With the announcement of Jason Universe coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2025, fans of the Friday the 13th franchise are eagerly gearing up for what promises to be a terrifyingly immersive experience. The all-new haunted house, inspired by the long-running slasher series, brings the infamous Jason Voorhees back into the HHN spotlight—hockey mask, machete, and all.
But for longtime HHN fans, Jason’s presence is anything but new. Over the span of three decades, Jason has crossed into the HHN realm many times, even before the announcement of Jason Universe for 2025.
So, let’s revisit the twisted path that led from Camp Crystal Lake to Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s a deep dive into Jason’s storied history at HHN.
Jason Voorhees Debuts in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure
Long before the days of Nightmare Fuel, back in 1992, Halloween Horror Nights welcomed the debut of a fan-favorite show: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure. That year marked the first time the Wyld Stallyns brought their unique show to HHN audiences.
During a mishap in which the duo time-traveled, intending to trick-or-treat in their neighborhood over and over again, Bill and his best friend Ted ended up in the Old West. Here, they encountered Black Bart, who stole their time booth and recruited cinema’s most sinister killers (as you do), including Freddy Krueger, The Terminator, and Jason Voorhees. Although Bill and Ted were, naturally, most victorious, this marked Jason’s first appearance at HHN.
Jason Voorhees in Early HHN Compilation Houses
After his appearance in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, Jason went on to feature in various houses and shows over the following years. Most could be considered minor cameos, except for 2003’s All Nite Die-In.
This house was inspired by the HHN13 icon, The Director, and split into four parts, where guests encountered some major movie baddies: Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Leatherface. Although all four would go on to become HHN alumni with multiple appearances over the years, Jason would be the first to receive a house of his own just four years later.
Friday the 13th: Camp Blood
In 2007, guests were treated to a “best-of” journey across the Friday the 13th timeline with Friday the 13th: Camp Blood. This house marked a milestone as the first Halloween Horror Nights maze fully dedicated to Jason Voorhees.
While the house was created specifically for the event, its story served as a love letter to the entire franchise up to that point. Its name not only acknowledged the original Friday the 13th’s working title, A Long Night at Camp Blood, but also featured some of the franchise’s most memorable kills, multiple iterations of Jason Voorhees (even Jason X), and a literal shrine to Jason’s mother.
Freddy vs. Jason
Jason made a comeback for Halloween Horror Nights’ 25th anniversary—but this time, he wasn’t alone. In the Freddy vs. Jason house, two of horror’s most iconic slashers went head-to-head, reigniting a rivalry that had first thrilled fans on the big screen more than a decade earlier in 2003.
However, Universal Creative added a twist: The house ended with a random finale kill. Either Jason emerged with Freddy’s decapitated head, or Freddy emerged holding Jason’s mask. This allowed Universal to pay homage to the film’s ambiguous ending while showcasing their creative dedication to honoring the movie’s spirit.
Jason Universe
A decade after what was arguably one of HHN’s most beloved houses, Jason has re-emerged once again from the dark depths of HHN. The 2025 house will serve as an introduction for franchise newcomers and a reminder of Jason’s bloody legacy for longtime Horror Nights enthusiasts.
Guests kick off their terrifying journey at the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, stepping straight into Jason’s “vengeance tour.” Jason also has a revamped look, thanks to a collaboration with horror legend Greg Nicotero. Among the upgrades? A brand-new, 13-holed hockey mask.
How this ties in with the upcoming Crystal Lake series has yet to be seen, but what’s certain is that HHN’s Jason Universe will serve as a terrifying new chapter in the Friday the 13th franchise.
Ready to face Jason yourself? Secure your Halloween Horror Nights tickets through Orlando Informer and be among the first to experience this chilling new house… if you dare.
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