Welcome back to Halloween Horror Nights, ghouls and ghosts! Spooky season is here, and that means it’s time to step back into the fog. This year’s event returns with a full lineup of thrilling entertainment: eight haunted houses, two stunning shows, the Terror Tram and, last but not least, four scare zones.
While it may be tempting to head straight for your favorite haunted house, don’t sleep on the scare zones. These areas give me all the things I love about HHN: fun and interesting scares, incredible photo ops, and new storytelling in some of my favorite areas of the park — including the iconic flame tower! Each scare zone is its own unique avenue of horror, and we have you covered with a complete guide to the HHN 2024 scare zones at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Looking for the full HHN lineup for Hollywood? Check it out right here.
CHAINSAW PUNKZ
This is the introduction to horror for guests and the first scare zone inside the theme park. As you enter the gates, you are greeted by hordes of chainsaw-wielding performers that have their sights set on you. These stylish punks usher you down Production Plaza with roars of chainsaws. Take some extra time to check out the detail on each performer’s mask. Each “Punk” has a special message on them. My favorite was “I’m So Sorry” – no apology necessary if I can get out of the zone in one piece!
“A tradition here in Halloween Horror Nights, we always start and end the night with our chainsaw performers,” says John Murdy, creative director and executive producer of HHN at Universal Studios Hollywood — a.k.a., the Host of Horror. About a half-hour before closing, the Chainsaw Punkz begin what John calls “Chainsaw Chase-Out.” He goes on to explain, “We bring all the chainsaw performers out, and we line the street that our guests have to use to exit the park — so they literally have no choice but to walk through this brigade of chainsaw performers.” We hope you brought your sneakers!
SKULL LORDZ
Next, you are cordially invited to the flame towers for “Skull Lordz.” In this scare zone, which is located in the New York Street area of the Upper Lot, scareactors are completely decked out in gothic fashion. “It’s basically like a Royal Court of the Dead,” says John. The area is ruled by kings and queens who see over the ghosts of their realm.
This scare zone is unique among the others because it includes an entertainment element. It’s home to the one and only “Scaremony” (say it out loud), which routinely occurs throughout the event each night. Audiences can pay homage to the Royal Court at the flame towers in this minute-long show, where stilt-walking performers entertain, culminating in — no spoilers! — what John calls “a big scare moment.”
Careful, it may be so inviting in Skull Lordz that you’re tempted to stay forever…
MURDER OF CROWZ
Towering performers don’t end in “Skull Lordz.” As you continue through the Upper Lot, you will find yourself inside a “Murder of Crowz.” Guests may remember this fan favorite from year’s past but of course, we had to dial up the terror. What’s new to love this year? A whole family of crows, of course!
“We’ve been slowly building our family of…I can’t even call them stilt walkers ‘cause they’re bigger than stilt walkers,” says John. “They’re like twelve feet tall. They are in these special costumes we make where the performer has control of the head and the hands, but they’re actually looking out the chest of this creature because it’s so big.”
The murder began with just one crow a few years ago, which John and his team call the “dad” crow. From there, they’ve added a grandpa crow, a son crow, and this year, a mama crow and baby crow. This family flock has settled and made their home at HHN, nesting their precious baby Crow just outside Cocina Mexicana in the middle of the plaza. But beware: mom, dad, and grandpa crow keep a very close eye on their precious baby crow.
PRO TIP: Be sure to check out the original “Murder of Crowz” merchandise available in select retail locations.
LUCHADORES MONSTRUOSOS
Right when you think you have survived “Monstrous 2: The Nightmares of Latin America,” you enter a scare zone, “Luchadores Montruosos,” which is a luchador death match on French Street on the Upper Lot. HHN has long celebrated Latin American horror and this year is no different.
Blending lucha libre (a unique form of wrestling popular in Mexico) and luchador cinema (a style prominent in the ‘60s and ‘70s), “Luchadores Monstruosos” is a beautiful dedication to this theatrical style of wrestling. John shared some of the development strategy for this scare zone. “We spend hours and hours researching the subject and then we meet with our internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to make sure everything we’re doing is authentic and appropriate,” he says. The costumes for this zone were sourced directly from luchador costumers in Mexico.
The style, John says, “usually featured famous wrestlers fighting monsters, so we’re doing monster wrestlers. It’s such an unusual idea for a scare zone theme but even during rehearsals with the cast, you can see it coming to life and it was really exciting.”
Still looking for more? How about exclusive luchador posters designed by artist Lucas Culshaw! There are seven to check out during your “match” and a great way to show your support for your champion.
Ready to step into the fog? Grab your tickets to Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood right here.