Well, since we're just a week away, I might as well try to come up with a list:
10. Bugs: Eaten Alive: This is #10 but in the best way imaginable. I want nothing to do with this house and I absolutely dread the idea of going through it. The spiders will absolutely destroy me, and I'm sure that the creative team has found ways to make this house a mental nightmare on all the senses. Don't foresee myself going through this more than once, maybe twice if I've drank enough to talk myself into it.
9. Spirits of the Coven: Don't have a ton of expectations for this house. I think it's a unique concept to have this take place in a speakeasy, but really have no idea what to expect.
8. Horrors of Blumhouse: Watched both movies last week. They were both pretty fun watches. As movies, The Black Phone was better than Freaky, but as houses, I think it would be the inverse. I want to know what they're going to do for TBP. Also moderate interest to see the first house in F&F, as I'd imagine it'll be this way for years to come.
7. Universal Classic Monsters: Legends Collide: To preface, UCM at 29 was an absolute banger. Loved it. Didn't really care for Brides last year. Much like Halloween, I've seen the general premise of these characters, even if there's a new spin on it this year. Expecting it to be a good house, but not rushing to see it.
6. Hellblock Horror: I have not seen Cabin in the Woods, but seeing the internet freak out about how this supposedly sounds similar to some part of that movie feels like a good sign? From what I've gathered this feels like a high energy, chaotic house. If the cast can deliver on that, I'll be satisfied.
5. Halloween: This is where we really kick into gear on the hype train. While I just dinged UCM for being repetitive at the event, I'll move the goalpost a bit to say that this is the Halloween I've always wanted to see (the OG). Yes, a similar version was at the event for HHN24, but I, like many others, did not attend that long ago. Very excited to see Big Mike.
4. Fiesta De Chupacabras: 3 of my top 4 are just cool locations that I really want to see. While it's a vague "Latin American" location, I'm excited to see that cultural flair incorporated into the house. Expecting some large "oh sh---" puppet that guests won't see coming.
3. The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare: Despite not being my favorite artist, The Weeknd almost always cracks my Top 5 most played at the end of each year. I really wish Dawn FM was involved in this house, as I've played that album so much this year. Don't know what to expect content wise in this house, but I'm willing to bet Universal delivers on this one. The lines are going to be massive all night, and I think this will help HHN grow in the same way that Stranger Things did at HHN28.
2. Descendants of Destruction: The New York subway is an experience in and of itself in real life, so finding a way to make it more of a horror story is poetic. Hoping to get some big train scares, use of air effects and maybe some screens to simulate a moving train. Curious to see the story that they tell in terms of actors slowly being more mutated as you continue through the house.
1. Dead Man's Pier: Winter's Wake: I'm a sucker for the winter-themed houses. It's great to get a chill when you walk into the soundstage. Really does transport you into the story. Also, as a New Englander, I'm pumped to see them take that old beach town architectural vibe and apply it into a house. I bet there's going to be some really gross looking makeup on the actors in this house.