Universal Studios Hollywood announces return of Mega Movie Summer with Minions, The Odyssey, Fast & Furious, and More

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Summer 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood just got a serious upgrade. Mega Movie Summer is back, and this year the lineup is stacked with some of the most iconic franchises in film history. Universal Studios Hollywood Mega Movie Summer 2026 runs June 13 through August 9 — and every single experience is included with your regular park admission.

We’re talking Minions & Monsters, The Odyssey, Fast & Furious celebrating 25 years, Wicked, and Jaws. Character meets, themed food, live entertainment, new merchandise, and CityWalk activations all summer long. If you’re heading to USH this season, here’s everything you need to know.

Quick Summary

• Mega Movie Summer 2026 runs June 13–August 9, included with standard admission
• Minions & Monsters brings new characters Henry and James to Super Silly Fun Land, plus a Minion Dance Party and new merch
• The Odyssey features the original film ship on the Studio Tour backlot and exclusive cast content on tram monitors
• Fast & Furious 25th anniversary includes authentic picture cars in Universal Plaza, Street Racers hip-hop performance, daily DJ, and the themed Drift & Dine dining experience
• Wicked returns with Elphaba and Glinda meet-and-greets and dedicated merchandise
• Jaws-themed food lands at Mel’s Diner, Studio Scoops, and through a new Loungefly bag
• CityWalk Hollywood gets its own themed food, drinks, and a 34-foot Trojan Horse arriving in July
• Buy A Day Get A Day Free ticket offer available for the summer

What Is Universal Studios Hollywood Mega Movie Summer 2026?

Mega Movie Summer is USH’s premier summer event, and it’s been getting bigger every year. The 2026 edition covers five major film franchises across character experiences, themed dining, merchandise, and live entertainment — all layered on top of the park’s existing attraction lineup. There’s no extra ticket or upcharge. It’s all in with admission.

The event runs daily from June 13 through August 9. That’s nearly two full months of elevated park content. Whether you’re visiting with kids, teens, or just fellow film fans, this lineup has something for every kind of Universal guest. Let’s break it down franchise by franchise.

Minions & Monsters: New Characters at Super Silly Fun Land

Super Silly Fun Land becomes the center of Minions & Monsters activity this summer. Two new characters — Henry and James — are making their park debut, joining the Minion Dance Party that runs throughout the day. If you’ve got kids who are Minions obsessed (and let’s be honest, that’s most kids), this area is going to be a highlight of the day.

The Minions Cafe is rolling out a new themed menu with items tied directly to the Minions & Monsters storyline: Howard’s Berry Lemonade Cupcake, James’ Carbonara, and Irene’s Orange Banana Float. On the merch side, look for the Goomi Shoulder Pal, character blind boxes, and themed apparel — the kinds of things that tend to disappear from shelves quickly, so grab them early in your visit.

The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan’s Epic Hits the Studio Tour

This is one of the most unique Mega Movie Summer additions in years. Universal has placed the original ship prop from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey directly on the Studio Tour backlot. When your tram rolls through, you’ll see the actual vessel used in production — not a replica, the real deal. The tram monitors will also feature exclusive footage and cast interviews so you get genuine behind-the-scenes access during your tour.

And in July, CityWalk Hollywood is getting a 34-foot Trojan Horse from the film installed as a centerpiece installation. It’s the kind of larger-than-life movie prop moment that makes for an incredible photo op and signals just how seriously Universal is leaning into this film this summer.

Fast & Furious 25th Anniversary: The Full Hollywood Takeover

Twenty-five years of Fast & Furious — and Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating in a big way. Universal Plaza becomes the home of a display featuring authentic picture cars from the franchise. These are actual cars used on set during film production, not fan builds or replicas. You can get up close and take photos with vehicles that have serious screen history.

The entertainment leans in hard with a Street Racers hip-hop performance and a daily DJ set running through Universal Plaza. Then there’s the food: Hollywood & Dine has been transformed into Drift & Dine, with an entirely new themed menu. You’ll find the L.A. Drift Dog, BBQ Chicken Platter, Fried Elote Corn Dog, BBQ Corn Ribs, Quarter Mile Funnel Cake, and Street Cart Watermelon and Pineapple options.

Cocina Mexicana is also offering a shareable La Familia Meal — great for groups. And the 101 Exchange store has a dedicated Fast & Furious 25th anniversary merchandise collection with apparel, accessories, and collectibles worth checking out.

Wicked: Elphaba and Glinda Meet-and-Greets Return

Wicked fans get another summer with their favorite witches. Elphaba and Glinda are back in the park for official character meet-and-greets, complete with photo ops and the full Oz experience. A dedicated Wicked merchandise collection is also available, so you can grab exclusive items that tie in to both the meet-and-greet experience and the broader franchise.

If character meets are a priority for your group, hit these first thing in the morning. The Minions characters and the Wicked meet-and-greets both get busy as the day progresses, and morning slots typically have the shortest waits. Plan accordingly.

Jaws Is Back — And It’s Got Food at Mel’s Diner

Jaws may not have its own ride at USH anymore, but the shark is very much alive at Mega Movie Summer 2026. Mel’s Diner is serving up a full Jaws-themed food menu: Shark Bait Burger, Lobster Roll, Fish & Chicken Basket, and Amity Island Funnel Cake. Studio Scoops is adding a Hello Kitty Jaws Blueberry Cheesecake Sundae — a collaboration that sounds unexpected but looks like a standout item.

On the merchandise front, a new Loungefly Jaws crossbody bag has dropped for the event. Loungefly pieces tend to sell through fast, especially limited-run designs tied to events. If this one is on your radar, grab it early rather than hoping it’ll still be around at the end of your trip.

CityWalk Hollywood Joins In All Summer Long

The Mega Movie Summer experience extends beyond the park gates into CityWalk Hollywood, making this event a full destination for the whole summer. Here’s what’s happening at CityWalk: NBC Sports Grill & Brew has a dedicated Fast & Furious menu; Antojitos is serving Fast & Furious-inspired dishes; Margaritaville has Jaws-themed food and drink items; and Voodoo Doughnut is doing Minions & Monsters doughnuts. The 34-foot Odyssey Trojan Horse arrives in July as a centerpiece installation for the whole CityWalk area.

This makes CityWalk worth a visit even on days you’re not buying a park ticket. It’s a genuinely good evening option for Universal resort hotel guests or anyone who wants a taste of the summer event without committing to a full park day.

Ticket Deal: Buy A Day Get A Day Free

Universal Studios Hollywood is running a Buy A Day Get A Day Free promotion for the summer. You pay for one day, you get a second visit free. If you’re considering two trips to the park this summer — or you want a built-in backup day in case you miss something — this is about as straightforward a deal as you’ll find. All Mega Movie Summer experiences are included with standard admission, so the promotion stacks on top of everything already included.

The Bottom Line on Mega Movie Summer 2026

Universal Studios Hollywood Mega Movie Summer 2026 brings together five franchises across character meets, live entertainment, themed dining, merchandise, and CityWalk activations — all included in your ticket. The Fast & Furious 25th anniversary is the centerpiece, but the depth across Minions, The Odyssey, Wicked, and Jaws makes this one of the most complete summer lineups USH has put together.

Plan your morning around character meets and tram tours. Use the afternoons for food and merchandise. And if you can snag the Buy A Day Get A Day Free deal, take it — two days at the park this summer is genuinely worth it.

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