Fear Columbus Haunted House — 2025 Review

Fear Columbus Haunted House — 2025 Review

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Date: 10/9/2025

Website: www.fearcolumbus.com

Overall Rating: 9.25/10

Fear Columbus is an absolute sensory overload—in the best possible way. With mind-blowing set design, chest-rattling audio, and three back-to-back attractions that flow seamlessly, this haunt delivers an experience that’s equal parts cinematic and terrifying. It’s the kind of place that keeps your head on a swivel so you don’t miss the jaw-dropping detail all around you.

Entertainment Value: 9.5/10

Fear Columbus nails the “theme park” vibe with its sprawling outdoor midway. Photo ops, roaming spooks, food trucks, lawn games like cornhole and giant pong, and live music make this haunt feel like a full-scale Halloween festival before you even step inside.

Guests then progress to the outdoor queue, where characters like the unforgettable Prom Queen roam and entertain. Eventually, the line funnels indoors—where a jaw-dropping synchronized light show blasts across the queue space, instantly setting the adrenaline level sky-high.

It’s worth noting: Fear Columbus gets extremely busy as the season peaks. Crowds can turn walkthroughs into “conga-line” haunts, which takes away from the show’s punch. Our Thursday-night visit gave us the perfect spacing and allowed for full immersion. If you can, visit Thursdays or Sundays for the best experience.

Once inside, the three attractions—Dearly Departed: Echoes of Exhumed, Fearwood High: Rhinestones & Rituals, and Oddballs: Kill the Spotlight—flow seamlessly into a 25-minute thrill ride packed with intensity, immersion, and spectacle.

Costume & Makeup: 8.75/10

Costuming is strong, with well-coordinated looks that match each attraction’s theme. However, the majority usage of masks versus detailed makeup slightly distracted from otherwise stellar scenic design. Makeup work would elevate the believability of characters and give more nuance to actor performances.

Cast & Crew: 9/10

While the cast leaned heavily on jump scares and trigger-activated startles, they came at guests with undeniable intensity! Every performer committed fully to their role, and some of the mannequins-turned-actors provided top-tier surprises. Still, we craved more dialogue and banter—something to heighten immersion beyond the pop-outs. More roaming characters within the scenes would turn “gotcha” moments into richer storytelling encounters.

Behind the scenes, the crew deserves credit for their professionalism and passion. Special thanks to Cam for giving us a peek into the actor lounge and costuming areas—clear evidence of how much thought and care goes into preparing this experience night after night.

Set Design & Special Effects: 10/10

Holy. Sh*t. The set design and effects at Fear Columbus are jaw-dropping. This place could give a masterclass on scenic detail, sound, and lighting. All three attractions just ooze of stunning detail & gobs of passion!

The sheer realism is unmatched:

• Fearwood High Prom – The prom gymnasium was beyond immersive, transporting us right into a nightmarish dance. The trophy cases, flyers, bells, and morning announcements tied it all together for perfect world-building.

• The PACER Test – A hilarious yet unsettling callback to dreaded gym class, integrated seamlessly into the school theme.

• Massive Church Scene – Cloaked figures filled the pews as a giant vulture creature loomed from above, creating a cinematic moment of awe and dread.

• Town Sequence – A sprawling streetscape complete with full-scale vehicles smashed into buildings made us feel like we’d stepped onto a Hollywood movie set.

• Queue Light Shows – Even before entering, the indoor queue dazzles with high-energy light shows, layering in spectacle and anticipation.

The blending of custom-built props, authentic detail, booming audio, and lighting so intense it rattles your chest creates an atmosphere that’s equal parts nerve-wracking and stunning. Mannequins posed among the sets kept us guessing—and quite a few times, got us good with unexpected startle scares. A well-earned shout-out to Marco & Cam, whose scenic craftsmanship is a huge part of what makes Fear Columbus so visually stunning.

Fright/Thrill Factor: 8.75/10

Fear Columbus thrives on intensity—especially through its overwhelming sound and disorienting atmosphere. The booming audio and flashing lights create a nerve-wracking environment that keeps you on edge. However, the scares rely mostly on startles rather than face-to-face engagement, and we wished for more “in your face” interactions. Disorienting floors, smells, and environmental tricks could push the fright level even higher.

Sharpening the Scare:

• Increase roaming actors within attractions to allow for improv and guest interaction, not just pop-outs.

• Consider mic’d actors to elevate dialogue in scenes where overhead audio currently “fakes it.” This would heighten the realism and ability for more intimate interactions with guests. 

• Add a seasonal Halloween light show to complement the already famous Krampus lightshow spectacular—fireworks and all please!! 

• More environmental tricks (uneven floors, smell effects) would further immerse without sacrificing accessibility.

• More makeup, fewer masks—the detail would match the phenomenal sets.

• Merch suggestion: the store is massive but lacking in Fear Columbus logo gear. Fans will buy branded shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more—this haunt deserves a smorgasbord of its own merch line alongside the already spooktacular Halloween T-Shirt Co. options! 

Jeff’s Haunted Hot Take:

“Audio so intense your friends won’t hear you scream like a b*tch!”

Fright Night MVP:

The Prom Queen – From doing the princess wave atop her float to mingling with guests in the queue, this character nailed both improv and engagement. Witty, clever, and consistent, she elevated the waiting experience into a performance all its own.

Recap the Screams:

Fear Columbus is nothing short of a blockbuster haunt—visually jaw-dropping, audibly overwhelming, and thematically airtight. From the terrifyingly nostalgic PACER test to a prom gymnasium straight out of your worst nightmare, it’s a relentless mix of beauty and brutality. With its sprawling midway, immersive queues, and detail-packed walkthroughs, it’s the kind of place every haunt fan needs to see. Just plan wisely: visit on a Thursday or Sunday to avoid the conga-line crowds and soak in the spectacle the way it’s meant to be experienced. Even at a slower pace, it’s a 25-minute whirlwind of detail so rich you might still miss something.