I am addicted to haunted houses. Doesn’t matter if it’s at a theme park, a dark ride, in someone’s backyard, at a trade show, or on a documentary about the people who work them; if it’s got the spoops, I want to go. I’m not the only one who feels this way — according to America Haunts, attendance for most haunts is just under 10,000 for the season, but can go up to 60,000 people! Haunts are a serious business; with billions of dollars spent on Halloween every year, the American public is insatiable for harvest season’s thrills and chills.
Haunts aren’t really such a new thing. The idea of putting on a show to scare someone dates back thousands of years, from mummy’s tomb curses to the Spiritualist movement and subsequent séances of the late 1800s. In the search for life’s greatest questions (or to keep others away from their treasures), people realized they enjoyed being scared. What’s more is that they enjoyed being scared with no actual risk of harm.
There are many types of haunted houses out there: professional events, semi-professional, dark rides, and home haunts. There are even major conferences that cater to Haunt specialists. Some are paid admission, some are open for Halloween night only, some have live actors, and some even have varying degrees of audience (and actor) “participation.” But all are meant to thrill you.
| Type | Attributes | Example(s) |
| Professional | – Can be expensive – Movie-quality set design and storytelling – Usually at theme parks – Event lasts 2-3 months | – Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights – Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream |
| Semi-Professional (or “smaller professional”) | – Can cost money – Stand-alone or held within an event | – McKamey Manor (post-2018) – Blackout Haunted House |
| Home Haunt | – Held at a residence – Usually free admission – Event can run the entirety of October or just Halloween night | McKamey Manor (pre-2018) |
| Dark Ride | – Year-round attractions – Found in theme parks or fairgrounds | – Disney’s Haunted Mansion – Disney’s Tower of Terror – Universal’s The Walking Dead experience |
| Conferences | – May or may not host actual haunted house experiences – Meant for business, not necessarily pleasure | – ScareLA – HauntCon – TransWorld |
But no matter the type of attraction, all haunts require a few things: dedication to the craft, attention to detail, and the love of Halloween and its special relationship with each of their patrons. It’s clear that no matter what house you go to, there is a certain level of respect and admiration these communities (both local and professional) have for their craft. 2012’s The American Scream documented local Massachusetts families as they prepared for their annual home haunts. Year after year, families risked money and sanity to put on shows adored by their neighborhoods. These families work tirelessly each Halloween season for one spectacular night (almost like a wedding). Spookers (2017) shows that that dedication isn’t seen just in the US, but all over the world; New Zealanders travel from across the country to attend this haunt held in an old asylum. As Universal’s annual Halloween event grew more popular (and bigger), the Travel Channel aired a special 2003 documentary series about how their design crews use the “art of the scare.” And today, haunted events are a major pull for youtubers during and leading up to October; in fact, I subscribed to one of my favorite youtubers after watching their very detailed videos on Halloween Horror Nights!
It’s come full circle too. In the same way that people love horror films for their “safe thrills,” movies have been coming out about Haunts that go wrong. Haunt (2019), The Houses October Built (2014), Hell House LLC (2015), Hell Fest (2018), Dark Ride (2006), and multiple episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark all give us a double dose of haunted action, all from the comfort of our own homes.
Haunts have a special place in my heart. They’re attractions that not only itch my Halloween scratch, but ones that create awesome memories of time with my friends and family. Going to Haunts is something I do every Halloween season, and something I have been doing for the past decade. And when I’m not planning for my next trip, I’m watching videos of them online. They’re just as addicting as horror movies — and it’s not just me either. According to David Weiss of Psychology Today, not only do we get that thrill of surviving, but we are drawn to the idea of I wonder if I can make it out alive. There’s a feeling called “High-Place Phenomenon” where people have the sudden urge to jump from a high place, such as a cliff or building edge. It’s not like we want to jump, but more so our brains reaffirming the “urge to live.” Perhaps the thing that draws us to these houses of horror is “what if?”. That masked man behind a prop door could actually hurt me (but they don’t). That cotton webbing could be home to actual spiders (but it’s not). I’m trapped in a terrifying maze (you’re not). It’s funny to think about because even though we’re scared and on high alert, we still chose to do this. We want to be here to experience that jolt of energy coursing through our veins. We come out feeling excited and empowered.
Haunts of any kind are special. They’re places that we go to to feel unequivocally alive. You can read any “history of haunted houses” article or documentary and they’ll all say the same things: Haunts are fun, Haunts are a bonding experience, and Haunts serve a purpose. That purpose can be different for anyone who participates or runs a facility — for me, it’s as simple as enjoying a night of fear and fun.
Our animal instincts are still in our minds,waiting to jump out when needed. Haunts allow us to dig deep into that lizard brain and, in a way, escape. You could come out of a very mild Haunted Mansion or a terrifying torture session at McKamey Manor and still recognize the beauty of the moment. You’re not living among the dead or about to die — you’re here, enjoying the show. And when you go home at night you remember that feeling when you reached the exit. A Haunt has the power to scare as well as to relieve.
So it’s no wonder Halloween is such a big event. All of the money we spend on getting scared is like a therapy session, releasing aggression and fear of the real world. At the end of the day, Haunts may be a business, but they do the public good, whether you leave screaming or not.
For more information about Haunts and where to find them, visit America Haunts and HauntedHouse.com.
