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Horror Nights Flop: Universal Guests Blast New Lineup, “It’s Not Horror”

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Posted on by Chloe James
A group of people are screaming in delight as they pose for a selfie at Halloween Horror Nights in a haunted house. The setting is filled with eerie lights, creepy dolls, and costumed performers in suspenseful clown and circus-themed attire, intensifying the spooky atmosphere.

Credit: Universal Studios Japan

The lineup for one version of Halloween Horror Nights hasn’t impressed theme park fans.

For diehard parkgoers, Halloween is arguably the best time of year. The majority of locations across the U.S. and beyond celebrate spooky in some way, whether that’s with ride overlays, haunted houses, or fittingly ghoulish snacks.

Universal Studios Florida archway during Halloween Horror Nights
Credit: Universal

The main Halloween events for theme park junkies are Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (Walt Disney World Resort), Oogie Boogie Bash (Disneyland Resort), and Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood). If it’s a thrill you’re after, however, the latter is undeniably the top choice, having established itself as the king of scares.

This year, guests will be able to enjoy houses inspired by the newly released movie A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), as well as original houses such as Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America and Dead Exposure: Death Valley.

The Library Ghost in the 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' trailer
Credit: Sony Pictures

Further afield, however, the lineup is a little bit less exciting. At Universal Studios Japan (where the event takes place during regular park hours and is not ticketed), Halloween Horror Nights will run from September 6 through November 6, 2024.

This year, guests can enjoy Chucky’s Carnival of Chaos, a “terrifying, grotesque horror” experience created exclusively for guests 15 and over. Other experiences include Hami-Kuma’s Shout It Out Party, Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D, and Biohazard: Night of Heroes (the latter of which requires a Timed Entry eTicket).

Chucky, the sinister doll with a cracked face and wild eyes wears a top hat. It holds a large, blood-stained knife reflecting a terrified person's face. The background shows ragged tent-like structures and balloons, with an illuminated "R-15" sign, evoking the eerie atmosphere of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan.
Credit: Universal Studios Japan

Meanwhile, the park will be flooded with zombies (which, judging from videos of past years, are genuinely terrifying). The rest of its entertainment will be considerably lighter, inspired by Pokémon, Despicable Me, Minions, Hello Kitty, and more.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – which is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary at Universal Studios Japan – will also welcome Death Eaters into the fold, who will prowl through the land to scare guests.

Not everybody is impressed by this selection. As per USJ 1, this year’s Halloween Horror Nights lineup comes with shortened park hours and fewer scary offerings.

An ominous scene featuring a hooded figure with a silver mask prominently holding a wand. Under the dark, stormy sky and eerie, castle-like structures, hands with wands appear in the foreground, suggesting a magical confrontation is taking place. The scene is inspired by Death Eaters from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan. Perfect for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan 2024.
Credit: Universal Studios Japan

Others have complained that it’s just not scary enough. “I wish they would add more horror attractions like they did a few years ago,” said @takagoal2002 on X (formerly known as Twitter) in a post originally written in Japanese. “It’s advertised as a horror night, but it’s not horror at all.”

A huge issue for many fans is that Biohazard: Night of Heroes will only be offered from 6 p.m., with the park closing at 8 p.m. That gives guests only two hours to experience the attraction – and because it requires a Timed Entry eTicket, it’ll likely be tougher than ever to secure entry.

Then there’s the fact that there’s only actually three horror offerings, despite “horror” being a key part of the event. “This year’s Horror Night has too few horror attractions, Chucky, Biohazard, and Chainsaw Man,” complained @ba_ro_kun.

“Only three… Chucky is the same as last year… I hope they put in more effort like they did this time. I can’t cut through them all in one day! Which one should I start with? I wonder if I’ll ever get the excitement I felt back then…”

In the past, the park has also offered experiences inspired by horror franchises such as Insidious, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th.

Do you plan on attending any Halloween theme park events this year?

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