For more than 25 years, Howl-O-Scream earned its reputation through entirely original monsters, storylines, and haunted houses. That era officially ends this fall when SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, and SeaWorld San Antonio each debut a new haunted house based on Sony Pictures' 1997 slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Titled "I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch," the attraction places guests inside recreations of scenes surrounding the Southport massacre. Visitors follow the group of friends whose cover-up of a deadly accident leaves them pursued by the hook-wielding Fisherman. SeaWorld says this marks the first time the film has been adapted for a major Halloween event, with all three houses opening September 11.
The licensed IP push extends beyond the SeaWorld parks. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg will each feature a separate haunted house inspired by Sony's Anaconda. That means all five U.S. Howl-O-Scream events will feature a Sony Pictures property in the same season — the first time licensed horror films have played any significant role across the brand.
Howl-O-Scream's original content isn't disappearing entirely. Each park will still offer original houses, scare zones, entertainment, and themed bars alongside the new franchise attractions. Ticketing also varies by location: the event is separately ticketed in Orlando and San Diego but included with regular park admission in San Antonio.
This story was reported by Attractions Magazine.
