Universal's Horror Unleashed, is officially open. We have tons of new information about the haunted houses, themed areas, restaurants, and brand new merch that will be featured for Universal's newest year-round horror attraction. Taking their cue from Epic, stepping into each haunted house will be like stepping into a portal to another world. Universal promises an experience with elaborate scares and expanded storytelling. That means more monsters and more thrills!
The Universal Monsters, a personal favorite, are back to haunt and delight the masses with their latest haunted house. We can look forward to seeing the return of Van Helsing's mausoleum while also passing through Castle Dracula, the Mummy's Tomb, and Frankenstein's lab where the Monster and his Bride wait. While I'll personally miss seeing the Universal Monster house this year for Halloween Horror Nights, I love that their most iconic monsters are getting an evergreen home at Horror Unleashed.
It wouldn't be a horror show without a Blumhouse haunted house. Longtime collaborators of Halloween Horror Nights, Blumhouse's The Excorcist: Believer will be featured at Horrors Unleashed. Exorcist: Believer follows two girls, Katherine and Angela, who disappear from their homes only to come back later with no memory of where they've been or what happened to them. What follows is a descent into hell and demonic possession. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Exorcist is one of the scariest movies franchises ever made and I can't wait to see what Horror Unleashed can do and how they'll expand from their previous Exorcist: Believer House.
You can't have a Universal horror-themed attraction without the sound of chainsaws echoing through the night. Texas Chainsaw Massacre returns for Horror Unleashed. Following the blueprint of Tobe Hooper's original 1974 movie, this haunted house will allow guests to meet Leatherface and the rest of his iconic and terrifying family. A standard of the slasher genre, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has always been gory and unrepentant. Leatherface never stops when it comes to hunting his victims. All I can say is beware of hooks and chainsaws!
Perhaps the house I'm most excited for, Scarecrow: The Reaping builds on the seeds of one of Universal's original stories. Set during the 1930s in the Midwest, scarecrows rise to take their revenge against the negligent farmers who ruined their land. I've had some of my favorite experiences in Universal's original idea haunted houses. The creativity behind their storytelling choices and their attention to detail have been one of the things I love most about going to Halloween Horror Nights. I can't wait to see how they expand on this idea and am genuinely crossing my fingers for a Pumpkin Lord appearance.
There will also be four themed areas and new restaurants to explore. Leading up to the Universal Monster House, Dead Storage is a themed area featuring set pieces from the past. With a horror history that's over a century long, Universal has their pick of props, old sets, costumes, and special effects. Not only will this new scare zone be an homage to Universal's roots in movie horror, but it will be filled with roaming monsters all looking to reclaim their lost treasure. As an avid fan of Halloween Horror Nights, but especially in their make-up and set designs, I'm certain Dead Storage will be a delight for any horror fans. Just passed Dead Storage you'll find The Boiler Bar. Designed to look like the hellish engine right at the heart of Horror Unleashed, the Boiler Bar is a cocktail bar that allows guest to take a moment, get one of the bar's signature drinks, and enjoy the view of the rest of the attraction.
While Dead Storage offers up some of Universal's most iconic set pieces, Prop Graveyard will feature creepy dolls, mannequins, and haunted objects. One of my favorite things about Universal's haunted houses is when the house features a room full of mannequins and scare actors and you can't tell which is which. It leaves you playing a disorienting game of "Real or not real?". It's an incredibly smart move to expand on that idea and fill entire area with that same sense of reality bending dread. Near the Prop Graveyard is the Premiere House, a Blumhouse-themed tapas bar that will serve dishes like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Flatbread, Broiler Bread, and The Crow's Nest. Premiere House will also feature its own signature cocktails and movie props from Blumhouse's latest releases.
The Kill Vault is a grunge-filled themed area that will feature Horror Unleashed very own slashers and wandering psychos. One thing I'm very excited about is seeing all the new costuming and theming the scare zones will bring. There will be knives, machetes, and maybe even a classic chainsaw? Near the Kill Vault, you'll find Rough Cuts, a place for guests to get small carved plates and learn more about the surrounding haunted houses and themed areas. There you'll be able to try dishes like Ears and Shoulders, cleverly named to give a brutal, slasher-like vibe.
Winding along Horror Unleashed, the themed area I'm most looking forward to is Jack's Alley. Jack the Clown and his partner, Chance, are some of my favorite icons of Halloween Horror Nights and I couldn't be more excited that they're getting their own year-round show. It wouldn't be Jack without Jack's Alley Bar, a cocktail bar where you can witness Jack and Chance's wicked carnival act featuring acrobatics and all set to a devilish circus theme.
Among the evil clowns, blood thirsty scarecrows, and possessed children, there'll be a ton of new merch for guests to choose from. From adorable new plushies of some of Universal's icons like Jack the Clown and Chance (featured above) to new Universal Monsters and Texas Chainsaw Massacre apparel, Horror Unleashed has a wide variety of fun souvenirs for every guest.
Personally, I think I'd love to snatch up their plushy collection. That scarecrow is as adorable as it is hungry for revenge. I also love that in the last few years the Bride of Frankenstein has gotten her moment in the spotlight and would proudly wear a She's Alive t-shirt. We're also getting a new line of Chucky merch with a new plush, backpack, mug, and some more apparel. While Chucky won't be at Horror Unleashed in a larger capacity, the killer doll has been featured at Halloween Horror Nights for the last few years in scare zones, on merch, and in his very own house during HHN32 season in 2023. As with many other icons, we're always glad to see Chucky around!
As of August 14th, Universal Horror Unleashed is now open! With plans to open a second Horror Unleashed in Chicago already under way, there's no doubt in my mind that the Las Vegas experience will be a killer time for any and every horror fan!