Universal Orlando has never looked bigger than it does right now.
Epic Universe is officially open, new attractions continue reshaping the resort, and Universal has firmly established itself as a true multi-park vacation destination capable of standing toe-to-toe with any competitor in the industry.
But while the company keeps expanding forward, something unexpected is happening at the same time.
Universal is starting to reconnect with its past in a very noticeable way.
This summer, two of the most beloved franchises in Universal Orlando history are officially returning to the resort after years of being mostly absent from the parks: JAWS and Ghostbusters.
For longtime fans, that announcement carries far more weight than a simple seasonal event.
These are two properties that helped define the identity of Universal Studios Florida during its earlier years. Both developed passionate fanbases inside the parks, and both eventually disappeared in major ways. Now, Universal appears ready to put them back into the spotlight again.
A Summer Event Built Around Universal’s Movie Legacy
Universal Orlando’s newly announced Summer 2026 offerings are heavily centered around film nostalgia.
Running from May 23 through August 10, the event includes specialty entertainment, food, merchandise, hotel experiences, nighttime shows, and interactive offerings themed to some of Universal’s biggest movie franchises.
Among the biggest reveals were entirely new JAWS-inspired offerings at Universal Studios Florida.
Guests will be able to experience themed photo opportunities, specialty food and drinks, and exclusive merchandise tied directly to the legendary shark franchise. For a property that once disappeared almost completely from the parks, that is a huge development.
Ghostbusters is also returning in a major way.
The franchise will once again appear in the Universal Mega Movie Parade, which has quickly become one of the resort’s most popular entertainment additions. The parade celebrates Universal’s cinematic history with massive floats, performers, music, and appearances from some of the studio’s most iconic properties.
Ghostbusters joining the lineup again this year reinforces something fans have started noticing recently: Universal is leaning heavily into classic films again.
The Emotional Legacy of JAWS
It is difficult to overstate how important JAWS once was to Universal Orlando.
The original attraction opened with Universal Studios Florida in 1990 and immediately became one of the park’s defining experiences. Guests boarded tour boats through Amity Island before encountering the massive shark in a series of explosive scenes pulled directly from the film.
The attraction was loud, chaotic, funny, and genuinely intense.
For many fans, it represented the perfect version of the original Universal Studios concept. It felt like guests were physically stepping inside a movie set.
That is why the 2012 closure hit so hard.
When Universal demolished Amity Island to build Diagon Alley, fans understood the business decision. Harry Potter transformed the resort forever and helped launch Universal into a new era of popularity.
Still, many guests never stopped missing JAWS.
Over time, Universal slowly started bringing the franchise back in smaller ways through merchandise, tribute stores, anniversary callbacks, and entertainment references. This summer marks one of the largest visible returns the property has had inside the parks in years.
Ghostbusters Never Truly Left Universal Fans Behind
Ghostbusters followed a somewhat different path at Universal Orlando.
The franchise originally appeared through live entertainment and street shows during the early Universal Studios Florida years. Eventually, it became deeply connected to Halloween Horror Nights, where Ghostbusters houses became fan-favorite experiences.
Even when the property was not heavily featured year-round, fans continued associating Ghostbusters with Universal.
Now, the franchise appears to be growing again across the resort.
One of the most interesting additions this summer is a giant Ghostbusters-themed sand sculpture currently under construction inside Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. The sculpture is part of a larger summer initiative bringing oversized themed displays to all 11 Universal Orlando hotels.
That may sound small compared to a ride announcement, but it shows how intentionally Universal is placing the franchise back into the guest experience.
Combined with the Mega Movie Parade presence, Ghostbusters suddenly feels more visible than it has in years.
Universal’s Strategy Is Clearly Changing
For a long time, Universal focused almost entirely on pushing newer intellectual properties and blockbuster experiences.
That strategy worked.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter revolutionized themed entertainment. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD changed interactive theme park design. Epic Universe raised the company’s ambitions to an entirely different level.
But nostalgia has now become a huge part of Universal’s identity too.
The Mega Movie Parade is almost entirely built around older films and legacy franchises. Universal’s seasonal offerings increasingly reference classic movies. Tribute stores regularly celebrate the resort’s history. Even the Summer Movie Series at Universal CityWalk is packed with classic films like JAWS and Back to the Future (1985).
Universal clearly understands that guests still deeply care about the properties that originally built the parks.
That emotional connection matters.
Fans Are Already Thinking Bigger
Of course, once fans saw JAWS and Ghostbusters officially returning this summer, speculation immediately exploded online.
Whenever Universal starts revisiting dormant properties, guests naturally begin wondering whether something larger could eventually happen.
Could JAWS someday receive a modern tribute attraction? Could Ghostbusters return through a permanent walkthrough, stage show, or haunted attraction concept outside Halloween Horror Nights?
Nothing currently suggests those plans exist.
Still, the fact that Universal keeps increasing visibility for both franchises says a lot about how valuable the company believes they still are.
For years, many guests assumed JAWS and Ghostbusters had effectively vanished from Universal Orlando forever. Instead, both franchises are now becoming central parts of the resort’s summer identity again.
And honestly, for longtime fans of the original Universal Studios Florida, seeing that happen feels pretty special.
