Nightmares Manila Haunted House Review: Is It Actually Scary?
If you are searching for a unique haunted attraction or wondering what to do in Manila after dark, Nightmares Manila offers three haunted houses, three escape rooms, and a horror-themed cafe in one location.
Misael and I visited Nightmares Manila to find out whether this popular Manila haunted house was actually scary. I arrived expecting a few jump scares and some entertaining footage. I did not expect to leave sweating, breathing heavily, and apologizing for how many times I screamed.
After completing the Haunted Schoolhouse, Freak Show, and House of Darkness, I can confidently say that Nightmares Manila was much scarier than I expected.
Watch Our Nightmares Manila Experience
Would you rather watch what happened than read the complete review? Our Nightmares Manila vlog takes you inside all three haunted houses and captures our real reactions.
The video takes you inside all three haunted houses and captures our real reactions as we attempt to make it through the Haunted Schoolhouse, Freak Show, and House of Darkness.
Yes, you will hear me scream.
More than once.
What Is Nightmares Manila?
Nightmares Manila is an indoor horror attraction in Manila offering several different experiences in one location.
During our visit, the venue featured:
- Three haunted houses
- Three escape rooms
- The Nightmares Cafe
- Themed photo opportunities
We visited specifically to experience and film the three haunted houses:
- Haunted Schoolhouse
- Freak Show
- House of Darkness
Although Nightmares Manila also has escape rooms, we did not attempt them during this visit. This review is based entirely on our firsthand experience inside the three haunted attractions.
Why We Purchased the VIP/Vlogger Pass
I booked our tickets through Klook and selected the VIP/Vlogger Pass because I wanted to bring my camera and record our experience inside the haunted houses.
You cannot simply purchase a regular ticket, bring out your camera, and begin filming inside the attractions. The VIP/Vlogger Pass is the ticket option intended for visitors who want to take photos or record video during the experience.
The package information provided through Klook stated that all participants entering together needed the same VIP/Vlogger Pass. Someone holding a regular ticket could not accompany a person filming with the VIP/Vlogger Pass.
That meant both Misael and I needed the correct passes for me to record our complete experience.
The VIP/Vlogger option also included priority entry, but filming permission was the main reason we purchased it.
The Klook listing showed instant confirmation and entry using the provided voucher. Our weekday vouchers were valid on Wednesday and Thursday and could be used within 30 days of the booking confirmation date.
Ticket availability, eligible dates, prices, attraction access, and package conditions can change. Check the current Klook listing carefully before booking to make sure you select the correct pass for the specific Nightmares Manila attraction you want to experience.
Filming Inside Nightmares Manila
My original plan was to wear a neck mount so I could record the attractions hands-free. I even mentioned that plan at the beginning of the video.
However, I discovered that I had left one of the required mount screws at home. Without that screw, I could not properly secure the camera to the neck mount.
Instead, I attached the camera to a handheld DJI stick and used that to film our experience.
The footage still provides a close POV-style look at what it was like walking through the haunted houses, but the camera was in my hand rather than mounted around my neck.
That made some parts of the experience more challenging. I had to navigate dark rooms and tight passageways while protecting the camera, watching where I was going, and trying to anticipate where the next actor might be hiding.
On the positive side, the handheld setup captured my reactions exactly as they happened. There was no hiding how often Nightmares Manila caught me off guard.
Arriving at Nightmares Manila
We arrived at approximately 10:00 PM, so we were already working with limited time.
Our goal was to complete all three haunted houses before the venue closed. Since each house took time to enter and finish, we immediately began wondering whether we would make it through all three that night.
Before entering the first attraction, the staff explained the main safety rules:
- No running
- No pushing
- No touching the actors
- No touching the props
Those rules are important because the attractions are dark, some of the passageways are narrow, and your natural reaction when something jumps out may be to run in the opposite direction.
After receiving the instructions, we began with the Haunted Schoolhouse.
Haunted Schoolhouse
The Haunted Schoolhouse was our first attraction and the moment I realized I had seriously underestimated Nightmares Manila.
Going through with only the two of us made the experience much more intense. There were no other visitors walking ahead of us to reveal where the actors were hiding or when the next scare was coming.
At one point, I admitted that we probably should have gone through with a group.
The Haunted Schoolhouse uses darkness and uncertainty effectively. You constantly find yourself examining figures and trying to determine whether they are mannequins, props, or real actors waiting for you to get closer.
Even when nothing is moving, you expect something to happen.
Then, as soon as you begin feeling comfortable, something does.
