Universal Studios Hollywood’s annual Halloween Horror Nights got off to a screaming start in front of the Universal Cinema at CityWalk on Thursday, Sept. 8 as dozens of horror writers, directors, producers and actors walked the blood red carpet ahead of entering the theme park.
Though it was a sweaty 100 degrees on the carpet, the event marks the start of the haunting season. The talent was ready to explore what fresh frights HHN executive producer John Murdy & Co. created within eight elaborately detailed attractions based on movies like the original “Halloween,” director Jordan Peele’s films “Nope” and “Us,” Blumhouse Productions’ “The Black Phone” and “Freaky” and a maze that captures the horrors of pop and R&B star The Weeknd’s album “After Hours.” Halloween Horror Nights continues on select evenings through Oct. 31.
“Living in the TV and movie world, to be able to be a part of something that’s this immersive, where you can walk in and feel like you’re there, there’s just nothing like it,” “The Walking Dead” and “Creepshow” director, producer and special FX artist Greg Nicotero said of the event. “Horror fans go to like the Georgetown steps from ‘The Exorcist’ or they go to Martha’s Vineyard where they shot ‘Jaws’ because that’s what people want, they want to get as close as they can to it and really, nothing is closer than Halloween Horror Nights.”
Zackary Arthur reacts to meeting Jamie Lee Curtis on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Vince Vaughn arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cast members from the Vampire Academy at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lin Shaye arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Filmmaker Jordan Peele arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
James Wan at Universal Studios at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jabbawockeez arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ingred Bisu at Universal Studios at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Plaza at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Daniela Nieves on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Chandler Kinney arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mia McKenna-Bruce on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brooke Thames on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Madison Curry at Universal Studios at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Stephen, Charles and Edward Chiodo on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors and knife wielding characters at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Sarah Snook arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Plaza at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kate Siegel arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Filmmaker Jordan Peele arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Barbara Alyn Woods arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jena Rose arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Halloween Horror Nights executive producer John Murdy arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Guests are welcomed to the the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Halloween Horror Nights executive producer John Murdy arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The plaza at Universal Studios at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jonetta Kaiser on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Filmmaker Jordan Peele arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ghools wonder Universal Studios at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Christine Elise arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jesse C. Boyd arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Inside the La Llorona maze at the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Gillermo Diaz arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Barbara Alyn Woods and Alyvia Alyn Lind on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Barbara Alyn Woods and Alyvia Alyn Lind on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mason Thames arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Alyvia Alyn Lind arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Charles Chiodo arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Johnny Caz arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Greg Nicotero arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mario Domm arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Arian Moayed arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Singer Jena Rose arrives on the red carpet for the opening of Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Thursday, September 9, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fans who had gathered around the red carpet cheered as some of the genre’s biggest names showed up. Jordan Peele made a quick appearance before ducking off to go experience his attraction on the Universal backlot, where The Tethered from “Us” took over the set of the fictional Jupiter’s Claim theme park from “Nope” with a unique twist. I won’t give that away here, but it was one of the coolest, most unnerving moments I’ve had in a dozen years of covering Halloween Horror Nights.
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Knott’s Scary Farm tour takes fans behind the scenes of haunted mazes with lights on
“I am beyond grateful,” Curtis, who has famously played “Halloween” final girl Laurie Strode for more than four decades, said of the fans that lit up when she hit the carpet. “My entire life is due to them and I am here to represent all of the people who love these movies and who love Laurie Strode. By loving Laurie Strode, they love me and I feel the most incredible pride in that.”
Actor Miguel Cazarez Mora was starstruck when he met Curtis. The 15-year-old actor, who starred as Robin in “The Black Phone,” had just met the horror legend on the carpet.
“Someone asked me what my favorite movie was and I said ‘Halloween’ and she was right behind me,” he said. “I turned red instantly, but I just met her and she was so nice.”
Mora said he’s not super into horror movies, but was hoping that the HHN maze based on the film he was in would have as many jump scares as the movie did — thanks in part to actor Ethan Hawke’s creepy portrayal of the film’s antagonist, The Grabber.
“The Grabber is terrifying, but so is Michael Myers,” he said of the notorious “Halloween” villain. “He just goes around killing everyone, he doesn’t care and that’s terrifying. I think that maze is going to be pretty terrifying as well.”
Stars of the forthcoming Peacock TV series “Vampire Academy,” including Daniela Nieves, Sisi Stringer, Dominic Sherwood and André Dae Kim, were also awe of the event. Stringer, who is from Australia, and Sherwood, who is from the United Kingdom, said Halloween isn’t a big deal where they come from and that they’d never been through themed haunted houses. The cast said they all watched various vampire films as research for their roles on the show, but Kim said he found inspiration in an unusual place.
“I mean, ‘Sesame Street,’” he said with a laugh. “Come on, The Count?! That was a big inspiration for me.”
Halloween Horror Nights
When: 7 p.m. select evenings through Oct. 31
Where: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Tickets: $72-$102 general admission; $179-$289 Universal Express; $219-$329 Universal Express Unlimited; $112-$154 After 2 p.m. Day/Night Passes; $319-$449 R.I.P. Tour; $199 Frequent Fear Pass; $329 Ultimate Fear Pass. All tickets are now on sale at universalstudioshollywood.com.
