Category: Haunted House News

10 Scariest Films to Watch This Halloween

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House News on October 30th, 2018

There’s no better way to celebrate the spooky season than with a great, scary film. Plenty of new films are released this time of year to help you celebrate the Halloween season — but sometimes the tried and true make for a far better experience.

At Thrillvania Haunted House Park, we might know a thing or two about the scariest films of all time. Even as the leading haunted house in Terrell, TX, there are some flicks that still make us shudder in fear. Whether you’re looking to curl up with your boo or watch something scary with the entire family, we’ll break down the best horror movies that will really chill you to the bone.

It’s time to channel your inner monster and make the popcorn. Here are 10 of the scariest movies that will help you get this Halloween started off right!

turned on projector

10. Oculus (2013)

This terrifying thriller will have you scared to look at yourself in the mirror — literally. The story is about a set of siblings that might just meet their demise when dealing with a grand old mirror they’re shipping from an auction. Of course, there’s more to it than just a looking glass. It’s what’s inside the glass that will leave you shaking in fear…

9. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This classic film was easily one of the weirdest and scariest movies of its time — and still to this day. There’s nothing scarier than cannibals and a serial killer who hunts down women to kill and use for their cross-dressing fantasies. This is definitely a great one to get you in the spooky spirit this Halloween season, but you just might find yourself afraid to walk alone at night afterward.

8. The Birds (1963)

This Alfred Hitchcock movie may be the reason that so many people have a fear of birds — or maybe the movie was destined to eat at an already existing fear. Nevertheless, this chilling thriller is a good match for your Halloween night, so long as you plan to stay inside and away from any murderous, flying birds.

black raven bird on gray branch during daytime

7. The Babadook (2014)

In our eyes, ‘The Babadook’ is easily one of the scariest movies ever created. It may be because the little kid in the movie is just so absolutely terrifying (and we all know little kids can be pretty creepy in the dead of the night.) This film tells the story about a children’s book that brings about a pretty invasive demon. It may make you a bit more selective when you choose a bedtime story for your kids.

6. Let the Right One In (2008)

There’s no way to describe how terrifying this movie really is — you’ll just have to see for yourself. This falls into the same category as above, with these spooky adolescents being the star of the show. The Swedish thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, telling a tale of friendship between two young kids. Of course, the young girl is anything by ordinary, and may just have a connection to a group of local serial murderers.

Moral of the film: Choose your friends wisely, because they might just get you killed.

5. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

If you’re thinking about having a baby, you may want to reconsider after watching this class. Every mother hopes for a healthy pregnancy, but as Rosemary grew larger with child, she also became more and more isolated. But once the baby was born, everyone was in for a devilish surprise. To this day, ‘Rosemary’s Baby” is not only one of Roman Polanski’s finest creations but one of the most pivotal horror films in cinematic history.

4. Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock is certain to make more than one cameo on a list about the scariest films of all time. His film, ‘Psycho’, is still so popular that you’ve probably seen one of the many remakes or spin-offs based off its peculiar, gruesome plot. One murderous genius really takes the cake with this bone-chilling film. It’s easily a film you’ll want to watch again and again, if you aren’t already shaking in fear, of course.

3. The Mummy (1999)

A soldier unleashes a mummified, angry Egyptian Princess into the streets of London. Sounds pretty crazy, right? Of course, she wreaks havoc on everything and everyone with her terrifying, devilish powers, and it’s up to that same soldier to stop her. Would you know how to defeat the ancient magic of an Egyptian princess? You might after you watch this exhilarating film.

2. House on Haunted Hill (1959)

One couple throws a peculiar party in a former insane asylum… and let the madness unravel from there. They offer a million dollars to any one of their guests that make it through the night, but after they too become trapped inside the house, they realize that the house is a lot spookier than they ever imagined. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and horror, this classic horror movie is definitely worth the watch!

brown wooden house under blue sky during daytime

1. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Men who disrespect women often go unpunished, but this film may make them second guess their disrespectful nature. The Iranian film features a skateboarding vampire who preys on predatory men. While the men get a “taste of their own medicine”, the vampiress gets a taste of the blood she craves. ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’ is not your typical vampire movie, but it’s sure to leave you questioning whether vampires are real and walk among us.

Celebrate Halloween with the Scariest Films of All Time

Grab your popcorn, draw the curtains, and maybe leave a light on… because it’s finally time to binge on a horror movie marathon! These films will knock your socks off and leave you shaking in fear. But these are only some of the scariest films around, and there is certainly more you can do to make the most of the Halloween season.

If you’re celebrating Halloween in Terrell, TX, and the Greater Dallas region, come experience real life thrills and shrills for yourself at Thrillvania Haunted House Park. You, your friends, and your family will have the night of your lives as you outrun the monsters lurking around every corner. Get your tickets today!

8 Interesting & Spooky Halloween Facts

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House News on October 29th, 2018

With Halloween only days away, now is the time to learn about Halloween facts! And if you haven’t yet celebrated the spookiest time of year, now is the time to do so.

