For decades, the name Hellraiser has been synonymous with a specific, skin-crawling brand of terror—one that blends gothic elegance with visceral body horror. And this year, the gates to the Labyrinth are swinging wide open at Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have officially announced that Hellraiser is joining the 2026 lineup. Whether you are a devotee of Clive Barker’s original 1987 vision or a fan of the franchise’s dark evolution, prepare yourselves: the Cenobites are coming to claim their due.
Hellraiser has always stood apart from the standard slasher fare. It is psychological, surreal, and unflinchingly dark. Bringing this franchise to Halloween Horror Nights feels like a homecoming; it fits the event’s reputation for pushing boundaries and delivering the kind of high-concept horror that sticks with you long after you’ve left the park.
We want to hear from you—which Cenobite are you most terrified to encounter in the dark? Is it the commanding presence of Pinhead, or the haunting, clicking menace of the Chatterer?
Check out the official press release below!
Halloween Horror Nights events sell out fast. If you’re planning to test your mettle against the Order of the Gash, make sure to secure your tickets, frequent fear passes, or vacation packages as soon as possible.
Be sure to check out our Halloween Horror Nights 35 Ultimate Thrill Guide here!
Universal City, Calif., Orlando, Fla. (June 30, 2026) – 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, beginning Friday, August 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and Thursday, September 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Since its debut in 1987, Hellraiser has become one of horror’s most influential franchises, introducing audiences to the chilling mythology of the Lament Configuration puzzle box – which, when solved, opens a portal to another dimension inhabited by the ritualistically torturous beings, the Cenobites, and their leader, the iconic Pinhead. Known for blending psychological horror with graphic imagery and philosophical themes of pain and desire, Hellraiser helped redefine supernatural horror and cemented its place as a cult classic that continues to inspire filmmakers and haunt audiences worldwide.
Now, for the first time at Halloween Horror Nights, guests will experience this nightmare personally in haunted houses on both coasts that draw from the first three films: Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Additionally, legendary Pinhead actor Doug Bradley will reprise his character and lend his voice to both haunted houses in Hollywood and Orlando.
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. 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.
New limited-release merchandise inspired by the Hellraiser haunted house, including a T-shirt and a Pinhead acrylic figure which can be added to the separately sold Infernal Carnival collectible display, are now available at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and will launch tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1 at 9am PST on shopUniversal.com.
Additional event details, including new haunted houses coming to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, will be revealed soon.
Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort, beginning Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1, and at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1. Event tickets for both theme parks are on sale now, with additional products coming soon for Universal Orlando Resort, including this year’s four Frequent Fear Pass options (Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus and Ultimate Fear) that will allow guests to experience the horror again and again. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83