Universal Studios parks build haunted house attraction based on a ‘90s cult classic horror

Universal Studios parks build haunted house attraction based on a ‘90s cult classic horror

The Necronomicon is opening its pages at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) and you’re invited to the cabin.

Universal Studios is adding a new haunted house to its Halloween Horror Nights lineup, rewarding nostalgic horror-film superfans with an experience from the Evil Dead franchise. The series released its sixth film, Evil Dead Burn, on Jul. 10 and Universal’s haunted house will be inspired by the film’s cabin and specific scenes.

Universal Studios has added a brand-new haunted house to its 2026 Halloween Horror Nights lineup. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

This demonic universe will be featured at both Universal Orlando Resort (starting August 28) and Universal Studios Hollywood (starting September 3), bringing the original ’80s indie classic to life.

Guests will tiptoe through bloodcurdling rooms inside the family’s secluded vacation cabin in the woods. Visitors will navigate the winding hallways of the house until they encounter “Deadites” lurking in the shadows.

The Evil Dead saga consists of six films and a television series, each following characters battling demonic possession. The saga is known for over-the-top gore that fans find campy and entertaining. Each film centers on a cursed book, the Necronomicon (the Book of the Dead).

The original Evil Dead trilogy includes The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992). The franchise has since continued with two standalone spin-offs: Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise (2026).

In April 2024, the series’ original director, Sam Raimi, and producer Robert Tapert announced that a prequel, Evil Dead Wrath, is scheduled to hit theaters in Spring 2028.

The new Evil Dead Burn film follows a grieving widow who reunites with her in-laws at a secluded house Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

Universal had an Evil Dead-inspired house in 2013 when the first spin-off was released, where rooms would feature enlarged replicas of the pages found in the Book of the Dead. In 2017, another house based on the STARZ TV show was also in the parks. 

While Evil Dead is a horror genre, fans call it the “perfect blend of horror and comedy” and that each new film is different but “still maintains the same charm and camp.” 

Reddit fans with HHN tickets already are excited for their haunted house dreams, or nightmares, to come to life, both for Evil Dead and Hellraiser, the late ‘80s horror classic. 

Tickets for HHN start at $77, with multi-night passes ranging from $179 to $299. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

HHN is undisputedly the most successful seasonal event for theme parks, with analysts estimating 30,000 to 35,000 visitors attend HHN each night, translating to roughly 1.5 million visitors over the duration of the event—and that’s just in Florida.

While Universal does not disclose exact revenue, industry experts estimated that in 2022, revenues from HHN accounted for roughly $575 million in sales, and that the parks invest about $100 million annually to produce, market, and stage the event. 

Universal’s Haunted Horror Nights runs from August 28 through November 1. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

Tickets for all events and multi-night passes at both parks are on sale starting today. The 35th annual Halloween Horror Nights will feature 10 haunted houses, scare zones, and entertainment on select nights from August 28 to November 1.

There are a variety of different ticket options for fans, including General Admission and the Early Access Ticket, which provides entry to select haunted houses beginning at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change).

There are also the Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass available, which enable guests to experience the scares again and again.

Other themed haunted houses inspired by Stranger Things, Sinners, and Hellraiser are also included in this year’s event. Tickets are on sale at: http://www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

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