The fog is already starting to roll in! This AM at Megacon there was a Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) panel, and we couldn’t be more excited. Universal Orlando Resort officially kicked off the road to Halloween Horror Nights 35, and they didn’t hold back. This year marks the 35th anniversary, and Universal is leaning heavily into the legacy that made this event a horror powerhouse. Enter Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow!
Here is everything you need to know from today’s massive announcement. But before we get into all of that be sure to follow us visually over on our YouTube channel here.
The Theme: Infernal Carnival of Nightmares
For HHN 35, Universal is bringing us into the “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares.” While we’ve seen carnivals in the fog before, this year features a “unification” of two of the event’s most legendary (and historically rival) icons. A maze featuring the two icons going head-to-head is sure to be a hit and very popular right out of the gate. Also, let us not skip over the fact that Infernal Carnival of Nightmares does spell out icon. The icons of HHN in Orlando have their own stories, but none bigger than Jack!
Double Trouble: Jack the Clown & Dr. Oddfellow
In a shocking twist for longtime fans, Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow are officially returning, but this time they are working together.
Universal also dropped the name of the first original haunted house for 2026. Jack & Oddfellow Chaos & Control will serve as a deep dive into the lore of these two characters. I went through Michael Aiello’s X posts and created some highlights below of what to expect. You can see all of his words over on X.
What to expect inside the house:
- The Origin Story: The house is narrated by Dr. Oddfellow, telling the story of Jack’s original killing spree from his perspective.
- The Box: We’ll finally see the moment Oddfellow sealed Jack away, but with a “new little twist” involving the box actually being a portal.
- The Oddverse: Guests will step into the “Oddverse”—the surreal, dangerous realm between dimensions that Oddfellow uses to travel.
- Jack: Jack will take over the narration from his point of view. All while we walk through the portal
- Working Together and also colliding: Jack and Oddfellow will work together but also fight for control.
Quick Facts: HHN 35
| Feature | Details |
| Event Dates | August 28 – November 1, 2026 |
| Location | Universal Studios Florida |
| Total Houses | 10 (Expected) 5 originals & 5 IPs |
| Scare Zones | 5 expected |
| Show | TBD |
Pro Tip: New HHN 35 preview merchandise, including t-shirts and a limited edition poster, is available right now at the 5 & Dime in Universal Studios Florida!
The 35th anniversary is shaping up to be a masterclass in original storytelling. With the “Infernal Carnival” theme spanning the event, we can’t wait to see which IPs (Intellectual Properties) will join this legacy lineup. Check out our rumor article where we talk about what we think is coming to HHN 35, which did include the rumor surrounding this maze! You can find that article here. Also, you can follow us over on YouTube here.
See you in the fog!