The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles has opened "The Horror Show," an extensive exhibition exploring the evolution and variety of horror cinema. Running through July 25, 2027, the exhibit offers visitors a curated journey through nearly a century of horror films, timed to coincide with the Halloween season.

Curated by Jessica Niebel and Nicholas Barlow, "The Horror Show" features nearly 400 artifacts organized into six thematic galleries: Gothic, Psychological, Science, Slasher, Religion, and Ghosts. This structure allows visitors to engage with specific subgenres of horror or avoid those they find unsettling.

The Gothic gallery highlights early horror cinema with significant pieces such as the cape worn by Bela Lugosi in the 1931 film "Dracula," which remains one of the exhibition’s centerpiece items. Other noteworthy objects include a fragile prop bat from the same movie and original posters from classics like F.W. Murnau’s "Nosferatu" (1922) and Roger Corman’s "The Raven" (1963).

Within the Science gallery, visitors encounter items bridging horror and comedy, such as an operating table from Mel Brooks’s "Young Frankenstein" (1974), displayed alongside a ball-and-chain prop from the original "Frankenstein" (1931) and its sequel, both directed by James Whale.

The Psychological gallery assembles iconic film props linked to mental terror and suspense, including the ax from Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining" (1980), the orange jumpsuit, straitjacket, and handcart used for Hannibal Lecter in Jonathan Demme’s "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991), and the hypnotic teacup, saucer, and spoon from Jordan Peele’s "Get Out" (2017).

For fans of slasher films, the corresponding gallery presents notable artifacts such as the Leatherface mask from "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974), Freddy Krueger’s costume from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984), and a hacksaw from the "Saw" franchise (2004). The Religion and Ghosts sections further expand the thematic scope, though specific notable items from these are less emphasized.

The exhibit concludes in a “blood room,” a theatrical installation designed to evoke the visceral impact of modern horror. Despite its graphic appearance, the room contains no real blood or hazardous material. This finale serves as a commentary on how horror films have shifted from imaginative storytelling to more graphic and sensory experiences.

Since its delayed opening in late 2021 amidst mixed reviews of both its design and early exhibitions, the Academy Museum has sought to gain broader appeal. "The Horror Show" has proven successful in attracting diverse audiences, with visitors of varied backgrounds filling the galleries on recent weekdays.

The exhibition has been praised for balancing historical reverence with popular culture, showcasing both classic relics and contemporary icons without sacrificing depth or accessibility. It marks one of the museum’s more well-received offerings amid ongoing efforts to refine its programming and engage wider audiences in cinematic history.