Spooky Countdown: Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights Returns for a Bumper 10th Year!
All horror‑heads, grab your helmets – it’s officially back! After a two‑year pause when the world hit pause with Covid, the iconic Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is making a grand comeback, running from September 30th to November 5th. Get ready for a whole new level of fright.
What’s New This Year? (Spoiler: It’s Scary)
- Laser‑Tag Apocalypse – Battle it out on the haunted track, but with real laser lights (no friendly fire, just pure terror).
- Macabre Live Dinner Show – Dine in the dark while a twisted tale unfolds. And the cherries on top? Dining on spook-tacular food and drinks that match the eerie vibe.
- Exclusive Backstage Tour – Peek behind the curtain and meet the creative masterminds.
Ticketing: The Price of Fear
- Peak nights: $78 – When the crowds are at their peak and the scares are at their peak.
- Off‑peak nights: $68 – Less crowd, less thunder (but still plenty of screams).
Our Take: Hits & Misses
All in all, this edition delivers a mix of heart‑pounding thrills and unforgettable eats. Some highlights include:
- Laser‑tag frenzy – A game that feels like a midnight dance with the undead.
- Live dinner spectacle – Pair the story with taste buds that truly get haunted.
- Backstage pass – A genuinely rare chance to see the film‑night magic.
However, a couple of moments felt less spooky than expected. A few sections appeared a bit sluggish, and the backstage tour was a tad too predictable for certain seasoned thrill seekers.
Shortly, whether you’re all‑time horror buff or a first‑timer looking for a good scare, HHN 2025 is set to deliver the scream‑serious experience you’ve been craving.
Hits
Killustrator: The Final Chapter (haunted house)
<img alt="" data-caption="Some of the manga-inspired rooms in Killustrator: The Final Chapter haunted house.
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Killustrator: The Final Chapter – The Crown Jewel of HHN
Out of the three haunted spots that made the year, this one’s the top dog on the spooky list. Think of it as the VIP lounge of Halloween horror.
Why It’s a Must‑See
- Mad Anime Artist: Picture a Death Note villain who’s got his own sketchbook of gory genius. He doesn’t just dabble; every page screams “blood‑thick artistry” and he wears it with pride.
- Bloody Good Art: Every line feels tin‑drawn straight from a blood‑splattered master’s brush. If art were a cocktail, this would be a shot of single malt, with a splash of PD.
- Retro Throwback: It’s a nostalgia blast. The Naga returns to the spotlight, and our beloved local MRT isn’t abandoned – it’s back in action, ready to ferry thrills to the next adventure.
Humor & Heart
Prepare for a morning of adrenaline, a night of pictorial artistry, and a final burst of lump‑free laughter – all wrapped in the crackle that only a truly gory, yet oddly comic, manga masterpiece can deliver.
Hospitality of Horror (haunted house)
<img alt="" data-caption="A photo of the original owners of the Hospitality of Horrors.
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Beware the Luxe Nightmare: A Haunted Staycation
What’s the Deal?
Imagine being whisked away to a brand‑new, luxury hotel that promises glittering rooms and spa‑level relaxation. Hard to picture—until you realise the place was once the lair of a fortune‑rich tycoon and his bloodthirsty sorceress wife. Psst… once you check in, there’s no way to check out.
Why It’s All About the Atmosphere
- Old‑School Scares That Still Scream. Think creaky floorboards, doors that slam on their own, and shadows that follow you to the bathroom. Classic atmospheric terror, no Wi‑Fi needed.
- Modern Tech for the Modern Night‑Owl. Hidden sensors, holographic apparitions, and sound systems that make every whisper feel like a ghost is right beside you.
- Immersive Hair‑Racing Experience. Every corner has a deliberate twist; you’re not just watching a movie—you’re living it.
Our Personal Highlight
We’re shouting from the rooftops (or, more accurately, the attic) that the blend of old‑school techniques with cutting‑edge tech creates a truly unforgettable scare squad. One minute you’re sprawled in a plush bed, the next you’re sprinting for the bathroom because somebody—possibly the sorceress’s distant cousin—needs to leave a bouquet.
Bottom Line
If you’re craving a staycation that’s a little too thrilling, this haunted hotel is the place to check—just be sure you’re ready to stay until the end of the night.
Dark Zodiac (scare zone)
<img alt="" data-caption="One of the many Dark Zodiac signs around the scare zone.
