Sneak Peek At Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights 2018

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – Universal Studios readily admits it brought together "the sickest minds in horror" to create this year's “Halloween Horror Nights,” the nighttime fear-fest that runs Sept. 14 through Nov. 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Amusement-park guests will be immersed "in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror inspired by TV and film’s most compelling horror properties," which, in 2018, includes eight haunted mazes, five new "scare" zones and the return of "Hollywood Harry," the "serial killer clown" as host of the Terror Tram.

And for those who want the willies scared out of them -- heads up! -- tickets are on sale.

According to Universal, this year's ghoulish maze line-up (video clips below) includes:

• "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers," based on the film from Trancas International Films.

"Based on the fourth installment in the classic slasher series created by John Carpenter, the mazes will transport guests to the suburban town of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night where Myers has escaped Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and is hungry for revenge."

• “Stranger Things,” based on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed television series.

"The parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down, that terrorized the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in 'Stranger Things,' will bring the chittering, predatory Demogorgon to 'Halloween Horror Nights' to stalk unwitting guests as they encounter iconic scenes, characters and environments from the mesmerizing series."

• "Poltergeist," inspired by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures’ iconic supernatural film.

"From the underground graveyard to ghostly apparitions, guests will come face to face with infamous scenes from the film, including the iconic flickering TV screen, menacing Beast from beyond and pool filled with floating corpses. As guests cross into the ‘light,’ they will find themselves surrounded by a surreal landscape of vanishing walls, floating furniture and a creepy clown with a menacing smile. In a rush against time, guests will be forced to make it back to the world of the living or forever be trapped…"

• “The First Purge,” based on Universal Picture’s thriller;

“'The First Purge' maze will reimagine the movie’s premise, greeting guests with pure unadulterated fear as it brings to life the turmoil spawned by vigilantes. ... Guests will be at the mercy of luck and speed as they attempt to outsmart and outlive the anarchy."

Also upping the fright factor at "Halloween Horror Nights" will be the “Terror Tram: Hollywood Harry’s Dreadtime Storiez,” where attendees journey through five demented tales, featuring vicious dog-faced men, inbred cannibals, creepy clowns, sadistic scarecrows and a torture factory where nightmares come to life.

Terror Tram guests also can walk along a studio area, where such sets as the Psycho House and the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller and Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, are located.

The Jabbawockeez award-winning hip hop dance crew also will return with a new, high-energy performance created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights,” according to studio officials.

Dates for “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood are: Sept. 14-15, 20-22, 27-30, Oct. 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28, 31, and Nov. 1-3, 2018.

Offered this year is a new "R.I.P. Tour" where groups of up to 12 can scare in style with exclusive experiences, a VIP guide, trolley transportation, valet parking, a gourmet buffet dinner and drinks, plus unlimited Universal Express privileges to mazes and attractions.

And for those who enjoy calm days and scary nights: the "After 2 p.m. Day/Night Combo Experience," which includes such daytime attractions as “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™,” and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” on studio tours with the option to stay on for the terror that awaits at “Halloween Horror Nights.”

Advance ticket purchase is recommended as event nights will sell out, including the R.I.P. Tour and the After 2pm Day/Night Combo Ticket, according to park management.

Visit Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com for more details on tickets and passes.

To stay up-to-date on more mayhem planned for “Halloween Horror Nights,” follow on Facebook.

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Coaster Campout 2018: Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
• 9th Annual Lobster Fest 2018: Doheny State Beach, Dana Point
• 4th Annual California Hot Sauce Expo 2018: Anaheim
• Brick Fest Live LEGO® Fan Experience 2018: Pasadena
• Opening Day - LA County Fair 2018: Fairplex, Pomona
• Annual Chili Cook-Off & Carnival, Labor Day Weekend 2018: Malibu

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--Images via Universal Studios