The complete and final line-up for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 in California

Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is not just a simple Halloween event; it's a true institution that sets the standard for immersive horror in Southern California. For its 34th edition, the park once again transforms into a world where the biggest names in horror and Universal's original creations come to life. With dates spanning from September 4 to November 2, 2025, on select nights, HHN promises a terrifying and unforgettable experience. This year's general theme revolves around a dark and gothic aesthetic, with the slogan "Terrifying at Every Turn" setting the tone for a night where horror knows no respite.

The event requires a separate admission ticket, with prices varying depending on the date. General admission tickets start around $77, but options are available to enhance your evening, such as the $10 early access ticket which allows you to enter sooner. For die-hard fans, there are also Frequent Fear Passes and Ultimate Fear Passes offering multiple access over several nights, which is ideal for those who want to explore every corner of this nightmare world.

Haunted Houses: Horror Icons Come to Life

Haunted houses are undoubtedly the beating heart of Halloween Horror Nights. In 2025, Universal Studios Hollywood has confirmed a full selection of eight houses, combining cult franchises with original concepts. The diversity of themes is a major strength of this edition, and the final lineup promises to be one of the strongest in the park's history.

• Five Nights at Freddy's: Highly anticipated by fans, this house plunges you into Freddy Fazbear's famous pizzeria, where animatronics from Jim Henson's Creature Shop will relentlessly hunt you. It's an opportunity to experience the video game's fear in a hyper-realistic setting, located at Soundstage 15.
• Terrifier: A bloody nightmare will take shape with the arrival of Art the Clown. Visitors will find themselves in the heart of a carnage literally dripping with terror and gore, a must-see for fans of extreme horror films.
• Fallout: Inspired by the successful TV series, this new house will transport you to a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. You'll have to flee irradiated ruins, confront the formidable bounty hunter The Ghoul, and even encounter Maximus and the Brotherhood of Steel.
• Jason Universe: The famous hockey-masked killer is back for a new house that will plunge you into his world of terror. You'll explore his sinister cabin in the woods and the summer camp where it all began. The house is under construction in The Mummy area.
• The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks: In this house, wrestling meets horror in a terrifying tribute to wrestling star Bray Wyatt. Visitors will be drawn by The Wyatt Sicks wrestling team through a portal to their dark and macabre realm.
• Poltergeist: This is this year's big surprise. The return of one of the most iconic horror films of all time. Malevolent spirits will lure you into a surreal landscape, where the "Beast"'s rage and Carol Anne's torments will send shivers down your spine.
• Scarecrow: Music by Slash: An unprecedented collaboration with legendary Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash, who composed original music for this house. The story takes you to an abandoned Depression-era farm where scarecrows take revenge on those who destroyed their lands. The impressive facade is under construction near stage 15.
• Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America: The house is under construction in the Parisian Court and focuses on three spectral legends from Latin America: La Llorona, La Muelona, and La Siguanaba. These mythical and terrifying creatures await you in the darkness, paying homage to age-old myths.

Scare Zones: Open-Air Fear

Scare zones transform the park's streets into true nightmare territories. Creatures of darkness lurk and await you where you least expect them. The lineup is now fully known.

• Chainsaw Clownz: Clowns, chainsaws, a terror that won't surprise anyone, but will certainly work. Expect to see this zone at the park's main entrance for a... memorable welcome.
• Carnival of Carnage: Bloodthirsty "carnies" roam the streets, turning you into their next attraction. This zone, associated with Chainsaw Clownz, promises a twisted carnival atmosphere.
• Noche de Brujas: This zone, located near the exit of the Monstruos 3 house, will continue the theme of Latin American myths and legends, extending the horror into the streets.
• Murder of Crows: A fan favorite makes its grand return. Crow-like creatures take over the streets, creating an aerial and unsettling horror atmosphere.

Shows: A Welcome Break from the Horror

The show lineup has also been confirmed, offering live entertainment for those who want a break from the haunted houses. The main show for 2025 will be The Purge: Dangerous Waters. It's an explosive, fiery stunt show that will take place in the WaterWorld theater, immersing visitors in the chaotic universe of The Purge with terrifying intensity.

Terror Tram 2025: A Ride Gone Wrong

The Terror Tram is a signature attraction exclusive to Universal Hollywood. For the 2025 edition, the theme is "Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse". This tram ride will take you through the iconic studio sets, but the experience will be far from tranquil. The most terrifying villains from the past 15 years of Blumhouse films will take control of the ride. Prepare to confront terrifying characters like The Grabber and a lifelike M3GAN. The tram will pass through iconic studio locations, including the Bates Motel sets and the Psycho house, transforming these cinematic sites into a true theater of horror.

Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse into the Creation of Fear

The construction video shared by theFUNnelCakeBlog shows that preparations for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 are well underway. You can see the facades of several haunted houses being assembled. The video gives us a glimpse into the gigantic efforts made to bring the houses' universes to life, showing the Scarecrow facade, constructions for Jason Universe inside The Mummy queue, and the location of Fallout on the upper lot. The official Instagram announcement validates the entire lineup, demonstrating the scale and attention to detail of the event.

HHN vs. Knott's Scary Farm, the Horror Matchup

Halloween Horror Nights is an unparalleled experience in California, but the competition is fierce. To complete your Halloween journey, a visit to Knott's Scary Farm is essential. Here's a brief list of things to know to help you choose between the two or, ideally, plan both!

• Knott's Scary Farm: It's the oldest and largest Halloween event in the region. The 2025 edition runs from September 18 to November 1. Knott's is renowned for its more "Halloween" approach and less focus on movie licenses. It often offers more haunted houses and scare zones, and most notably, its world-class roller coasters operate in the dark. Tickets are often slightly cheaper, and options like the "Boo-fet" provide early access to some houses.
• Halloween Horror Nights: At Universal, theme and production are key. The event is more focused on cinematic horror, with unparalleled quality sets and actors, and the houses are based on cult films and series. The atmosphere is more of a "horror party" with music and lights, which differs from Knott's darker, more organic vibe.

The choice depends on your preferences: do you want to experience the horror of your favorite movies, or explore a world of terror designed from scratch? In any case, one thing is certain: autumn 2025 in California promises to be terrifying.