For many people, the Universal brand is synonymous with horror.
In the early 1900s, Universal first brought iconic characters such as Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Wolf Man and the Invisible Man to the silver screen. Nowadays, the company is a powerhouse in the horror industry, thanks to iconic modern horror films like “M3gan” and “Us,” along with annual Halloween Horror Nights events at its U.S. and international theme parks.
Related: Tricks (and treats) for getting the most out of a visit to Halloween Horror Nights
Soon, horror lovers will be able to experience the darker side of Universal all year long.
On Thursday (which just so happens to be Halloween), Universal Destinations & Experiences announced that the company’s first year-round horror experience, Universal Horror Unleashed, will open in Las Vegas in 2025.
This groundbreaking foray into a permanent horror experience outside of its theme parks gives Universal the opportunity to take what it does best — immersive, experiential storytelling — to the next level.
“Universal’s rich history in the creation of the horror genre drove our desire to bring a year-round horror experience to the incredible entertainment offerings in Las Vegas,” Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to have our award winning Creative and Entertainment teams working tirelessly to bring these terrors to life in 2025.”
Universal Horror Unleashed is being built at Area15 in Las Vegas. When it opens, guests will come face-to-face with four terrifying haunted houses. They can also enjoy live entertainment, sample food and drinks from themed bars and eateries, and shop for spooky merchandise.
The company also revealed that Universal Horror Unleashed is designed with the ability to be continuously updated for seasonal events and more.
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In addition to the 2025 opening timeline, Universal revealed the four houses that will round out the attraction’s lineup when it opens:
- Universal Monsters
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Scarecrow: The Reaping
- Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer
In the press release, Universal shared that these houses “aren’t for the faint of heart” and that “they are intense and feature elevated moments where the horror surrounds guests in unimaginable ways.”
Related: How Universal is stepping out of the mouse’s shadow to become the hottest theme park
Las Vegas is known for its glowing neon lights around every corner and the choruses of joyful screams coming from the few gamblers who can call themselves “lucky.” But with the introduction of Universal Horror Unleashed, the corners will be darker, and you’ll hear screams for an entirely different — and more terrifying — reason.
Stay tuned for additional details and the official opening date for the scary-good fun at Universal Horror Unleashed.
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