Surveillance Camera Records Funny And Scared Expressions Of Visitors In Haunted House

By: Riley Brown | Last updated: Oct 16, 2023

There’s something really fascinating about people’s love for feeling scared. Throughout the history of humanity, we’ve felt an attraction for the unknown —and the creepy. 

We love anything that makes us shriek in fear, from books to movies to theaters and haunted houses. And now, with today’s technology, we’re able to recreate scenes that feel a little bit too real. So is the case of this haunted house.

A Viral Mansion

Thanks to the magic of the internet, we’re able to learn about places in the world we would’ve never imagined existed. And so is the case of this haunted house that became a viral internet sensation thanks to a wonderful idea. 

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Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

The Nightmares Fear Factory is a haunted house attraction that gained the internet’s attention when they started uploading pictures of their patrons on the photography social media site Flickr. They capture and share the results of the scariest moment of the tour. And they’re fantastic!

Nightmares Fear Factory

Nightmares Fear Factory is a haunted house attraction located in Niagara Falls, Canada. Its popularity resides in being an internet sensation, thanks to the pictures they upload, and that it is one of North America’s scariest and oldest haunted house tours. 

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Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

They have been running for over 30 years, and their success has garnered international interest. They rely mainly on actors, sound, and light effects, unlike other haunted houses that rely on gore displays with fake blood. It’s a one of a kind adventure!

An Eerie Tour

The tour has attracted over half a million people in a successful 30-year span. It’s a family favorite, although it’s predominantly catered toward adults; children over six are allowed with a parent or guardian. 

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Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

Although we would probably recommend waiting until your children are older, as the tour is definitely a life-changing experience for some people, the total darkness and the jump scares can leave anyone afraid of the slightest noises in their surroundings. Even the toughest adults get spooked in there!

You Can Hear The Screams From The Falls

The Nightmares Fear Factory is located in Niagara Falls, Canada. Very close to the Top of Clifton Hill, on Victoria Avenue. Its prime neighborhood makes it accessible for those staying in the tourist district or the falls.

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Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

There are many restaurants and attractions nearby, so if you’re planning a trip, it should be easy to arrange a day around the area. Just beware not to eat too much before going on the haunted tour. Nobody wants to be scared on a full belly.

The Chicken Exit 

Over 170,000 people have asked to use the infamous “chicken exit.” Because the people at the Nightmare Fear Factory know everyone has different sensibilities, they created a password so that in case anyone gets too scared, they can just say it, and somebody will guide them to the exit.  

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

The safe word is “Nightmares,” and if you say it, you have to face the consequences and sign your name on the already massive list of people who weren’t able to finish the 15-minute haunted tour. 

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Fifteen Life-Changing Minutes

The tour is only 10-15 minutes long, but that’s enough to stay spooked for the rest of the week —or year. And for the internet to forever remember the funny faces of these utterly terrified people. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

The Nightmare Factory Flickr account made it to the acclaimed Reddit main page a few years ago, thanks to an unknown user. And it regains people’s attention now and then. Now, the shocked and panicked faces of these afraid humans will be forever remembered by the internet’s memes and jokes. 

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A Popular Attraction

Whenever someone goes through the chicken exit, they have to face the consequences, that is, writing their name on the list of all those who couldn’t make it to the end. But depending on who escorts them out, sometimes they are terrorized even worse before leaving the premises. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

Anyone going in must be absolutely sure they are willing to face their biggest fears. Since they take no refunds, once you buy the ticket, you have to go in or lose your chance to have the experience of a lifetime. 

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No Blood, Just Fear 

What is scarier than monsters, zombies and ghouls? Well, the dark, of course! The unknown lies in the most terrifying moments when we cannot see what lies in front of us. And that is precisely what triggers the reactions in these pictures!

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

After going through an extremely dark hallway, the roaming tourists are faced with a shocking jump scare that sends many of them into the funniest reactions, from jumping to hugging and screaming at the top of their lungs. 

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The Story Behind It

According to the haunted tour’s lore, the building was “The Cataract Coffin Factory,” where a man named Abraham Mortimer ran his successful coffin-making business. As he turned older, a group of teenagers went in to play tricks on the old man. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

One night, while running from the hooligans, a pile of coffins fell on top of him, causing his death. When he was about to be buried, they realized his body was gone, and so started the legend that he now haunts whoever dares trespass on his factory.

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Spooky To See 

The place is a maze that is rearranged frequently, so even if you have visited before, no experiences are the same. Besides darkness and flashing lights, you will encounter ghosts and otherworldly creatures that you can only find in the scariest nightmares.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

There is also a shaky drawbridge, a tiny tunnel that you must crawl to get through, and some narrow walls that close as you go past them. That’s why they don’t allow pregnant women, people with mobility issues, or people with heart conditions.

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A Viral Flickr Account

Their webpage has a distinct warning: “If you’re planning on visiting this world-famous Niagara Falls haunted house attraction, be prepared for video and photo evidence of your reactions to live on the internet forever!” 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

Unlike many other attractions in other places of the world, where they charge around $20 for a digital copy of your picture on a ride, these go free of charge on the internet. Their success has led them to expand from Flickr, and they also upload videos on Youtube, Tumblr, and Instagram.

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Real Accounts

On their official webpage, they have a section with the best “survivor stories” where people can give their accounts and reviews of the experience, and judging from the hundreds of comments, they are very positive! People seem to love the attraction and visit it year-round. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite reviews to accompany the fabulous pictures. Some of these quotes come from people that traveled across the globe just to experience the world-famous terror of this haunted house attraction. 

