Fear and Beer: A Halloween Horror Nights Podcast

We have a LOT to catch up on! Nightmare Fuel is officially back! Stranger Things is getting its own lagoon show! Killer Klowns from Outer Space are invading the streets of Halloween Horror Nights! Multi-Night Express is officially dead! Oh... and Universal also announced TWO brand-new scare zones! We're breaking down every announcement, what it means for HHN 35, and sharing our thoughts on all of the latest news from Universal Orlando. If you've missed the last few days of HHN updates, this is the episode to get you completely caught up!

HHN has such sights to show us! After years of rumors, speculation, and fans begging for it to happen, Hellraiser is officially coming to this year's Halloween Horror Nights! Pinhead and the Cenobites are finally making their long awaited HHN debut. In this episode, we break down the announcement, discuss everything Universal has revealed about the house so far, and share our thoughts on what could become one of the most intense experiences of HHN 35. Plus, after missing last week's discussion, Jamie is back to give his first impressions on all four recently announced Original houses. Join us as we dive into Hellraiser, the latest HHN news, and everything announced for this year's event!

We’ve been waiting for Originals Week and it absolutely delivered. Over 5 days we got 4 major house announcements, kicking things off Monday with the long awaited return of H.R. Bloodengutz, followed by Madlands: Caged Cannibals, Cybergoria, and Invasion: Alien Abduction. From sci-fi terror to brutal gore to a twisted zoo nightmare? This year’s lineup is proving one thing fast: variety is the name of the game.   Links to all articles referenced in this episode   H.R. Bloodengutz Presents A Halloween Fright-tacular! https://bloody-disgusting.com/the-further/3956536/halloween-horror-nights-hr-bloodengutz-presents-halloween-frightacular/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSsHgxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFySzFIb2k5SE1yV1JvMHoyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHijaeHK--0ynzp5AsugEMzgOTvYjoxgagN6r9mimVYcfLftxYAkARAto4_Oo_aem_mKVB1DgzNrNjDO9isSDtDA   Madlands: Caged Cannibals  https://www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/apocalyptic-zoo-universal-studios-orlando-halloween-horror-nights-2026-madlands-caged-cannibals-interview?fbclid=IwY2xjawSsHntleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFySzFIb2k5SE1yV1JvMHoyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjkH6rPLRhC8db6uYAF2bjEbaDVODoRqrlB1CC1nzh7jjK9-i7tq1bn4wzCt_aem_7ENQ5VlPWjdlZGYdTEMT2w   Cybergoria  https://gamerant.com/cybergoria-halloween-horror-nights-35-interview/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSsHpVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFySzFIb2k5SE1yV1JvMHoyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhj1NHO0G-raKxqw31RbHYsqc3Zd9QjvBuSjVzq1vfYEHAr9eCVfMBISzZ7C_aem_AcFi2AwA2ez0AjikPnUxeg   Invasion: Alien Abduction  https://nerdist.com/article/invasion-alien-abduction-halloween-horror-nights-2026-interview-deep-dive-exclusive/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSsHrBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFySzFIb2k5SE1yV1JvMHoyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHptyzD5B-Pr8RzdsAWHY7lIQvsIVwIdfvXqGGvwjiFxooPzHUDRNxxGW-qUQ_aem_VXLGww0DkfpMG_URrIS-_g  

Everyone asked for another announcement, and we got it! Stranger Things and the Upside Down are making their return (yet again) to Halloween Horror Nights this fall! With Season 5 leaving some fans divided, will the fourth trip to Hawkins produce different results, or are we in for more of the same? We’ll find out in August, but for now we’re breaking down everything we know about the announcement and hearing from the most important people… YOU! We got a ton of call-ins and did our best to get through as many as possible, so grab a drink and join us as we head back to the Upside Down one more time.

