Face your greatest fears and indulge in all of Halloween Horror Nights 8‘s incredible haunted houses and scare zones in this mega review article!
Infinite Fear at Halloween Horror Nights 8
Shortcuts
Haunted Houses | Scare Zones | Zombie Laser Tag | Shows
Haunted Houses review
Haunted Houses are walkthrough attractions with special effects and performers. There’s certainly many headliner-worthy houses this year, with my personal top houses: Killuminati, Stranger Things, and Pontianak.
Killuminati
Walk into the seedy back alleys of Hong Kong and learn what it takes to join the secretive Killuminati cult.
From the start, you may be split from your friends and from then on experience a different (mis)adventure in this haunted house. The new pre-show sequence kicks off the story with a dramatic turn – this mechanic may cause longer wait times as the ritual chamber can only fit so many people at any time.
Unlike typical haunted houses with plain corridors or cramped rooms, you will be impressed with expansive scenes in Killuminati, including some that are multi-level. There are secret rooms, but you’ll need to be lucky to find them.
This is the one house that you’ll need to queue again to get a complete narrative experience. With several high-flying stunts, special acts, and interactive touches, Killuminati blurs the line between an elaborate scare house and immersive horror theatre.
Rating
Story: ★★★★★★
Presentation: ★★★★★★
Scare Level: ★★★★★
READ MORE: Killuminati haunted house special feature →
Stranger Things
Venture into the upside down at Singapore’s first haunted house based on an international horror IP, Netflix’s Stranger Things. With 12 iconic scenes built with incredible, screen-accurate detail, the maze will not disappoint die-hard fans of the series.
There are also numerous Demogorgon encounters, and elements unique to Singapore’s Stranger Things house.
Only in Singapore’s maze can you find Jonathan and Barbara performed by live actors.
There are also two startling stunts within the Hawkins Lab scenes, which happen so fast that you might not even catch your breath.
You won’t miss the epic showdown at Hawkins Middle School between Eleven and a Demogorgon – because in Singapore you get thrown right into the action.
Anticipated to the one of the most popular houses, don’t be surprised if you need to wait at least an hour for this house even on the quieter nights. The hype could get quite real.
Rating
Story: ★★★★★
Presentation: ★★★★★★
Scare Level: ★★★★★
See more photos in the Stranger Things Behind the Scenes Preview →
READ MORE: Stranger Things COMPLETE TOUR Special Feature →
Pontianak
The Pontianak is a famous ghost from South-East Asian folklore. She has always made cameo appearances in local- and regional-themed houses and scare zones at past Halloween Horror Nights in Singapore.
After so many years, this iconic ghost’s legendary origin story will come to life as a full-length horror house. Designed to resemble a 1950s Malay Village, the sets in Pontianak’s signature home are incredibly detailed and filled with her favourite things: the flowery scent, banana trees, hanging sheets, people getting the fright of their lives…
I cannot agree more with the park’s creative team when they said this would be the scariest house. The Pontianak hauntings intensify dramatically, with her terrifying visage manifesting at every turn.
This house also has a surprising number of stunts and tricks, so beware. She will strike terror from in front, beside, behind you and maybe – even below…
Your only way out of the Pontianak’s vengeful curse is through a dense banana plantation. Good luck surviving the scariest place at HHN8.
Rating
Story: ★★★★★
Presentation: ★★★★★
Scare Level: ★★★★★★★
READ MORE: Pontianak haunted house special feature →
The Haunting of Oiwa
Inspired by Japan’s most famous ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, Universal Studios Singapore’s tribute in The Haunting of Oiwa lets you witness a chilling tale of betrayal and revenge.
Starting off as a mini kabuki play, you will be invited onstage… and into its haunting scenes.
Oiwa’s tragic story unfolds quickly into nightmarish scenes – for the ex-husband – and innocent theme park guests like us.
There’s a wedding massacre like no other.
This is one of the scariest corridor, especially if you have to walk down alone.
It is also unsettling to see many surreal scenes from Japanese ghost paintings being adapted into the house’s set design. This house also covers quite a lot of different “fears” unexpectedly – so beware.
All the characters here speak Japanese, keeping the narrative an immersive and theatrical one. To help you understand the story better, signboards are placed in the queue to introduce the five key acts of this horrifying play.
