Horror Films Exhibit Opens at Los Angeles Museum

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles has opened a new exhibition titled The Horror Show, dedicated to exploring the history and impact of horror films. The exhibit, which runs through July, features a wide range of materials from classic and contemporary horror films.

The exhibition centers around a single iconic object: Dracula's cape, worn by Bela Lugosi in the 1931 film Dracula. This cape, acquired by the Academy Museum from the Lugosi family in 2019, serves as the cornerstone of the show.

In addition to the cape, the exhibit includes costumes, props, concept art, film posters, and scripts from a variety of horror films. These range from classics like The Shining and Psycho to contemporary masterpieces such as Midsommar and Get Out, as well as lesser-known but critically acclaimed films like Tales From the Hood and The Stuff.

The curators of The Horror Show have drawn on the Academy Museum's extensive collection, as well as materials borrowed from dozens of lenders, to create a comprehensive look at the horror genre. The exhibition aims to highlight both the visual and narrative artistry of horror films, challenging the notion that these movies lack the gravitas of more 'serious' filmmaking.

Jessica Niebel, senior curator at the museum, emphasized the significance of the exhibit in prompting a reconsideration of horror films' place in the cinematic canon. The exhibition explores why scary movies have captivated audiences for decades, delving into the fears and anxieties they channel about life, death, and the unknown.

The Horror Show is open to the public through July at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.