When you think of icons that represent Universal Orlando Resort, one name stands out above the rest: the Universal Monsters. From Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster to The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and The Phantom of the Opera, these legendary creatures have captivated audiences for over a century.
The legacy of the Universal Monsters began in 1923 with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Universal’s first major monster movie, adapted from Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel. From that moment on, the Universal Monsters carved out a permanent place in cinematic history, evolving from literary legends to silver-screen superstars. And now, they’re stepping back into the spotlight in a big way with the highly anticipated Dark Universe—coming to Universal Orlando Resort’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe, when it opens in May 2025.
We’ll dive into the cinematic origins, theme park evolution, and thrilling future of the Universal Monsters—and discover how they’ve earned their very own world within Epic Universe.
The Early Years of the Universal Monsters
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, plus many of his cohorts such as Dracula (written by Bram Stoker) and Frankenstein’s Monster (created by Mary Shelley), first emerged from the pages of classic literature before being immortalized in the beloved films we know and love from Universal.
However, others originated as films themselves. The beloved 1999 film The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser, is loosely inspired by the 1932 classic of the same name, written by John L. Balderston.
Regardless of their origins, monsters have stayed in our minds and been part of the entertainment landscape for generations—and rightly so. Whether it’s the horror or the humanity, something about these monsters is, well…universal.
But how did these monster movies become, essentially, the very first cinematic universe? It all began with great storytelling—and, as always, a little bit of luck.
Motion pictures were invented in the late 1800s, and as the technology progressed beyond the Lumiere brothers’ Cinematographe and The Edison company’s Kinetoscope, pictures were ready for the big screen. But where to find a story? Books. That’s where novels like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Phantom of the Opera came into play. These were very successful films in the 1930s and saw the rise of the first generation of Hollywood Horror stars, including Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and Boris Karloff.
After those initial films, and other classics such as The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and The Bride of Frankenstein, there was a lack of horror films, so Universal re-released Dracula and Frankenstein and started coming up with new ideas such as Son of Frankenstein.
The Creation of the First Cinematic Universe
As great as the original monsters were and are, their stories had been told, so to carry on their legacy, it was time to branch out.
In the 1940s, Universal released The Wolf Man, which starred the son of a familiar face, Lon Chaney, Jr. The 1940s was also the era of the monster crossovers, which were wildly popular and helped to cement the Universal Monsters into Hollywood history. Movies like Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) offered up the same beloved monsters but with new and original twists for the filmgoing public.
Without those crossovers, the original monsters might have faded into oblivion. Luckily for us, they endured, and the 1950s introduced The Creature from the Black Lagoon along with a new Mummy film.
But it was in the late 1950s that the Universal Monsters became transmedial. In 1957, Universal struck an epic 10-year television deal with Screen Gems. This deal allowed Universal to distribute 52 of their titles, which were included in Mel Jass’ Mel’s Matinee Movie between 1958 and 1979, keeping the monsters in the mix for American audiences.
It was during this era that a young Stephen Sommers, who would go on to direct 1999’s The Mummy, had his first introduction to the classic monster. His experience is a testament to the importance of keeping these legacy stories alive, allowing new generations of filmmakers to discover them and create their own unforgettable films.
Universal Monsters in Theme Parks
The 1960s also marked the Monsters’ debut in the theme park world. When Universal Studios Hollywood opened in 1964, it featured the Studio Backlot Tour, complete with appearances from Frankenstein’s Monster. Guests could also purchase a variety of themed merchandise, including models, toys, masks, and even postage stamps.
Fast-forward to the 1990s… thanks to a merger with Panasonic, Universal was able to release VHS versions of all their classic films, making them widely available for the general public to enjoy at home whenever they wanted—keeping the monsters alive for a new generation. The success of this endeavor ultimately paved the way for 1999’s The Mummy and spin-off films inspired by the original Monsters, such as Van Helsing, also directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Hugh Jackman.
June 7, 1990, was the opening day of Universal Studios Florida and with it, a show most of us know and love, Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, previously known as The Phantom of the Opera Horror Make-Up Show, paying homage to the monster of the same name portrayed by Claude Rains in 1943. The current iteration of the show has a montage of various films, highlighting the work of Jack Pierce, the legendary designer behind many monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, and the Bride of Frankenstein.
The monsters continued their march into the realm of theme parks with the opening of the Classic Monster’s Cafe (RIP) in 1998. During its time at Universal Studios Florida, the restaurant offered up quick-service BBQ meals, but the best part was the memorabilia, props, and the TV screens showing clips from the original films.
Next up, the curse, it’s real! Revenge of the Mummy opened in 2004 with none other than Rick O’Connell himself (Brendan Frasier) there to mark the occasion. To this day, the ride remains a favorite among both locals and tourists, not to mention one of the most quotable. After all, Brendan probably would’ve enjoyed it a little more if he’d gotten his CUP OF COFFEE! [ghostly swoosh!]
Since its inception as Fright Nights in 1991, Universal Monsters have been woven into the very fabric of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. Creatures like Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, the Wolfman, and more have been haunting guests for decades, making appearances in houses, shows, and beyond.
In 2020, Universal was determined to keep the Universal Monsters legacy alive—even in a year when Halloween Horror Nights looked a little different. Although the full event was scaled back, three haunted houses opened during daytime park hours as part of a special “seasonal experience,” one of which was Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives. The best part? She made a triumphant return in 2021 for HHN30.
Universal Monsters have become a staple of the event—and now…
Epic Universe: The Next Chapter
Ever since Monster’s Cafe closed its doors at Universal Studios Florida, fans have been craving a new permanent home for the iconic monsters. That wish is finally coming true—Dark Universe will be unveiled with the grand opening of Epic Universe in May 2025.
The highly anticipated Dark Universe will feature multiple thrilling components—including two major attractions: Curse of the Werewolf, a family-friendly coaster, and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride that plunges guests into the eerie catacombs of Frankenstein Manor. But beware—Frankenstein’s Monster isn’t the only creature lurking in the shadows!
Besides two groundbreaking rides, Dark Universe will offer even more ways to immerse yourself in the world of monsters. Get ready for meet-and-greets with all your favorite creatures of the night, plus three unique quick-service restaurants that are as themed as they are tasty. At Das Stakehaus, you’ll find vampire-approved cuisine where there’ll be stakes on steaks. Over at The Burning Blade Tavern, dine beneath the iconic flaming windmill, a nod to the climactic scene from the 1931 Frankenstein film. And De Lacey’s Cottage offers a more heartfelt touch, inspired by the very place where Frankenstein’s Monster first experienced kindness and enjoyed a meal after escaping the laboratory.
Want to fully embrace the creature within? Head to the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, where Dr. Pretorius’ old lab has been transformed into a makeover parlor that lets you become a monster yourself.
Epic Universe’s Dark Universe is a world that monster fans have been waiting for, so step through that portal and take a bite!
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