Universal this morning revealed its first property for this year's Halloween Horror Nights: Netflix's hit series Stranger Things.
The popular 1980s horror throwback series will be featured at the Halloween Horror Nights events this fall in Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore. This is the first time I can remember that Universal has made a simultaneous announcement for all three resorts. In the past, the Singapore event has relied on original concepts.
The Stranger Things maze will draw upon Season 1 of the series. Here's Universal's description:
You’ll faithfully follow the storyline, starting off on Mirkwood and then quickly moving to inside Hawkins National Laboratory where things have gone terribly, terribly wrong.From there you will experience all the most memorable moments and environments from the show while being hunted at every turn by the Demogorgon.
And of course, you’ll step into the mysterious darkness of the Upside Down more than once – whether you like it or not.
Universal started announcing Halloween Horror Nights properties in March last year, with announcements dribbling out through August. This year's event starts September 14, 2018 and run for 34 nights through November 3 at Universal Orlando. Dates have not been announced for Universal Studios Hollywood or Singapore.
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This is the first IP they have had for horror nights that I would love to see. It’d be super cool if they were to make a full attraction out of this. Would make for an easy layover of the ET ride. Universal’s Haunted Mansion?
Seems a little behind the times to finally adapt the IP to HHN (Netflix hasn't officially announced when Season 3 will debut, but it's not likely to be until late 2018/early 2019), but the franchise is an obvious gold mine for maze material. They could do an entire maze in the Upside-down, and it would be incredible. If they wanted instead to tap Season 2, they could stage the whole maze at Hawkins Lab.
I lived in Indiana and went to junior high and high school there in the early-to-mid 1980s, so Stranger Things is my jam. I haven't been this excited for a theme park announcement since Potter. Of course, this also means that my expectations for the mazes are sky-high. Can't wait to experience them!
I do like this. I'm going to Orlando this September, so maybe I get to go to Horror Nights for the first time!
That did get me thinking... What other Netflix IPs could be used for attractions (on Universal, or maybe even in a park of their own)?
Unfortunately, Netflix doesn't have a lot of their own IP to apply to theme park attractions. They have all of their Marvel properties, but those are obviously owned by Disney. Most of their other top content is not appropriate for theme parks (racy thrillers like Altered Carbon, Orange is the New Black, and House of Cards), are not wholly owned by Netflix (Series of Unfortunate Events and Black Mirror), or just aren't that great (Bright - I can't believe I got tricked into watching that one and Okja, which was supposed to be an artsy movie that turned into a political commentary).
For as much content as Netflix generates and streams to the masses, there just isn't a lot that's applicable to a theme park environment.
Yeah... I guess aybe there aren't THAT many options (though they always make some wondeurous theme-park style exhibits on Comic Con Experience). 'Stranger Things' really seems like it could have their own ride... And one that would fit even better for Horror Nights would be Black Mirror.
3% seems like it could be a great fit, if only it was more popular (and made in US)...
What a coup! Universal is just killing it every year with their Halloween offerings!
This is awesome, I'd love to experience that maze.
This is the most awesome partnership between Universal and Netflix! The maze options are aplenty, even if they limit themselves to season 1 material. Hawkins Lab, Hawkins Middle School, Mirkwood, 80's references, D&D, THE UPSIDE DOWN!
In the words of Dustin: "Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh My God!"
want to go back this year. I went last year and loved it
I actually wasn't planning on returning to HHN this year because of how unimpressive last year was for me... but Stranger Things is one of my favorite shows in a long time. I mean if it wasn't for this show, I wouldn't have gotten back into D&D as an adult!
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Very interesting...