Halloween Horror Nights is creeping closer, and the announcement season has officially wrapped. The full lineup for HHN Hollywood is now confirmed: 8 mazes, 4 scare zones, the Terror Tram, and one action show. It’s the familiar mix we know and (most of us) love.
The final maze reveal is one I’m especially excited for: Poltergeist. Universal last tackled this property about six years ago, and although I didn’t get to experience it, I remember how much fans raved about it. I’m hoping this year’s version turns out to be a sleeper hit among the houses.
Alongside Poltergeist, we also got the Terror Tram announcement. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the facade under construction, it won’t be a surprise—Blumhouse is back in control. Blumhouse has always had a big presence at HHN, but this is the first reveal that left me a little underwhelmed. I was really rooting for Killer Klowns from Outer Space or a return to original content. Last year’s Blumhouse takeover of the Tram felt a bit uninspired to me, so here’s hoping they’ve found a way to breathe new life into it.
Universal also revealed the four scare zones and confirmed the return of the Purge: Dangerous Waters show. I genuinely enjoy the Purge show, but I do think it’s due for some fresh twists. That said, a stunt show in the WaterWorld venue is a must, and it still delivers on spectacle.
As for the scare zones, here’s the lineup:
Chainsaw Clownz – Clowns. Chainsaws. No surprises here, and likely posted up at the main entrance.
Carnival of Carnage – Carnivorous carnies on the prowl; personally, I think this and Chainsaw Clownz will work as one bigger scare zone.
Noche de Brujas – Positioned at the exit of the Latin American house to keep the theming consistent.
Murder of Crows – A returning fan favorite, bringing ominous avian horror back to the park.
My main gripe with the scare zones every year is that they’re all clustered near the front of the park. The rest of HHN feels empty by comparison. I get that space and crowd flow are factors, but I’d love to see at least one zone at the bottom of the escalators or even something roaming through Hogsmeade.
Overall, there’s plenty to be excited about this year. A few houses have serious creative potential if executed well, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. HHN 2025 might just surprise us in the best ways.
