7 Best Shows at Universal Studios Hollywood (2024)

The best shows at Universal Studios Hollywood combine live-action performances, special effects, and interactive experiences that make for memorable moments.

When planning a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, comparing the best rides, attractions and shows is a must. Plus, adding in the best food in Universal Studios Hollywood, can make planning a day here a little overwhelming. So we have broken down the best shows and experiences, so you can decide which is best for your visit.

Best Shows at Universal Studios Hollywood

1. WaterWorld: A Live Sea War Spectacular

One of the most popular and longest-running shows, WaterWorld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, is a high-octane performance based on the 1995 movie Waterworld.

It’s widely regarded as one of the best live-action stunt shows in any theme park, and it has been thrilling audiences for over two decades. The show takes place in an amphitheater that resembles a post-apocalyptic water-covered world, which immediately sets the mood with industrial and rustic props like jet skis and towering walls.

WaterWorld features an impressive combination of explosive stunts, water-based action, and live actors who bring the post-apocalyptic world to life. The stunts include pyrotechnics, acrobatics, and jet-ski chases that have audience members gasping as actors dive from high platforms, race through water on jet skis, and execute precisely timed explosions.

For first-time visitors, WaterWorld is a must-see show, not just for its thrilling stunts but also for its engaging story and surprising humor. 

Actors interact with the audience, adding a layer of fun as they sprinkle water on the crowd or pull in unsuspecting viewers to be part of the show. 

2. Raptor Encounter

The Raptor Encounter offers an exhilarating and interactive experience for Jurassic World fans and is one of the best shows at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Located in the park’s lower lot, this attraction brings visitors face-to-face with a life-sized, animatronic Velociraptor that looks astonishingly real. The encounter is expertly crafted to feel immersive, with skilled performers and handlers enhancing the illusion of a living, breathing dinosaur.

Guests can meet Blue, the intelligent raptor from the Jurassic World films, or other raptors, depending on the time of day.

3. The Studio Tour

The Studio Tour is one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s most iconic experiences. Rather than a show in the traditional sense, it’s a guided tram tour that takes guests through working sets and famous backlots.

This attraction is a behind-the-scenes journey through some of Hollywood’s most famous filming locations and is unique to the Hollywood park. It provides an intimate look at sound stages and film sets used in blockbusters like Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, and War of the Worlds.

One of the highlights of the Studio Tour is the King Kong 360 3-D experience, which was created by director Peter Jackson. Guests enter a 3D tunnel where they’re surrounded by a 360-degree screen that shows King Kong battling dinosaurs in Skull Island. The tram shakes, rumbles, and jerks, simulating the sensation of being caught in the action.

I personally love the Fast & Furious – Supercharged experience, where guests are thrust into an exciting car chase with Dom, Letty, and the rest of the Fast & Furious crew. 

4. Jurassic World—The Ride

While technically a ride, Jurassic World—The Ride is also considered a show-like experience because it combines elements of storytelling with thrilling ride dynamics.

Based on the Jurassic World movies, the ride takes guests through a prehistoric environment where animatronic dinosaurs roam freely. Guests board boats and are taken on a journey that begins as a peaceful tour through dinosaur habitats.

The ride’s highlight is the “show” aspect that unfolds throughout the journey. Dinosaurs like the Mosasaurus appear behind glass screens, creating a thrilling spectacle as they seem to swim directly toward the boat. As the journey progresses, things go wrong, and the tranquil setting quickly turns dangerous. 

5. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ollivanders Wand Show

Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visitors can experience the magic of Ollivander Wand Shop. This is where a wand-choosing ceremony brings the beloved world of Harry Potter to life; a live actor playing Ollivander selects a volunteer from the audience and guides them through a magical wand-choosing process similar to the movies.

Special effects in the room simulate spells gone wrong as the chosen guest tries out different wands until the “right” one is found, marked by lighting and wind effects that make the moment magical. 

The Ollivanders Wand Show is especially popular with Harry Potter fans who want an interactive piece of the Wizarding World. Though it’s a short performance, the attention to detail and immersive setting make it an essential experience for fans of the franchise.

6. The DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda

The DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda is an exciting show that incorporates state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects, and motion simulation to bring the animated world of Kung Fu Panda to life.

Hosted by characters from the Kung Fu Panda series, including Po and Shifu, the show combines humor and action with an immersive 4D theater experience.

The theater itself is equipped with moving seats, water sprays, and wind effects that make it feel as though you’re part of the action. 

The Kung Fu Panda show is particularly enjoyable for families, as it combines the humor and heart of the Kung Fu Panda movies with innovative technology. 

7. The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle

An evening spectacle, The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle is a light show that takes place in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The show features a magical display of lights, music, and projections on the exterior of Hogwarts Castle, creating a stunning visual experience; this is one of my favorite experiences at the park. 

The show is relatively short but impactful, as lights and colors transform the castle in sync with the iconic music from the Harry Potter films. The projections celebrate each of the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, with intricate patterns and crest images.

---

Universal Studios Hollywood’s shows offer a wide range of experiences, from high-energy stunt spectacles to intimate wand-choosing ceremonies. Although there aren’t as many shows compared to other parks, there are still some great options for the whole family.