal Art the Clown.
Friday the 13th
It’s not Halloween Horror Nights without a legacy horror icon making an appearance. We’ve had Michael Myers, Chucky, and now Jason Voorhees. The Jason Universe maze was a strong contender for our top three— from the gore to the jump scares, it stayed true to Jason Voorhees’ brutal legacy.
We also interviewed Russell Todd, one of the original Friday the 13th stars, who reflected on Jason’s continued relevance and the joy of seeing new generations embrace the franchise, as well as his excitement to see Terrifier’s Art the Clown make his mark as a horror icon.
The Black Phone
It wouldn’t be Horror Nights without a little Blumhouse magic—and The Black Phone absolutely delivered. I have to say, it was my favorite part of the Terror Tram, which also included Insidious, The Exorcist, and M3GAN. The way it leaned into psychological horror made it genuinely chilling and immersive. Adding to the excitement, we got a new trailer for The Black Phone 2 right before the event—perfect timing as we spoke with the cast on the HHN carpet!
I had the chance to chat with Violet and Madeline McGraw again, as well as Ariana Rivas, and hearing them tease what’s next for The Grabber was thrilling—especially with the story taking a more supernatural turn.
Monstruos 3
Terrifying, well-designed, and packed with relentless jump scares—Monstruos truly delivered. The visuals were cinematic, the pacing was tight, and the gore was turned all the way up. It was a sleeper hit that absolutely lived up to the hype. For me, it was a tough call between Monstruos and the Jason Universe maze for my third favorite—both were furious, intense, and genuinely scary.
Behind the Screams: John Murdy on Crafting Horror Nights
We also couldn’t resist catching up with John Murdy — the mastermind behind so much of what makes Halloween Horror Nights what it is today. Since 2006, John has been leading the creative charge, building experiences that fans won’t forget.
We asked what it really takes to pick the perfect maze and keep things fresh for returning fans. Murdy was candid, explaining that it is a year-round job. They live and breathe horror — that’s how they are able to create the kind of experience people expect and deserve.
Dates & Event Info
Halloween Horror Nights runs on the following dates in 2025:
September: 5–7, 11–14, 18–21, 25–28
October: 2–5, 8–12, 15–19, 22–26, 29–31
November: 1–2
Official Site
Full Lineup of Mazes and Attractions:
- Fallout – Based on Prime Video’s post-apocalyptic series.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s – Blumhouse’s animatronic nightmare comes alive.
- Terrifier – Art the Clown’s twisted world in full force.
- WWE Presents: The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks – Featuring Uncle Howdy and honoring Bray Wyatt.
- Jason Universe – The Friday the 13th icon returns.
- Poltergeist – Enter the light in this supernatural maze from Amazon MGM Studios.
- Scarecrow: Music by SLASH – Mother Nature takes bloody revenge, set to an original SLASH score.
- Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America – Final chapter of the Latin American legend series.
- Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse – Step off the tram and into Blumhouse’s most iconic horrors.
- The Purge: Dangerous Waters – A live stunt show full of chaos and fire.
- Chainsaw Man: The Chaos – Based on the hit anime and manga, an original Halloween Horror Nights short.
- Scare Zones:
- Chainsaw Clownz
- Carnival of Carnage
- Noche de Brujas
- Murder of Crowz
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Tickets & Passes
A variety of ticket options are available:
Purchase Tickets Here
- General Admission
- Universal Express
- Universal Express Unlimited
- Frequent Fear Pass (select nights only)
- Ultimate Fear Pass (no blackout dates)
- After 2 PM Day/Night Combo
- Early Access Ticket (entry at 5:30 p.m.; sold separately)
- R.I.P. Tour (VIP guided tour + dinner)
- Pass Member Special Pricing (select nights for Platinum Pass Members)
