1. Return of the Living Dead
Return of the Living Dead is by far my favorite horror movie of time. This one of the few horror films where the characters make logical decisions, but still seem to get themselves in dire situations. The film is non-stop action, great special effects and still has moments of comedy allowing the viewer to catch their breath.
This movie would make an incredible Halloween Horror Nights maze. First, you have an unlimited of zombies to jump at you from every corner. This film has several memorable scenes that Universal’s creative team could knock out of the park. Such as the scenes where the goo-zombie is attacking in the basement, or when Ernie is dissecting a body in the morgue. Not to mention if Universal made this one of their smaller mazes the action would be non-stop and give the users a scare around every corner.
2. Psycho/Bates Motel
Of all the great stories Mr. Alfred Hitchcock put on film, nothing is more suspenseful then that of one Norman Bates. Halloween Horror Nights would be able to give us a great maze no matter if they choose to use the murderous version of Norman in, “Psycho,” or the younger version of the character that is struggling with mental illness in, “Bates Motel.”
Either choice gives Universal plenty of material to make the maze memorable. If Universal chooses the adult version of Bates then they can simply recreate all famous scenes for the movie, like Norman attacking with a knife from behind the shower curtain or the discovery of Ms. Bates’s decaying body in the basement. However, if Universal chooses the younger version of Norman then they may be able to do something more creative with the maze. I for one can see a maze that is designed around young Norman’s troubled mind. The further you go into this maze, the further you lose the ability to tell what is real and what is a construct of the mind. Thus, showing you the horrors of the victims and the killer himself.
3. Fright Night
First of all I want to make it know that we are only talking about the original 1985 version of this film. This movie is not only great story, but it was also one of the first horror films to present a lead character who is film savvy and knows how to follow the paint by numbers approach in order to survive. This character approach would later give us another horror classic in, “Scream.”
The real reason I only see the 1985 version of the movie as a maze, is that you could do some really cheesy Peter Vincent, “Fright Night,” TV show monologues cue videos just like Universal did for the now classic maze, “HR Bloodengutz.” This would get the crowd pumped up and excited for the maze. Finally, Universal should have plenty of vampire supplies left over from 2017’s “The Hive,” to recreate some of the film’s more famous scenes.
4. Suspiria 3-D
Suspiria is an incredible viewing experience, that challenges all of your senses. First, the scenery is all vibrant red and violet colors that gives the viewer a sense of being in an desolate dream. Next, you have the incredibly bloodcurdling soundtrack by the band Goblin.
Taking in account of all the visual and audio aspects of this movie I fill this would make an incredible 3-D. All the vibrant colors of the movie could be recreated using the glow-in-the dark neon colors that Universal loves to use in 3-D houses. As for music, just blast the Suspiria theme song and let the mindf@### begin!
5. The Howling/Dog Soldiers
Either one of these houses would be easy to create. Just give us incredibly intimidating tall werewolves in very confined spaces. Give us a claustrophobic feeling of no where to run or hide. Makes feel that we are being hunted down one by one and the screams are certain to happen.
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3
Where to begin on such a classic film that saved a movie franchise. Freddy is a horror icon, so you can never go wrong including him at a Halloween Horror Nights. I would be happy if Universal just recreated all the classic kills from the films. If anything, Universal would have to give us the Freddy worm trying to swallow Kirsten and the, “Welcome to Prime Time,” TV scenes to make this maze legit. It would allow be incredible to see Universal recreate the winding stairs to Hell, right before you face off against Kruger in the boiler room.
7. Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Every year at Horror Nights there is a comedic house, so why not have ,”Killer Klowns from Outer Space.” This movie has a cult following, so it would guarantee to sell tickets to the event. Not to mention that a lot of people are direly afraid of clowns. So, this intellectual property is a no brainer to me.
8. Hellraiser
Count this one on the why hasn’t this already been a maze at Halloween Horror Nights list. There are so many creepy scenes that the creative team could recreate for this maze. I could even see Universal making the maze be the puzzle box itself. You solve the riddle to the box, and begin to travel those the various chambers until you face off against Pinhead.
9. Five Nights at Freddy’s (VR Experience)
Five Nights at Freddy’s has been a pretty popular property the last four years, and the HHN fans have been asking for it. If we ever do see this one at Horror Nights, I hope Universal does something really creative with it like making it a virtual reality experience.
For those of you that experienced 2016’s ,”The Repository,” remember wearing the VR headset and carrying the optic wand. I can see this working with the whole FNAF game play. The VR headset could be used like the mask in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and the optic wand would be your virtual flashlight. As you walk around the dark maze you would hear footsteps or breathing at that point you pull down you VR headset then flash your flashlight to make sure you are save.
10. Poltergeist
This is another classic film that would great to see as a Horror Nights maze. Just recreate the special effects from the film and let the users wander through the maze while trying to avoid the light.
There you have it, there is my TOP 10 I’d love to see at HHN but what are your top 10s? Let us know!