I Like Scary Movies Experience – Review

I Like Scary Movies is the experience that all scary movie fans have been dreaming of – a groundbreaking interactive artinstallation celebrating some of their favorite films. This first-of-its-kind exhibit spans 25,000 square feet (nearly half a football field!) and features amazing large-scale photo opportunities and multi-sensory experiences. The exhibit is vast, and visitors can expect to spend an average of 90 minutes on their quest to capture their own iconic moments as they explore the rich worlds that have come to life.

Major Spoilers’ own Ashley Victoria Robinson gives her thoughts on this new celebration of some of Warner Bros. most frightening properties.

I’m not sure what it’s like for people living outside a major metropolitan area, but installations like I Like Scary Movies are cropping up all over Los Angeles. Lovingly referred to “Instagram Installations” by locals, they run the gamut from the very awesome to the very lame. When I learn Warner Bros was developing on such experience centered around some of their most iconic horror franchises I knew I wanted to go and I knew I had to share it with all of our faithful Spoilerites.

Said artist Maximillian, mastermind behind I Like Scary Movies, and 20 years of installation experiences at SDCC and Hollywood Studios:

I want fans to be able to take a deep imaginative dive into some of their favorite movies in a way that is fun and gives them time to really explore and enjoy the thrill of it all. The Warner Bros. Consumer Products team has been incredibly supportive of our vision and we can’t wait for fans to experience it.

I Like Scary Movies absolutely lives up to its goals. I attended an exclusive press preview prior to public opening of the installation and had an amazing time. Maximillian’s careful construction is so wonderfully rendered that even a lack of familiarity with any of the featured source material takes nothing away from the sheer level of artistry attendees can explore from room-to-room.

Honestly, the only part that’s not great is the lack of outdoor signage. I Like Scary Movies is housed on the second floor of a beautiful old building. While it’s noticeable from the outside, once you’ve tried three doors to finally get into the lobby there’s really nothing that lets you know all the beautiful madness is up a flight of steps.

That aside, the interactive elements of I Like Scary Movies are pretty great. Beetlejuice obviously provides many of the campiest, most fun imagery that are sure to make your Instagram followers pleasantly jealous. Afterall, we’re all in this for the ‘gram, right? The Shining has a pretty incredible showing as soon as you enter the I Like Scary Movies experience. The dark beauty of the snowbound imagery perfectly illustrate the importance of the film not only in the horror genre, but the history of the medium itself. It probably doesn’t surprise you to learn It  and the town of Derry, Maine are prominent and stunningly imagined for the real world museum quality it has been rendered for. One of my favourite moments from all the time I spent inside I Like Scary Movies was wandering amongst the many paper boats strung on what appears to be fishing line from the ceiling.

Peep my photos below:

The Derry portion ends with a “Penny for Your Fears” where attendees are encouraged to write down your fears on a piece of red paper and adhere it to a wall. If you indulge the installation helpers emerge from the woodwork to give you a specially press penny with none other than Pennywise’s creepy clown head on one side in place of the typical monarch or national leader. Very fun!

Where I Like Scary Movies truly succeeds is in the marrying of an art gallery (or aforementioned “museum”), presentation of a genre subject which has largely been regarded through the lens of “low popular culture”. It doesn’t elevate any of the subject matter, rather reminds us why Freddy Krueger and his ilk have held us in their thrall for so long. They are scary and they are stunning.

I Like Scary Movies is open now in Los Angeles, CA until June 16th, 2019. You can get full information and tickets here.

---

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.