A major change for Howl-O-Scream
The announcement represents more than a new haunted house. It marks the end of Howl-O-Scream’s run as a Halloween event built entirely around original and public-domain horror.
That independence has always been one of Howl-O-Scream’s greatest strengths. Its entertainment teams created their own monsters, icons and delightfully strange worlds, often with smaller budgets and fewer resources than the industry’s largest Halloween events. There was a grassroots, bootstraps quality to the horror that allowed creativity to lead.
SeaWorld Orlando’s new dark romance scare zone is one example of the bold, original creativity that has made Howl-O-Scream feel distinct from other major Halloween events.
Just One More chapter Scare Zone Artwork.
From SeaWorld Orlando
The downside of IP horror
I am a little disappointed to see that distinction disappear. Licensed franchises may attract more attention, but Howl-O-Scream never needed a recognizable movie title to create memorable houses. Its original ideas were part of what separated the event from its competitors.
Licensed franchises have rarely played a role in Howl-O-Scream, and never at this level.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” is not the only licensed property entering Howl-O-Scream in 2026. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are introducing separate haunted houses inspired by “Anaconda.”
The split is particularly interesting because Howl-O-Scream originated at the Busch Gardens parks before expanding across the company’s SeaWorld portfolio. The three SeaWorld parks will receive “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” while the two Busch Gardens parks will feature “Anaconda.”
Together, the announcements place Sony Pictures franchises at all five U.S. Howl-O-Scream events during the first year licensed horror films enter the brand.
The change does not mean Howl-O-Scream’s original creativity will vanish. Each event will continue to feature original houses, scare zones, entertainment and themed bars. Still, an uninterrupted era has ended, and I hope these recognizable franchises supplement the wonderfully weird ideas that built Howl-O-Scream’s identity instead of slowly crowding them out.
The new “I Know What You Did Last Summer” houses debut Sept. 11 at all three SeaWorld parks. Howl-O-Scream is separately ticketed in Orlando and San Diego but included with regular park admission in San Antonio.