IT'S HAPPENING! Visible construction for HHN35 has officially begun at Universal Orlando, which means speculation season is in full swing. This week, we're breaking down everything showing up around the parks, what it could mean for this year's event, and discussing what might be the most random rumor we've heard all season. Plus, we take a quick trip back to Carey, Ohio. A location longtime HHN fans know all too well and one that could be returning once again if the latest rumors hold true. The fog is getting closer, HHN35 is starting to take shape, and we're here to overanalyze every detail.

The Smokestack Twins are OFFICIALLY coming to Halloween Horror Nights 35 this August! We got our first IP announcement and it started with a BANG! Bringing in the film with the MOST Oscar nominations in history with a staggering 16 nominations! Are you ready to enter Club Juke and come face to face with Remmick and his merry band of vampires? This one has all the makings of an instant classic; music, atmosphere, vampires and absolute chaos. HHN35 is already looking STACKED. What scene are you hoping makes it into the house?

This week we are joined by a very special guest: Ryan from Fortheloveofthemeparks!  Ryan should be your go to page for all things theme park history, so we figured it was only right to dive into some Halloween Horror Nights history with him! In the past we’ve covered the legendary HHN Icons, but since then we’ve gotten plenty of new characters along the way. Some that fans may not know as well, and others that have been almost completely forgotten over time. This week we’re digging into the overlooked, forgotten, and underrated characters of HHN history and giving them the spotlight they deserve. Also we made a MAJOR announcement for an upcoming event in August so this is NOT the episode to miss!

We asked and you answered! This week on the podcast, we handed the keys over to YOU and asked told us you wanted us to build our own Halloween Horror Nights. So we did exactly that. Each of us created our own full HHN event from the ground up complete with a central theme, icon, a lineup of original houses, select IP houses, scare zones, and even a live show concept to tie it all together.  Now the question is simple: who built the strongest event?

Welcome back to The Spookeasy! Where the drinks are strong and the scares are stronger!   This week, we’re pouring up another wild one in Weapons. Pour yourself something stiff as we unpack the mystery, the mayhem, and the unsettling threads that tie this film together. From its chilling atmosphere to the performances that keep you on edge, we’re breaking down what makes Weapons hit with precision and linger long after the final shot.   Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or just searching for your next intense watch, grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us inside The Spookeasy. All creatures of the night are welcome. 👉 Like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future pours of horror content 🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts 📲 Follow us on social for all your horror and HHN talk needs

What happens when some of Halloween Horror Nights’ most iconic originals collide? In this episode, we’re diving into some HHN mashups we need to see come to life. From fan favorite legends crossing paths to unexpected worlds blending into one terrifying experience, we’re building our dream lineup of houses that would break the event in the best way possible.

What would your HHN dream lineup look like if luck decided it? This week we’re playing a Deal or No Deal style game to build our 10 house lineups! Every round, we pick a number 1 through 5 which each represent a house on a list made for us by another person. Like the pick? Lock it in. Don’t? Pick again and risk something worse. The catch is your final pick is locked no matter what. Safe plays or risky moves… who built the best lineup?

The Easter Egg Hunt has finally paid off! The newest HHN35 Speculation Map is here! We’re breaking down every detail, connection, and hidden hint packed into this year’s map. What houses are starting to take shape? Which rumors just got stronger? And did any surprises pop up? Tune in as we dive deep into the madness, react to the reveals, and speculate on what HHN35 might have in store.

HHN season is officially here! We’re breaking down the biggest moments from the MegaCon HHN panel, reacting to the first house announcement Jack and Oddfellow: Chaos and Control, and going over everything you need to know now that tickets and more are on sale. Plus, we wrap it up with Speculation Scuttlebutt! The latest rumors, reaches, and what’s got us talking (screaming)

The madness ends here! After ranking every single house from Halloween Horror Nights 30–34, it all comes down to this. Our top 16! In the final installment of our 3-part series, we reveal the absolute BEST of the best. These are the houses that defined the last five years! Did the obvious choice take the crown? Was there a shocking jump into the top 10? Did one of us completely derail the final rankings? From controversial placements to unanimous favorites, we break down everything that led to our #1 house.   5 Years. 50 Houses. 1 List. This is the end of the madness.

