Get ready for a spooky good time on Scariest House in America, the newest spinoff of HGTV’s hit series Ugliest House in America. Host Retta (Parks and Recreation, Good Girls) kicks off her mission to find the most terrifying property in the country on Friday, Oct. 4, traveling to tour nine eerie and terrifying houses that feature everything from built-in death traps and questionable taxidermy to daunting basements and ghost sightings.
In a PopCulture.com exclusive trailer teasing the frights to come, Retta doesn’t hold back when touring the properties vying for the title of “scariest,” turning to the camera and informing the film crew, “Just so y’all know, I’m not going in that part [of the house]. I don’t care what my contract says. Nope.”
Videos by PopCulture.com
Morbid decor is on full display during Retta’s journey, from creepy dolls and gravestones to a vintage wheelchair the homeowner fears would leave them “cursed” if they were to get rid of it. Then there’s the taxidermied dog wearing a wig and hat. “I’m sorry, is this dog stuffed?” Retta asks the homeowners, who answer plainly, “Yes, he was our Pitweenie [pitbull-dachshund mix].”
Scariest House in America also teases an up-close and personal look at a former jail that’s now a home for bats, an alleged mobster hideout, and a crumbling home that “gives off witchy vibes.” Fans can count on Retta’s hilarious reactions and unfiltered thoughts about each house as she evaluates each location’s scary appearance, bad function and fright factor.
HGTV will then name one house the “scariest” of them all and award the homeowners a $150,000 renovation by popular network designer Alison Victoria.
“I did not see this iteration of this show coming,” Retta said in a statement. “I was cool with the summer road trip and ugly in paradise, but, for a gal that is spooked by every creak, critter and errant hair that brushes my shoulder, this wasn’t it. Glad I got through it, but I won’t lie and say I ‘enjoyed’ it.
Scariest House in America premieres Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. on HGTV and will be available to stream the same day and time on Max. Ugliest House in America will return to HGTV with new episodes in 2025.
More Reality
-
Photo by Fred Hayes/Disney via Getty Images -
Photo by Getty Images -
Photo by Ser Baffo/Disney via Getty Images) -
Photo by Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images -
Mel B at the "America's Got Talent" Season 21 Red Carpet held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images) -
“Reverse the Curse” – Back from tribal, tensions rise following the exit of a particularly historic player. The final five immunity challenge ends in a showdown and features one of the closest finishes the show has ever seen. Jeff reveals the outcomes of the remaining in-game fan votes and how they impact the final stage of the competition. Then, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $2 million prize, during the three-hour live season finale, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured: Aubry Bracco Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
