Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights event concluded on Saturday, November 5th; it was originally scheduled to run until Halloween night. This year’s event included iconic horror films, shows, and icons, including American Horror Story, The Exorcist, The Walking Dead, Leatherface, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and more. With Halloween already over, the theme parks are already preparing for the next holiday — and it isn’t Thanksgiving. But that doesn’t mean Universal Orlando’s team isn’t developing plans for next year’s Halloween Horror Nights event because they are, and fans of the event are already trying to determine which intellectual properties (IPs) will be featured. I do not plan to do that, however. Instead, I will voice which horror films I would like Universal to incorporate in next year’s event.
The Conjuring 2
The Conjuring was the top horror film I hoped would make its way to Halloween Horror Nights 26 because of its rich, eerie storyline. Unfortunately, the film was not used for the event, which is why it has made its way back onto my list. This time, however, I’d like the second film to be featured rather than the first. The main purposes behind this reasoning is because of the setting and characters incorporated into the film.
Unlike the original Conjuring movie, the second release does not take place in the United States. It takes place in a developed location in London rather than a rural town in Rhode Island. And unlike the original film, which didn’t exactly have recognizable demonic characters, the second film does. The Conjuring 2 features the nun and an old man named Bill Wilkins who are repeatedly featured throughout the movie, each serving a different purpose.
Paranormal-type films are perhaps the most petrifying movies in existence because of their sinister tone. What makes it so eerie, you may be wondering? Paranormal movies revolve around the haunts of ghosts, spirits, and demons, and unlike characters such as Jason Voorhees, these creatures are not always visible, they play with your judgment, your senses, your mind, and those attributes are exactly what humans typically fear.
About The Conjuring 2 (IMDb)
In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to London, England, where single mother Peggy Hodgson believes that something evil is in her home. When Peggy’s youngest daughter starts showing signs of demonic possession, Ed and Lorraine attempt to help the besieged girl, only to find themselves targeted by the malicious spirits.
Trailer:
Scream (1996)
Scream was originally predicted to be featured at Halloween Horror Nights 25 until plans fell through and it was replaced with a Purge house, according to rumors. Although I wouldn’t consider Scream to be one of the “scariest movies,” it does combine what makes such films good to begin with — a mysterious tone, recognizable character, and pop-up scares. The 1996 film, I feel, has the potential to be one of the top haunted houses because of these factors in addition to its large fan base and well-developed storyline, which would help to create a solid experience with a handful of scares.
About Scream (IMDb):
1 year after her mother’s death, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell), and her friends started experiencing some strange phone calls. They later learned the calls were coming from a crazed serial killer, in a white-faced mask and a large black robe, looking for revenge. His phone calls usually consist of many questions, the main one being: Whats your favorite scary movie? Along with many scary movie trivia, ending with bloody pieces of innocent lives scattered around the small town of Woodsboro.
Trailer:
Amityville Horror (1979)
The Amityville Horror is reportedly based on a true story. While the entire film may or may not be entirely real, the event itself did in fact happen. The movie tells the story of a family who moved into a home in Amityville, New York hoping for a bright future; the exact opposite happens.
In the real case, a man named Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr. murdered his parents and siblings using his father’s shotgun while they were sleeping. Butch reported the murder at the end of the day at a local bar, where he screamed that his family had been murdered. Butch was later taken in for questioning after police found the murder weapon in his room; he blamed the event on a friend but eventually confessed that he alone did the act. The movie, on the other hand, includes this information but tells the story of a family who moved into the home. This family being George and Kathleen Lutz and their three children who were hoping the home would be a dream house despite its history; it quickly turns into a nightmare. The Lutz family are then menaced by evil — facing the fears of the house.
Just knowing that this film is somewhat based on an actual event makes it even more terrifying, especially when knowing that the man who committed the murders is still well alive and the event itself is still very relevant. If The Conjuring 2 and The Amityville Horror were both to be included in next year’s event, it would fit in perfectly, as this incident is in fact featured in the second Conjuring movie.
About The Amityville Horror (IMDb):
Based on a true story that was claimed by writer Jay Anson, The Amityville Horror is about a large house on the coast of Long Island where newlyweds George and Kathy Lutz and their three children move into the house that they hope will be their dream house which ends up in terror. Despite full disclosure by the real estate agent of the house’s history, George and Kathy buy the house. George says, “Houses don’t have memories,” but they turn to their family priest Father Delaney who believes the house is haunted and performs an exorcism on the house. But the evil spirit in the house causes him to become blind and makes him very sick. With the help of another priest Father Bolen and a police detective, George and Kathy face the fears of the house, but not knowing the spirit is planning to possess George and then the children…
Trailer:
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