Monsters Unchained at Epic Universe was Steven Spielberg’s idea to ‘rival’ Disney’s Haunted Mansion
Steven Spielberg created the initial idea which led to Universal building Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment at Epic Universe.
By Mateo Osorio and Blake Taylor
“Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks,” streaming on Peacock starting Sept. 29 Nov. 17, 2025, offers insight from the legendary filmmaker on Dark Universe, the Universal Classic Monsters-themed land at the new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, which opened in May 2025.
I was pushing for some kind of a ride experience that would collide every one of these famous monsters together in one huge, scary, but entertaining experience. …
Steven Spielberg, “Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks”
I’d been advocating for a monster ride to rival Disney’s Haunted Mansion in Anaheim.
Of course, the Haunted Mansion to which Spielberg refers is Disneyland’s classic dark ride, held as the gold standard of its genre for many guests since it opened in 1969.
Photos courtesy of Disney and Universal, respectively
While it’s true that rides themed to Spielberg-directed films like “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” and, of course, “E.T.” are staples in the Universal Studios ride catalog, Spielberg’s influence on Universal theme parks goes beyond his films inspiring attractions. He’s directly involved with the parks as a creative consultant to Universal Destinations & Experiences.
Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, reveals in “Epic Ride” that Spielberg had approached him several times pitching a ride in which all of the Universal monsters would come together.
That ride experience would end up being Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, the flagship attraction of Dark Universe.
Spielberg’s adoration for the Universal Classic Monsters brand goes back to his childhood, and even influenced his earliest filmmaking efforts, as he explains in the docuseries:
Universal has the greatest monster titles. … All of Universal’s classic monsters movies I saw on TV, and they were truly scary. I remember the image of the Mummy dragging his bandages behind him … with the shot where the camera pans down and you see the bandages. With each jerky step the Mummy took, the bandages are being pulled. That really compelled me. I mean, those are the little things that I would want to do that myself.
…My earlier little 8mm films when I was 12-13 years old, I would use my sisters as the victims and I would play the Shadow Monster. I’d cast my shadow against the wall and have my hands coming down towards my sister, and that was all influenced by what I was seeing on television. They stuck with me my whole life.
Steven Spielberg, “Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks”
Taking things a step further, Spielberg says in the series, “As the executive consultant for all the [Universal] theme parks all over the world, which I’ve been doing since the mid-’80s, I just thought, ‘Oh my God, there’s got to be a place in here to celebrate Universal’s legacy with these famous monsters of film land.'”
It almost feels like Spielberg got to live out a dream all theme park fans have, wanting a ride dedicated to something they love so passionately actually coming to fruition.
What’s your favorite Steven Spielberg attraction, defunct or operating? Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for more on all things Universal. “Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks” streams starting Nov. 17 on Peacock.
For even more Epic Universe, dive into our 64-page Epic Universe souvenir magazine, now available, with touring tips, hidden details inside the park, and construction timelapse photos over time.
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