Halloween Horror Nights 2026 (USH) - Speculation & Rumors

[wedgeskywalker9]

I’m actually really surprised how cool everyone is being about this. For some reason I assumed yall would think Fortnite at HHN is dumb. I think it’s fun personally, anything people are excited about it cool

Feels pretty similar to FNAF in my book - a video game IP that appeals to a younger demographic. FNAF has more of a jump scare focus, but the actual character designs for the Fortnitemares stuff I've seen feel like an easier fit than for a scare zone or house than the bulky animatronics. Not like there's a lot of must get IP this year, either. I say bring it on.

 

[Mr_Pendington]

FNAF has more of a jump scare focus, but the actual character designs for the Fortnitemares stuff I've seen feel like an easier fit than for a scare zone or house than the bulky animatronics. Not like there's a lot of must get IP this year, either. I say bring it on.

I disagree as someone who plays both. FNAF is alot more grounded and has a movie that did all the work of making the games exist as practical props. Exploring an abandoned haunted pizzaria works perfectly for a house. Fortnite-mares usually is a lot of IP collabs with huge areas of the map decorated; even for Orlando it's way too big for a house. A scarezone and/or a show fits Fortnite-mares a lot better, but the Waterworld stage would be strange... not sure how they'd make it fit to be honest. But I'm open to anything!

 

[DTH]

I guess I just don't understand the appeal of having Fortnitemares if the cool thing about it is having IPs clashing (I think?), which, inevitably I have to imagine HHN won't have? Since the trouble to go through having those IPs is still an obstacle to deal with other studios. And if they did obtain the rights to use those IP characters, my main thought would be "cool, but then why not use them for a maze?" Unless Fortnitmares will specifically only use the Universal and/or HHN characters from 2026, but somehow, that seems like "eh, so what? I already saw them elsewhere."

I guess it just comes down to "cool and easy synergy where we can kinda do what we want but have a video game IP, but it ultimately doesn't matter one way or another"

 

[Freak]

I guess I just don't understand the appeal of having Fortnitemares if the cool thing about it is having IPs clashing (I think?), which, inevitably I have to imagine HHN won't have? Since the trouble to go through having those IPs is still an obstacle to deal with other studios. And if they did obtain the rights to use those IP characters, my main thought would be "cool, but then why not use them for a maze?" Unless Fortnitmares will specifically only use the Universal and/or HHN characters from 2026, but somehow, that seems like "eh, so what? I already saw them elsewhere."

I guess it just comes down to "cool and easy synergy where we can kinda do what we want but have a video game IP, but it ultimately doesn't matter one way or another"

They’ll probably just use the Blumhouse characters for whatever they’re using for Fortnightmares

 

[Jerroddragon]

Fortnitemares taking over WW, would be a big win

People wanted something new instead of the Purge and Fortnitemares should fill seats...so think it sounds like a Win for me if thats the plan

 

[Mr_Pendington]

Or maybe the rumors got skewed over the telephone and it's actually just Ted playing Fortnite-mares...

 

[MAC]

Also an interesting note

I was wondering if there would be any kind of 'anniversary' feel for this at USH's HHN. We're moving towards the west coast in a couple of months and it'll be an easy drive to USH now, but was considering still going to HHN USF this year because it's the 35th anniversary.

 

[ItsAtrap]

Fortnitemares taking over WW, would be a big win

People wanted something new instead of the Purge and Fortnitemares should fill seats...so think it sounds like a Win for me if thats the plan

I agree. Anything but The Purge again.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Like Birthdays....I think Anniversary's are celebrated for fun

Like after Covid for me its a wake up call that you never know what will happen in life. So I'd like them to celebrate HHN at Hollywood because they want to...if they don't cool but you'd think they'd just want to because its an achievement. Like we all made it another year and just want to be happy we get this world class event and want to just celebrate the many years of this event

You only live once and I think most fan have had fun celebrating the Trams Birthday and all the movies Universal has made over the past 100+ years, so I think a celebration for the event would be in order...maybe next anniversary they feel like it or maybe the next leader of HHN will see the value in it

 

[Mr_Pendington]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to talk about it, but I'd personally LOVE a Backrooms maze next year



The movie hasn't come out yet but the YouTube series is PHENOMENAL

 

[Freak]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to talk about it, but I'd personally LOVE a Backrooms maze next year



The movie hasn't come out yet but the YouTube series is PHENOMENAL

Obviously I would have to watch the movie myself to actually know this, but I don’t know if Backrooms can adequately convey a house.

For one, would A24 be willing to work with HHN? We have yet to have an A24 IP repped.

And here’s the biggest one: In order to properly do the IP justice, you would need a TON of space to work with. The novelty of the backrooms is how infinite and expansive everything is. That, and the off-putting feel of the rooms that are mixed with nostalgia and luminal dread.

If they really wanted to do a Backrooms house, thy could. They would need to get creative with some optical illusions (LOTS of mirror play) and some creative lighting and set design.

 

[Mr_Pendington]

Very good points, here are my thoughts:

A24 has been stepping into franchise work recently, with them acquiring the rights to Jason Universe and distributing a Camp Crystal Lake series. They are open to collaborations that don't nessecarily fit their "indie" style of lower key film makers, so even if the Backrooms doesn't make the cut I see A24 eventually working with Universal in some capacity.

I 100% agree with the space issue, it would have to be a UBE or sound stage maze to really fit the verticality. But we still have yet to see what the hill project's sound stage is going to look like, so maybe we can anticipate more space coming soon...? But that's a rumor

A Quiet Place being alot more quiet than the usual maze design is a pretty good sign Murdy is willing to deviate slightly from his philosophies when its needed. Maybe Backrooms can be added to Horror Unleashed if they ever swap out mazes, that'd fix a lot of issues!

 

[Clive]

Very good points, here are my thoughts:

A24 has been stepping into franchise work recently, with them acquiring the rights to Jason Universe and distributing a Camp Crystal Lake series. They are open to collaborations that don't nessecarily fit their "indie" style of lower key film makers, so even if the Backrooms doesn't make the cut I see A24 eventually working with Universal in some capacity.

I 100% agree with the space issue, it would have to be a UBE or sound stage maze to really fit the verticality. But we still have yet to see what the hill project's sound stage is going to look like, so maybe we can anticipate more space coming soon...? But that's a rumor

A Quiet Place being alot more quiet than the usual maze design is a pretty good sign Murdy is willing to deviate slightly from his philosophies when its needed. Maybe Backrooms can be added to Horror Unleashed if they ever swap out mazes, that'd fix a lot of issues!

Guys, this isn't USH HHN 2026 speculation. Take this conversation to the appropriate thread, thanks.