6 Scariest Rides At Universal Studios Hollywood

While there are plenty of rides at Universal Studios in Hollywood, the fear factor of said rides is in our opinion less than those at the Universal Orlando Resort. As such, we think this theme park is still worth visiting even if you’re not into rollercoasters.

With that being said, there are still some rides in the park that are scarier than others and being annual passholders we have experienced all rides in the park (more than once) and have ranked the rides based on our personal ‘scare factor’ to help you when it comes to planning your day at the park.

1. Revenge Of The Mummy: The Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 48″
🫣 Scare Factor: 4/5

In our opinion, the scariest ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. This indoor dark ride is situated in Universal Studios Hollywood’s lower lot and catapults you at speeds up to 45 mph in virtual darkness as you run from the Mummy’s Revenge.

We personally love this ride as it’s one of the only rides that isn’t motion-simulated (which often causes us to feel a little queezy). This ride doesn’t go upside down, and you won’t experience any crazy heights (not that you’d be able to tell if you did because this ride is in near darkness).

In fact, without spoiling the details of the ride it’s the speed and the darkness that most people are going to find scary here. However, the projections and theme of the ride might also scare younger children.

2. Jurassic World: The Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 40″ (accompanied)
🫣 Scare Factor: 4/5

Also situated in the heart of Universal Studios Lower Lot is Jurassic World: The Ride. This ride recently underwent a major multimillion-dollar refurbishment and rebranding process and subsequently now features the latest technology in rollercoaster development.

Aside from seeing dinosaurs, and getting wet the scariest thing about this ride is the whopping 84ft drop at the end, the biggest drop of any ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Given the ride’s recent refurbishment and the increasing popularity of dinosaurs, you can expect to wait up to two hours for this ride during peak season. Thankfully, this ride accepts the Universal Hollywood Express pass for those looking to experience this ride without the long wait.

3. The Simpsons Ride

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 40″ (accompanied)
🫣 Scare Factor: 3/5

The Simpsons Ride is situated in Springfield, home of the Simpsons and is one of the many motion simulator-based rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.

We have been on this ride multiple times both at Universal Studios in Hollywood and in Orlando. However, now choose to skip it since it causes significant motion sickness. In fact, for the most part, it’s being constantly thrown around in your seat (as a result of the concept of the ride) for around 3 minutes which makes this ride pretty scary.

This ride takes place in a theatre-style room with an 80-foot-diameter domed screen with each seat lifting off the floor for the full motion experience (similar to Sorin’ by Disney).

The story of the ride is that Krusty the Clown has launched a low-budget theme park. So, together with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and of course Maggie you’ll take some high-speed twists and turns as you smash and blast through the park in a non-stop, over-the-top adventure.

4. Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey

📏 Height Requirement: 48″
🫣 Scare Factor: 2/5

Situated inside Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Universal Studios Hollywood is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is not a rollercoaster and is instead considered a ‘dark-themed’ motion simulation ride. While the darkness creates the fear of the unknown which may make this ride seem scary, there are only small drops (the largest physical drop is 5ft) and you will not go upside down.

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride sees you, a muddle enter Hogwarts Castle using floo powder. From here, Hermione, Harry and Ron take you around Hogwarts including the Astronomy Tower, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch field, and even an audio-animatronic version of the Whomping Willow.

Of course, visiting the likes of the Forbidden Forest see’s you encounter some less-than-friendly guests including Aragog and of course, the Dementors.

5. Flight Of The Hippogriff

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 39″ (accompanied)
🫣 Scare Factor: 2/5

Flight of the Hippogriff is one of the few track-based rides at Universal Studios Hollywood and a great introduction to rollercoasters for younger guests (who meet the height requirement).

Situated inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this magical ride sees you enter the Care of Magical Creatures grounds and board the magical creature that is a Hippogriff. Once onboard, you’ll spiral and dive around the pumpkin patch, before swooping past Hagrid’s hut.

This ride reaches maximum speeds of up to 29mph and the largest drop is 30 feet. So while younger children may find this ride scary, when it comes to rollercoasters it’s certainly a well-balanced experience that the whole family can enjoy.

6. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D

📏 Height Requirement: 48″ (unaccompanied) 40″ (accompanied)
🫣 Scare Factor: 2/5

Situated in Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lower Lot next to the entrance to Super Nintendo World is another motion simulator-based ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D.

This ride is also available at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and uses a combination of 3D HD media and flight simulator technology to create an experience like no other. Leaving both fans of the Transformers movie franchise and newfound admirers equally in awe.

The motion simulation on this ride isn’t the best (better than The Simpsons but worse than Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in our opinion). Instead, it’s the storyline of fighting alongside Optimus Prime and trying to survive as you protect the Allspark from Decepticons that might scare some younger fans.