Rating
Story: ★★★★★
Presentation: ★★★★★
Scare Level: ★★★★★★
READ MORE: The Haunting of Oiwa haunted house special feature →
Pagoda of Peril
The Pagoda of Peril is the probably the most mysterious haunted house, because it is based on Chinese mythology and fantasy. That subject matter has been creatively interpreted in various media.
Your perilous journey begins with a first step into a derelict temple. Its creepy scenes stir to life with all sorts of restless spirits, many invisible.
Things start to take a more whimsical turn after you step into the Yin Demon’s famous Pagoda prison.
There are many unusual scenes, with disturbing (or interesting) sights. Lighting trickery is also used here to disorient and shock.
The Pagoda’s story may not be easy to understand just by walking through, but the effects and tricks, along with its bizarre Netherworld scenes and prisoners, will make it worth your time.
Rating
Story: ★★★★☆
Presentation: ★★★★★
Scare Level: ★★★★☆
READ MORE: Pagoda of Peril haunted house special feature →
Scare Zones review
Scare zones are open, dynamic walkthrough areas where performers and guests may roam freely.
Apocalypse: Earth
In Apocalypse: Earth, this year’s most elaborate scare zone, nature strikes back for our wasteful actions against the environment.
Two factions – victims and Gaia‘s servants will all partake in dramatic sequences, and you might get dragged into their struggles.
They all lurk within the scenes of destruction, which are also great photo spots.
It’s a less terrifying version of last year’s Pilgrimage of Sin, and although there are impressive props here, I felt that this zone is still missing something.
Perhaps even this Doomsday scenario needs to be kept simple, as it is tucked between two haunted houses that are likely very popular and will add on to the already crowded area.
Rating
Story: ★★★★☆
Presentation: ★★★★☆
Scare Level: ★★★☆☆
Cannibal
Tread carefully into the land of the reclusive Cannibal tribe. It’s been a while since the last Ancient Egypt scare zone, and this year’s design blends nicely into the zone’s original theming.
The Cannibals are quite brutal warriors that are also hungry. Watch out for the shadows – there’s always someone lurking about, sniffing around for their next meal.
Enhancing the exotic narrative are convincing performances of the tribe’ war chants and speech. It’s sounds quite believable – almost like a remote tribal language, compared to the past years where everyone did their own thing.
To fully understand the story of the Cannibal, don’t miss their Blood & Bones show. More photos below.
Story: ★★★★☆
Presentation: ★★★★☆
Scare Level: ★★★★☆
Zombie Laser Tag
With double the game area in a much scarier space, Zombie Laser Tag has returned to offer a refined VIP Interactive zone experience.
Enhancements include more realistic gameplay (no unlimited ammo), a better scoring system (bragging rights) and the overall game process is streamlined compared to 2017, eliminating the awkwardly long waits.
There are also sections where you will feel cornered by onslaughts of zombies. Without giving too much away, I’d say it’s thrilling and fun. Now, if only it’s much longer.
Rating
Story: ★★★☆☆
Presentation: ★★★☆☆
Scare Factor: ★★★★☆
READ MORE: Zombie Laser Tag 2018 full review article →
HHN8 Shows review
Infinite Fear Opening Scaremony
This year’s Opening Scaremony show will bring you to Eight Lakes Psychiatric Hospital where you will go inside the mind of a mental patient to unleash fear all over.
With illusions, arresting visuals, and a dramatic narrative, this show combines some of the best elements from past scaremony shows and packages it into a quick, impactful performance. I personally prefer shorter opening shows.
The great thing is that you can revisit and watch again during the night if you couldn’t get a good view.
The stage’s massive display transforms into beautiful backdrops for Meet and Greet sessions during the night – one for each iconic character.
Rating
Story: ★★★★☆
Presentation: ★★★★★
READ MORE: Infinite Fear Opening Scaremony Feature Article →
DEAD Talks
Motivational Death Coach and Scariest Man Alive, Gideon Grim, is here in Singapore to teach us a 4-step method to highly effective scaring in the DEAD Talks seminar.
The all-new, original character is actually quite charming, and funny – in a good way.
The show is highly engaging with dance segments being a surprising plus to the experience. Especially the one that starts off in complete darkness, and the crowd-pleaser inspired by Tinder and Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’.
