Inside Universal's Horror Unleashed
By: Lexi Gehrke
Are you in the spooky mood for some screams and scares? Las Vegas has recently opened Universal Horror Unleashed. With 4 scary haunted houses and tons of scary actors walking around, ready to make you scream. Horror Unleashed is open all year round and is ready for you to enter the scare zone.
Photo Credit: Halloween every day? Universal Horror Unleashed opens in Las Vegas – Los Angeles Times
The new horror unleashed is located right next to Area 15 in zone 2. In this horror world, 2 different shows are performed. You will see the infamous Jack the Clown and his partner, Chance, along with his helpers. When you enter his bar & food area, you might encounter Jack's show, depending on the time you are there, but beware, you or your group might just be chosen for his Stay or Slay show, where you will be brought up on stage with a big sign with one side saying “Stay” and the other side saying “Slay”. You will be asked a question and decide if the person gets to stay or slay, meaning them being executed. The other show is the HamiKuma dance. The HamiKuma show is an experience with the character HamiKuma, the scary-cute zombie teddy bear mascot from Universal Studios Japan's Halloween Horror Nights, appearing at the Las Vegas-based Universal Horror Unleashed event. There are 4 themed houses, and the themes are Scarecrow: The Reaping, Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Exorcist: Believer. Now, are they scary? Well, Senior Anthony Fusco, student at Liberty, says, “ I loved the Universal Monsters one. They had the classic monsters and I loved seeing the mummy and Dracula.”
Photo credit: Universal Horror Unleashed Now Open in Las Vegas
Universal Horror Unleashed is adding new houses eventually. The Las Vegas attraction launched in August 2025 and is expanding its offerings with a holiday event featuring new winter-themed characters and haunts. A new year-round Universal Horror Unleashed location is said to open in Chicago, Illinois, in 2027, which will also feature new haunted houses. Holiday Events: The Las Vegas Universal Horror Unleashed is getting more sinister for the holidays, introducing new haunted attractions and characters like Krampus and Grýla. The initial opening featured four distinct haunted houses, but the attraction is designed to be dynamic, with the possibility of new houses and themes being added over time. Senior student Teran Neal says, “I hope they add a Five Nights at Freddy's haunted house one day.” While no specific 2026 haunts have been announced yet, Universal's creative team will develop and test new horror concepts in Las Vegas. This includes both houses based on intellectual properties (like movies and TV shows) . Anthony Fusco says, “ I think they might add other activities or maybe indoor rides like they have at their theme park”. As we watch how much it grows, it seems to be popular and fun. Hopefully, everyone gets to go get scared at the new Horror Unleashed!