About the exhibition

Comprising 200 years of eerie storytelling and a century of cinema, The Horror Show bridges the gap between cinema and experience, honoring horror’s enormous cultural impact and enduring popularity.

On view through July 25, 2027, The Horror Show explores and celebrates 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 chilling spectacle, The Horror Show takes visitors on a journey through cinema, starting with an introductory gallery sound installation, into “The Hallway”— modeled after the common horror trope—leading to six themed galleries: Gothic, Psychological, Science, Slasher, Religion, and Ghosts. Each gallery invites visitors into iconic settings, where visitors encounter their favorite creatures, monsters, and objects.

The exhibition explores representations of identity, sexuality, and ability in horror films including: Alien (1979), The Horror of Dracula (1958), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), 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. Additional support by THI Moving Image Lab Curatorial Fellow Bradford Nordeen.

This exhibition explores themes that may not be suitable for all ages and may disturb some visitors. Parental guidance is advised. If you have questions about the content, please speak with a gallery associate.