DEAD Talks also moves away from the typical stuff done in past HHN shows. The show actually feels properly geared towards Horror Nights audience. And it’s much better than last year’s Laboratorium show.
Rating
Story: ★★★★★
Presentation: ★★★★★
Blood & Bones
Witness the Cannibal Chief’s gruesome Blood & Bones ceremony where a hapless victim is ritually sacrificed. There seems to be at least two variations of the show, so you might either see a belly dancer or fire juggling act.
Involving almost all the characters in Cannibal, Blood & Bones offers insights on how the tribe works. The only issue with the show is that the viewing area is quite small, so get here earlier for a good viewing spot.
Rating
Story: ★★★★☆
Presentation: ★★★★☆
Extended Event Coverage
The photos in this article are curated to showcase some of the best scenes and characters from Halloween Horror Nights 8 without giving too much away. Throughout October, special feature articles will offer in-depth looks into this year’s horror attractions.
Media Preview VLOG
Experience parts of the Media Preview in a new vlog, which includes some haunted house footage and behind the scenes moments of my event coverage. Watch it on my YouTube channel here.
Note: This review is based on Preview Nights. Your experience at HHN8 may vary with varying park crowd conditions and creative adjustments.
Additional Photography by Giselle.
Face your fears
Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights 8 is held from 27 Sept through 31 Oct 2018 on select nights. Tickets are available online at halloweenhorrornights.com.sg, or you can also buy them via my Klook link.
Halloween Horror Nights 8 – coverage presented by Dejiki
Check back throughout October for extended event coverage on Halloween Horror Nights – only on Dejiki.com! Like the FB page and share with your friends:
Halloween Horror Nights 11 (2023)HHN11 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Sneak Preview: DIYU: Descent Into Hell, Rebirth of the Matriarch, Icons and more
Halloween Horror Nights 11 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
HHN11 RIP TOUR (VIP Tour) Review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
Grimm Encounters | The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare
Judgement Day (Opening Scaremony) | Netflix's All of Us Are Dead
DIYU: Descent Into Hell | Rebirth of the Matriarch
Dead Man's Wharf | The Cursed Kiramam
The Hacker + The Hacker: GAME OVER
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2023
Halloween Horror Nights 2023/ HAHAHA! Halloween Party! Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights – The Archives
Click to Expand and see all posts from past Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights 10 (2022)
HHN10 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 10 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
SPECIAL FEATURE: Behind the Scenes at HHN10 Haunted Houses
HHN10 RIP Tour (VIP Tour) Review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Silenced Auction (Opening Scaremony) | DIE-ning with The Dead | Monsters & Manifestations
Escape The Breakout | Killustrator: The Final Chapter | Hospitality of Horror
Operation: Dead Force | The Hunt for Pontianak | Dark Zodiac
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2022
USJ Halloween Horror Nights 2022 Review and Photo Tour
Trick or Thrills (2021)
Halloween Horror Nights Exhibition
2021 Day and Night Halloween: DIE-ning with the Dead, Universal Monsters Scream Alley | Zany Zombies and IT'S SHOWTIME! Premium Experience
Halloween Horror Nights 9 (2019)
HHN9 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 9 MEGA REVIEW
SURVIVAL GUIDE for Halloween Horror Nights 9
HHN9 RIP Experience (VIP Tour)
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Chalet Hauntings Revisited | Spirit Dolls | Hell Block 9
Curse of The Naga Revisited | Twisted Clown University
Dead End | Death Fest + Death Fest LIVE
2019 Opening Scaremony (The Undertaker)
SNEAK PREVIEW: Curse of The Naga | The Chalet Hauntings | Behind The Scenes of HHN9
HHN9 Construction Updates (BEFORE DARK)
Part 1 | Part 2 (with Daytime Halloween event) | Part 3 (Horror Truck) | Part 4
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2019
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 8 (2018)