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Dark Zodiac: A Low‑Key, Yet Still Surprising Spin on Halloween
When you’re wandering the neon‑lit streets of Clarke Quay on Halloween night, the Dark Zodiac doesn’t exactly scream “chills.” It’s more of a subtle, almost playful scare that feels oddly fitting for the midnight bustle.
Why It’s a Perfect Post‑Haunted House Chill
- Breaktime Bravado – After a heavy dose of ghosts and ghouls, this spot offers a gentle reset for your nerves.
- Atmospheric Ease – The vibe turns from dread to a kind of spooky calm that lets you relax before you jump into the next creepy adventure.
Twisted Horoscopes: A Dark Recipe for Fun
Picture this: your favorite zodiac sign gets a makeover by the eerie “Horrorcle.” It’s a playful twist that’s as close to heart‑warmingly creepy as it gets, turning normal stars into something delightfully unsettling.
In short, Dark Zodiac isn’t meant to send your heart racing— it’s more of a quirky sprinkle of the supernatural to round out a Halloween night that’s both thrilling and chill.
Monsters & Manifestations (live show and tour)
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Get Ready to Be Boo‑Tiful at HHN’s Monsters & Manifestations!
Fan‑club members, strap in – HHN is whipping up a cabaret that’s half‑ghost, half‑glam. Their live show and backstage tour will have you clutching your popcorn (or haunted the popcorn), as you get a front‑row seat to the circus of the night.
Why the $38 Extra Is Your Ticket to the Witching Hour
- Secret Scare Tech: Dive into the sweet science of spookiness that HHN’s creators farmed in their studio. Think workshop “how to make goblins look glamorous.”
- Meet the Dark Lady: Picture a collision between Cruella de Vil’s sharp leather and Elvira’s vampiric velvet. She’s the queen of the night, and she’s pulling the strings behind the curtain.
- Undead Henchmen: The sidekick crew—an army of walking corpses—dazzle you with choreography that’ll make your knees hurt from all the gasps.
Why This Is the Show of the Season
From first act to finale, the performance is dripping with charisma. The actors are on‑point, delivering gestures that feel like a pint‑sized punch of suspense. The dance section? Slick af. It’s the kind of movement that gets everyone mouthing, “How did she even?”
All in all, “Monsters & Manifestations” is a carnival of laughs, lights, and a hint of scare. You’ll walk out with a grin that’s darker than a midnight dragon and a whole new appreciation for the art of a well‑crafted horror cabaret.
The Silenced Auction (live show)
<img alt="" data-caption="The Killustrator making his appearance in the show.
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Kick‑off Your Adventure with a Live Show
Think of it as the grand opening act for your HHN journey— a live spectacle that stitches all the separate touch‑points together into one slick narrative.
Why It Rocks
- Seamless Flow: Gone are the choppy transitions; everything glides into each other like a smooth jazz solo.
- Storytelling Wins: By weaving a single story through the whole experience, the impact hits harder than any standalone scene.
- Feel the Connection: You’re not just watching; you’re living the saga, which turns casual viewers into enthusiastic fans.
Bottom Line
When a live opener pulls all parts of the HHN experience together, it doesn’t just make the journey smoother—it showcases the magic of storytelling, turning a simple show into a memorable adventure.
Misses
Creepy Combo Creation and Spooky Snacks and Sips (food and beverages)
<img alt="" data-caption="The eyeball pizza which features Asian ingredients and fruits such as longans and blueberries.
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Picture‑Perfect Misfires: The Eye‑mazing (and Undermercy) Eatery
Instagram dreamscapes are cheaper than ever—think eyeball pizza, neon‑syringes, and whatever else totally aesthetic. But the flavor report card says it’s a very, very mixed bag.
The Big Flop: Too Sweet, Too Weird
Our taste buds took a field trip to Flavorville, but it turned into a High‑Sugar Suburb. Both the pizza and the “spooky” drinks are basically sugar trains on a one‑track line—no surprises, just an overload of sweetness.
Eyeball Pizza: A Wild Ride in Flavor Town
Price Check: $25 for the pizza, + a drink, + dessert.
What’s on the Chart: ¼ sliced charcoal crust, mozzarella, longans, blueberries, crispy puffed rice, and a kick of gochujang sauce.
