by inThe Night at the Museum franchise has become a beloved staple in family-friendly cinema. Created by screenwriters Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, the series follows the misadventures of a security guard named Larry Daley, who discovers that the Museum of Natural History exhibits come to life at night. With the success of the original film Night at the Museum, a series of sequels and spin-offs have been released, leaving many fans wondering how many movies are actually in the franchise.
How Many Night At The Museum Movies Are There?
There are 3 Night at the Museum movies total from 2006 to 2014. There’s also an animated movie based on the story. Here is the Night in the Museum movies in order:
Night at the Museum
The inaugural installment of the Night at the Museum film franchise, released in 2006, follows the adventures of a security guard named Larry Daley as he discovers that the exhibits in the Natural History Museum come to life at night. The film was directed by Shawn Levy and starred Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, and Owen Wilson. Its storyline is based on the children’s book of the same name by Milan Trenc.
Behind the scenes, trivia reveals that the film required extensive use of special effects and animatronics. The animatronics were designed by Stan Winston Studio, the company responsible for creating the dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park franchise. The film was a box office success, grossing over $115 million domestically and over $574 million worldwide. Its success led to two sequels, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian in 2009 and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb in 2014.
Night at the Museum 2 Battle of the Smithsonian
One notable aspect of the film ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ is its impressive cast featuring well-known actors such as Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, and Owen Wilson. The film centers around the character Larry Daley, a museum security guard who must rescue his friends from the Smithsonian Institution after they are accidentally shipped there. Along the way, Larry encounters several historical and fictional characters, including Amelia Earhart, General Custer, and Darth Vader.
In addition to the star-studded cast, ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ also features several Smithsonian cameos and behind-the-scenes trivia. The film was shot on location at the Smithsonian Institution, and many of the artifacts seen in the movie are actual items from the museum’s collection. The film also features cameos from several Smithsonian employees, including former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Wayne Clough. Overall, ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ is a fun and engaging film offering a unique perspective on American history and museums.
Night at the Museum 3 Secret of the Tomb
Featuring a new adventure at the British Museum, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb follows Larry Daley as he tries to save his museum friends again. In this movie, Larry discovers that the magical tablet that brings the exhibits to life is eroding, causing his friends to malfunction. With the help of new characters, such as Sir Lancelot, played by Dan Stevens, and his son, Nick, played by Skyler Gisondo, Larry travels to London to discover the secrets behind the tablet and save his friends.
Behind-the-scenes secrets of the movie include that this was Robin Williams’ last film before he died in 2014. Williams reprised his role as Teddy Roosevelt, showcasing his talent in portraying historical figures. The movie also features a cameo from Hugh Jackman, who plays himself in a humorous scene with Larry. Box office earnings for the film were successful, grossing over $363 million worldwide. Despite this success, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its heartwarming moments and others criticizing its predictable plot.
Night at the Museum 4 Kahmunrah Rises Again
Reviving the Night at the Museum franchise, Kahmunrah Rises Again is a fan-made film that explores what would happen if the magical tablet fell into the wrong hands. The film follows Kahmunrah, the Pharaoh of Egypt, as he returns to the Museum of Natural History with the desire to take over the world. Kahmunrah’s motives are evident throughout the film; he wants to use the magical tablet to bring his army of ancient warriors to life and conquer the world.
In addition to Kahmunrah, the film introduces new characters, such as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, who join forces with Kahmunrah to achieve their goals. The film’s plot is woven around the theme of adventure and action, and the audience is taken on a thrilling journey through history. Although the film is not an official production, it has gained popularity among fans of the original Night at the Museum movies. Kahmunrah Rises Again is a unique addition to the franchise and provides an entertaining take on what could happen if the magical tablet were to fall into the wrong hands.
The Chronological Order of the Night at the Museum Series
In the previous subtopic, we discussed the third installment of the Night at the Museum series, ‘Secret of the Lost Tomb.’ This movie was released in 2014 and followed the adventures of Larry Daley as he tried to save the magic tablet that brought the exhibits to life. However, before delving deeper into the plot of this movie, it is essential to understand the chronological order of the Night at the Museum series.
The Night at the Museum franchise consists of three movies, released in 2006, 2009, and 2014, respectively. The series follows the evolution of characters such as Larry Daley, played by Ben Stiller, and the exhibits that come to life at night. The movies have significantly impacted pop culture and are known for their unique concept and entertaining cast.
The first movie was a box office success, grossing over $574 million worldwide, and has since become a popular family movie. The subsequent sequels also performed well at the box office and continued to showcase the adventures of Larry Daley and his friends. The Night at the Museum series has become a household name and has undoubtedly left a mark on pop culture.
Exploring the Night at the Museum Spin-Offs
One noteworthy aspect of the Night at the Museum franchise is the emergence of spin-off content that has expanded the series’ universe beyond the original films. These spin-offs have provided viewers with new and exciting adventures while allowing for exploring characters and storylines not fully developed in the original films. One such spin-off is the animated series Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, which follows the adventures of a group of young friends who discover the magic of the museum and embark on thrilling escapades.
Another example of a Night at the Museum spin-off is the video game Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, which allows players to take on the role of film characters and engage in battles against various historical figures. These spin-offs have significantly impacted pop culture, as they have introduced new audiences to the Night at the Museum franchise and kept the series relevant in a constantly evolving entertainment landscape. Overall, the emergence of spin-off content has provided fans with new ways to experience the magic of the Night at the Museum universe and has helped to solidify the franchise’s place as a beloved and enduring part of popular culture.
Conclusion
The Night at the Museum franchise consists of five movies, the first being the original Night at the Museum, released in 2006. This film follows the story of a security guard at the Museum of Natural History who discovers that the exhibits come to life at night. The next two films, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), continue the adventures of the guard and his museum friends.
In addition to the main trilogy, there are two Night at the Museum spin-offs. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2016) is a fan-made film that follows the villainous Pharaoh Kahmunrah as he returns to seek revenge. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Lost Tomb (2017) is a mobile game in the same universe as the films.
Overall, the Night at the Museum franchise has entertained audiences with its unique concept and lovable characters. While the series may have concluded with Secret of the Tomb, fans can still enjoy the spin-offs and revisit the magical world of the museum exhibits coming to life after hours.