Part 2 of the madness is HERE! We’re diving into houses 34–17 on our ultimate HHN 30–34 rankings list! Things are starting to get serious now. The mid-tier is where the debates heat up, the hot takes fly, and some fan favorites might not land where you expect! Did a sleeper house climb higher than it should? Did a “classic” fall way lower than expected? Are we completely out of our minds yet?

Let the madness begin! This year we’re changing things up in a BIG way. Instead of a traditional bracket, we’re taking on the ultimate challenge and ranking EVERY haunted house from Halloween Horror Nights 30 through 34. That’s 5 years, 50 houses and 1 master list! In this three episode series, we each sat down and individually ranked every single house from the past five events. Then we combined our rankings, averaged out the scores, and created the official Fear and Beer HHN House Rankings. Now it’s time to break down the results, debate the placements, and relive the scares that defined this era of the event. Did one harsh ranking completely tank a house’s chances? Did a fan-favorite end up shockingly low on the list? Will an unexpected underdog rise through the rankings as the ultimate Cinderella story? In Part 1, we reveal houses ranked 50 through 35 and start the arguments early as the madness officially begins.

Remember Underground Creatures? What about Seaside Village? Maybe Devil Dogs, Lair of the Banshees, or even Billie Eilish will jog your memory. For the sake of sanity, we’re taking a trip back and revisiting Version 1 of every Speculation Map from HHN30 through HHN34, all created by the crew at Horror Night Nightmares. We’ll look back at what the rumors were at the time, what everyone in the community was saying, and what our initial reactions were when these maps first dropped years ago. We’re also breaking down the accuracy percentage of these first versions to remind everyone of one important thing: things change… and it’s still very early in rumor season.

This week, we’ve got a bit of a double feature! Speculation for Halloween Horror Nights 35 is officially running wild. On February 13th, we received another Speculation Map from Horror Night Nightmares. Nick and Shamus already gave their live reactions on YouTube, but we hadn’t heard from Jamie… until now. Nick and Jamie revisit the map to see if there are any clues they might’ve missed the first time around. Plus, Nick and Shamus sat down with Vinny Pacifico a professional wrestler by day, horror actor by night. We talk about how he got his start in both wrestling and horror, and what chilling projects he has coming up next.

In Part 2 of our quest to crown the 25 Best Horror Movies of the Last 25 Years, we’re jumping into the modern era! Covering the years of 2011 through 2025. The rules stay brutal: • 4 nominations per year • 5 minutes (or so) to debate • Only ONE movie survives as the yearly champion   From genre-defining hits to under-the-radar nightmares, this stretch of years is absolutely stacked! Did we disrespect your favorite? Did we crown the right winners? Or are you already preparing your rebuttal? Sound off in the comments and let us know YOUR champions for 2011–2025.

With HHN rumors cooling off (for now), we’re shifting gears and diving deep into what we love most… horror movies. In this episode, we’re traveling back through the last 25 years of horror, one year at a time to crown the 25 Best Horror Movies of the Last 25 Years.   Here’s the twist: Each year gets 4 nominations We’ve got 5 minutes (give or take) to debate Only one film per year can be crowned the champion Did we miss one of your favorites? Did we absolutely nail it? Or are you already typing an angry comment? Let us know your picks in the comments and play along with us!

It’s February. We’ve survived Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s which means there’s only one thing left to do… Start talking HHN 35! After months of tiny breadcrumbs and whispered rumors floating around the HHN universe, today’s the day we finally dive in. Is Stranger Things actually making a comeback? Could HHN land a potential Oscar-winning movie this year? Is Jack back?....again Only time will tell… but it’s officially rumor season, and we’re talking ALL about it. Let’s get into it. 

The time has come for our now seemingly annual Halloween Horror Nights Guess Map episode!  Somehow, over the past two years, we’ve lucked (or maybe skill’d?) our way into nailing a few of these picks, so let’s see how many we can call this year.   Every property on this map is pure guess work on our end. We put this together back in December before most of the rumors even started swirling.   Think we missed something? Have a prediction of your own? Drop it in the comments and let’s talk HHN!

Welcome back to The Spookeasy! Where the drinks are strong and the scares are stronger!   This week, we’re sliding into something a little more sinful as we pour up a stiff one and dive headfirst into Sinners. From blood soaked blues to deals with the devil, we’re breaking down the themes, performances, and moments that make this film hit harder than its body count. Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or just looking for your next dark watch, grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us inside The Spookeasy. All creatures of the night are welcome.   👉 Like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future pours of horror content 🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts 📲 Follow us on social for all your horror and HHN talk needs

Holiday break? Over. Speculation season? Back on! We’ve got a fresh Halloween Horror Nights Speculation Map courtesy of our friends at Horror Night Nightmares, who dropped this gem on Christmas morning. It's got wolves! It's got jack in box! It's got devil horns! and so much more!   It’s been living rent-free in our heads ever since so let’s stop waiting and break it all down!

The HHN35 house codenames are out, and you know what that means! Reckless speculation, wild IP guesses, and probably connecting dots that were never meant to be connected. From balloons and buses we’re breaking down each codename and guessing what they could mean for Halloween Horror Nights 35. Are these clever misdirects? Obvious clues? Or just Universal laughing at us? We’re throwing out our theories, calling our shots, and setting ourselves up to be either geniuses or completely wrong by August.

Welcome to The Spookeasy! Where the drinks are strong and the scares are stronger! For our very first episode, we’re pouring up a hot one and diving headfirst into a Holiday Horror classic in Krampus. Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or just looking to spice up your holiday watchlist, grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us inside The Spookeasy. All creatures of the night are welcome.   👉 Like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss future pours of horror content 🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts 📲 Follow us on social for more all you HHN talk needs

It’s that time of year again… our WAAAAAY too early Halloween Horror Nights predictions are back! And yes, we hear you: “It’s barely December, what the hell?” But around here, it’s never too early to start theorizing. Last year we threw out some wild guesses; Jason, FNAF, even Hatchet and Chains and somehow nailed a few along the way. Can we pull off another Hail Mary this season? We won’t know until August, but the speculation starts right now!

The season has officially come to a close and the votes are locked in! That can only mean one thing… it’s time for the illustrious Fear and Beer HHN Awards! From your Listener Awards to Best House, all the way to the highly coveted and infamous Broken Toilet Award, we’re honoring it all. So suit up, grab a seat, and join us as we shower this incredible event with one final bouquet of praise!

The wait is over! We’re back with Part 2 of our Halloween Horror Nights 34 finale, and this time we’re diving into what everyone’s been itching for....The Houses! We’ve been discussing these houses for almost a year now so let's see where each one stands!

What started as a simple one episode send off quickly turned into a two-parter! There was just too much to unpack without rushing it, so this week kicks off our Final Thoughts: Part 1! The fog has settled, the lights have dimmed, but there’s still plenty left to say about Halloween Horror Nights 34. Join us as we dive into our overall impressions of the event and be sure to tune in next week for Part 2, where we’ll break down all 10 haunted houses in detail!

Now that HHN34 is in full swing, it’s time to look back and see how it stacks up against last year’s event. From house lineups and scare zones to overall vibes. Which year truly takes the crown? Was HHN33’s nostalgia and lineup unbeatable, or did HHN34 raise the bar even higher with its creativity and energy? Grab a drink, join the fog, and let’s settle the score once and for all!

This week we are going to be dropping a donation only based episode to help out a great friend and fellow weenie Dad in need.    Helping Pups originated from The Catacombs of Halloween Horror Nights long standing history of giving back to the community and we’re teaming up with them, Kenneth from Pangolin and Rush of Fear, Michael from Hallowed Thrills and Dakota from Cathode Coaster and Horror Nights Gauntlet to give back on our end!    Keep your 👀 peeled on our socials for when this episode drops and how to donate/access this amazing 2.5 hour long discussion!    We are taking everyone’s HHN34 Mid-Season House Rankings, smashing it all together and discussing where the houses landed!  All money raised will be going directly to Alex to help combat the mountain of veterinarian bills.    Thank you for always having our backs; Now it’s our turn to have the backs of others when we can.

How are we already halfway through the best time of the year?! HOW?! That being said, it’s time to check in and see where all the houses stand for us right now. Reminder: these rankings are based purely on our own experiences. Your list may look completely different and that’s the fun of it! Will things shift before the final rankings? Oh, absolutely. (And let’s be real—they probably will)  

This is a tough episode to do this year because everything is top notch! However, we do need to look every detail and think "Could this have been done better?" or "How do we take this and improve it for next year?"' We go into the Food and Beverage, Scare Zones, Street Experiences, Houses and Shows!

We’ve hit the streets, we’ve braved the houses, and now it’s time to reflect!   In this episode, we look back at our Hype Lists and see how our expectations are stacking up so far. While it’s not time for a full re-rank just yet, we’ll break down what’s risen, what’s fallen, and what’s surprised us most this year!

We came, we saw, we kicked its ass! And just like that we are back in the fog, tearing through the houses, hanging in the scare zones and soaking up all the sights and sounds! What a time to be alive! We spent Thursday to Sunday in the parks and we have A LOT to talk about!

The grand finale! The hype lists are here! Opening day is finally upon us, and we’re capping off the One Week Until HHN Podathon with the episode everyone waits for all year. Where does each house, zone, and show fall in our rankings? Tune in to find out! Thank you all for riding with us through Podathon week. We’ll see you in the fog!

The HHN menus just dropped, and we’re serving up all the tasty (and terrifying) details!   From spaghetti pizza to a freakishly long corn dog, we’re dishing on the snacks and sips you’ll want to sink your teeth into this year!

Two worlds collide; Horror and Wrestling! Nick sits down with Ryzin, a pro wrestler who has lived and breathed horror personas throughout his career. We dive into the history of horror in wrestling, how it works (and struggles) in today’s climate, and even how it could fit right into HHN.   Big thanks to Ryzin for joining the Podathon to give us a first hand experience in both of these worlds! Follow Ryzin everywhere IG: @hailryzin X: @hailryzin

No Nick. No Shamus. No problem! Jamie and an incredible panel of women who keep the HHN community alive all year long got you covered today!  From each person's history at the event to their most-anticipated houses this year, this roundtable covers it all! Special thanks to our guests: Jess - HHN365 Instagram @hhn365 YouTube @hhn365   Liz - The RIP Tour and Discoliz Instagram @riptourpodcast and @discoliz YouTube @riptourpodcast and @discoliz   Nikki - Haunt Girls Instagram @hauntgirlspod  YouTube @hauntgirls    Bri - The Theme Team Instagram @the_theme_team_ YouTube @themeteam

The one where we get in trouble… kind of. 😈 This fan-favorite episode is where we let loose and throw out our hottest takes. Did we just trash your favorite house? Maybe. Are we sorry about it? Absolutely not.

It’s back! The annual HHN Fantasy Draft!  Each of us will draft a full event lineup: 10 Houses 5 Scare Zones 1 Show 2 Icons But here’s the twist—once something is picked, it’s off the board. Meaning if you’re last, you might get stuck with something you didn’t want! The chaos is real, and it’s glorious. Huge thanks to all our amazing guests for joining this year’s draft: Johnny - Haunt Scene  YouTube  https://youtube.com/@hauntscene?si=NlPeruRX8wQCdFci Instagram @hauntscene Ryan - Fortheloveofthemeparks YouTube  https://youtube.com/@fortheloveofthemeparksshorts?si=E7Tybb7Shq7zEBrj Instagram @fortheloveofthemeparks Michael - Hallowed Thrills YouTube  https://youtube.com/@hallowedthrills?si=u4c4QQdDYYp68LEM Instagram @hallowedthrills Aidan - Dreamport Productions YouTube  https://youtube.com/@dreamportproductions?si=cnd32hz1usagpwOw Instagram @dreamportproductions Dillon Thomas  YouTube  https://youtube.com/@dillon.thomas?si=DC8Uw6MXl2SdFD02 Instagram @thedillonthomas Make sure to follow everyone on their own channels!

This is YOUR show! We open the phone lines, sit back, and let you take the reins. What do we talk about? Honestly… we won’t know until you call!

It’s finally here! The kickoff to the One Week To HHN Podathon!  In our first episode we break down every single house, theorizing what the facades might look like, the must-have rooms, and what overall style each house could bring to the event.

Small town America meets slasher mayhem in Clown in a Cornfield, Adam Cesare’s brutal and bloody love letter to classic horror. When Quinn Maybrook moves to the quiet town of Kettle Springs, she discovers that beneath the cornfields and friendly smiles lies a community divided and a sinister clown mascot ready to paint the stalks red. This modern slasher blends old-school brutality with social commentary, delivering relentless kills, a masked villain for the ages, and enough carnage to satisfy any gorehound. If you’re a fan of Halloween or Scream, this is one you won’t want to miss.

The streets are coming alive as Halloween Horror Nights 2025 draws closer! In this episode, we take you on a full park walk-through, breaking down the latest props, set pieces, and how they might tie into each scare zone’s story. We’ve also spotted the first two food booths of the season, so naturally, we dive into our best (and wildest) guesses for what Food & Drink items might be on the menu this year. Stick around until the end as we preview our One Week Until HHN Podathon, sharing all the details on what’s happening next week in place of our regular episode!

This week, we’re taking a one-way trip to the jungle with The Ruins!   What starts as a fun vacation quickly spirals into a grisly fight for survival when a group of friends stumbles upon an off-the-map Mayan temple. But the real horror isn’t what's inside, it’s what's growing on the outside.   Body horror, paranoia, and nature turning against you in the most brutal ways! This underrated gem is not for the squeamish. Let’s dig into the vines, the screams, and that infamous scene that made everyone fear plants forever.

As we catch up on last week’s show reveals, we were hit with a DOUBLE ANNOUNCEMENT! That's right! Not one, but TWO house announcements dropped on the same day! Five Nights at Freddy’s and WWE Presents: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks are both officially coming to HHN34, and we’re breaking it all down. Plus, we dive into the latest scare zone construction updates, give a sneak peek at the upcoming One Week Until HHN Podathon, and celebrate the launch of our brand new HHN34 shirt designs, now live on our TeePublic page. Snag yours before they vanish into the fog!

It’s time to relive one of the OG slashers that helped define a generation of slashers! This week’s Shudder Sundays dives into Prom Night (1980)! Starring scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis, this cult classic serves up disco and deadly revenge as a masked killer stalks a group of teens during their high school prom. With its slow-burn tension, iconic dance scenes, and a chilling whodunit mystery at its core, Prom Night blends '80s glam with slasher grit in all the right ways.   We’ll break down the kills, the killer, and how this early entry in the slasher boom still holds up today. So grab your corsage and get ready to dance… to death.

This might be our most jam-packed episode yet! We’re diving into everything that dropped during Scare Zone Week! 4 brand new Scare Zones and 2 Street Experiences announced between Monday and Friday! We also break down all the details from the Universal Destinations & Experiences UK Media Event, courtesy of Darren Scott over on Twitter/X (@darren_scott). This episode was recorded LIVE on our YouTube and Facebook pages, so if you’re not already subscribed or following us, now’s the time — don’t miss the next one! PLUS: We reveal the winners of our 5K Giveaway, tease our upcoming exclusive shirt release, and kick off early prep for our One Week Until HHN Podathon... and more!