Universal Horror Unleashed brings the production value of Halloween Horror Nights to a permanent, year-round space inside Las Vegas’s AREA15 district. Opening August 14, this first-of-its-kind venue features four haunted houses, four immersive zones, themed dining, and the return of fan-favorite icon Jack the Clown. But unlike HHN’s quick-hit seasonal thrills, Horror Unleashed encourages lingering—chatting with street characters, grabbing a drink, and watching the action unfold around you.
“It’s horror 365 days a year" “
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What is Horror Unleashed?
As TJ Mannarino, VP of Entertainment Art & Design, explained, the concept started with one question: what should be different from what guests experience at Halloween Horror Nights or other horror events? The answer: slow the pace. Rather than rushing through scares, Horror Unleashed offers spaces to explore at your own speed, with themed food, bars, and interactive characters who evolve over time.
The warehouse-style venue is designed for flexibility. Storylines and offerings will change throughout the year—and possibly beyond. “We have a three-year, five-year, ten-year plan,” TJ said. “This space will be different every time you come back.”
“You can stand and talk to the characters. Spend five minutes with them or 25—there’s depth to the stories and interactions.”
The Four Haunted Houses at Horror Unleashed
1. Scarecrow: The Reaping
A fan-favorite from past HHN events, this Dust Bowl-era nightmare drops you into a 1930s farm ravaged by monstrous scarecrows—stitched together from burlap, vine, and dried human remains—seeking revenge for their ruined land. The journey begins in a raging windstorm and abandoned farmhouse before plunging into fields crawling with bloodthirsty creatures.
Nate teased that this version features a fully realized ending and a dust storm effect you experience from inside—a story beat right in the middle of the house.
2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
For the first time, the 1974 horror masterpiece is brought to life in a linear sequence. Guests retrace the victims’ footsteps—from a desolate Texas cemetery to the infamous gas station, and finally into the Sawyer family home where Leatherface and his kin await. The roar of chainsaws is ever-present, and moments in the house will pause so scenes can play out before you proceed.
3. Universal Monsters
This gothic spectacular unites Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein, and more under one roof. Guests enter Van Helsing’s crumbling mausoleum before traversing Castle Dracula, sandy tombs, and Frankenstein’s electrified lab. TJ calls it his favorite: “It tells the story of Universal… and starts you with Van Helsing telling you these monsters are real, then throws you into his world.”
4. Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer
Based on the recent film, this house begins in a marketplace rocked by an earthquake, then shifts to eerie woods where two girls vanish—only to return changed. Scenes progress through hospitals, homes, and the climactic exorcism, with supernatural chaos unfolding in every room.
Immersive Zones & Dining
Horror Unleashed’s four themed areas tie directly into the houses:
Jack’s Alley Bar (Scarecrow zone) – A circus-from-hell ruled by Jack the Clown and Chance, featuring specialty cocktails, acrobatics, jugglers, and roaming maniacs.
Kill Vault (Texas Chainsaw zone) – Knife-lined corridors patrolled by slashers and surgeons, plus Rough Cuts, serving “chainsaw-carved” small plates.
Dead Storage & The Boiler (Universal Monsters zone) – A shadowy realm of forgotten set pieces inhabited by vampires and werewolves, with The Boiler offering cocktails under a towering, flaming machine.
Prop Graveyard & Premiere House (Exorcist zone) – Creep through haunted dolls and mannequins before relaxing in a tapas bar filled with Blumhouse props and décor.
Jack is Back!
Jack the Clown—longtime HHN icon—headlines his own twisted midway inside Jack’s Alley. Here, you can drink, banter, and witness chaotic show moments. This area alone captures the “stay and play” spirit of Horror Unleashed, where the entertainment comes to you.
How is Horror Unleashed Different from Halloween Horror Nights?
At HHN, the pace is relentless—you queue, you walk, you scream, you exit. Here, you can take your time. “The style of entertainment at most horror events is momentary,” TJ said. “Here, you can stay as long as you want, get to know the characters, and watch their stories unfold.”
Some haunted houses even hold you in place for show moments—like Frankenstein reviving his Monster or a locked door in Texas Chainsaw Massacre that won’t open until a scene finishes.
Horror Unleashed Will Evolve
Because it’s year-round, Horror Unleashed has the freedom to change with the seasons—or with fan feedback. TJ hinted at rotating IPs, special activations, and even community events like filmmaker signings or weddings in the venue. “Every month can be scary,” Nate promised.
Is Horror Unleashed Worth It?
If you love Halloween Horror Nights, this is your home away from HHN. It’s “vibes over rides,” with the same production value, lighting, sound, and sets Universal is known for—but with the luxury of time. You can linger in the haunts, chat with characters, and enjoy the atmosphere.
That said, the scares lean heavily on live actors and jump scares; you won’t find the elaborate animatronics or puppet effects that have wowed HHN crowds in past years. Hardcore haunt travelers may find the sets beautiful but the scare tactics repetitive, especially given the $69 starting ticket price—comparable to HHN Hollywood, which offers more houses and rides (but only runs seasonally).
Ultimately, whether it’s worth it depends on your proximity, your appetite for the HHN style, and the appeal of a year-round horror hangout. For HHN superfans, it’s a haven. For casual visitors, it’s a polished, immersive horror experience—just know you’re paying for the atmosphere and access, not a marathon of different scares.
The Future of Horror Unleashed
It will be facinating to watch this brand evolve as Universal has already announced another Horror Unleashed location for Chicago. What new IPs will we see? How will the houses adapt for the seasons? How will horror unleashed welcome the wider horror community for events? Time will tell. Go deeper into the creation of Horror Unleashed from this panel delivered during the TEA’s INSPIRE week.