So, don’t wait! There’s still time to put together a D-I-Y costume. There’s time to carve pumpkins, have a scary movie marathon, and visit a haunted house.

There’s also still time to learn about the true meaning of this glorious holiday. What are some cool Halloween facts related to trick-or-treating, movies, and costumes? How is Halloween celebrated in other parts of the world? What are the origins of Halloween history, anyway?

Ready to learn everything there is to know about the best time of year? Here are 8 of the best and spookiest Halloween facts!

1. Halloween Has Origins Dating Back 2,000 Years

Did you know that Halloween is not just about dressing up and eating candy? In fact, Halloween day commemorates the start of Allhallowtide.

Allhallowtide a 3-day celebratory period in the Christian faith. Over the course of these 3 days, Christians honor the dead, as well as their saints.

Allhallowtide has been around since the formation of Christianity. Several Christian denominations celebrate it differently… but all centered around commemorating the souls of those who have passed.

2. Halloween Has Ties with Samhain

Have you ever wondered why the concept of ghosts is so prevalent during the month of October? Why are people so fixated on dressing up as ghosts? Why are humans so fascinated with the idea of haunted houses?

There are a lot of misconceptions about Halloween being a pagan, even a Satanist, holiday. In actuality, Halloween is a Christian holiday… and it’s also tied with another celebration known as Samhain.

Samhain is not so much a holiday as it is a seasonal celebration. Hundreds of years ago, Gaelic and Celtic tribes would celebrate the end of the harvest season. They called the time of year surrounding November 1st as Samhain. And it was a period when people would come together, gather their food, and prepare for winter.

Samhain is also believed to be a time when the spirits of those who have passed are able to cross into this world. Many Celtic and Gaelic tribes would provide food offerings to these spirits. They believed that by doing so, the spirits would bring good fortune to them for the winter ahead.

3. The Idea of Costumes Originated from Samhain

Halloween history is deeply rooted in Allhallowtide and Samhain. So, it’s no wonder why ghosts and Halloween go hand-in-hand. But why do we dress up in costumes every Halloween… and where did this idea come from?

It’s true that North Americans brought the concept of dressing up to prominence. In the 20th century, Americans and Canadians began to wear costumes around this time of year. By the mid-20th century, trick-or-treating was an all-out custom.

But despite all that, the Americans weren’t the first ones to wear costumes this time of year. The Celtic and Gaelic tribes which celebrated Samhain innovated costume wearing. And they did so in commemoration of the spirits who visited our world around the end of October.

In fact, the old belief was that if you could trick a spirit in disguise, they would leave you alone. This would prevent the tribesmen from having to offer food and treats.

4. Jack-o-Lanterns Were Not Always Made from Pumpkins

Ah, Jack-o-Lanterns. The quintessential Halloween decoration. It’s a custom that families look forward to every year. But where does the concept of the Jack-o-Lantern come from? And have we always used pumpkins to carve out spooky faces?

The term Jack-o-Lantern actually translates to “fool of the fire” in traditional English. The custom of carving out Jack-o-Lanterns began in Ireland around 300 years ago.

But Jack-o-Lanterns were not always carved out of pumpkins. The Irish used to carve them out of turnips and other root vegetables.

According to Irish folklore, Jack-o-Lanterns got their name from a man named… You guessed it… Jack! But this was no ordinary man. This Jack was a man who had tricked the Devil so many times that he was not allowed in Heaven nor Hell. Instead, Jack had no other choice but to wander Earth until the end of days. And he’d wave a lantern and trick those who ever crossed his path.

We may still carve pumpkins in honor of this old Irish custom. But carving out vegetables was not a concept that the Irish invented. Maori tribes would also carve out vegetables several hundred years ago. But we can still credit the Gaelic and Celtic tribes of centuries past for making the practice of carving what it is today.

5. People Used to Ask for Cakes Instead of “Treats”

Trick-or-treating may be an activity that little kids get to do every October 31st. But did you know that the activity has a deeper meaning in Halloween history?

During medieval times, impoverished Christians would go door-to-door around Halloween day. But instead of receiving candy, they’d receive round treats known as soul cakes. Many would offer prayers to the dead, especially to the relatives of those passing out the soul cakes.

6. The Color Scheme of Orange & Black Is Not Random

Have you ever wondered why black and orange are the predominant Halloween colors?

You’re not alone. People often wonder why we decorate our homes and clothing with orange and black this time of year. And there are a few reasons as to why we do.

Orange is, of course, a common color we see this time of year with pumpkins and the changing leaves. So, where does black come into play?

Taking previous Halloween facts into consideration, black is reminiscent of Samhain. Halloween day marks the transition from the lighter, warmer days to the darker months to come.

As we all know, there’s less light in the winter. So, black signifies what’s to come while the orange celebrates the colors of this time of year.

