Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will pay tribute to heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne this fall with an all-original haunted house titled “Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness,” inspired by his decades-long solo career.
The attraction opens Aug. 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and Sept. 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The haunted house was designed as a 45-year retrospective of Osbourne’s solo work, according to Universal. It will feature music from albums including “The Blizzard of Ozz” (1980), “Diary of a Madman” (1981), “Bark at the Moon” (1983), “No More Tears” (1991), “Scream” (2010) and “Ordinary Man” (2020).
Osbourne died in July at age 76. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, and son, Jack Osbourne, said in a joint statement that their father would have embraced the format.
“Halloween Horror Nights has done an incredible job bringing that spirit to life,” they said, adding that the house captures “so many moments inspired by his music and imagination.”
The two theme parks will offer different experiences. At Universal Studios Hollywood, guests will begin with “Crazy Train” and move through a timeline of Osbourne’s life, from his childhood in Birmingham, England, to an asylum-themed sequence inspired by “Diary of a Madman.” The house will depict various eras of his stage persona, including “Madman Ozzy” and “Werewolf Ozzy.”
John Murdy, executive producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, said the house draws on all 13 of Osbourne’s solo albums.
“Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just help define heavy metal — he created a cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of music, art and horror,” Murdy said.
At Universal Orlando, the house will send guests through ancient ruins and dungeons before a “Crazy Train” ride into a world modeled on the artwork of “Diary of a Madman,” “Bark at the Moon,” “The Ultimate Sin” and “Black Rain.”
Mike Aiello, senior director of entertainment creative development at Universal Orlando Resort, said the goal was to create an experience that felt true to Osbourne’s personality.
“It was important for us to create an authentic experience that brings Ozzy’s creativity and personality to life in an eerily immersive new way,” Aiello said.
Universal is also releasing limited-edition merchandise tied to the haunted houses, including a T-shirt and a collectible acrylic figure, both available starting Thursday at 9 a.m. PDT on shopUniversal.com.
Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights at Universal Orlando Resort from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1, and at Universal Studios Hollywood from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1. Tickets, including Frequent Fear Pass options, are available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com.