The 5 Best Shows at Universal Orlando
If you are looking for entertainment while you are visiting Universal Orlando Resort, be sure to check out some of the shows. Here is a rundown of the top 5 offerings!
The Best Shows at Universal Orlando
If you are looking for fun in Universal Orlando, you might consider enjoying one of the shows offered around the parks. Not only do they offer some fun, but they are also typically in shaded theaters or air-conditioned buildings!
Some shows are suitable for all ages. From a sing-along with Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Donkey, Poppy, and more to a fun-filled show featuring animal actors, there is plenty for the entire family to enjoy.
Parents should approach others with caution. These include the Horror Make-Up Show and the Bourne Stuntacular. However, regardless of whether you are looking for family fun or something a little more adult-oriented, there is something for you and your travel party!
We like them all, but some are definitely better than others. Here is a rundown of Universal's 5 BEST shows to help you draft your must-do list for your next visit.
5. The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular
The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular is a seasonal offering. But, I (Kate) promise everything on this list runs all year round. I could not leave it off the list, though, it is just too good.
If you want to see The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, you need to visit the park during Grinchmas. This year, Grinchmas runs from November 21, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular is a high-quality musical production. It expertly blends the familiar story with an impressive set and plenty of laughs! You will even enjoy music by Mannheim Steamroller.
You will find the show in Seuss Landing. Showtimes will be listed in the app and typically run from 10:15-4:30, but we HIGHLY recommend you arrive 30 minutes before showtime. The theater will reach capacity. There is no Express (line skipping) option. This is a first-come, first-served experience.
Also, it is quite a walk from the entrance to the queue to the theater, which is the former location of Blue Man Group, so you'll need time to make the stroll.
Team Members will begin moving guests from the queue to their seats about 10 minutes before showtime. There is not a bad seat in the house. You will have decent views from any place. And, honestly, it is hard to pick a seat anyway because the Team Members will usher you in and fill the theater, skipping no seats.
The musical tells the classic story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It is bound to dish up plenty of warm fuzzies with a side of sarcasm! You will laugh, and you might even catch yourself tearing up a little, too. And, if you love dogs, you'll enjoy seeing Max perform!
4. The Bourne Stuntacular
If you love action and adventure, The Bourne Stuntacular is something to add to your to-do list. It is like nothing you have ever seen!
This show does come with a parental advisory warning. It contains: mature themes, violence, fighting, and even death, intense visuals such as pyrotechnics, and loud, intense, and frightening sound effects such as loud gunfire.
The Bourne Stuntacular might not be suitible for all ages.
However, those who watch it will be treated to a cutting-edge technology that creates a fusion of stagecraft and film! The effects are remarkable.
During the show, you will follow Jason Bourne as he outruns sinister characters hoping to bring him in. He dangles from a helicopter, fights his way across rooftops, and engages in a motorcycle chase. There are fistfights, shootouts, and dangerous situations at every turn.
You will find the show inside an air-conditioned theatre in Hollywood next to Five and Dime. Showtimes will be posted in the app, and it runs multiple times each day.
You do NOT have to be familiar with the movies to enjoy The Bourne Stuntacular. I have not seen a single one, and I loved the show. There is a standing-room-only pre-show that will fill you in on all you need to know.
Once the preshow ends, you will move to the theater. While all seats are good seats, if you want the best look at all of the special effects working together, try to move toward one of the back rows. The center of the row is best, but when the show is full, you won't have much control over where you are in the row you select.
You are sure to enjoy the show. You don't just see the action, you feel it in some cases, too!
3. Animal Actors On Location
If you have an animal lover in your travel party, you will love Animal Actors on Location. This show is special because it is a Universal Studios original attraction, one of the only ones left standing.
And, it also happens to be adorable and fun in every sense of the word. It is appropriate for audience members of all ages.
During the show, you will meet real, love animal actors and see them perform! Be ready to see dogs, cats, birds, and even pigs, otters, and skunks take the stage!
Keep in mind that this show involves working with animals. So, some things might not go entirely according to plan!
The theatre is located in the amphitheater near the entrances to Dreamworks land and The Simpsons. It is not air-conditioned, but it is shaded. You can typically arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of showtime with no trouble getting a seat.
Sitting close to the front will give you a clearer view of the animals, but you can see the stage from anywhere in the theater. There IS audience participation, and volunteers will be called upon. Bring along a $1 bill if you are an adult to increase your chance of participating, and be ready to raise your hand if you are an animal-loving child.
2. Le Cirque Arcanus
One of Universal's newest and best shows is located in Epic Universe at the Ministry of Magic. Le Cirque Arcanus is such a delight.
If you love the idea of witnessing a mix of whimsical performances, magic, and fantastic beasts, this is the show for you! This show can be found at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic in Universal Epic Universe. You will know you are in the right place when you see the red tents.
Le Cirque Arcanus is about 23 minutes long, including a pre-show. There are showings throughout the day every 45 minutes or so. There is an Express Pass Entry, but the Express queue and the standby queue merge into the same pre-show. There is an accessibility queue in the front for those using mobility devices.
Once you finish the pre-show, you will file into the theater, and there is a little flexibility for which row you sit on. This is another show where every seat has a good view. However, if you are in the front half of the theater, and slightly toward the right or left, you will potentially get to interact with smoke bubbles that cascade from the ceiling at a key point in the show.
Overall, it is a good mix of show and story. We wish it were a little more circus and a little bit less story, but it is honestly one of the best shows Universal has put out to date. You do not need much knowledge of Harry Potter to enjoy it, and though it has some intense lighting and sound effects, it is suitable for most audiences.
You can read more about Le Cirque Arcanus right HERE. And, you can also read more about our #1 Universal show.
1. The Untrainable Dragon
The Untrainable Dragon is top-tier entertainment in Universal Orlando Resort. You will find this show at Epic Universe in How to Train Your Dragon: The Isle of Berk.
It is housed in an indoor theater with plenty of air conditioning. There is an Express Queue, but as with many entertainment selections, the queues empty into the same spot.
The Untrainable Dragon has a runtime of approximately 20 minutes. Shows are available at varying intervals throughout the day, and times will appear in the app.
Once you enter, you can typically select a row if you arrive soon enough. This is another well-designed theater where everyone has a great seat. If you want to be able to see everything going on at once, you might want to sit a little further back. However, if you want to potentially get a high five from a performer, the front is the place to be.
The show is a musical that tells the story of a seemingly untrainable dragon that threatens the whole of Berk. It also has stunning visual effects with gigantic dragons. And, perhaps most famously of all, Toothless, the Nightfury, takes flight in the theater.
The story is clear and simple enough that even those unfamiliar with the film or novels can enjoy the show. It is perfect for audience members of all ages, but be prepared for some loud sounds and intense lighting effects.
Final Thoughts
If you are a rides person, you could, of course, be perfectly content if you skip the shows altogether. But you might enjoy seeing a Universal show even if you normally don't seek out live entertainment (especially if you are in search of air conditioning or shade).
And, of course, if you love entertainment, Universal Orlando is a great place to be, especially Universal Studios or Epic Universe.
Which Universal Shows are your favorites? Did we miss any that should have been included in the list? Let us know, and be sure to send this rundown to friends and family who are planning to visit Universal Orlando so that they don't miss out!