Despite talking like I would be the brave one before entering, I repeatedly tried to make Misael walk ahead of me. Whenever we reached another dark area, I suddenly became very interested in finding more light.
The Haunted Schoolhouse took us approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Ten minutes may not sound very long, but it feels considerably longer when you cannot see what is waiting around the next corner.
When we finally reached the exit, I was already sweating. My immediate reaction summarized the experience perfectly:
That was much scarier than I expected.The video includes the dark hallways, live actors, special effects, mazes, and more screaming than I would like to admit.
What Is Nightmares Manila?
Nightmares Manila is an indoor horror attraction and one of the more unusual attractions in Manila for visitors who enjoy jump scares, immersive experiences, and haunted houses.
During our visit, the venue featured:
- Three haunted houses
- Three escape rooms
- The Nightmares Cafe
- Horror-themed photo opportunities
We visited specifically to experience and film all three haunted houses:
- Haunted Schoolhouse
- Freak Show
- House of Darkness
We did not attempt the escape rooms during this visit, so this Nightmares Manila review focuses entirely on our firsthand experience inside the three haunted attractions.
Booking Our Nightmares Manila Tickets Through Klook
I booked our Nightmares Manila tickets through Klook before visiting.
We selected the VIP/Vlogger Pass because I wanted to bring my camera and record inside the haunted houses. Visitors cannot purchase a regular ticket and automatically assume they will be permitted to film during the experience.
The VIP/Vlogger Pass included:
- Admission to the attraction specified on the ticket
- Priority entry
- Permission to take photos and record video inside
Klook also stated that everyone entering together must have a VIP/Vlogger Pass if someone in the group intends to film. A person with a regular pass cannot accompany a VIP/Vlogger Pass holder while that person records inside the attraction.
That meant Misael and I both needed the proper passes.
The Klook listing showed instant confirmation and entry using the provided voucher. Our weekday vouchers were valid on Wednesday and Thursday and could be redeemed within 30 days of the booking-confirmation date.
The listed cancellation policy did not permit refunds, although booking changes could be accommodated for free under the stated conditions. The vouchers were also transferable.
Packages, prices, operating dates, attraction access, and conditions can change. Read the current Klook package carefully before booking and confirm that you are selecting the correct pass for the particular attraction you want to enter.
Why We Needed the VIP/Vlogger Pass
Filming permission was the main reason we purchased the VIP/Vlogger Pass.
My original plan was to wear a neck mount so I could record hands-free. I even mentioned the neck mount at the beginning of the video.
However, I discovered that I had left one of the required mount screws at home. Without that screw, I could not secure the camera properly, so I switched to a handheld DJI stick.
The footage still gives viewers a close POV look at our experience, but the camera was in my hand rather than mounted around my neck.
Using the DJI stick made navigating some areas more challenging. I had to protect the camera while walking through dark rooms, squeezing through narrow passages, and trying to predict where the next actor might be hiding.
It also captured my genuine reactions. There was no hiding how many times this Manila horror house caught me off guard.
Arriving at Nightmares Manila
We arrived at approximately 10:00 PM, which did not leave us much extra time.
Our goal was to complete all three haunted houses before closing. Because we arrived late, we immediately began wondering whether we could finish every attraction that night.
Before entering the first house, the staff explained the main safety rules:
- No running
- No pushing
- No touching the actors
- No touching the props
These rules are important because the attractions are dark, some walkways are narrow, and your first reaction to a jump scare may be to run in the opposite direction.
After receiving our instructions, we entered the Haunted Schoolhouse.
Haunted Schoolhouse: Our First Scare
The Haunted Schoolhouse was our first attraction and the moment I realized I had seriously underestimated Nightmares Manila.
Going through with only the two of us made the experience more intense. There were no other visitors walking ahead of us to reveal where the actors were hiding or when the next scare might happen.
At one point, I admitted that we probably should have entered with a group.
The Haunted Schoolhouse uses darkness and uncertainty effectively. You constantly examine the figures around you and try to determine whether they are mannequins, props, or actors waiting for you to move closer.
Even when nothing is moving, you expect something to happen.
Then, as soon as you begin feeling comfortable, something does.
Despite acting like I would be the brave one before entering, I repeatedly tried to make Misael walk ahead of me. Whenever we reached another dark hallway, I suddenly became very interested in finding more light.
The Haunted Schoolhouse took us approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Ten minutes may not sound long, but it feels considerably longer when you cannot see what is waiting around the next corner.
