From the first moment the Phantom of the Opera appeared on our silent silver screens to their annual Halloween Horror Night events, Universal has become a staple in horror entertainment. Their newest venture, Horror Unleashed, is a highly anticipated year-round horror experience that will feature four haunted houses as well as live performances, interactive elements, and food and beverage.
The four haunted houses will be a mix of original Universal ideas and familiar horror IPs:
Universal Monsters
Universal Monsters is one of Universal's most iconic, original IPs. It only makes sense for them to feature these beloved monsters in one of their year-round haunted houses. One of my personal favorite houses to walk through, they've had one haunt in the Halloween Horror Night's line-up for the last few years and it never fails to not impress. And if Epic's Dark Universe proves anything, people still love the classics. While we don't know much about what the storyline for this haunted house yet, it'll be interesting to see if they continue what they've started with the previous houses, if they'll connect this house to Dark Universe's new ride, Monsters Unchained, or they plan to do something totally new.
Scarecrow: The Reaping
I'm so excited about this one. Scarecrow: the Reaping was originally a house in Halloween Horror Nights 27 that would spawn a scare zone called Scarecrow: Cursed Soil and have characters that would go on to join one of my favorite icons of all time, the Pumpkin Lord. Seeing a glimpse of him in the trailer for Scarecrow: the Reaping has me excited for a possible return.
The Exorcist: Believer
Anyone familiar with The Exorcist knows it's one of the scariest films ever made, with a franchise that has lasted decades. I actually got to walk the haunt for Exorcist: Believer during the 2023 season of Halloween Horror Nights and it was intense and frightening. There were quite a few jump scares that got me as well as an incredibly designed three-eyed demon who jumps out at you as your leaving the house. It's a good choice for Horror Unleashed, a classic franchise featuring the latest update in the ongoing series.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Another iconic horror franchise, not only is it genius to have a slasher house, but Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the more extreme slasher films ever made. It's nasty. Featured in a few Halloween Horror Night Events, I walked through the house they had for HHN30. There's no shortage of Leatherface or his chainsaw as you make your way through the maze. It'll be good to see him and his insane family back for Horror Unleashed.
As an avid fan of Halloween Horror Nights, I think Universal's Horror Unleashed is the perfect addition to Universal's theme park and attraction family. HHN is one of their most anticipated events of the year and turning something similar into a year-round event will surely bring many fans to Las Vegas to check it out. Especially knowing the amount of detail and effort Universal puts into everything create.
Universal's Horror Unleashed is opening August 2025, but tickets are on sale now!