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Bodily Experiences

While some people shout at the top of their lungs, others have more visceral experiences, like Jacob from Toronto, who gave a highly detailed review of his experience at the acclaimed Nightmare Fear Factory.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

“I went in expecting the same old garbage from every other haunted house in Niagara, fun, but garbage. Instead, I pooped my pants. Literally. Thanks a lot. I’m joking! The actors are amazing, and they take real pride in keeping their title of the best-haunted house in the world.”

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Unexpected Terror

“This was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Think “Silent Hill” for a haunted attraction; it plays on your psyche and creates an atmosphere of absolute dread and suspense. The scares themselves are pretty damn scary as well. One part even has **** **** **** ****; it was here that I (unfortunately) chickened out. Next time I come here, I’m bringing friends. Absolutely worth every dollar and penny.”

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

People shouldn’t spoil the surprises that await those who haven’t visited the haunted tour yet, but it seems impossible for some.

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Raving Reviews

“I’m surprised I got through it! Even the waiting area gives you chills…especially when you hear the screaming from inside! I’m sure I made my boyfriend’s ear bleed at some point with all my screaming, and I was screaming every other second in there.” 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

“A freakishly realistic and downright creepy surprise at EVERY corner! I highly recommend this haunted house. Don’t chicken out! They save the best surprises for last, and it’s all worth it when you’re one of the VERY FEW holding a survivor card.”

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Hazardous Grip

Gia and Veronica, from Burlington, Ontario, gave them a great review; they wrote: “BEST haunted house we’ve ever been to! We almost broke our wrists ’cause we held onto each other so tight! Lol. I cried like a little girl.” 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

And by the pictures, we can tell some people hold on to each other very tight. That’s why people are only allowed to go in with their group of family and friends because nobody wants to end up hugging a stranger!

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Movie Ideas 

Alysia from Illinois loved her experience so much that she visited twice the same day! Now, that’s love for the spook.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

She wrote, “Okay, this is the best haunted house, I went here last year during the summer. I made it halfway through by myself. Later on that night, I went in there again with my mom. WE SURVIVED. This haunted house should become a movie or something. It was extremely scary! I am a fan of haunted houses, so I highly recommend it.”

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Trip Advisor Recommends

The Nightmares Fear Factory is an attraction that has a broad public and has been well received by both tourists and locals of Niagara Falls. It has a 4 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor and has excellent reviews on most travel sites, including Google maps. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

It’s worth it to book in advance to secure your spot, especially during the high season and Halloween. They have group and family discounts for those willing to look terrified in front of their friends. 

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Fearless Wanderers

People that enjoy haunted experiences are in for a treat visiting this chilling attraction. We can’t recommend this place enough if you dare to be haunted and spooked. However, fearless tourists that expect their usual zombie scare and bloody vampire are the ones that end up the most impressed after going through the Nightmare Fear Factory.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

By looking at these pictures carefully, anyone can notice there’s no way of faking these people’s clearly disturbed faces. It’s truly a once (or twice) a lifetime experience. 

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Best Boyfriend Award

People can underestimate how scary it is because of the “psychological terror” description. Still, those people usually end up curled up in someone’s arms, like Imran from Ontario did on his visit. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

“I wanted to take my girlfriend to one for her birthday, and having already tried every other one in Niagara, I decided to go for this one. I expected my gf to be really scared while I cruised along, but I was just as scared as she was. It’s REALLY scary. We survived, but we’re never going back.”

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Some People Can’t Get Enough

It seems counterintuitive to visit the haunted attraction more than once, but apparently, people have so much fun they go several times in their lifespans. 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

Megan from Stratford, Ontario, shared her experience on the webpage, writing: “Such a fun and scary experience!! Went back the next night to see if our picture would be less ‘freaky’…nope still just as scared..haha have four pictures at home now. I can’t wait to go back and visit the family just to do it again 🙂 Best haunted house ever!”

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The Press Love It

The Nightmares Fear Factory has gained a lot of attention, not only from internet users but also from television and journalists. It has been featured on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, the Daily Mail, Funny or Die, ABC News, and the Steve Harvey Show to mention a few.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

This good reputation should be enough to abide by how scary and popular this attraction is! But it’s necessary to experience it in person to actually know that it’s worth it.

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A Wonderful Experience 

So many reviews are fantastic; it’s hard to ignore that people love being scared. Nick Becker from Montreal wrote, “OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SCARIEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!! Went with one other guy, and almost had a freakin’ heart attack!!!!!! You gotta go if you never did!!!!” 

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

And another user named Courtney Cass said, “It’s like all of your worst fears in one house” it seems like everyone has a unique story in this place, and we agree entirely it’s terrifyingly memorable!

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Even The Bad Reviews Are Good

When trying to find a bad review, it was challenging to find one that would complain about it until we found one from a woman named Rebecca, who visited the place and wasn’t impressed by the overall experience.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

She wrote that she had a high tolerance for haunted houses, and this one wasn’t her favorite, but then she finished her review by writing: “I was a bit underwhelmed, but hey, they did manage what no other haunted house has: they frickin’ scared me!” So even the toughest clientele meets the end goal.

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A Memorable Experience

Now you know where to go if you want your face to become an internet meme and get the fright of your life, all in the same place! A memorable experience for those thrillseekers that are never satisfied with haunted houses. Proved and tested by thousands of people from across the globe.

Source: Nightmare’s Fear Factory

Who would’ve known that a peaceful place like Niagara Falls would have the scariest haunted house in North America? Do you think you would make it through without chickening out? We probably wouldn’t!

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