| 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 both the silent films of the early 1900s and the later Golden Age of Hollywood. In 1996, the area was retooled and renamed Warner Bros. Backlot, incorporating a broader spectrum of the Warner Bros. film catalog and making the area more about Hollywood in the current day. This included all-new live movie set experiences based on several popular Warner Bros. films including Bonnie and Clyde, Little Shop of Horrors, and Maverick. In 2002, the area was renamed Studio Backlot but mostly retained its previous theme.
History[]
Time Warner Studios (1995)[]
- "Step into our backlot area and get a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood."
- ―Six Flags Over Mid-America Souvenir Guide 1995
In 1995, the new Time Warner Studios officially opened, replacing the former U.S.A./Movietown section of the park. Partially a tribute to the silent films of the early 1900s and the glamour of the 1950s, 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, including the Gotham News gift shop. These facades were designed by Jack Rouse Associates. The Buccaneer was rethemed to Gotham Harbor to fit the theme of this new area.
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)[]
Studio Backlot's entrance
In 2002, Warner Bros. Backlot was renamed Studio Backlot, altering the area's original theme as a backlot specifically producing Warner Bros. films. While the exact reasoning for this change is still unknown, it was probably related to Warner's sale of Six Flags Theme Parks to Premier Parks in 1998 or to avoid confusion with the growing VIP Studio Tours at Warner Bros. Studios Burbank, which included a visit through the real Warner Bros. Backlot. Nothing was significantly changed in Studio Backlot besides the signage on the entrance archway from Funnel Cake Plaza and various other iconography in the area. Studio Backlot still had a major association with Warner Bros. due to the presence of the Batman film and comic characters, the Looney Tunes characters, and other Time Warner-owned IPs.
In 2007, a Johnny Rockets location replaced Screen Stars Diner. The building retained its 1950s Hollywood theme, something that Johnny Rockets was conveniently 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 had previously been 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 Studio Backlot.
Attractions[]
Current[]
- The Buccaneer (opened 1980, formerly part of U.S.A. and named Gotham Harbor in 1995 and The Joker Inc. from 1996 to 2023)
- Ninja (opened 1989, formerly part of U.S.A.)
- Batman: The Ride (opened 1995)
- Axis' Chemical Games (opened 1995)
- Backlot Games (opened c. 2007)
- 3 Point Challenge (opened c. 2007)
Former[]
- 4-D Theater (c. 2005–c. 2006)
- Slingshot (2002–2008)
- Turbobungy (c. 2005)
- The Batman VR Experience (?)
Entertainment[]
Empire Theater[]
- Main article: Empire Theater
The Empire Theater, previously the Olympic Theater, was rethemed alongside Time Warner Studios in 1995.
Fireworks shows[]
Streetmosphere[]
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 "Grease Monkeys" were introduced in Warner Bros. Backlot, a musical group that sang hits from the 1950s. They performed at the Plaza of the Stars, the name for the central area of the Warner Bros. Backlot in front of the Company Store.
Dining[]
Current[]
- Johnny Rockets (opened 2007)
- Chop Six (opened 2018)
- Coca-Cola Cotton Candy Factory (opened 2016)
Former[]
- Screen Stars Diner (1995–2006)
- Studio Backlot Commissary (1995–?)
- Wok and Roll Café (2003–2006)
- Panda Express (2007–2018)
Shopping[]
Current[]
- Hollywood Studio Store (opened 1995)
Former[]
- Gotham News (1995)
- Wardrobe Hats (1995)
- Cavit's (1996–?)
- Studio Sports (c. 2000–2024)
- Wild West Airbrush (c. 2007–?)
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[]
- Backlot Terror Tour (2011–2012, entered from The Joker Inc.)
- Zombie Paintball Apocalypse (2013, entered from The Joker Inc.)
- Insanity Alley (2011–2015)
- Night Terrors (2016–2019)
Scare zones[]
- Sinister Clowns (2014–2015, Batman Plaza)
- Zombieville (2018–2019, 2021–2024)
- The Underground (2023–2024)
Entertainment[]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Photos[]
