SeaWorld Orlando's First IP Haunted House Brings the Fisherman and Classic I Know What You Did Last Summer Scares to Life
A quaint fishing village is a slice of Americana. Combined with July 4th celebrations, that seaside escape seems idyllic until a diabolical Fisherman tries to get his hooks into everyone who has done him wrong. In Howl-O-Scream's I Know What You Did Last Summer haunted house, everyone has to duck, cover, and evade that persistent hook.
For the first time, Howl-O-Scream Orlando created an IP haunted house. Partnering with Sony Pictures' classic slasher horror film, I Know What You Did Last Summer, the experience brings signature moments from the film to life. From car crashes to people buried in the ice box, many classic scenes come to life.
With this haunted house, there are moments where it is more fun than frightful. While there are plenty of jump scares, the Fisherman is almost too prevalent. Even as his hook slashes through the air, it becomes less gruesome as you weave your way through the experience.
Personally, I started to look forward to seeing my old friend and kept looking around to find him behind panels and lurking in corners.
Personally, I started to look forward to seeing my old friend and kept looking around to find him behind panels and lurking in corners. In a way, it made the whole experience more deeply rooted in the movie.
Yes, the Fisherman wants to upend people's lives, but it is more about his presence. He is everywhere and anywhere. It is the eye in the sky that knows all. There is no avoiding him.
In some ways, that sense of familiarity makes a person's ultimate demise even more terrifying. The constant looking over the shoulder, the worry, and the ticking clock make a person miss out on so much.
In this haunted house experience, the opposite is true. Since I knew that the Fisherman was always around, I was able to appreciate the little details, focus on the storytelling, and let myself be scared. It did not leave me with nightmares, but it was definitely memorable.
For Howl-O-Scream's first IP haunted house, it is a strong showing. There is fun mixed with warning. From having to fight your way through punching bags to scare actors who take their roles very seriously, it is performative and immersive.
Additionally, this house ensures that every walk-through is different. Yes, the scenes are stagnant, but how and why the scare actors react to you can change. It is almost like a piece of live theater.
Could Howl-O-Scream Orlando have made this experience scarier? The simple answer is yes, but it was not necessary. This Halloween event wants to make you think and experience. Throughout its history, the concept has been to get people to react and scream. The frights combined with the perspective linger longer than just another jump scare.
Overall, the I Know What You Did Last Summer haunted house is successful. Is it the best house of the 2026 run? It depends on personal preferences. For me, it is the experience that I went back to multiple times to immerse myself in it. Similar to those Fourth of July fireworks, you do not want to miss the entertaining show.
Howl-O-Scream Orlando runs now through October 31, 2026, on select nights. The event features five haunted houses, multiple scare zones, several live shows, and a bounty of themed food and beverages.
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