The Rocky Horror Picture Show is set to receive a new adaptation for screenings at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2027.
The 1976 cult favourite will become the latest film to be programmed for regular showings at the 20,000 capacity venue. It follows The Wizard Of Oz, which was the first title redesigned for the Sphere’s massive 160,000 square foot interior screen and has already generated around $400 million in ticket revenue, according to Consequence.
Beginning from next year, Sphere Entertainment plans to enhance the original film using advanced technology aimed at improving visual clarity and scale, ensuring it fits the venue’s curved immersive display.
“Through Sphere Studios, we are building a slate of original experiences that push the boundaries of technology and storytelling for this new medium, while always keeping the audience at the centre of the experience,” said Sphere Entertainment chief executive James Dolan.
“Since The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered in 1975, it redefined audience participation and became a cultural phenomenon. With Sphere, we have the opportunity to take that spirit of immersion to an entirely new level,” he added.
The project will mark another major use of the Sphere as a recurring cinema venue for the Richard O’Brien film, which stars Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry. An official opening date has not yet been announced, and the length of its run remains unconfirmed.
The Sphere officially opened in 2023 after costing $2.3 billion to build. Its exterior exosphere is covered with more than 1.2 million LED pucks capable of projecting visuals across the Las Vegas skyline.
U2 were the first act to perform at the venue, launching a residency that ran from September 2023 through March 2024.
In a review of the opening night, NME described the show as “taking the live concert experience to the next level” while still keeping the band’s music at the centre of the experience.
Since then, Phish, Dead & Company, the Eagles and the Backstreet Boys have all staged residencies there. No Doubt recently completed their run of reunion shows, even bringing Olivia Rodrigo on stage as a guest performer.
Metallica confirmed their own residency at the Sphere earlier this year after hinting at negotiations with organisers. Those shows are expected to begin later this year and will follow the No Repeat Weekend format introduced during their M72 World Tour, where no songs are repeated across select shows.
There have also been reports suggesting Tool are in discussions for a possible Sphere residency, although nothing has been officially confirmed at this time.
