The Horror Show exhibit set to open at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
- Carla Davis
- 26 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles will be recognizing the horror genre in a big way with a new exhibit called The Horror Show. The exhibit will be housed in the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery.
Described as “an immersive journey into horror’s enormous cultural impact and enduring popularity,” the new exhibit will open on September 26.
As part of the exhibit, guests will be able to wander through six different thematic chambers that are well stocked with original costumes, props, interactive displays, and production materials – many of them extremely rare.
The chamber themes are each devoted to sub-genres of horror cinema, with those themes including Gothic, Psychological, Science, Slasher, Religion, and Ghosts. Costumes and objects guests will be able to see include the recently restored cape that was worn by Bela Lugosi in 1931’s Dracula, original storyboards for Psycho, production elements for Alien, The Fly, The Substance and The Thing, an original mask from Creature from the Black Lagoon, rare items from Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, costumes from Midsommar, Sinners, and Weapons, and props from films such as The Conjuring, Poltergeist, and The Ring. Guests can also surf the original marketing website for 1999’s The Blair Witch Project.
“The only pathway out of the exhibition lies through The Blood Room, an immersion in the many textures and shades of cinematic blood. Spilling out from the hallway of horrors, visitors are engulfed in a final sensorial macabre: gallery walls layered with gore, pushing the knowledge gleaned from the exhibition through one last, gooey visual of horror.”
According to the press releases, “the exhibition explores why people love to be scared at the movies and how filmmakers satisfy that desire.” The advisory team for The Horror Show exhibit includes actor Willem Dafoe, filmmaker Osgood Perkins, filmmaker Ariel Baska, makeup and prosthetic artist Howard Berger, film scholar Angela Marie Smith, and filmmaker Tananarive Due.
Film screenings are a big part of The Horror Show exhibit
There will be multiple film screenings and programs included, including the following:
John Carpenter: Prince of Darkness: On opening day (September 26), Carpenter himself will be present for a screening of the original Halloween. They Live will be featured on September 27, and Assault on Precinct 13 will be shown on September 28. Tickets will be available for purchase on August 18.
Monster Mash (October 24): An all-ages event, this one features special effects makeup demonstrations, monster appearances, tours, screenings, and other activities that will allow attendees to learn all about vampires. Screenings will include Blade, Horror of Dracula, and Hotel Transylvania. The event is free with general admission, but tickets are required for the screenings.
Museum After Dark (October 31): What better way is there to celebrate Halloween than attending a goth-themed cocktail party that includes tarot readings and a special guest? Add in a screening of The Craft (1996), and it’s a perfect celebration. Costumes are encouraged, but this is a 21 and over event.
50th Anniversary screening of Carrie (November 19) – Join Sissy Spacek (the original Carrie) for a special screening and conversation. Tickets will be available to the public on August 18.
A Celebration of Hammer Films – Set to debut in winter of 2027, this event will celebrate the iconic Hammer Films. A 10-film retrospective will be presented, including rare and newly restored titles. “Under the ownership of John Gore Studios, the studio is now undertaking a program of 4K restorations to celebrate this legacy and bring its classic films to contemporary audiences.”