Universal Horror Unleashed

Universal Horror Unleashed
Official logo
Area15
Coordinates	36°07′56″N115°10′51″W / 36.132175°N 115.180782°W / 36.132175; -115.180782
Status	Operating
Opening date	August 14, 2025;12 days ago (2025-08-14)
Chicago
Coordinates	41°53′43″N87°38′45″W / 41.895277°N 87.645830°W / 41.895277; -87.645830
Status	In development
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Year-round event/ Scream Park
Designer	Universal Creative
Theme	Haunted attraction
Owner	NBCUniversal (Comcast)
Operator	Universal Destinations & Experiences
Website	Official website

Universal Horror Unleashed is a 110,000-square-foot (2.5-acre) self-guided, walk-through haunted attraction at Area15, an entertainment complex located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Announced in January 2023, ^[1] it is the second horror-themed experience from Universal Destinations & Experiences, after Halloween Horror Nights. The attraction opened on August 14, 2025. ^[2] A second location in Chicago is set to open in 2027. ^[3]

History

Las Vegas, Nevada

Concept art

In January 2023, Universal announced a new "horror experience" called Universal Horror Unleashed, which serves as the anchor tenant of the Vegas Immersive District, a 35-acre expansion of Area15. ^{[4] [5] [6]} Unlike Universal's seasonal Halloween Horror Nights events, it is a permanent and year-round fixture, occupying a 110,000-square-foot (2.5-acre) space. ^{[7] [8]} On March 8, 2023, NBCUniversal's theme park division Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name to Universal Destinations & Experiences. ^[9]

Construction began in October 2023, ^[10] with the walls erected by December 18, 2023. ^{[11] [12]} The attraction consists of four haunted houses based on The Exorcist: Believer ^[a] , The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ^[b] , "Universal Monsters", and "Scarecrow: The Reaping". ^[13] On February 10, 2025, Area15 announced their Vegas Immersive District is 60% pre-leased, including Universal Horror Unleashed. ^[14] On February 19, 2025, Universal announced the attraction would open on August 14, 2025. ^[2] The attraction includes "Jack's Alley", a bar and entertainment center themed to Jack the Clown. ^{[15] [16]}

Chicago, Illinois

Concept art

In June 2025, Universal announced the city of Chicago would be the second Universal Horror Unleashed location and the first Universal attraction in the Midwest. ^{[3] [17] [18]} Construction is slated to begin in early 2026 after design plans are finalized and permits secured. The attraction is tentatively scheduled to open in 2027. ^[3]

See also

• Knott's Scary Farm, Halloween event at Knott's Berry Farm.
• Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, Halloween event at the RMS Queen Mary.
• Six Flags Fright Fest, Halloween events at Six Flags parks, formerly known as Six Flags (1961–2024) parks.
• Six Flag's Halloween Haunts, Halloween events at Six Flags parks, formerly known as Cedar Fair parks.
• Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Halloween event by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.
• Howl-O-Scream, Halloween event by United Parks & Resorts at various locations, including Busch Gardens and SeaWorld.

Universal horror–related

• Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, the first horror–themed experience from Universal Destinations & Experiences
• Dark Universe, a Universal Monsters–themed land at Universal Epic Universe
• Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show, a Universal Monsters–themed live show at Universal Studios Florida

Notes

1. The intellectual property rights are owned by Blumhouse Productions
2. The intellectual property rights are owned by Vortex Inc.

References

1. Segall, Eli (January 11, 2023). "Universal bringing full-time 'horror party' to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
2. Shahan, Lauren (February 19, 2025). "BREAKING: Universal Horror Unleashed Opening Date Announced, Tickets Now on Sale". WDW News Today. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
3. Mercado, Melody (June 26, 2025). "Universal Studios To Open Immersive Horror Experience In Chicago". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
4. Chen, Eve (October 17, 2023). "Horror has a new name in Las Vegas. What we know about Universal's plans for the city". USA Today . Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
5. Glenn, Brian. "Universal Destinations & Experiences reveals Universal Horror Unleashed as name for Las Vegas year-round experience". Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
6. Mitchell, Bea (November 19, 2024). "Vegas Immersive District: city names 35-acre Area15 expansion". Blooloop. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
7. Katsilometes, John (January 24, 2023). "Area15 to expand; repurposed Boeing 747 in the plans". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved December 2, 2023.
8. "Year Round Horror Experience Comes to Las Vegas". January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
9. White, Abbey (March 8, 2023). "Universal Parks Rebrands Division Name As It Broadens Focus". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
10. Blennerhassett, Patrick (October 5, 2023). "Area15 expansion plans include hotel, nightclub". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
11. "Area15 to kick off 20-acre expansion with new entertainment experiences". News 3 Las Vegas . December 17, 2023. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
12. Ace, Shannen (December 28, 2023). "PHOTOS: Walls Rise & Building Takes Shape for Year-Round Universal Horror Unleashed Destination in Las Vegas". WDWNT. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
13. Weprin, Alex (October 31, 2024). "Universal Plans Year-Round Haunted Houses Based on 'Exorcist' and 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
14. Faber, Maxon (February 10, 2025). "AREA15 Announces New 20-Acre Expansion is 60% Pre-Leased and Previews Upcoming Additions". Laughing Place. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
15. Ace, Shannen (January 21, 2025). "Universal Files 'Jack's Alley' Trademark Potentially for Universal Horror Unleashed". WDWNT. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
16. Bracelin, Jason (April 7, 2025). "First look at Universal Horror Unleashed at Las Vegas' Area15". Daily Gazette . Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
17. Ace, Shannen (June 26, 2025). "BREAKING: Universal Horror Unleashed Coming to Chicago - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
18. Tapp, Tom (June 26, 2025). "Universal Announces Second "Horror Unleashed" Attraction, This One In Chicago, As Part Of Regional Strategy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2025.

External links

• Official website