Universal Studios expands Ozzy Osbourne licensing with US park attractions

Universal Studios is opening two Ozzy Osbourne-themed haunted houses at its Orlando and Hollywood resorts. The attractions form part of the Halloween Horror Nights seasonal events, running from August 28 and September 3 until November 1. Tickets and packages for the immersive experiences are already on sale to the public.

The development represents a strategic push to monetise the late singer's intellectual property through immersive experiences. Barry Drinkwater, chairman of Global Merchandising Services, described the partnership as an exciting step to "grow his licensing program around the world" after working with the artist for over a decade. The attractions will feature music from his extensive solo catalogue, including cuts from 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz and 2020’s Ordinary Man.

The Hollywood installation begins in the singer's hometown of Birmingham and draws heavily on the 1981 album Diary of a Madman to show how he earned the title Prince of Darkness. John Murdy, executive producer at Universal Studios Hollywood, noted that guests will journey through surreal environments inspired by all 13 of his solo albums. He stated that the late frontman "created a cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of music, art and horror".

In Florida, the Orlando attraction guides visitors through ancient ruins and foreboding dungeons before a Crazy Train sequence transports them to another realm. Mike Aiello, senior director at Universal Orlando Resort, stated the team aimed to "create an authentic experience that brings Ozzy’s creativity and personality to life in an eerily immersive new way". Fans navigating these dark and twisted moments will discover meaningful details and hidden Easter eggs inspired by his iconic career.

The estate has fully approved the developments, with Sharon and Jack Osbourne calling the attractions a wonderful tribute that captures his boundary-pushing spirit. They noted that fans will recognise many moments inspired by his imagination, hoping visitors have as much fun as he would have had seeing it come together.

This theme park expansion follows the first Ozzy Day in his Birmingham hometown, which featured a brass band and a decorated mechanical bull statue. The estate is also developing an artificial intelligence avatar of the singer, a move that has heavily divided his fanbase.

While Jack Osbourne promised the digital technology would remain tasteful and avoid being lame, Sharon Osbourne fiercely defended the commercial strategy. She directly dismissed critics who labelled the venture a cash grab, stating plainly that she "doesn’t need your fucking money". Meanwhile, Jack Osbourne confirmed that a biopic about his parents is slated for a 2028 release with a phenomenal lead actor attached.