Amusement parks are all about that quick-fix adrenaline rush. However, Theme parks work best when the guest has forged a palpable connection between the movies and television shows that coincide with the rides and attractions. This intense association only further enhances your enjoyment of your time in the parks! And why wouldn’t we want to amp that up a notch?

So, what do you say we cut the babble and plunge into some of Universal Studio Orlando’s very best?

Ready, set… BINGE!

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

  • Opened: June 7th, 1990
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone)
  • Style: Suspended Dark Ride

We start our list with a Universal Orlando opening day attraction, E.T. Adventure. If you’ve ever seen the movie, you’ve probably wished you could ride one of those flying bicycles across the sky, huh? Well, now’s your chance and there’s no time to waste because E.T. needs your help! His home planet is dying and only you can help him save it. Board your flying bike with E.T. in the front basket and take off on a ride through the sky. You’ll have to dodge bad guys trying to track him down. If you do, you’ll soar above the city and into the stars where his magical home awaits, filled with wondrous otherworldly creatures.

Blues Brothers

  • Opened: March 1991
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (New York, Delancey Street)
  • Style: Live Show Attraction / Music Revue

It’s time to shake your tailfeather with the boys in black! Direct from the gritty streets of Chicago, get ready for the soulful sounds of those pharaohs of funk, The Blues Brothers. Jake and Elwood—wearing their trademark black suits, porkpie hats, and dark shades—take the stage every day at Universal Studios Orlando, accompanied by the vocal talents of Mabel the waitress and her sax-playing partner, Jazz. Five shows are performed daily and the songs include; Everybody Needs Somebody, Flip Flop Fly, Gimme Some Lovin’, Hey Bartender, Rubber Biscuit, Rawhide, Sweet Home Chicago, Jailhouse Rock, Think, Respect, Shake a Tailfeather, Soul Man, and Shout.

Harry Potter

  • Opened: June 18th, 2010 (Universal’s Island of Adventure), June 8th 2014 (Universal Studios Florida)
  • Location: Universal’s Island of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida
  • Style: Themed Zone

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an absolute theme park game-changer! Step inside the story on the streets of Diagon Alley where hidden dangers lurk far beneath Gringotts bank. Travel to the village of Hogsmeade and into Hogwarts Castle for a spellbinding journey through the skies. Come experience the wizarding world like never before–joining Hagrid to fly far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle, deep into the wild of the Forbidden Forest, to discover rare magical creatures on an all-new thrilling roller coaster adventure. Filled with magic and more, nothing will get you ready for a trip to Universal Orlando like binge-watching all eight fantastical films!

Bit of a Potterhead, are you? Go ahead and throw Fantastic Beasts in there, for good measure.

Fear Factor

  • Opened: June 3rd, 2005
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (World Expo)
  • Style: Stunt Show

If you’re ready to brave a heart-thumping, blood-pumping contest of courage… you just may be ready for Universal Orlando’s Fear Factor – LIVE! Put yourself to the test at the most extreme audience participation show ever. Compete against other guests as you perform gravity-defying stunts live in front of thousands. Come eye-to-eye with creatures from your nightmares as they creep and crawl across your skin. Whether you take part in the stunts or just watch the action from your seat, it’s unscripted, unpredictable, and unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Bourne

  • Soft Opening: June 14th, 2020
  • Location: Universal CityWalk Orlando
  • Style: Stunt Show

I’ll be honest, I never saw a single Bourne film until I got a sneak peek at The Bourne Stuntacular. Now, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the entire franchise. This live-action stunt show leaves audiences marvelling, “How on earth did they do that?” Through a cutting-edge fusion of stagecraft and film, you follow our hero Jason Bourne across three continents as sinister characters pursue him, hoping to bring him in. He dangles from a helicopter in Dubai before taking off on a thrilling car chase. You’ll see his acrobatic prowess as he’s chased across rooftops in Tangier. He’s pursued on his motorcycle through Virginia by both cops and villainous operatives. There are fistfights, shootouts and danger at every turn, all told in a perfectly synchronized execution that makes it impossible for your eye to discern where the live action ends and the screen begins. Forget what you know about stunt shows. Universal Orlando Resort isn’t just pushing boundaries with The Bourne Stuntacular. This show is charting new territory. You don’t just watch it. You feel it. Brace yourself for what’s next. Brace yourself for Bourne.

