Horrifying Universal monsters revealed at Epic Universe in exclusive first look at 'most terrifying attraction yet'

Universal Epic Universe's jaw-dropping animated figures from its Monster Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride are sharp enough to draw blood — and Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look at the first round of classic Universal monsters that will appear inside the ride that has been billed as the scariest attraction the theme park giant has ever built.

Touted as "some of the most visceral, powerful, and fast-moving animated figures ever created" for a theme park attraction, the four monsters revealed in the photos below make up only a small fraction of the total number of figures that will appear throughout the ride, as Monsters Unchained is set to open (inside the Dark Universe section of the park) with 14 overall animated figures.

Frankenstein's Monster animatronic inside Dark Universe's Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride. 

Universal Orlando

Inspired by classic Universal monster movies of the past, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment takes guests on a thrilling journey through the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein — the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein — has conducted several secret, twisted experiments. In a misguided attempt to display her genius for riders, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein invites guests to witness her powers in controlling the monsters she's contained, until her plans go haywire and she inadvertently unleashes the sinister creatures.

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Figures representing Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein's Monster, and more will debut as part of the ride, with the Frankenstein figure standing nine feet tall and weighing over 800 pounds.

Wolf Man animatronic in Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride. 

Universal Orlando

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Guests will first encounter Frankenstein's Monsters in the ride's queue, where he will roam the layout of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's lab during the pre-show portion of the attraction.

Dracula, the most dangerous of the doctor's monsters, is located at several points throughout the ride, as he's leading the pack of monsters terrorizing Victoria's manor.

Dracula animatronic inside Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride at Epic Universe. 

Universal Orlando

Riders will come "within inches" of the Wolf Man's fangs and claws during the ride, an Epic Universe press release confirms, and he'll move with swift motions as guests zoom past him.

As for the Creature from the Black Lagoon, also known as "Gill-man," he will emerge from the aforementioned depths to join his fellow monsters in terrorizing riders.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon at Epic Universe's Dark Universe. 

Universal Orlando

Elsewhere inside the Dark Universe section of the new park — set in the fictional town of Darkmoor — Epic Universe attendees will be able to meet various monsters for photo opportunities, and can even sit for a monster makeover inside the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.

Dark Universe also features several eateries, including the Burning Blade Tavern, a restaurant featuring a giant windmill that will smolder with real flames (a nod to a scene from the 1931 film Frankenstein), as well as De Lacey's Cottage, a snack shop that gets its title from an elderly character in Mary Shelley's book that inspired the movie.

Dark Universe's Wolf Man animatronic inside Universal Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride. 

Universal Orlando

Additionally, other characters will roam the streets of Darkmoor for guests to view, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant, Ygor, the Invisible Man, an eccentric monster hunter, and a live musician.

Dark Universe is one of five themed lands contained within Epic Universe, a park anchored by Celestial Park, a space lined with lush greenery and mythological and astrological aesthetics.

Frankenstein's Monster animatronic at Universal Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained ride. 

Universal Orlando

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The other lands — accessible through "portals" of entry — include areas inspired by How to Train Your Dragon (the Isle of Berk), the Harry Potter series (the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic), and Nintendo (Super Nintendo World).

In July, EW exclusively confirmed that Eddie Redmayne would reprise his role as Newt Scamander in scenes that will play inside the Harry Potter-themed section, as the land fuses the cinematic timelines of movies in the main franchise series (for which actress Imelda Staunton filmed new scenes as Dolores Umbridge as well) and Redmayne's Fantastic Beasts projects.

Gill-man, also known as The Creature from the Black Lagoon, at Universal Epic Universe. 

Universal Orlando

Universal Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025. Ticketing information is available on the Epic Universe website.