They Live by John Carpenter (1988), Universal Pictures
Horror fans, the wait is almost over. The Horror Show officially opens this Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, transforming the museum’s massive fourth-floor gallery into an immersive journey through more than a century of horror cinema.
Running through July 25, 2027, the exhibition explores horror’s enormous cultural impact and enduring popularity, all centered around a big question: Why do horror films matter so deeply to so many?
Rather than simply displaying movie memorabilia, The Horror Show blurs the line between a traditional museum exhibition and an eerie cinematic experience.
The journey begins with an introductory sound installation before leading visitors into “The Hallway,” a space inspired by one of horror’s most familiar tropes. From there, visitors enter six distinctly themed galleries.
What you’ll see inside The Horror Show
The exhibition is divided into six themed galleries, each focusing on a different side of horror:
Gothic: Step into a shadowy crypt featuring Bela Lugosi’s recently restored cape from Dracula (1931), along with objects from Sinners and Blade.
Psychological: Explore a clinical-inspired space featuring original Psycho storyboards and props from Get Out and The Silence of the Lambs.
Science: See production elements from Alien, The Fly, and The Substance, plus an original mask from Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
Slasher: Come face-to-face with fully costumed figures of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Ghostface, and Art the Clown inside a reconstructed killer’s home.
Religion: Enter a witches’ circle surrounded by costumes from Midsommar, Suspiria, and Hellraiser, alongside historical documents from the Salem witch trials.
Ghosts: Explore the influence of Japanese ghost stories through historic woodblock prints and theatrical posters, alongside the original marketing website for The Blair Witch Project.
And the horror doesn’t stop there. Visitors will finish the exhibition inside The Blood Room, an immersive space that covers the gallery walls in cinematic gore.
More than just monsters and movie props
Beyond the scares, The Horror Show examines how horror has been used to explore identity, sexuality, and ability, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the genre’s most memorable movies were made.
The exhibition features films including:
Alien (1979)
The Horror of Dracula (1958)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
Get Out (2017)
Halloween (1978)
Ju-on (1998)
Midsommar (2019)
Misery (1990)
Poltergeist (1982)
Ringu (1998)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Exorcist (1973)
The Shining (1980)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Together, the films demonstrate the breadth of the genre, spanning everything from supernatural horror and slashers to psychological thrillers, science fiction, and international horror.
Horror movies, Halloween events, and special screenings
The exhibition will also kick off a full slate of horror programming at the Academy Museum.
John Carpenter retrospective: September 26–October 25, featuring Halloween, They Live, and Assault on Precinct 13
The Monster Mash: October 24, with special-effects makeup demonstrations, tours, screenings, and character appearances
Museum After Dark: October 31, an adults-only Halloween event
50th anniversary screening of Carrie: November 19, followed by a conversation with Sissy Spacek
Hammer Films retrospective: January 2027
For a family-friendly option, the museum is also presenting Zombies!, an interactive companion exhibition exploring how filmmakers create zombie imagery.
📅Dates: September 26, 2026–July 25, 2027
🌐 Learn more: The Horror Show at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures