Universal Monsters Are Coming to Your Tabletop With Hellbreak in 2026
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Universal and Spin Master have announced Hellbreak, a new horror trading card game co-designed by Ghost Galaxy and slated for a fall 2026 release, bringing classic and modern movie monsters together for competitive tabletop battles.
Classic cinematic horror is making the jump to competitive card gaming. Universal Pictures and Experiences has teamed up with toy and entertainment giant Spin Master to announce Hellbreak, a new trading card game slated for a global launch in fall 2026. The project is co-designed by Ghost Galaxy, the tabletop studio best known for KeyForge. According to the initial reveal reported by Polygon, the game features a Monster Sandbox design philosophy that pits horror icons against each other in brutal matches to the finish, drawing from a legacy that spans vintage black and white classics and modern frights.
The initial card set pulls directly from the foundational Universal Monsters archive, meaning players can expect to see staples like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and The Mummy on the board. However, the scope of the game extends far beyond the studio's historical vault. Spin Master has indicated that Hellbreak is designed as an expanding crossover universe that will eventually incorporate major characters from other studios across the horror genre. Given Universal's close distribution ties with Blumhouse Productions, speculation is already running wild about modern horror icons joining the fray.
Ghost Galaxy CEO and design lead Christian T. Petersen promises mechanics that feel dangerous, cinematic, and endlessly replayable, aimed at generating memorable tabletop moments. While concrete details on the rules, deck-building systems, and full roster remain under wraps for now, the ambitious approach signals a major push into the physical card space. As physical and digital card games continue to thrive as major social hubs for communities, a high production crossover built around pop culture royalty could easily become a massive talking point when it drops later next year.
Source: Polygon
Tags: Tabletop Games, TCG, Universal Monsters, Hellbreak, Ghost Galaxy
Original article: Polygon