When we finally reached the exit, I was already sweating. My immediate reaction summarized the experience perfectly:
That was much scarier than I expected.
We had completed only the first haunted house, and two more were waiting for us.
We had completed only the first haunted house, and there were still two more to go.
Freak Show: Props, Actors and Tight Spaces
Our second haunted attraction was the Freak Show, located upstairs.
The Freak Show had a noticeably different atmosphere from the Haunted Schoolhouse. It featured creepy figures, a giant spider, unusual passageways, tight spaces, and sections that reacted physically as we moved through them.
One of its strongest elements was the uncertainty over what was real.
A figure might appear to be an ordinary prop until it suddenly moved. At other times, I would become convinced that someone was behind me, turn around, and find nothing there.
Even when I could see what was ahead, I remained worried about what might be approaching from behind.
The Freak Show also included a walkway that vibrated beneath our feet. Effects like that made the attraction feel more immersive than a basic horror house filled only with actors waiting to jump out.
Because I was holding the DJI stick, I also had to prevent the camera from hitting anything while moving through the tighter areas.
By the time we reached the exit, I was sweating again.
Two haunted houses were complete. One remained.
Taking a Break at the Nightmares Cafe
Before entering the final haunted house, we stopped at the Nightmares Cafe to cool down and get something cold to drink.
During our visit, we had ₱200 meal vouchers that could be used at the cafe. Because we arrived late, several menu items were already unavailable.
We ordered the Ghost Burgers with cheese and paid the amount above the value of our vouchers.
The cafe gave us a much-needed opportunity to sit down, eat, and cool off after completing the first two haunted houses.
The Klook VIP/Vlogger package information supplied separately stated that meals and beverages were not included. Therefore, visitors should not assume that a current VIP/Vlogger Pass automatically comes with a meal voucher.
Check the exact inclusions attached to your booking or promotion before visiting.
After our break, it was time to attempt the final attraction: House of Darkness.
House of Darkness: The Final Haunted House
The House of Darkness began building tension before we even entered the main attraction.
An elevator attendant welcomed us and announced that we were taking a “one-way trip to hell.”
That was a comforting start.
After the elevator sequence, we met Giovanni Gustavo, the caretaker of the cursed mansion. He introduced us to the house and the family that supposedly owned it before leading us farther inside.
House of Darkness included more storytelling than the other attractions. Instead of relying entirely on sudden jump scares, it used characters, themed rooms, and the mansion’s story to build tension.
As we moved deeper into the house, we encountered:
- Dark rooms
- Moving walls
- Smoke effects
- Closets and narrow passages
- Stairs
- Maze-like areas
- A cornfield-inspired section
- Actors hiding throughout the attraction
The moving walls were especially disorienting. In the darkest areas, it was difficult to tell which direction we were supposed to go, making every possible path feel like the wrong one.
At one point, Misael began praying while I continued making her walk ahead of me. That should tell you everything about how brave I was feeling.
The farther we went, the more interested I became in finding something resembling an exit.
We eventually reached a section where a threatening voice announced that it could smell us from miles away and described what it intended to do when it caught us.
By then, I was ready to leave.
When I finally saw light ahead, I hoped it meant we had reached the exit.
Thankfully, it did.
We had officially survived all three Nightmares Manila haunted houses.
Is Nightmares Manila Actually Scary?
Yes—Nightmares Manila was scary for me.
That is coming from someone who entered genuinely believing he would not get scared.
The attraction does not depend exclusively on actors jumping out from behind walls. Much of the fear comes from darkness, anticipation, and uncertainty.
You cannot always see what is ahead. You do not necessarily know which direction to take. You might not be able to determine whether the figure beside you is a prop or an actor. Even when nothing is happening, you are waiting for the next scare.
That anticipation repeatedly got me.
Going through the attractions with only two people also intensified the experience. There were fewer people between us and whatever might be waiting around the next corner.
My reactions were genuine, and the amount of sweat on my shirt at the end provided enough evidence that Nightmares Manila had successfully scared me.
Is the Nightmares Manila VIP/Vlogger Pass Worth It?
The VIP/Vlogger Pass is worth considering if you specifically want to take photos, record video, or create a horror vlog inside Nightmares Manila.
Regular admission may be sufficient if you only want to experience the haunted house without filming. However, a regular ticket does not provide the same permission to record inside.
Everyone entering with the person filming must have the appropriate VIP/Vlogger Pass. If you are visiting with a partner or group, confirm that everyone has purchased the required ticket.
