Universal books Hellraiser for Halloween Horror Nights 2026
Universal announced today that it will feature the Hellraiser franchise in haunted houses in Orlando and Hollywood for its 2026 Halloween Horror Nights.
The houses will be inspired by the first three films in the Clive Barker franchise. Doug Bradley will reprise his Pinhead character for voice-overs in the houses.
"The terrifying experience begins as guests enter the iconic Lament Configuration puzzle box, unwittingly summoning the Cenobites and opening a gateway to a diabolical dimension where unspeakable horrors await," Universal said of the houses in its press release. "From the shadowy attic in Frank Cotton's family home where he was first cast to Hell, to the disturbing Channard Institute where the legendary box lures guests with its promise of forbidden pleasures, fans will encounter haunting moments and settings from the Hellraiser franchise at every turn. Their unnerving journey ultimately lands them in The Labyrinth where Pinhead and the Cenobites lie in wait for new souls to torment for eternity."
Halloween Horror Nights starts August 28 at Universal Studios Florida and September 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood. The event runs on select nights through November 1 this year on both coasts.
Replies (4)
Never seen any of these movies, so knowing that this is only based on the first three films makes for an easier homework assignment than having to binge the whole series. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I think this is the first time this franchise has appeared? Which makes it an exciting coup all the same.
Not sure if you ever saw the highly underrated and somewhat disturbing Horror / Sci-fi film Event Horizon from the late 90’s. That film was also chock full of nightmare imagery and was heavily influenced by Hellraiser.
I have to say I've only seen the original Hellraiser once, and it was long ago. However, Pinhead is a pretty iconic character in terms of look (as noted earlier, somewhat similar in nature to Terrifier), so if UC can stay on the gory side of things and present that character accurately, this will be a successful house.
Ah, Event Horizon, what James Cameron's The Abyss should have been if it didn't have the sappy ending. I love that film, and convinced if not for that role, Lawrence Fishburne would not have been cast in The Matrix.
Hellraiser, like pretty much any popular horror IP that is long-running, eventually became a silly parody of itself, which each kill trying to one-up the previous one and the acting and story getting progressively goofier.
But the first two films were quite visceral and gory, with content that is still jarring to this day, and not least of all groundbreaking for its time.
All this to say that if Universal leans in hard to the violence in these films, much like they did with last year’s Terrifier house, then you’ve got yourself a sure-fire “gross out house” that will be heavy on chains, hooks, torn flesh, and general BDSM vibes. You know, family fun!!!