LOS ANGELES: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has revealed a major new exhibition dedicated entirely to horror cinema. Titled “The Horror Show”, the immersive experience will explore the cultural, psychological, and cinematic impact of horror films, and will be on display from September 20, 2026 through July 25, 2027.
According to the museum’s announcement, the exhibition will not simply show posters or props in a static format, instead, visitors will walk through recreated sets, interactive installations, and virtual-reality experiences that trace horror’s evolution from early monster films through psychological thrills to modern boundary-pushing genre works. The museum emphasises that this will be a “cine-experience” as much as a retrospective, and aims to “bridge the gap between cinema and experience, celebrating horror’s enormous cultural power and enduring popularity.”
The timing of the announcement is noteworthy: horror has recently enjoyed box-office strength, streaming popularity, and growing recognition as a legitimate film form that reflects wider social fears. For fans of the genre, The Horror Show offers a rare chance to engage with horror not just as entertainment but as art, history, and immersive spectacle.
What makes the exhibition especially compelling is its scope. It promises to highlight how horror has served as a mirror to societal anxieties, identity shifts, technology fear, and even cinematic innovation. Items expected to be included- though the museum has not released an official list, may range from early Universal-era monsters to contemporary found-footage thrillers, with contextual installations helping to tie the visuals to real-world fears and filmmaking techniques.
How do you feel horror reflects the fears of its time, and which film best captured your era’s anxiety?
