Academy Museum hosts ‘The Horror Show’ exhibition in Los Angeles

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles has launched ‘The Horror Show’, an immersive exhibition exploring over a century of horror cinema. Running until July 25, 2027, the exhibit features 364 original props, costumes, and production materials representing 167 different titles.

Curator Jessica Niebel describes the genre as a way for audiences to experience intense emotions like fear within a safe environment. The exhibition is organized into six thematic “rooms”: Gothic, Psychological Terror, Science, Slasher, Religion, and Ghosts.

Notable artifacts on display include Jack Nicholson’s jacket and axe from ‘The Shining’, Freddy Krueger’s sweater from ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, Bela Lugosi’s cape from ‘Dracula’, and costumes from recent films such as ‘Midsommar’. The experience utilizes immersive elements, including soundscapes and themed environments like the ‘Blood Room’, to reflect the genre's role as a mirror to societal anxieties.