Universal Studios announced that all-new Hellraiser haunted houses, based on the original Clive Barker trilogy, will run at Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. It is Hellraiser’s first appearance at HHN. Doug Bradley, the original Pinhead, reprises the role for both houses, lending his voice to the production.
From Universal: “Halloween Horror Nights tempts guests to step beyond the threshold of pain and pleasure with all-new haunted houses inspired by the first three Hellraiser films that forever changed the genre. This terrifying new experience will transport fans into the twisted world first brought to life by Clive Barker, where desire, suffering and the unknown collide.”
The Orlando event runs select nights Aug. 28 through Nov. 1, 2026, and the Hollywood event runs select nights Sept. 3 through Nov. 1, 2026. A teaser video for the houses is on the official Halloween Horror Nights YouTube channel.
About the House
The houses draw from the first three Hellraiser films: 1987’s Hellraiser, 1988’s Hellbound: Hellraiser II, and 1992’s Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Guests enter via the Lament Configuration, the franchise’s iconic puzzle box that opens a gateway to a dimension inhabited by the Cenobites and their leader, Pinhead. From there, the walk-through moves through three confirmed settings: the shadowy attic of Frank Cotton’s family home where he is first cast to Hell, the disturbing Channard Institute where the box lures guests with the promise of forbidden pleasures, and The Labyrinth, where Pinhead and the Cenobites lie in wait. Universal has not detailed any layout differences between the Orlando and Hollywood versions of the house, though Universal noted at the earlier Sinners reveal that each coast typically receives a slightly different cut of a shared IP house.
A limited-release Hellraiser merchandise line is available now at both parks, including a T-shirt and a Pinhead acrylic figure that plugs into the separately sold Infernal Carnival collectible display. The acrylic figure launches online July 1 at 9 a.m. PT at ShopUniversal.com.
Doug Bradley Returns to Pinhead
Bradley originated the role in the 1987 Clive Barker original and played Pinhead in the franchise’s first eight films, ending with 2005’s Hellraiser: Hellworld. He publicly declined the 2011 direct-to-video Hellraiser: Revelations, which was produced on a rushed schedule to retain franchise rights. The role was then passed to Stephan Smith Collins in 2011, Paul T. Taylor in 2018’s Hellraiser: Judgment, and Jamie Clayton in the 2022 Spyglass / Hulu reboot directed by David Bruckner. Bradley’s return at HHN is also tied to the broader franchise resurgence: he reprises Pinhead in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, the new Saber Interactive video game releasing Oct. 8, 2026.
The HHN house is voice work only. Bradley does not appear physically inside the walk-through, and Universal has not released a personal statement from him alongside the announcement.
Halloween Horror Nights 2026
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 marks the event’s 35th anniversary under the theme “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares,” with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow returning as co-icons. Hellraiser is the eighth of ten houses Universal Orlando has announced and the third IP-licensed house on its slate, joining Sinners and Stranger Things, alongside the icon house Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control and original concept houses H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular!, Madlands: Caged Cannibals, Cybergoria, and Invasion: Alien Abduction. Two Orlando houses remain unannounced.
In Hollywood, Hellraiser is the third of eight houses confirmed for the 2026 event, with Sinners and Stranger Things filling the other two IP slots. Universal said the remaining five Hollywood houses will be revealed at Midsummer Scream, the Long Beach horror convention running Aug. 7-9, where Hollywood HHN executive producer John Murdy is scheduled to host the Hollywood HHN panel.
Event details
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Florida runs 48 select nights from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1, the most in the event’s 35-year history. The separate Hollywood event runs 42 nights from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1. Tickets are on sale now, including single-night tickets starting at $87.99, Express Passes starting at $169.99, the Scream Early 2 p.m. early-entry add-on starting at $70, and two Premium Scream Nights at $399 on Aug. 27 and Oct. 19. Multi-night Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus, Rush of Fear, and Ultimate Frequent Fear passes for Universal Orlando are coming soon. For more information, visit HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
