‘Ape-ocalypse’ leads Nights of Fright 12 as Sunway Lagoon unveils pontianak, yokai and K-pop-inspired scares

Nights of Fright 12: Ape-ocalypse officially opened at Sunway Lagoon yesterday and will run until November 7, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

By Ian Jeremiah Patrick

First Published: Friday, 25 Sep 2026 3:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — As the Halloween season approaches, Nights of Fright is set to live up to its name as the annual horror event officially returned today for its 12th edition at Sunway Lagoon.

Since its inception in 2013, the festival has become a major annual horror attraction, featuring multiple walk-through haunted houses with original narratives, special effects, and live scare actors.

Over the years, zombies, vampires, mutants and killer clowns have taken over the festival grounds, giving visitors plenty of reasons to keep their eyes open.

Sunway Theme Parks general manager of business and marketing development Michelle Soong (centre left) and The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company founder and global creative director as well as Nights of Fright creative director Lynton V. Harris (centre right) launch the 12th edition of Nights of Fright at Sunway Lagoon September 24, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Ape-ocalypse theme for 12th edition

This year’s event, titled Nights of Fright 12: Ape-ocalypse, is centred on a dystopian setting where primates have taken over the festival grounds and humans are hunted by chainsaw-wielding apes.

Lynton V. Harris, founder and global creative director of The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company and creative director of Nights of Fright, said the theme draws inspiration from the Planet of the Apes and Mad Max film franchises.

He said the wider attraction line-up incorporates different horror and pop-culture genres, visual styles and cultural influences.

Sunway Theme Parks general manager of business and marketing development Michelle Soong said the Ape-ocalypse concept provides a new creative direction for this year’s event.

“The wider line-up allows us to bring together international influences with elements that are familiar and meaningful to audiences in Malaysia and the region,” she said.

Horror-themed puppets are seen at the launch of Nights of Fright 12 at Sunway Lagoon September 24, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Nine horror attractions from classic slashers, pontianak, yokai and K-pop horror

Malaysian and Asian storytelling, drawing from Japanese folklore, cult horror, twisted fairytales, manga and K-pop culture, takes centre stage across the haunted houses.

The nine horror attractions each present a distinct concept.

The main attraction, Ape-ocalypse: The Kingdom Kong, puts visitors in a world overrun by human-sized apes wielding chainsaws and ready to chase through the darkness.

Malaysian horror takes the spotlight in Pontianak vs Pocong, a short film screening set inside a haunted theatre where many can expect more than just sitting still.

Visitors entering the Yokai Road attraction will encounter yokai, the supernatural spirits, and uncanny phenomena from Japanese folklore, including the kappa and tengu.

The Freezer: Fresh Meat is set inside a grim and chilling human meat-processing facility, while Little Shop of Horrors brings the classic horror-comedy film about a carnivorous plant to life through a manga-inspired UV 3D experience.

Horrorwood: Wax Museum of Monsters brings visitors face-to-face with classic slasher icons from Hollywood, including Art the Clown from the Terrifier films and Ghostface from the Scream franchise.

The Not-So-Wonderful Wizard of Oz gives the classic fairytale a dark and twisted horror treatment, while Return to Silent Hill offers a psychological and atmospheric survival-horror experience inspired by the video game series.

Lastly, Romeos and Juliet: Jealousy, Obsession, Murder presents a macabre, blood-soaked take on the tragic romance, with a darker K-pop-inspired twist.

Visitors await the start of Nights of Fright 12: Ape-ocalypse at Sunway Lagoon September 24, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Scare zones and other activities

In addition to the nine main attractions, Nights of Fright 12 has three scare zones where roaming performers and characters will interact with visitors around the park.

It will also feature 11 selected Sunway Lagoon rides transformed with horror themes during the event.

As part of a continuing tradition, the event will round off the evening with entertainment after dark featuring live performances on the main stage.

Soong said the event’s focus remained on immersive experiences as it returned for its 12th edition.

“Nights of Fright has always been about elevating immersion experiences and energising a movement that dominates the entertainment landscape in this region,” she said.

Nights of Fright 12 runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 25 to November 7, 2026.

Ticketing information is available through Klook and the Sunway Lagoon official webstore.