7 Must-See Movies To Watch Ahead Of Your Trip To Universal Studios’ Epic Universe

It’s always an exciting time whenever a new amusement park opens – especially when it’s a property as universally recognizable as Universal Studios. Expanding their Florida theme park with a massive new addition, fans are counting down the days until the opening of Universal’s latest expansion: the fittingly-named Epic Universe. The third major theme park added to Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe delivers yet another exciting entry in Universal’s lineup of parks, including several immersive areas modeled after the company’s most iconic intellectual properties.

With Epic Universe set to open on May 22, some fans might be wondering what movies to watch ahead of their trip to Universal’s newest theme park. From classic ‘30s horror movies to spell-binding DreamWorks comedies, here are seven movies you might want to check out before your visit to Epic Universe.

Frankenstein (1931)

One of the main areas found within Epic Universe is none other than the Dark Universe: a land modeled after the Universal Classic Monster Movies of the 1930s. With numerous tie-ins to films like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man, it’s not exactly surprising that viewers might want to rewatch certain horror films from Universal’s past, starting with 1931’s landmark classic, Frankenstein. With Frankenstein’s great-great-great granddaughter Dr. Victoria Frankenstein serving as a key character within Epic’s horror-themed area, Frankenstein provides a formative backbone to the entirety of the Dark Universe, influencing the land, its related attractions, and its foremost themed restaurants in more ways than one.

Dracula (1931)

As mentioned previously, certain Universal horror films will take center stage in Epic’s Dark Universe. Just as Frankenstein forms a pivotal reference point for the fictional Darkmoor Village, so too does 1931’s Dracula occupy a critical role in the Dark Universe’s overarching background and narrative storyline. With Dr. Victoria Frankenstein protecting the village from the vampiric Transylvanian count, Dracula is a must-see for anyone planning to step foot into the gothic world of Epic’s Dark Universe, as seen through the Count’s prominent presence in the highly anticipated Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

The Wolf Man (1941)

At the risk of this simply becoming a list of Universal Monster Movies, we’ll go ahead and highlight just one more classic horror film you’ll probably want to see before visiting Epic Universe. Within the aforementioned Darkmoor Village of the Dark Universe, guests will be able to travel aboard the high-speed roller coaster Curse of the Werewolf, so named after the 1941 film, The Wolf Man. With the enigmatic fortune teller Maleva and her Guild of Mystics heavily tying into the attraction, The Wolf Man is a suitably instructive (and wholly entertaining) horror film most viewers will enjoy seeing, allowing for a far more enriching experience when boarding Curse of the Werewolf’s spinning cars.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

While it’s probably a better idea to dust off some of your old Nintendo favorites ahead of your trip to Epic Universe, it’s also not a bad idea to add 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie to your curated list of Universal-related movies and TV shows. A visually stunning take on the famed video game series, The Super Mario Bros. Movie delivers a stirring rendition of the gaming industry’s fan-favorite siblings, complete with appearances from some of the series’ most iconic characters. Bolstered by a luminous design, massive voice cast, and an infectious sense of humor, it’s the ultimate love letter to Nintendo’s longtime video game franchise – not to mention a film that remains a must-see for anyone who plans to enter Epic Universe’s highly anticipated Super Nintendo World.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Among the most notable aspects of Universal’s Orlando property is the heavy emphasis on the Harry Potter series. Along with its magical counterparts in Islands of Adventure and Universal Florida, Epic Universe will explore an entirely new area of the Wizarding World with the park’s Ministry of Magic area. With a brand-new dark ride (Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry) opening inside this land, guests can expect a confrontation with the infamous Potter antagonist, Dolores Umbridge, as she attempts to escape her trial within the Ministry of Magic. In order to better prepare for the attraction’s opening, it’s advisable to rewatch 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, even if only to re-familiarize yourself with the most widely hated villain in the larger Harry Potter canon.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

We won’t make any bold assertions claiming that the Fantastic Beasts movies are far superior to the aforementioned Harry Potter franchise. As disappointing as the series is when compared to its canonical predecessor, Fantastic Beasts nevertheless forms an important part of Universal’s latest Wizarding World-themed expansion. With Epic Universe’s Ministry of Magic area heavily modeled after Fantastic Beasts’ historical 1920s setting, viewers might think about revisiting the original installment in the trilogy with 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: the first (and best) of the entire Fantastic Beasts prequel series. (Who knows? You might even spot a random cameo from Newt Scamander in Epic’s Ministry of Magic area every now and again.)

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Along with the Ministry of Magic and the Dark Universe, one of the primary areas arriving in Universal’s Epic Universe is the Isle of Berk – the fictional Viking country established in 2010’s DreamWorks film, How to Train Your Dragon. The largest area in Universal’s latest park, the Isle of Berk features a faithful recreation of How to Train Your Dragon’s fantasy settings, right down to the free-flying dragon drones soaring overhead. 

Given Epic’s heavy emphasis on DreamWorks’ lauded film series, anyone planning a Universal trip should absolutely watch How to Train Your Dragon before their vacation, ensuring a deeper understanding of the film’s settings and its accompanying population of colorful dragon companions.