Conjuring the Ultimate Horror Experience: Six Flags Fright Fest Unleashes the Universe
This spooky season, Six Flags Fright Fest is diving headfirst into the terrifying waters of the Conjuring Universe, bringing together three of horror’s most iconic franchises – The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun – for an immersive maze experience unlike anything before.
“Millions of fans around the world have made The Conjuring Universe a horror icon. From its brilliant storytelling to its legendary characters, the franchise is perfectly suited to adapt into a maze, taking fans into the world of the Warrens and their most famous cases,” Kathleen Wallis, vice president, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment told io9 in a statement. “Our partners at Six Flags and RWS Global share the same obsession for detail and accuracy, and we can’t wait for Fright Fest attendees to experience The Conjuring Universe in this new way.”
The maze’s narrative plunges guests straight into the unsettling Warren Museum of the Occult. A chilling discovery awaits: objects are missing, setting the stage for a thrilling journey through the dark corners of the Conjuring Universe. The hauntingly familiar artifacts, once believed safe behind the museum’s doors, have sparked a terrifying chain of events. Throughout the maze, guests will uncover these missing objects, each revealing a new chapter in a horrifying tale.
Edithann Ramey, Chief Fright Officer of Six Flags, shared her excitement about the project and the challenges it presented: "We feel both fortunate and just very excited to have our parks be the first place where these three iconic brands will meet for the first time. This was something we didn’t take lightly. We wanted a natural extension of the movies that also worked together in an over-arching way. Ultimately, along with our friends at RWS Global, we were able to build out something that was not only authentic to the franchise but to make sure each brand had big moments in the maze. I like to say—it’s like reading a great book that’s made into a movie, here is a great movie that’s made into a Haunted House. People who know and love the films will have high expectations, and we intent to meet them."
The "three mazes in one" approach seamlessly blends the sinister worlds of the individual franchises:
- Bathsheba’s Den – Experience the chilling legacy of the malevolent witch from The Conjuring.
- Annabelle’s Playroom – Get ready to face the terrifying porcelain doll from the Annabelle films.
- St. Carta – Confront the demonic Nun, Valak, in a chilling recreation of her ghastly abode from The Nun.
While all three brands will intertwine, each franchise retains its distinct identity, creating a multi-layered, immersive experience. The maze utilizes the museum setting as a unifying element, allowing for spontaneous appearances from any character throughout the haunted journey.
The Conjuring Universe maze stands out from other Fright Fest offerings by presenting a unique, interwoven narrative that caters to the franchise’s devoted fan base. "This is the only maze where we are combining franchises," Ramey states with palpable enthusiasm. "We were fortunate to work with WB last year where we did a maze that was just around The Conjuring, so to be able to expand that out is so exciting for us."
Six Flags’ decision to prominently feature recognizable IPs is a strategic move, placing them in direct competition with Universal Horror Nights’ highly successful haunted maze events. Ramey reveals the reasoning behind this bold choice, "Conceptually it made sense—we are the place for big thrills, what better than partnering with horror movies? Both work really hard at scaring you, thrilling you, and leaving you wanting more. But we wanted to prove it out too, because we value feedback and want to make sure it would work at Six Flags. We did a test run with Conjuring and Saw to see what type of reaction IP-centric mazes would have and it was overwhelmingly positive. We learned guests loved these houses, and thought the movie storytelling was exciting. We learned it was so exciting, that they were willing to make two-hour lines to get in. But this year, we worked on better flow, so we can fit more people in. The feedback was that they wanted more scares, even more Conjuring, so we [went] with the Universe concept. We listened, learned, and activated on that feedback for 2024."
Looking ahead, fans of the Conjuring Universe can anticipate a sense of anticipation and excitement for upcoming franchises: "I can’t really speak to anything about the upcoming films but I can say the maze should only fuel overall fan excitement of the franchise and give them something fun to do as they await the next film. You can visit Six Flags as the ultimate trailer for any movie to come!"
Beyond the Conjuring Universe, Fright Fest is set to offer an array of terrifying experiences including mazes based on:
- Stranger Things
- Army of the Dead
- Trick R’ Treat
- Saw
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Each Six Flags park will offer a distinct selection of mazes, so be sure to check the official Six Flags website for specific attractions at your chosen location.
This year’s Fright Fest promises an unparalleled level of horror immersion, drawing inspiration from the most popular horror franchises available. The Conjuring Universe maze, in particular, promises to be an unforgettable experience, a perfect blend of cinematic storytelling and terrifyingly realistic environments for the most dedicated horror fans. With the promise of future installments and exciting additions, Six Flags has raised the bar for fright, inviting audiences to face their deepest fears head-on this Halloween season.
