We Rank the 2024 Houses at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando

As a horror enthusiast and a frequent visitor to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, I have had my fair share of heart-pounding, blood-curdling experiences. However, the houses from this year’s event truly outdid themselves, each offering a unique blend of fear, beauty, and emotional resonance that left me utterly spellbound.

As a thrill-seeking gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the enchanting tradition that is Halloween Horror Nights. It doesn’t just conjure up the essence of Halloween; it’s a breathtaking fusion of screams, chills, artistry, drama, craftsmanship, and pure fun. At TopMob, we were fortunate enough to step into this eerie wonderland during Universal Orlando’s media preview this year. The sinister smorgasbord left us spellbound! From ghoulishly themed treats that were as terrifying as they were delectable, to an abundance of atmospheric themes, and a sea of horror enthusiasts exchanging friendship bracelets and rejoicing in their beloved genre, Halloween Horror Nights had it all. But the pièce de résistance was undeniably the Haunted Houses. Each one was a masterpiece, but we’re here to share our top picks from Universal Orlando’s 2024 Halloween Horror Nights lineup.

As a thrill-seeker and ardent fan of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, it’s no simple feat to categorize the 2024 houses from least favorite to most terrifying. Instead, I’ll rank them based on their levels of sheer awesomeness, starting with “pretty awesome” and culminating in “so awe-inspiring, words fail me.” Let’s dive in!

10. Major Sweets Candy Factory

Major Sweets Candy Factory

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

At Major Sweets Candy Factory, you’ll find a delightful terror awaits! This charming confectionery serves as a prequel to Universal Orlando’s 2022 Halloween Horror Nights House, “Sweet Revenge.” In this house, an innocent candy giveaway by Major Sweets turned kids into bloodthirsty monsters. The Major Sweets Candy Factory experience transports you back in time, showcasing a school field trip to the factory before the tragic events. As horror night’s visitors, you become the chaperones on this field trip. However, the children sample some of the sweets along the way, and the outcome is both sweet and gruesome!

This was a fun house and very gory. But I felt it could have leaned into the candy theme a little more. I was imagining something a bit more Willy Wonka-esque (and maybe a little bit more aesthetic), but instead, it was really more just GROSS. For some, that might mean a lot of fun. But for me, it wasn’t the most immersive house I visited. Still, the presence of GATS or “Guest Activated Triggers” made for some excellent surprises! And this house absolutely put some yuck in the yum of candy, in a good way. There was also some intense rattling and slamming, which gave me quite a jump.

9. Triplets of Terror

Triplets of Terror

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

As I stepped into Triplets of Terror after exploring my beloved haunted house (you can scroll down to discover its secrets), it somehow fell short in comparison. You see, this chilling tale revolves around the Barmy triplets who, on their ninth birthday, brutally murdered their entire family. Every decade, they recreate the crime, claiming more lives along the way. In 2024, they’re commemorating the grim anniversary of the murders, and they’re thirsty for fresh blood. The house was undeniably spooky, adorned with blood-splattered decorations, and the jump scares were an exhilarating experience. However, it couldn’t quite match up to my beloved haunt.

For my personal preference, the narrative didn’t stand out significantly, leaving me with a less engaging overall experience. However, I tend to lean towards homes with a touch of the fantastical rather than the ordinary. This particular one seemed more reminiscent of a horror film and possessed a very authentic ambiance, which could be ideal if that’s your preference!

8. The Museum: Deadly Exhibits

The Museum: Deadly Exhibits

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Get ready to decay! At the Museum: Fables Unveiled (not Taylor Swift’s album), a fresh exhibit has been added – the Decaying Stone. This enigmatic artifact not only affects visitors but also seems to be corrupting the museum itself, rotting it from within. To my surprise, this Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando 2024 event turned out to be a hidden gem. I’m usually not drawn to decay, molds, or plagues. However, the museum was beautifully adorned with historically significant art and decor, weaving a captivating story around the Decaying Stone across the ages, and offering an emotionally engaging journey. The level of detail was simply legendary.

Additionally, the decay was skillfully crafted to suit my preferences, unlike Major Sweets’ factory. This macabre display emphasized both its haunting beauty and palpable terror due to its dilapidation. However, it’s worth noting that the house wasn’t as spacious as some others, and it was often crowded with numerous visitors, making the atmosphere somewhat less enchanting.

Although I didn’t anticipate much from The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, it surprisingly delivered a palpable sense of urgency and suspense. The alarm bells and hurried security system announcements added to the immersive experience. To be honest, my expectations were quite low, but I was pleasantly surprised. It even reminded me of The Last of Us, featuring some fungus-like beings that seemed to have overtaken the home’s environment.

7. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

I found Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire an enjoyable haunted attraction! For me, it falls somewhere in the middle of the scare spectrum. Although it had charming nods to the original movie like the appearance of Slimer, it didn’t really frighten me that much. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though, as this house seems more focused on providing fun and nostalgia rather than instilling genuine fear. The house itself was adorable, and some of its effects, such as the falling snow, were truly impressive. It was also challenging to distinguish between animatronics and live actors, which speaks volumes about the quality of the experience. Additionally, Garraka, an ancient deity, was skillfully integrated into the attraction, making it a standout feature for me.

