The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will celebrate more than a century of horror filmmaking when its new exhibition, “The Horror Show,” opens Sept. 26 in the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery. The exhibition will remain on view through July 25, 2027, exploring the enduring popularity of horror films through rare artifacts, interactive experiences and an examination of the genre’s cultural impact.

Designed as an immersive experience, “The Horror Show” guides visitors through six thematic galleries, or “chambers,” devoted to major traditions within horror cinema. Original props, costumes, production materials, concept artwork and interactive displays illustrate how filmmakers have shaped the genre while examining why audiences continue to be drawn to stories that provoke fear.

“Our teams have done a phenomenal job creating an immersive and thrilling journey through the history of horror films, making an exhibition that is both emotional and experiential,” Academy Museum Director and President Amy Homma said. “Along with our amazing programming teams, we have selected a variety of film and educational programming to accompany the exhibition that is sure to excite all types of horror fans.”

Senior Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel said the exhibition explores horror beyond its monsters and scares, examining the genre’s emotional, symbolic and cultural significance.

“The Horror Show is an exploration of horror’s emotional, cultural, and symbolic power and examines why horror matters so deeply to many different types of communities,” Niebel said. “We are excited to celebrate the daring creativity of horror cinema with devoted fans and curious newcomers alike, inviting audiences to confront what frightens us – and discover why we keep coming back for more.”

The exhibition was developed with guidance from an advisory team that includes four-time Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe, filmmaker Osgood Perkins, documentary filmmaker Ariel Baska, Academy Award-winning prosthetic makeup artist Howard Berger, author and filmmaker Tananarive Due and film scholar Angela Marie Smith.

“Cinema in general engages your sense of wonder, but horror can explode it,” Dafoe said. “It is a popular form, born of modest financial resources and with a strong, lasting independent streak.”

Perkins said horror remains an essential part of both cinema and culture.

“Horror is crucial to culture and cinema, and to our evolving understanding of what it means to be alive on earth,” Perkins said. “There is something for every horror fan to appreciate and enjoy in this exhibition, a hallway of limitless doors to be opened and explored.”

Visitors begin the exhibition in a darkened introductory gallery featuring an immersive soundscape before entering a corridor lined with classic horror film posters from the Academy Collection and other lenders. From there, guests can explore six galleries devoted to Gothic, psychological, science, slasher, religion and ghost stories.

Highlights include Bela Lugosi’s restored cape from the 1931 film “Dracula”; original “Psycho” storyboards; artifacts connected to “Frankenstein” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon”; costumes and props from films including “Alien,” “Get Out,” “Halloween,” “The Exorcist,” “The Ring,” “Poltergeist,” “The Conjuring,” “Midsommar,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Silence of the Lambs”; and an interactive presentation exploring the original promotional website for “The Blair Witch Project.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by public programming beginning Sept. 26 with the retrospective “John Carpenter: Prince of Darkness.” Additional events include the 2026 Monster Mash on Oct. 24 featuring the U.S. premiere of the 4K restoration of “Horror of Dracula”; Museum After Dark on Oct. 31 with a screening of “The Craft”; and a 50th anniversary screening of “Carrie” on Nov. 19 featuring Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek.

Families can also visit “Zombies!,” a companion exhibition opening Sept. 26 in the adjacent Warner Bros. Gallery. Running through July 25, 2027, it examines the origins of zombie stories and demonstrates how filmmakers create the undead through makeup, visual effects and practical filmmaking techniques.

The museum will also publish an illustrated companion book featuring concept art, film stills and behind-the-scenes production photography.

The Academy Museum is located at 6067 Wilshire Blvd. For information, visit academymuseum.org.