Meet the Killuminati / The Ceremonial Sacrifice (HHN8 press conference)
HHN8 Construction Updates (BEFORE DARK): Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
FIRST LOOK: Stranger Things haunted house with Behind the scenes tour
Halloween Horror Nights 8 COMPLETE REVIEW
SURVIVAL GUIDE: HHN8 Tips, Strategies and Secrets
HHN8 RIP (VIP) TOUR and Behind the Screams (BTS) Tour review
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
INFINITE FEAR Opening Scaremony show | Zombie Laser Tag 2018
Pagoda of Peril | The Haunting of Oiwa | Stranger Things | Pontianak | Killuminati
Apocalypse: Earth | Cannibal
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2018
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2018 Event Guide | 2018 HHN Japan Review
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan (2017)
Halloween Horror Nights 7 (2017)
HHN7 EVENT GUIDE: Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Ticket Prices
Behind The Scenes: HEX haunted house | HHN7 SNEAK PREVIEW
Halloween Horror Nights 7 REVIEW MEGAPOST Halloween Horror Nights 7 SURVIVAL GUIDE with Tips & Tricks
HHN7 RIP Tour REVIEW
Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
HHN7 Behind The Screams (BTS) Tour | Zombie Laser Tag (ZLT) Experience
HHN7 MasterCard Priceless Experience (Overnight Survival Camp)
Inside The Mind | DEATH Mall | Make The Cut | TERROR-Cotta Empress | HEX
Happy Horror Days | Pilgrimage of Sin
Slit Face Girls - Slice of Life Tour | 2017 Opening Scaremony
Pre-Event Feature Stories
Before Dark ZERO: Scare actor auditions
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4 | Before Dark 5
Halloween Horror Nights 6 (2016)
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4
Sneak Preview to Halloween Horror Nights 6
Halloween Horror Nights 6 REVIEW Megapost
HHN6 SURVIVAL GUIDE 2016
HHN6 RIP Tour Review | HHN6 Behind The Screams (BTS) Tour
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
HHN6 Opening Scaremony Show
Hawker Centre Massacre | Salem Witch House
Bodies of Work | Old Changi Hospital | Hu Li's Inn
Jack's Recurring Nightmare Circus
Suicide Forest | March of the Dead | Death March (Night Parade)
Five Nights... at HHN6 (Final Cut)
Halloween Horror Nights 5 (2015)
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | Before Dark 4 | Before Dark 5
Halloween Horror Nights 5 Sneak Preview
Halloween Horror Nights 5 REVIEW
Tips & Tricks: Halloween Horror Night 5 Survival Guide
HHN5 RIP Tour and BTS Tour Experience and Review
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
The Blood Moon (HHN5 Opening Scaremony) and HHN5 Icons
Tunnel People (Dark House) | True Singapore Ghost Stories: The MRT
Hell House (Paper House) | Siloso Gateway Block 50 (Haunted HDB)
ConTERMINATED | Hungry Ghosts | The Invaders
Bonus Feature: Halloween Horror Nights 5 Final Cut
#1 - It's Not Over | #2 - Memento Mori | #3 - Last Fight
Halloween Horror Nights 4
Before Dark 1 | Before Dark 2 | Before Dark 3 | MATI CAMP Before Dark | Before Dark 4
The First Look (HHN4 Sneak Preview)
Halloween Horror Nights 4 Review | 2014 Survival Guide: HHN4 Tips and Tricks
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
The Minster of Evil (HHN4 Opening Scaremony) | Jack's Nightmare Circus
Bogeyman | DEMONCRACY | Canyon of the Cursed | Scary Tales
Jack's 3-Dementia | Jing's Revenge | MATI CAMP | The L.A.B
Halloween Horror Nights 3
Halloween Horror Nights 3 (HHN3) Review
Survival Guide: Halloween Horror Nights 3 Tips and Tricks
Features on Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
Sisters of Evil | Forbidden Forest | Attack of the Vampires | Convention of Curses
Possessions | Songs of Death | Adrift
Halloween Horror Nights 2
HHN2 Trip Report, Review and Tips
Special Features
House of Dolls | Total Lockdown | Bizarre Bazaar | Final Night
Halloween Horror Nights
Thank you so much for the detailed review for HHN8, it’s a nice sneak peek for the event!
I might be purchasing express pass this year, do you know usually how long is the wait time for express queues during peak days? Thanks in advance!
It really depends, but usually its 5 to 30 minutes! On nights where the normal queue is almost 2-3 hours, the Express line waiting time may increase to 45-60 minutes.
will u be uploading hhn8 guide?
What time are the shows?
Hi, I’m going on a Sunday on mid October, and this is my first time joining HHN, how early should I get there to avoid the long queue? (I don’t mind 20-30 people behind)
And… if I were to enter late around 7:30-8pm, will there be a long queue as well?
For the past years’ Sunday event nights, the wait time for houses are usually 15-60 minutes, sometimes increasing to 75. It’s always different every year so it is hard to predict, but Sundays are usually the best nights.
Oh I meant entrance time, at the entrance gate, will the queue be long if I were to arrive at 7:30pm or 8pm?
Not a fan of HHN, but I was wondering of the following after I overheard “Media Preview Invite” disputes from someone.
How does one actually get an invite from RWS for HHN “Media Preview”?
What are the requirements and procedures in order to be able to get such an invite?
What is this dispute about?
It is up to the event organiser’s discretion to decide who to invite.
Quote reply: “What is this dispute about?”
Well, I guess I won’t want to elaborate too much on that here as this one is some sort of someone’s personal issue within the group of photographers.
I was always wondering how come certain group of fans always get such special privileges (Such as RWS fans out, HHN media preview etc). But anyway, thanks for the information.
And if I were to come early for the entrance queue at the front gates to enter USS HHN, how early should I be there? (I don’t mind if the queue is10 -20 peoples long)
*And if I were to arrive late, is 7:30pm & 8pm entrance queue into USS be long too?
If you arrive at 8PM, the crowds that were held in Hollywood zone would have been released into the park. It would be better than to arrive at 7:30PM as guests are waiting for the rope drop in the holding area.
HI Dejiki
Hoping to see your guides/tips for which haunted house to enter first.Heading there this friday!.
Hi Dejiki
Any tips to which haunted house to head to first and in what order ? . Thanks!
Are the USS rides opened when u went there on that day? And will the rides open other days too?
The stranger things tonight goes up to 120 mins
Rest is 50-60mins
It a a thursday and the timing is crazy
Seem like everyone has the same idea as going on non peak nights
I have the same thoughts about Apocalypse Earth as well. It seems too simple. Perhaps having a similar dark, “destructive” themed area 2 years in a round in the same area makes it less exciting? HHN6’s March of the Dead was a very fresh concept maybe they could rotate the zone here between “dark” and “bright” every year?
Me too
I find it not scary and some of the actors look lost.
It isnt as good as past years
Maybe they want tone it down.
After reading this, I’m glad that I’ve bought the express pass even though it iss more expensive than the entrance fee itself. Most likely, our strategy is to go Stranger Things first (without xpress pass) then other Haunted House (using xpress pass), scare zone, show and repeat the Killuminati later..
You can’t repeat haunted houses on your express pass so you might as well use it for Stanger Things too
Hi DeJiki , where am I able to find the RIP tour rates on the official website as I actually visited last year however I’m unable to find the special discount rate
The rates are not available on the official website, as the rates can be quite complicated. Guests are welcomed to contact RWS VIP Experience team to get the rate card. You may want to refer to my Event & Ticketing Guide for the rates.
Hi . Are cameras allowed inside the haunted houses IF we are on the RIP TOUR?
I noticed all your photos are from the actual haunted house instead of just behind the screams – lights on tour. How did you manage to get photos? Are cameras allowed for rip tour participants? Thank you.
Macie,
Photography and video recording in haunted houses are NOT permitted for ALL guests including those on the RIP Tour. The same rule applies for Behind the Screams Haunted Houses Tour this year.
My haunted houses photographs are taken on rehearsal nights by invitation from Universal Studios Singapore.
How long are the DEAD Talks and Blood & Bone shows?
resort world invites have priority queue? as i ask the staff there no 1 seem to know. thanks
Hi ..its stated that children below 13 years old is not recommended for this event. But if my 11 years old kid still wants to go, its possible right? Its not like a totally NO for kids below 13 years of age right? Thanks
Hi..i just want to check with u.. its stated there that children below the age of 13 years old is not recommended to join this event. But if lets say my 11year old son insist on going, is it possible? Its not like a totally NO for children below the age of 13 years old right?
Hi Elly, the event is recommended for ages 13 and above due to its graphic content. However there is age check at the park entrance; and children are often seen at the event accompanied with their parents.
Hi, if I buy the admission ticket only so it means there’s no thrill at all? Pls advice