6. Slaughter Sinema 2

Slaughter Sinema 2

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Experiencing Slaughter Sinema 2 was far better than I anticipated for Universal Orlando’s 2024 Halloween Horror Nights! This sequel surpasses its predecessor from 2018, and it’s all about those delightfully cheesy B-movies we love so much. However, this time, the spotlight is on some genuine cinematic enjoyment instead of just the films themselves.

The truth is, B-rated movies are not preferred horror movies, either. But Slaughter Sinema 2 totally won me over; it is a cheesy, gory, good time. I just had a blast in this house, and the ideas are so, so good. Slaughter Sinema 2 hits at all the best tropes: a Western horror movie, a shark scare, killer clowns, evil machines, cannibals, aliens, mermaids, I could go on. Of course, the mummy strippers sold it. You’re still getting scared, of course, but you’re giddy to be so.

Slaughter Sinema 2 was so camp and so queer. I absolutely adored it.

5. Goblin’s Feast

A Goblin’s Feast

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Among all, A Goblin’s Feast holds a special place in my heart, though it may not be my ultimate favorite, given an objective perspective. However, the Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2024 haunted house truly resonated with me. If you have a penchant for grim fairy tales or Dungeons & Dragons, this house is tailor-made for you as well. Within its walls, goblins and orcs are seen reveling in their festivities. Yet, beware, when an orc is at the stove, you could find yourself on the menu. As an ardent supporter of orcs, I must admit that this house was nothing short of stunning, with its meticulous attention to detail in creating breathtaking fantasy landscapes. It felt as if I had stumbled upon a perilous fairy tale, the kind that captivates one’s imagination.

At the Goblin Feast, an infectious excitement filled the air; it seemed more like a joyous gathering than anything else. Moreover, the intricately designed monstrous figures were so numerous that it truly felt like we’d wandered into a Goblin Holiday celebration. As I yelled in response, I gained a deeper understanding of their culture – an enlightening experience that I found captivating.

This was my favorite thing at #HHN33! A feast for the orcs 😭🩷😈

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that the outside of Goblin Feast was simply extraordinary, transforming into a charming and compact fairy dwelling complete with a warm and inviting chimney. I found myself utterly captivated by it.

In sum, witches, goblins, and forest spirits, oh my!

4. A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

At Universal Orlando 2024’s Halloween Horror Nights, the “A Quiet Place” haunted house reenacts the tale of the initial two “A Quiet Place” films and the Abbott family. The house masterfully recreates your favorite scenes and settings from the movies in a chilling manner. What sets this apart is its ingenious design of the monsters, which are remarkably faithful to the fearsome creatures depicted in the films. Moreover, American Sign Language is tastefully interwoven throughout the house, ensuring it’s accurately portrayed.

The most exceptional feature of the house was its ability to pose a question that “A Quiet Place” leaves us pondering – could I remain silent? In this house, silence reigned supreme, as everyone aimed to avoid being the one who would fail in the movie. Interestingly, I managed to maintain my silence throughout. This self-imposed test certainly heightened the tension and made the experience more authentic. Consequently, “A Quiet Place” ranks highly among my preferences for Universal Orlando’s 2024 Halloween Horror Nights House offerings.

3. Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America

Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Oh my, monstrosities! Monstruos is an extraordinary Halloween Horror Nights maze, brimming with three chilling legends from Latin America: Tlahuelpuchi, a bloodthirsty witch; La Lechuza, a shape-shifting owl witch; and El Silbón, a lost soul in torment. Death serves as our tour guide. This maze was gruesome, to put it mildly, with gore at every corner. Yet, it was marvelous. Different areas evoked fear, sadness, and beauty. Enchanting music echoed your shrieks throughout. The creatures were terrifyingly beautiful to witness. It was a visual horror show, exactly what I crave from haunted houses. The dreamlike quality of Monstruos makes it a Halloween Horror Nights maze I’d long to revisit again and again.

2. Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines

Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

Title Transformation: “Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines – A Hauntingly Queer Adventure!

One unforgettable sight from my Halloween Horror Nights 2024 experience was a haunted cathedral shrouded in snow. This striking gothic edifice, with its enchanting deterioration and awe-inspiring monsters, remains etched in my memory as one of the top houses I visited.

1. Insisidous

Insisidous

— Rotem Rusak 🔜 NYCC (@Moondancer1626) September 18, 2024

In “Insidious: The Further,” the experience was profound and impactful. Many of the houses depicted were spooky, playful, entertaining, and aesthetically pleasing, but “Insidious” stood out for its emotional depth. It struck a chord. As you journeyed through the film, it seemed as if the eerie elements were locked within you. And this doesn’t mean that it wasn’t frightening. In fact, all of the terrifying creatures from “Insidious” made an appearance to give you a heart-stopping scare. The Long-haired Fiend, The Bride in Black, The Lipstick Face Demon, and more were all present and truly terrifying. I can’t remember ever screaming so much in such a brief span of time. However, there was something about this haunted house that felt profoundly moving.

The atmosphere of the house seemed to hold a captivating tale waiting to unfold at every corner. In one particular room, the recognizable fairy lights from “Insidious” adorned the bed, illuminating the darkness slightly. This detail struck a chord within me. Indeed, the memory of “Insidious” lingered in my mind throughout the night, even though it was the initial house I explored. Consequently, it holds the number one spot on my Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando house rankings.

2024-09-19 19:03