Universal has cracked open the coffin and let loose its latest monster — and this time, it’s not just a seasonal scare. “Universal Horror Unleashed,” the company’s highly anticipated year-round haunted experience in Las Vegas, quietly welcomed its first Team Members for early previews yesterday ahead of the official public grand opening on August 14.
We’ve now gotten our first extended look inside thanks to a detailed walkthrough video from Five Fires on YouTube, offering fans more than an hour of footage from inside the newly constructed haunt.
The debut Vegas location, part of a broader nationwide expansion strategy by Universal Destinations & Experiences, blends four top-tier haunted houses with immersive scare zones, bars, dining, and highly themed retail. And judging by early guest reactions, this ambitious new venture is already proving to be a killer hit.
“That pig in Scarecrow was fire,” one YouTube viewer wrote, while another joked, “Genuinely thought that was Lady Gaga flying across the ceiling… they went ALL OUT.”
What’s Inside Universal Horror Unleashed?
Located within AREA15 in Las Vegas — the futuristic art and entertainment district that’s also home to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart — Universal Horror Unleashed brings the studio’s popular Halloween Horror Nights concept to a year-round format for the very first time.
Four haunted house experiences anchor the attraction:
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – a gory tribute to the 1974 horror classic,
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Scarecrow: The Reaping – a cult-favorite original from Halloween Horror Nights Orlando,
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The Exorcist: Believer – inspired by the 2023 reboot of the demonic franchise,
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Universal Monsters – a moody, gothic showcase of classic horror icons like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolfman.
Tickets for the experience range from $69 to $99 for single-access passes, while unlimited-entry passes range from $99 to $149 depending on the day. Nevada residents can also take advantage of exclusive discounted pricing.
Beyond the Scares: Bars, Merch, and Vibes
This isn’t just about haunted houses. Universal Horror Unleashed aims to provide a fully rounded horror lifestyle experience. Themed bars serve up spooky cocktails, street performers and scare actors keep the energy high in designated “scare zones,” and — true to the Halloween Horror Nights tradition — there’s an impressive lineup of exclusive horror-themed merchandise.
“This merch is top tier ngl,” said one visitor in the Five Fires video comment section.
And it’s not all high-adrenaline fear. Some fans noticed a surprising layer of immersion outside of the houses themselves.
“The non-walkthrough parts are kind of giving me Back to the Future Destination Hill Valley vibes!” one fan commented, noting the interactive elements and world-building taking place even between haunts.
A Nationwide Expansion Plan
Universal Horror Unleashed Las Vegas marks the first location in what appears to be a broader national and even international push by Universal to bring more immersive entertainment options to guests beyond the borders of its traditional theme parks.
Next year, Universal will open a second Horror Unleashed location in Chicago, which will serve as another year-round destination for horror fans in the Midwest.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Universal is developing a new family-focused theme park in Frisco — a major pivot toward serving younger families in a market traditionally underserved by the major theme park operators.
And of course, all eyes remain on Orlando, where Universal’s game-changing Epic Universe that opened with five lands — including the eagerly awaited Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, and a Universal Monsters-themed area,
Not to be outdone internationally, Universal is actively working to bring its brand to the United Kingdom. Plans are in motion for a massive new park near Bedford, England, tentatively dubbed Universal Great Britain, although the official name has not yet been confirmed.
Universal’s Bigger Picture
All of this points to a broader strategic shift from Universal, one that positions the company not just as a theme park operator, but as a nationwide lifestyle and entertainment brand. Horror Unleashed is a key part of that strategy, giving fans a reason to engage with Universal IP in new cities — and year-round.
In the meantime, Las Vegas guests can enjoy being the first to experience the future of fear. With the doors now open for Team Member previews, and influencers and guests already getting a taste, Horror Unleashed seems poised to become a must-visit experience on the Strip.
Whether you’re in it for the blood-curdling screams or the limited-edition merchandise, Universal’s latest creation is looking to redefine how and where fans can get their horror fix.
