Jack the Clown Returns to Universal Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2021

Universal Studios’ theme park in Orlando will once again host the annual Halloween Horror Nights in 2021, and today they revealed that Jack the Clown will return this year and will be “everywhere,” suggesting that he is likely the official host icon for this incarnation of the haunt event.

From the official announcement: Now in its 30th terrifying year, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is The World’s Premier Halloween Event, bringing together the stories and visions of the world’s most notorious creators of horror. From cinematic greats and crazed current cult favorites to the park’s original abominations—every year, the legend grows and the experience reaches beyond your wildest nightmares.

As the sun sets on days filled with thrills in all of Universal’s theme parks, the night awakens with a frightening chill at Universal Studios Florida. Just as in horror films where the first to wander off meets a terrible fate, you’ll want to bring a friend with you to share the screams and watch your back as you make your way through the horror. You definitely need someone to cling to, someone to hide behind, somebody to panic with as you enter mind-ripping haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror. Face nightmarish creatures on streets twisted into sinister scare zones. Lose yourselves in outrageous live entertainment filled with diabolical surprises. Then escape to some of Universal Studios Florida’s most exhilarating attractions.

This year’s event marks the return of Jack the Clown as well, spreading chaos and lunging from the shadows where you least expect. Nobody living or dead is responsible for more laughter, screams and maniacal madness over the past 30 years than Jack. So heed this warning if you plan to dare the terrors of Halloween Horror Nights: never go alone.

A history of Jack the Clown on Universal’s official site explains that the character was born Jack Schmidt, and got his start at Dr. Oddfellow’s Carnival of Thrills, where he murdered a ton of visitors. Then Oddfellow killed and hid Jack inside the House of Horrors. The character made his debut on HHN in 2000 when “Universal bought parts of the House of Horror,” including Jack’s box, which someone foolishly opened and let him out.

Jack returned to Halloween Horror Nights in 2007 as Ringmaster of that year’s Circus of Horror, and again in 2015 as the rock star leader of Jack’s Maniacs.

It sounds like all three versions of Jack will be featured throughout the park in 2021. The announcement video below states that this year Jack will be “everywhere,” including in a haunted house, in the dark where you least expect him, and, of course, in your nightmares.

A Beetlejuice-themed haunted house has also been announced for Orlando park this year, where visitors will be able to walk in Adam’s model graveyard and Dante’s Inferno Room, and be tormented by the “Ghost with the Most” in his many forms.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary year, Halloween Horror Nights 2021 will run from Sept. 3 through Oct. 31 at Universal Studios Orlando Resort. Tickets are available here.

Additional scare zones and haunted houses will be revealed over the coming weeks.

You can watch the official announcement video below.

See all our Halloween Horror Nights coverage here!

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