About the questions of what movies to watch so you have background info in advance of specific houses , you might get various replies
For me, only watch the first Saw movie
My opinion only the first movie was decent
The other Saw movies that were made, to me were just meh.....
Google the houses and watch the movies that will reflect them
Shining is an older movie and I thought well done
Looking forward to this one
Some of the houses are being revamped from the past or going in another direction this year
AHS house is based on the tv shows
It will concentrate on three episodes from the past year
Read the info on the hhn site that gives a general statement of the houses (halloweenhorrornights.com)
You'll know the theme and what sections that would be used in those houses
I've gone yearly to hhn since 1999
Repeat houses or themes have resurfaced some years
I'm sure more homies will post in greater detail than I have to help newbies be prepared for this years event