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Not to be confused with Gotham City Backlot.

Studio Backlot is an area of Six Flags St. Louis themed to a working Hollywood backlot. It originally opened as Time Warner Studios in 1995, with the area being a tribute to the silent films of the early 1900s. In 1996, the area was retooled and renamed Warner Bros. Backlot, incorporating a broader spectrum of the Warner Bros. film catalog. This included all-new live movie set experiences based on several Warner Bros. films including Bonnie & Clyde, Little Shop of Horrors, and Maverick. In 2002, the area was renamed Studio Backlot.

History[]

Time Warner Studios (1995)[]

In 1995, the new Time Warner Studios officially opened, replacing the former U.S.A./Movietown section of the park. A tribute to the silent films of the early 1900s, the area took on a heavy classic Hollywood theme. The former Olympic Theater received an all-new facade and became the Empire Theater.

On April 22, Batman: The Ride officially opened to the public. Six Flags Over Mid-America was the fourth Six Flags theme park to receive the ride, though, unlike the others, the St. Louis version was mirrored to fit within the parameters of Time Warner Studios. The ride's queue line was also much different, specifically the second half. An all-new Gotham City sub-area opened alongside the ride including new Gotham City facades wrapped around the Empire Theater. These facades were designed by Jack Rouse Associates. The Buccaneer was rethemed to Gotham Harbor to fit the theme of the new area.

Warner Bros Backlot advertisement

A print advertisement for Warner Bros. Backlot from 1996.

Warner Bros. Backlot (1996–2001)[]

"Where the magic of the movies comes to life."
―Warner Bros. Backlot tagline[src]

On April 5, 1996, the former Time Warner Studios was rethemed and renamed Warner Bros. Backlot. In the Gotham City area, Gotham Harbor was rethemed to The Joker Inc., historically marking the first-ever theme park attraction dedicated to the iconic DC Comics villain the Joker. Several different movie set "streetmosphere" experiences were also introduced, based on Bonnie and Clyde, Little Shop of Horrors, Maverick, and Batman. They were designed to make you feel as if you were walking into live movie sets.

Studio Backlot (2002–present)[]

In 2002, Warner Bros. Backlot was renamed Studio Backlot. Nothing was changed in the area besides the name on the west entrance portal in Funnel Cake Plaza.

In 2007, a Johnny Rockets location replaced Screen Stars Diner. It retained its 1950s Hollywood theme, something that Johnny Rockets is known for.

In 2016, a new Coca-Cola Cotton Candy Factory location was built in Batman Plaza, on part of the former circle where the Batmobile was located.

In 2019, Chop Six opened, replacing Panda Express. The restaurant was renovated, removing the Japanese-style arches and giving a new red-and-white color scheme that tied it in with the rest of the area.

Studio Backlot's Entrance

Studio Backlot's entrance

Attractions[]

Current[]

Former[]

  • 4-D Theater
  • Slingshot (2002–2008)
  • Turbobungy
  • The Batman VR Experience

Entertainment[]

Empire Theater[]

Main article: Empire Theater

Fireworks shows[]

  • Hollywood Lights (1995–1996)
  • American Flare (2003)

Dining[]

Current[]

Former[]

Shopping[]

Streetmosphere[]

Bonnieandclydefilming

A cameraman "filming" a bank robbery scene for the Bonnie and Clyde streetmosphere experience

Once Time Warner Studios became Warner Bros. Backlot in 1996, five different movie set-themed "streetmosphere" experiences were added to the area.

At the movie set of Bonnie and Clyde, an actor playing a cameraman filmed a scene where Bonnie and Clyde attempted to rob Farmers' National Bank. Bonnie held the door open for Clyde, as he lit a bomb and threw it into the building, causing the man inside to leap out the window.

Outside of the Skid Row Flower Shop set, creature operators showed guests how the Audrey puppet for the film was used.

At the Maverick set, Bret Maverick did some stand-up, then hit someone over the head using a "sugar glass" bottle.

In 2000, the Plaza of the Stars "Grease Monkeys" were introduced in Warner Bros. Backlot, a musical group that sang hits from the 1950s.

Fright Fest[]

Main article: Six Flags St. Louis Fright Fest

Studio Backlot has been home to several attractions and scare zones during Six Flags St. Louis' annual Fright Fest event. The biggest of which was the Backlot Terror Tour, a hayride attraction that sent you to the sets of various horror films where the horror had come to life. The Gotham City area that wraps around the Empire Theater has also been used for the haunted houses Insanity Alley and Night Terrors, and Batman Plaza has been home to scare zones and shows.

Haunted attractions[]

Scare zones[]

Entertainment[]

  • Rotten Bros. Side Show (2017–2019) (Batman Plaza)

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Photos[]

External links[]

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