The Cat in the Hat

  • Opening: May 28, 1999
  • Location: Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Seuss Landing)
  • Style: Dark Ride

Who hasn’t wished they could disappear into a Dr. Seuss story? Now you can! Grab a seat and swerve this way and that through one of Dr Seuss’ most beloved classics, The Cat in the Hat. Each scene has been vividly re-created with colourful characters and crazy motion as you twist from room to room. While the mischief mounts inside the house, The Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two, make quite a mess. There are bumps. And thumps. And things going “crash.” Cautious Mr. Krinklebein reminds us that any minute, Mother will be home. Will you get the house cleaned up in time?

Jurassic Park

  • Opening: May 28, 1999
  • Location: Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Jurassic Park)
  • Style: Dark Ride/Shoot-the-Chute

The Jurassic Park River Adventure is a scenic water cruise that starts out relatively innocently enough. You’re gliding along in your raft, watching a baby stegosaurus and its mother share a moment. When out of nowhere, you’re bumped off course and thrust into the ominous “restricted area” of Jurassic Park. This is where they keep the other creatures. The dangerous ones. Suddenly, a T-Rex stands before you. There’s nowhere to turn. Your only possible escape from his razor-sharp teeth is to take the pitch-black plunge before you. Did we mention it’s an 85-foot drop? Be sure to bring a towel.

Curious George

  • Opening: 1998
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone)
  • Style: Aqua Play and Ball Play Areas

Ready for some monkey business? Someone turned the whole town upside down. What has that mischievous monkey gotten himself into this time? Curious George Goes to Town is an ample playground overflowing with fun for all ages. Enter the town’s cartoonish buildings and grab a pump, hose, or lever in the water play area. Discover tons of toddler activities for inquisitive littles in the Animal Show tent. And head to the Man with the Yellow Hat’s Ball Factory where you can throw, blast, and launch thousands of soft foam balls at family and friends—and anyone else nearby. We’re certain you will find it chimply marvellous!

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallen

  • Opening: April 6th, 2017
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (New York City)
  • Style: 3D Motion-Simulator Attraction

You’ve heard of ‘taking this show on the road’, now how about ‘taking this show for a ride?!’ Experience the history and fun of The Tonight Show in Studio 6B with Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon! Join Jimmy Fallon and all your favourite characters from The Tonight Show in a fun-filled race through, below and above New York City.

Beetlejuice

  • Opening: May 1992
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (Hollywood)
  • Style: Meet & Greet

Known for his obnoxious and wacky appearance and behaviour, this meet-and-greet character is usually found in the Hollywood section of Universal Orlando. But, let’s face it… all you have to do is say his name three times fast and he’ll appear where you’d least expect. Most recently, Beetlejuice was found warming up the crowds over at Universal Orlando’s Horror Makeup Show!

Men In Black

  • Opening: April 14th, 2000
  • Location: Universal Studios Florida (World Expo)
  • Style: Track-based / Interactive Dark Ride

Think you can help wipe out the scum of the universe? MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack wants to see if you’re up for the task! You know the drill, New York has been hit by an epidemic of aliens and it’s up to you to blast them into oblivion. You’ll need a good eye and steady hand on your laser gun to zap those little suckers at just the right second. But be warned—they zap back! And if they hit your car, it’ll spin out of control. The more of them you hit, the more points you get. The more points you get, the closer you’ll be to becoming a full-fledged MEN IN BLACK agent. Not to put any pressure on you, but the fate of the Earth is in your hands. It’s time to see what you’ve got.

There you have it, 11 must-see films and franchises to binge prior to your next trip to Universal Orlando! But, you better get moving because we’re just getting started. That’s right, there are still plenty more movies to ride and stars to see! So, be sure to stay tuned for our ‘Binge Before You Go’ Series: Universal Orlando Edition – Part 2!