It’s a crazy attempt to fuse Asian vibes with pizza. While the charcoal crust and mozzarella give it a Dutch‑style crunch, the combo of fruit and pepper sauce feels like a culinary mash‑up that goes over the line. Opinions split. Some swear those longans and blueberries shouldn’t even be in the pizza world, while others just wave their fingers in disbelief.
The Takeaway
- Visually Instagram‑ready, but taste is not so.
- If you’re into novel food visuals, it’s a hit. For real flavor, it’s a mixed bag.
- Expect a walk on the edible wild side—sweet, surprising, and sure to raise eyebrows.
Escape the Breakout (laser tag)
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What’s Happening?
Picture this: you’re strapped into a gritty prison set in the heart of Batman: Arkham Asylum, but instead of the usual brooding noir, you’re fighting off foes with laser guns while racing against the clock to crack puzzles. That’s the vibe for the tenth annual Heinous Harbour event.
Plot Twists & Team Dynamics
- Form a daring crew of friends and dive into Heinous Harbour, a cage for the most hardened and mad criminals.
- Navigate a maze that tests both your laser‑tag reflexes and your brain‑power.
- Feel the adrenaline surge as you and your squad dodge laser blasts while desperate to tick those escape‑room riddles.
Why It’s a Must‑Try
- Laser‑Tag Fun! The neon keys and target shots keep the game lively and high‑energy.
- Escape‑Room Challenge. Puzzle‑solving takes you through immersive layers of mystery.
Heads‑Up
We hit a small snag: the instructions for the puzzles were a bit slippery. You might feel the challenge was a tad out of touch without clear guidance—in short, the layout could be smoother.
Bottom Line
If you’re craving a mash‑up of action, suspense, and a dash of detective work, escape the Break‑Out offers a fresh, eye‑popping experience that gives the classic Batman vibe a whole new level of thrill.
The Hunt for Pontianak (scare zone)
What Happened at the Pontianak House?
We were buzzing, all pontianak‑faithful fans, so we had big hopes. The house, meant to scare with its eerie jungle backdrop and the myth of a vengeful spirit, turned out to be a bit… over the top.
Setting vs. Reality
- Lights were low, smoke swirled, and creepy sounds buzzed—so yes, it felt “spooky”.
- But the actors were doing drama‑school improv with a heavy dose of exaggerated theater.
- Props were so cheesy they practically had their own laugh track.
The Real Revelation
This scare zone didn’t measure up to the earlier Halloween Horror Nights versions of Pontianak. Where the past halls were tight, terrifying, and full of genuine chills, this one was more campy—think “wind‑up puppet” meets “spooky reenactment show” in a single package.
TL;DR
Expect the classic eerie vibe, but be prepared for an unexpected mix of over‑acting and kitschy details that might leave you chuckling more than crying.
Operation: Dead Force (haunted house)
<img alt="" data-caption="The Special Forces Against the Dead headquarters that serves as one of HHN's three haunted houses.
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Zombie Purge 2023: A Bleak Rehash
The Final Frontier of Zombieland
After the TV crunch of The Walking Dead and the blockbuster rush of Train to Busan, you’d expect the world to have already run out of fresh zombie material. The new haunted attraction that claims to bring “the Special Forces Against the Dead” to a visceral level? Well, it’s about as original as buying a second‑hand toaster.
Why This One Feels Like a Zombie Time‑warp
- Repetitive plot. The hero squad marches straight into a nerve‑cell zombie—over and over. There’s no new twist, no clever spin.
- Yawn‑worthy set pieces. The underground tunnels and flashing neon lights are the same clichés you’ve seen in every “zombie apocalypse” trailer.
- No spine‑tingling chills. Even the scare factor is on repeat mode—nothing in the fog will give you a shiver.
Memes & Midsummer Night’s Dream
For those hoping for a full‑blown brain‑hacking extravaganza, this experience snaps a few wires—deliberately and accidentally. It’s more like a “zombie horror” podcast than an immersive experience.
Quick Word from the Peeps at Universal Studios
If you’re still itching to jump into a zombie world, book your tickets now—before the ones that actually do something cool run out. Don’t forget to ring up [email protected] for questions and to snag a front‑row spot!
PS. For more spooky happenings, keep your eyes peeled for Halloween Universal Studios events. It’s time to turn the night into a full blown adventure.