7. Mexicans Celebrate the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead celebration has grown increasingly popular in recent years. It’s true that the ghoulish aesthetic of this celebration makes for great costumes. But there’s actually a real reason to dress up as a Day of the Dead saint this time of year.

This time of year, Mexican Catholics celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. It’s known as Dias de Los Muertos. And on this day, Mexicans will dress up as skeletons… and even parade around with sugar skulls, candles, and adult-sized fake skeletons.

Every town celebrates Dias de Los Muertos a little bit differently. But in most places, it’s not uncommon for people to light candles and hold vigils. It’s also not uncommon for them to decorate their homes and eat a sugared bread known as “pan de muerto”.

8. Bats Are Not Entirely Tied to Vampires

It’s no secret that people’s fascination with vampires comes out this time of year. We tend to associate vampires with bats. After all, vampire folklore suggests that vampires can transform into bats.

And yes. People like to decorate their houses with bats this time of year. But they may not fully understand the correlation with bats and Halloween history.

Back in the days of Samhain, it was common for Celtic and Gaelic tribes to burn bonfires. These bonfires would then attract mosquitoes, moths, and other insects. This would in hand attract hungry bats who liked to feed on these creepy and crawly creatures.

Share Halloween Facts with Your Friends & Family This Year!

There you have it, folks. 8 of the spookiest and most interesting Halloween facts you may have not known about. With Halloween only days away, now is the time to celebrate… and what better way to do that than to share these facts with your friends and family!

Speaking of which… There’s still plenty of time to buy your tickets to Thrillvania Haunted House park. We’re open Halloween night… and tickets are selling fast!

Creepiest Nursery Rhymes of All Time

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House News on October 28th, 2018

It’s no secret that the wholesome stories we know and love, like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Peter Pan’, are actually derived from very dark and disturbing fairy tales. And when it comes to children’s nursery rhymes, their roots are also not so innocent.

Of course, a lot of the words and meanings have been changed over time, but there’s still plenty of blood, guts, gore, and witchcraft at their core. At Thrillvania Haunted House Park in Terrell, TX, we enjoy retelling these tales again and again, and we’d like to share them with you, too.

If you’re looking for fun and creepy ways to celebrate Halloween with your family, here are some of the scariest nursery rhymes of all time!

Three Blind Mice

The tale of the ‘Three Blind Mice’ is beloved by many for its gleeful charm, but the real story behind this classic nursery rhyme is anything but. In actuality, it’s a tale about three mice who have their tails chopped off by a farmer’s wife. The character of the wife was actually inspired by Queen Mary I, who goes down in history as “Bloody Mary” for her murderous reign.

brown rodent eating grass

The three blind mice symbolize the noblemen of that time period, who resented Queen Mary and her role in introducing Catholicism to England. Queen Mary would burn any of her opposition at the stake, which inspired the mice to have their tails chopped off with a butcher knife. 

Next time you’re singing this one to your kids, you can feel good knowing that you’re also giving them a nice history lesson about England’s gruesome history, too! 

Rock-A-Bye Baby

Of course, there’s already something eerie about the tale of a baby in a crib that’s perched on a the treetop. After all, it doesn’t sound too safe, and it ends with the baby and the crib falling down.

But of all the classic nursery rhymes, ‘Rock-a-Bye Baby’ is known to soothe children (and sometimes their parents) right into a peaceful slumber. Yet, this calm and lovely lullaby has a spooky origin straight out of a nightmare.

The story is supposedly about King James II and Mary of Modena stealing a baby. Desperate to have a Catholic heir to their throne, they made the stolen baby their own. So, in actuality, this little lullaby is about kidnapping and raising the baby to be a king with a fallen fate.

Ring Around the Rosie

Contrary to popular belief, ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ was not about children dancing happily around a rose bush. Instead, it was referring to the red, circular rash that was common with the bubonic plague.

During the earliest pandemics, it was widely believed that the disease spread through a peculiar, foul smell. This is why people carried around pockets of flowers and other scented things. So, the line “pocket full of posies” was not meant to create a rosy picture.

‘Ring Around the Rosie’ can actually pave the way for a lesson in the bubonic plague and what life was like centuries ago. Many nursery rhymes were born of disease, peril, and disaster. We sing them to our children now as fun little ways to pass the time, but the true stories behind them give gruesome glimpses into the past.

Sing the Creepiest Nursery Rhymes to Your Little Ones

Taking your kids trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins are always the epitome of Halloween. But if you’re looking for unique and educational ways to celebrate this year, sing these nursery rhymes to your kids — and tell the history, too.

Of course, nursery rhymes won’t always do it for those daring kids who love scary movies, action-packed adventures, and everything about Halloween. Families from all over Terrell, TX, and the Greater Dallas region travel to visit Thrillvania Haunted House Park every year. While our haunted house attractions aren’t meant for little ones, older kids can certainly enjoy the thrills that lurk around every corner. If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to immerse your child in Halloween this year, grab your tickets to Thrillvania today!