The pass also provided priority entry when we booked, but filming permission was its main value for me.
Remember that a VIP/Vlogger Pass may apply only to the attraction identified in the package name. Do not assume that one pass provides admission to every haunted house, escape room, or other Nightmares Manila attraction.
Tips for Visiting This Manila Haunted House
Arrive Earlier Than We Did
We arrived around 10:00 PM and immediately had to consider how much we could complete before closing.
Arriving earlier gives you more time to experience the attractions, take approved photos, eat at the cafe, and possibly try one of the escape rooms.
Purchase the Correct Ticket
Purchase the VIP/Vlogger Pass if you intend to film.
Do not buy regular admission and assume you can begin recording after entering. Confirm the filming rules and ensure everyone accompanying you has the required pass.
Check Your Camera Equipment
Check every mount, screw, battery, memory card, and accessory before leaving.
I planned to use my neck mount but had to switch to the handheld DJI stick because I left one required screw at home.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Expect to walk, climb stairs, navigate tight spaces, and sweat.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to move safely through the attractions.
Consider Your Group Size
Going through with only two people made the experience more intense because there were fewer visitors between us and the actors.
A larger group might feel less intimidating, but a smaller group may produce the better scare.
Follow the Safety Rules
Do not run, push, or touch the actors and props. Some sections are extremely dark, and running could cause an injury.
Come Sober
I had a couple of shots before arriving.
In hindsight, that was not the best strategy.
You want your senses working properly while walking through a dark hallway and trying to determine whether the figure in front of you is a mannequin or an actor preparing to chase you.
Is Nightmares Manila One of the Best Things to Do in Manila?
Nightmares Manila is worth considering if you are looking for unusual things to do in Manila, especially at night.
It offers something different from the city’s malls, museums, historical landmarks, and traditional sightseeing attractions. It is particularly suitable for couples, groups of friends, horror fans, and visitors looking for an interactive Manila attraction.
However, this experience will not appeal to everyone. Visitors who dislike darkness, enclosed spaces, loud noises, jump scares, or live horror actors may prefer another activity.
For us, it became one of our most memorable experiences in Manila.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nightmares Manila
Is it Nightmare Manila or Nightmares Manila?
The attraction’s correct name is Nightmares Manila, with an “s” at the end of “Nightmares.” Some people search for “Nightmare Manila,” but that is not the complete official name.
Is Nightmares MNL the same as Nightmares Manila?
“Nightmares MNL” may be used online as a shortened reference to Nightmares Manila. Check the attraction and ticket details carefully when booking to ensure you have found the correct Manila location.
Can you record inside Nightmares Manila?
Filming requires the appropriate VIP/Vlogger Pass based on the Klook package information available when we booked. Everyone entering with the person recording must also hold the required pass.
Confirm the current camera rules before visiting because policies can change.
How many haunted houses are at Nightmares Manila?
Nightmares Manila featured three haunted houses during our visit: Haunted Schoolhouse, Freak Show, and House of Darkness.
Does Nightmares Manila have escape rooms?
Yes. The venue had three escape rooms during our visit. We did not experience them, so this review does not evaluate the escape-room portion of the attraction.
How long did the Haunted Schoolhouse take?
It took us approximately 10 minutes to complete the Haunted Schoolhouse. Your time may vary depending on group size, pace, and the attraction’s current operation.
Is Nightmares Manila suitable for children?
The attractions contain darkness, loud sounds, live actors, enclosed areas, and jump scares. Parents should review the current age, height, and admission requirements before bringing children.
Should you book Nightmares Manila in advance?
Booking in advance through Klook gave us confirmation and a voucher before arrival. Advance booking is particularly important when purchasing a specific VIP/Vlogger Pass or visiting on a restricted weekday.
Final Nightmares Manila Review
If you enjoy horror houses and want to experience one of the more unusual attractions in Manila, I recommend visiting Nightmares Manila.
We did not try the escape rooms, so I cannot personally review that part of the venue. However, we completed all three haunted houses and enjoyed the experience considerably more than I expected.
Each haunted house had its own theme, effects, and atmosphere. More importantly, all three managed to scare me.
If you only want to experience the attractions, compare the regular ticket options. If you plan to bring a camera and record your visit, purchase the correct VIP/Vlogger Pass for every person in your group.
Watch our complete experience near the beginning of this review, and then decide whether you would make it through all three Nightmares Manila haunted houses.
My final verdict?
If you are in Manila and want a legitimate scare, experience Nightmares Manila for yourself.
