Halloween Horror Nights 2025
Why Art the Clown Is Re-Igniting America’s Fear of Clowns
Just in time for Halloween, Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights 2025 has unleashed a new nightmare—Art the Clown. Fans are calling it one of the most terrifying HHN experiences ever, and for people already uneasy around clowns, it’s pure nightmare fuel.
Every year around this season, I get phone calls from people with one very specific phobia: coulrophobia—the fear of clowns. And when a cultural icon of horror like Art steps into the spotlight, that fear skyrockets. People feel trapped, anxious, even paralyzed—sometimes weeks before they set foot in a haunted attraction.
Why Clowns Trigger So Much Fear
The unease isn’t random—it’s deeply wired into how our brains process danger.
- Generational split: Boomers grew up with Bozo and Clarabel—clowns were goofy, harmless fun.
- The darker turn: Gen-X and Gen-Y were blindsided by John Wayne Gacy, the “Killer Clown,” in the 1970s. Laughter turned to terror overnight.
- Pop culture fuel: From Pennywise (IT) to Twisty (American Horror Story) to The Joker, clowns became the perfect vessel for evil. Now, Art the Clown is cementing his place at the top of that horrifying lineup.
As Olivia Goldhill wrote in The Telegraph:
“The more you stare at a clown’s perpetually smiling face, the more it warps into something more sinister.”
That frozen smile, the distorted features, the unnatural exaggeration—it all taps straight into the fight-or-flight center of your brain. And once your subconscious files “clown = danger,” the fear loop begins.
Why Halloween Makes It Worse
October is clown season. They’re not just on movie posters anymore—they’re in haunted houses, on front lawns, in commercials, and now headlining the premier Halloween event in the country.
For someone with coulrophobia, it’s not fun—it’s exhausting. Every sighting reinforces the fear, and every avoidance strengthens the loop that keeps the phobia alive.
Hypnosis: The Secret Weapon Against Phobias
Phobias aren’t just “in your head.” They’re subconscious loops—old fear tapes your brain keeps replaying. Hypnosis allows you to rewrite those loops at the source.
I’ve worked with clients paralyzed by fears of clowns, snakes, spiders, heights, bridges—you name it. Once we address the root trigger, the fear dissolves. Imagine being able to walk through HHN—or past a clown costume in the street—without that spike of terror.
Time is Short—Halloween Is Here
This is the moment to decide:
- Keep avoiding clowns—and spend October stressed, anxious, and on edge.
- Or break free now—and enjoy the season without panic.
My hypnosis sessions for October book quickly. Once they’re gone, that’s it—you’ll be facing Halloween with the same fear you’ve always had.
STOP letting fear win.
START living free from anxiety.
ACT NOW before Art the Clown becomes your worst nightmare.
Contact me at info@hypnomarc.com or visit www.hypnomarc.com to secure your session today.
About Marc Marshall, CPH
Marc Marshall is a certified comedy hypnotist and clinical hypnotist, author, and motivational speaker who has spent more than 50 years helping people break free from limitations. On stage, his Hypnotic Hijinks of HypnoMarc comedy hypnosis show has entertained audiences across the country with laughter, wonder, and unforgettable experiences.
Off stage, Marc specializes in helping clients resolve trauma, fears, phobias, and stress management—transforming lives through the power of hypnosis. His programs have helped people worldwide eliminate anxiety, overcome phobias, manage pain, quit smoking, and unlock lasting confidence.
Marc is also the author of several books, including:
- Perception Equals Reality — breaking free from self-limiting beliefs.
- Your Search is Over: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Soulmate — blending hypnosis, coaching, and healing to attract deep connections.
- Staying in the Moment: Helping Students Achieve More Through Mindfulness Meditation — a guide for educators and students alike.
- And his soon to be released – There’s No Such Thing As Try
Through both his stage shows and clinical work, Marc’s mission is simple: to help people laugh harder, live freer, and release what holds them back.
Fear doesn’t take the night off at Halloween Horror Nights. But with hypnosis, you can.
(All photos property of respective studios)
