Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights: 2022 overview

Let the scares begin!

Via Universal Studios Instagram

It’s that time of the year again, spooky season, and Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is back with more frights and scares. From new mazes, scare zones, themed drinks and food items, here is an overview and guide for the event.

This year, Universal Studios showcased eight different haunted mazes and the Terror Tram.

Via Universal Studios

The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare

The Weeknd maze is in tribute to the popular singer/songwriter The Weeknd. The maze follows a story in relation to the Weeknd songs. “Blinding Lights” begins to play as you enter the section of the terrifying Mirror Maze. From slashers to disfigured faces and grim creatures, you will feel like you’re stuck in a nightmare. Definitely a must-see for the Weeknd fans.

Halloween

The iconic Halloween is back. The Halloween maze featured the merciless Michael Myers and his brutal killing spree. You enter the house where it all begins and watch as he murders his victims, while also scaring you in the process.

The Horrors of Blumhouse

The Horrors of Blumhouse featured the serial killer in the Blumhouse film, “Freaky” and the Grabber from “The Black Phone.” Upon entering the maze, you walk through different sections that depicted scenes from the two movies. The scarers look realistic to the films, making it an immersive experience.

Universal Monsters: Legends Collide

The Universal Monsters maze brought back three of the classic monsters: Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Mummy. The three monsters battle each other to break their curse.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Much like the 1988 movie, these clowns are out to get you and turn you into their next meal. These terrifying murderous clowns watch your every move as you enter the maze filled with bright lights and neon colors. It is most definitely not like any other funhouse you have been to.

La Llorona: The Weeping Woman

Everyone’s childhood myth nightmare, La Llorona comes to life in this haunting maze. It follows the horrific tale of the drowning of her children and you hear her terrifying weeping throughout the maze. Aside from the actual scarers, there were several animatronics which were massive and violently gruesome.

Scarecrow: The Reaping

Scarecrow takes place in an old abandoned farm that has been ravaged by vengeful scarecrows. As you enter the rusted old house, you are scared by various crow animatronics that are feeding off of old rotted corpses. If you’re an animal lover, this maze will definitely scar you.

Universal Horror Hotel

The horror hotel is a modern day hotel that has been haunted by a 1920s hotel serial killer. It follows the violent acts of the killer and waits for you to be his next victim. You will find yourself spooked by disfigured faces and headless bodies.

The Terror Tram

The terror tram takes you on a quick tram ride to the set of the studio tour, which has been turned into a terrifying scare zone. You walk through areas of clowns holding bats and noisy devices. It ends with the walkthrough in Jupiter’s Claim, which is the set from Jordan Peele’s newest film, “Nope.” As you make your way through, you are scared by the tethered people from the movie “Us,” also directed by Jordan Peele.

Aside from the frightening mazes, there are also four different scare zones throughout the park:

Clownsawz

The Clownsawz scare zone is located at the upper lot right near the main entrance, so right away you are chased down by a group of demented clowns with saws.

El Pueblo del Terror

The El Pueblo del Terror scare zone is located on the upper lot near the Super Silly Funland area. The entire area is made to look like a village filled with terrifying myths from La Llorona to El Chupacabras.

Sideshow Slaughterhouse

The Sideshow Slaughterhouse is located on the upper lot near the Kung Fu Panda ride. These monsters consisted of ghouls and horrid freaks on large stilts that towers over the whole crowd.

Death Eaters Encounter

The newest addition to the scare zones, the Death Eaters Encounter, is located on the upper lot in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Voldemort’s followers, the Death Eaters follow you around the Hogsmeade village.

Dining Options

If you are hungry, the usual dining areas are operating during this event. However, if you are looking to try something new, Universal Studios added specialty made drinks and food in theme with Horror Nights mazes.

Via Universal Studios Instagram

The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare Bar

This bar is located at the lower lot near the Jurassic Cafe. It offers a couple of food options and Weeknd themed alcoholic beverages for those 21 and over.

  • Pizza fries: fries with marinara sauce, cheese and pepperoni
  • Seasoned fries: crinkle cut fries with toppings of choice from bleu cheese, buffalo, truffle parmesan, black garlic and barbeque
  • “Out of Time”: Rum, blue curacao, lime juice, sprite and a gummy edible toad
  • “After Hours Nightmare”: Tequila, lime/peach juice, raspberry puree and a grenadine filled syringe
  • “Blinding Lights”: Vodka, sour apple liqueur, lime juice, club soda and lighted ice cubes
  • “Save Your Fears”: Stella Artois michelada and a chamoy/tajin rim

Little Cocina

Little Cocina is located at the upper lot near the La Llorona maze. It mainly offers Mexican cuisine.

  • Carne asada loaded nachos: Carne asada, jalapeno nacho cheese, salsa, onions, cilantro, pico de gallo and tortilla chips
  • Cheese tamale: Cheese filled tamale with green chilis and salsa roja
  • Beef birria tacos: Beef Birria, onions, cilantro, fried corn tortilla, red sauce and a lime wedge
  • Esquites: corn, tajin, mayonnaise and cotija cheese
  • Churro bites: bite sized cinnamon churros in a cup
  • Sugar cookies: option of skulled shaped cookie or the Halloween Horror Nights Logo

Dia de Los Muertos Bar

  • Located near Little Cocina, the Dia de Los Muertos Bar mainly serves alcoholic drinks
  • Spicy strawberry vodka margarita: Tamarind vodka, strawberry syrup, lemon juice and a tamarind straw
  • Calavera juice: Rum, cherry brandy, lime juice and mango nectar
  • Smoked margarita: Tequila, Mezcal, lime and pineapple juice
  • Muerte margarita: Tequila, grapefruit, lime juice cabernet sauvignon, lime wheel and rose botanical
  • Sugar skull punch: Vodka, blue curacao, lemon juice, grenadine and purple cotton candy
  • Frozen margaritas: Choice of lime, strawberry and mango tequila

Last day of Horror Nights is on Halloween, Oct. 31. Tickets are available and can be purchased on the Universal Studios Hollywood website. Ticket prices vary depending on each date you reserve. Different pass tiers, like the express pass are available for an enhanced experience. Upgraded tickets are available once you enter the park.