About the exhibition
Just in time for Halloween 2026, the Academy Museum will unveil The Horror Show, a bold and immersive exhibition that bridges the gap between cinema and experience, honoring horror’s enormous cultural impact and enduring popularity.
On view from September 26, 2026, to July 25, 2027, The Horror Show will explore and celebrate horror cinema, highlighting select tropes and themes, all centered around the question: Why do horror films matter so deeply to so many?
Blurring the line between museum presentation and eerie spectacle, The Horror Show will take visitors on a journey through cinema, starting with an introductory gallery sound installation, into “The Hallway” — modeled after the common horror trope—that will lead to six distinctly themed galleries: Gothic, Psychological, Science, Slasher, Religion, and Ghosts. Each gallery is designed to invite visitors into iconic settings, where they will encounter their favorite creatures, monsters, and objects.
The exhibition will explore representations of identity, sexuality, and ability in horror films including: Alien (1979), The Horror of Dracula (1958), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Black Swan (2010), 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) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)—while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at the storytelling and production processes of these films.
The Horror Show is organized by Senior Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel with Assistant Curator Nicholas Barlow and Curatorial Assistant Alexandra James Salichs.
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Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s horror classic Carrie (1976) with a screening of the film and a conversation with its star, Sissy Spacek. Tickets go on sale mid-August, with early access for Academy Museum members.
This event has early access for Academy Museum members. Please check back for ticket on-sale information.
Not a member? Join now for early access to this program, plus year-round discounts and free general admission.
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Supported By
The Horror Show is made possible in part by leadership support from Hammer Films and John Gore Studios. Generous support provided by Dave and Tara Dollinger, Regal, and Kimberly V. Strauss. Additional support provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. Academy Museum Digital Engagement Platform supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Technology solutions generously provided by Christie®.