Horror maestro Guillermo del Toro brings movie magic to the AGO

Horror movie mastermind Guillermo del Toro, a filmmaker celebrated for his singular aesthetic and subversive style, is in a bit of a love affair with Canada. Especially withToronto, where he owns a home, and with Hamilton, where he has expressed interest in building a film studio.

His first time visiting Toronto was in 1997 to shoot his filmMimic. Winter was bitterly cold that year and filming was a struggle, but the experience stuck with him.

"The crew became family.I still work with a lot of them," del Toro told CBC News. "It's a testament to the Canadian spirit and the absolutetop-notch quality of the crews."

Known for his boundless imagination, del Toro has made a litany of memorable films throughout his career, including the surrealPan's Labyrinthand Pacific Rim.

He's also a collector of all things horror and fantasy. His home in Los Angeles is filled with morethan 500 pieces of movie memorabilia, and he brought some of his most interesting pieces for hisexhibition,At Home with Monsters,tothe Art Gallery of Ontario.

Here's a glimpse ofhis personal collection: