Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2025: A Year of Historic Firsts

Get ready for an unforgettable Halloween season as Universal Studios announces its most ambitious lineup yet for Halloween Horror Nights in 2025. Among the thrilling highlights is the debut of the first-ever haunted house based on the popular Fallout series, alongside the return of fan-favorite attractions like Five Nights at Freddy’s. Fans can look forward to immersive experiences that bring these iconic franchises to life like never before.

Fallout Haunted House: An Authentic Journey into the Post-Apocalyptic World

The Fallout-themed haunted house will open its doors on August 29 at Universal Orlando Resort and on September 4 at Universal Studios Hollywood. This attraction promises to take guests deep into the heart of the nuclear wasteland, allowing them to relive the most memorable moments from the first season and explore new terrors beyond.

Guests will begin their journey in Vault 33, following Lucy MacLean as she fights to escape a brutal massacre while uncovering sinister secrets lurking within the vault. From there, visitors will step outside into the wasteland, where danger lurks around every corner—be it from scavengers, raiders, or even mutated creatures like RAD Roaches.

Highlights of the Fallout Experience

• Visit iconic locations such as the Super Duper Mart
• Encounter terrifying enemies like Ghouls and Maximus in his massive T-60 armor
• Navigate through chaotic environments filled with detailed set pieces and authentic props

Throughout the attraction, guests will experience a carefully crafted narrative designed to evoke the gritty, desolate atmosphere of the game series. The team behind the haunted house has worked tirelessly to incorporate authentic details, including eerie bodies and remnants of the post-nuclear world.

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Most Immersive Fallout Experience

We had the opportunity to speak with John Murdy, Creative Director and Executive Producer at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Matthew Flood, Senior Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort, about their plans for this groundbreaking attraction. Both expressed excitement about delivering a true-to-series experience that will thrill both casual visitors and hardcore fans.

Murdy emphasized the importance of creating environments that players will instantly recognize, saying, “We want fans to say, ‘I recognize this! I’m walking through a Fallout vault!’” Flood added that the experience will seamlessly transition from the vault to the wasteland, providing a visceral sense of immersion.

Innovative Features and Unique Elements

• Each park will feature distinctive aspects, including fully animated T-60 armor at Hollywood and a pivotal final battle scene in Orlando
• The Hollywood version will have a massive, fully animated Power Armor suit, while Orlando will incorporate a battle involving T-60s and other key elements
• Guests can look forward to hidden Easter eggs, like a Pip-Boy device, scattered throughout the attraction

Murdy also teased that each Fallout house will have its own unique “creature takes,” with Hollywood’s being a terrifying Yao Guai Bear—a monstrous mutated creature that adds to the chaos and horror of the experience.

Attention to Detail and Fan Engagement

The team has invested in extensive scripting and design, with Murdy revealing that the treatment for the Fallout house spans around 100 pages. This detailed plan ensures that every element, from narrative flow to technical execution, aligns perfectly to maximize the scare factor and authenticity.

Flood mentioned that visitors who explore the house multiple times will discover subtle Easter eggs, including a cleverly hidden Pip-Boy, making each visit a new adventure for dedicated fans.

Personal Highlights and Excitement

Murdy expressed particular enthusiasm for the transition from the vault to the Wasteland, describing it as a thrilling shift from claustrophobic environments to open, chaotic landscapes. Among the attractions, he singled out the Super Duper Mart as a standout highlight.

Meanwhile, Flood is excited about showcasing a real-life Fallout battle scene, which will add an interactive and cinematic element to the Orlando experience.

Additional Attractions and Surprises

Beyond Fallout, the haunted house will feature a variety of creature costumes and scare zones, including the horrifying Yao Guai Bear. The chaotic mix of ghouls, mutated animals, and scavengers aims to keep guests on edge at every turn.

Both Murdy and Flood emphasized the meticulous planning involved, with Murdy sharing that the technical and narrative design process involves detailed scripts and storyboards to craft a seamless, terrifying experience. Their goal is to create a haunted house that appeals to both casual visitors and the most dedicated horror fans, packed with hidden details and thematic Easter eggs for the true aficionados.

Derek Shaw

Derek is a seasoned film critic and cinephile with a deep appreciation for storytelling, cinematography, and character development. He covers everything from mainstream blockbusters to indie films and international cinema. With a unique voice and thoughtful perspective, Derek offers reviews, deep dives, and behind-the-scenes insights that resonate with both casual viewers and hardcore movie fans.