We have the full story and details about the upcoming Scooby-Doo and Universal Monsters crossover experience coming to Fan Fest Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
Here’s the story behind this experience: A brand-new monster movie is filming on the Universal Backlot, and you’ve been cast as an extra. But when a mysterious villain known as The Phantom Director unleashes the Universal Monsters, the shoot is thrown into chaos. Jinkies! Luckily, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo (Mystery Inc!) are on-hand to crack the case — but they’ll need your help to solve the clues.
“It’s really the perfect mashup of two iconic Intellectual Properties,” says Stephen Siercks, senior director, entertainment production and executive producer of Universal Fan Fest Nights. “You’ve got the nostalgia of ‘Scooby-Doo’ and the legacy of the Universal Monsters, and it’s just such a perfect match between the two of them.”
Your story begins on the tram ride to the set of your monster movie, culminating in a massive takeover moment at the iconic Universal Monsters mural. It’s here that The Phantom Director makes his first appearance and reveals his evil scheme: Determined to bring his “masterpiece” to life, he hijacks the production and summons the Universal Monsters to his side.
As your tram speeds away, you’ll receive a welcome video call from Mystery Inc. and be recruited by the gang to help solve a case. Four clues, four suspects, one masked culprit — and one incredible film set. You’ve arrived in Little Europe, the iconic set where many of the classic Universal Monsters films were shot, including “Frankenstein” (1931), “Dracula” (1931), “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), and “The Wolf Man” (1941).
Little Europe is one of the birthplaces of the Universal Monsters. So, there’s a certain level of authenticity that makes this a very special experience for our guests.
-Stephen Siercks
The Little Europe set should be familiar to regular Studio Tour riders. But when you disembark from the tram, you’ll see that it’s been taken to a new level for Universal Fan Fest Nights. As you approach the eerily glowing façades, a production assistant (PA) will hand you your Mystery Manual and send you off on a free-roam investigation.
As you explore Little Europe, and the Court of Miracles area by foot, Mystery Manual in-hand, you’ll come across four Mystery Markers. Each of these themed mini-HQs is overseen by a member of the gang. It’s up to you to visit all four and help Fred, Velma, Daphne, and Shaggy solve the clues. You’ll do so through a clever blend of character interaction, physical clues, and playful storytelling.
“You’re able to follow your favorite character as they have moments throughout the experience, and then layered on top of that, you have this whole idea of solving the mystery,” says Siercks. “It’s really a multi-fold activation and experience that allows our guests to ‘choose [their] own adventure’ and interact with it in the way [they] want to.”
Also unfolding across Little Europe are three Universal Monster Show Moments featuring Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, and Wolf Man. These show moments represent the The Phantom Director’s vision for his film, combining practical effects, comedic moments, and exactly the kind of spectacle you’d expect from a crazed director looking to unleash the power of the Universal Monsters.
Keep your eyes peeled as you explore Little Europe. You can spot nods and Easter eggs to other members of the Universal Monsters family. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a “Scooby-Doo” mystery if it didn’t end with a shocking, climactic whodunit? moment. You’ll get to live the iconic final few minutes of every “Scooby-Doo” episode in real time.
“The opportunity to bring these two brands together has been really exciting,” he shares. “You have the nostalgia of ‘Scooby-Doo’ and the legacy of the Universal Monsters … and the fact that we are on the Backlot, we are able to bring to life this iconic landscape that’s been so important to the history of Universal Studios.”
Fan Fest Nights 2026
Universal Fan Fest Nights is an after-hours event at Universal Studios Hollywood that debuted last year with multiple interactive experiences across different fandoms. New offerings for 2026 include a One Piece water stunt show and a Hippogriff search through the Forbidden Forest, plus returning Dungeons & Dragons and Super Nintendo World experiences.
Tickets for Fan Fest Nights 2026 are available online. Ticket prices start at $74.
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