‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Heads to Sphere in 2027 With New Immersive Experience
After bringing audiences into the world of The Wizard of Oz, Las Vegas’ Sphere is preparing to take moviegoers somewhere considerably stranger.
Sphere Entertainment announced plans to debut an immersive version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2027, transforming the cult classic into a large-scale experience designed specifically for the venue’s cutting-edge technology. The project, titled The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Sphere, will build on the original 1975 film while introducing new visual and immersive elements intended to place audiences directly inside the movie’s eccentric universe.
The announcement marks the latest effort by Sphere to reimagine beloved films for its massive 17,600-seat venue, which has increasingly focused on creating event-style presentations that go beyond traditional screenings. While details about the production remain limited, executives say the goal is to preserve the spirit of audience participation that helped make Rocky Horror a cultural phenomenon while expanding it through Sphere’s wraparound screens, advanced sound systems, and immersive effects.
“Since The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered in 1975, it redefined audience participation and became a cultural phenomenon,” Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Dolan said in a statement. “With Sphere, we have the opportunity to take that spirit of immersion to an entirely new level.”
Few films seem better suited for an interactive venue. Directed by Jim Sharman and adapted from Richard O’Brien’s stage musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows newly engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss after a storm forces them to seek shelter in a mysterious castle inhabited by the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter and an eccentric cast of characters. What begins as a simple detour quickly descends into a bizarre night of science fiction, sexuality, music, and chaos.
Although the film struggled commercially upon its initial release, it gradually evolved into one of the most successful cult movies in cinema history. Midnight screenings began attracting devoted fans who returned again and again, creating traditions that transformed the movie into a participatory event rather than a passive viewing experience. Audiences dressed as characters, shouted responses at the screen, performed alongside the film through live “shadow casts,” and incorporated props ranging from rice and newspapers to slices of toast.
Those traditions helped sustain Rocky Horror for decades, turning a box-office disappointment into a pop culture institution. Nearly 50 years after its release, the film continues to screen regularly around the world and remains one of the longest-running theatrical releases in history.
The story itself began even earlier. O’Brien first created The Rocky Horror Show as a stage musical in London’s West End in 1973. The production quickly developed a loyal following and eventually caught the attention of producer Lou Adler, who brought the show to Los Angeles and secured the rights for a film adaptation. That adaptation became The Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring Tim Curry’s iconic performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter alongside Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as Brad and Janet.
Curry’s larger-than-life portrayal of the self-described “sweet transvestite” from Transsexual, Transylvania remains one of the defining performances of cult cinema, while O’Brien’s songs, including “Time Warp,” “Sweet Transvestite,” and “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, helped cement the film’s enduring popularity.
The decision to bring Rocky Horror to Sphere follows the venue’s success with The Wizard of Oz. According to reports, the immersive adaptation of the classic musical has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in ticket sales since opening, demonstrating strong audience demand for reimagined cinematic experiences.
The connection between the two films runs deeper than their shared home at Sphere. O’Brien has previously revealed that he originally envisioned The Rocky Horror Picture Show opening in black and white before shifting into color when Frank-N-Furter first appeared on screen, a direct homage to The Wizard of Oz and its famous transition from sepia-toned Kansas to the vibrant land of Oz. While that concept never made it into the finished film, the influence remains one of the more intriguing pieces of Rocky Horror lore.
Specific details regarding how Sphere plans to adapt the movie have not yet been announced.
