Every Night at the Museum Title (and Where to Watch Them), Ranked
The Night at the Museum franchise is a series of four wondrous fantasy films that tout a star-studded cast led by Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, and Dick Van Dyke, centering on security guard Larry Daley as he discovers the exhibits at the Museum of Natural History come to life at night. Stiller’s character Larry finds himself in an array of hilarious misadventures over the course of the original trilogy, with the fourth and now animated Night at the Museum installment shifting its focus to Larry’s son Nick as he takes over for his father.
While the series was never a slam dunk with critics, audiences couldn’t get enough of the hapless night watchman and enjoyed seeing history’s most famous figures be portrayed by Hollywood’s brightest actors. Jam-packed full of lively humor, top-notch special effects, and endearing performances, the Night at the Museum franchise is a rip-roaring good time. Let’s take a look at each of the installments and where you can watch them.
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Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
20th Century Fox
Ben Stiller reprised his role as earnest security guard Larry Daley in the 2009 fantasy comedy Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, the highly-anticipated follow-up to the original hit that follows Larry as he fights to save his magical pals from some of history’s most infamous villains after the exhibits are transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. When the former night guard for the Museum of Natural History learns that notorious figures like Al Capone, Ivan the Terrible, and Napoleon Bonaparte are plotting to take over the world with the help of the enchanted tablet, Larry races against time to stop them and save his friends.
The sequel was a knockout with moviegoers, earning over $413 million despite receiving a mixed response from critics. Fan favorites from the original also returned including Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, and Steve Coogan, along with newcomers Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as Kahmunrah, and Jon Bernthal as Capone. The performances of Adams and Azaria were also singled out as some of the sequel’s finest.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is currently available on Starz or you can buy/rent it on Amazon Prime and Vudu.
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Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again
Disney+
Serving as the fourth installment in the spellbinding franchise, 2022’s Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is the first animated film of the series and introduces a completely new voice cast, with the premise shifting its focus to Larry Daley’s son Nick as he takes over duties as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History. Starring the vocal talents of Joshua Bassett, Zachary Levi, Steve Zahn, and Jack Whitehall, the film follows Nick as he attempts to recapture the devious Kahmunrah, who has escaped his confinements and wants to gain complete power with the help of the sacred tablet.
Related: Why Night at The Museum Should Get a TV Series
While none of the previous stars returned for the animated installment, Kahmunrah Rises Again still went on to become the highest-rated movie of the franchise and successfully targeted a younger demographic via its light-hearted humor and fun animation. However, some viewers felt the sequel lacked the heart and magic of the previous films without the performers they know and love.
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is free to watch on Disney+.
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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
20th Century Fox
The lovable band of magical misfits returned once again with 2014’s Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, this time shaking up its locale by sending Larry to London as he races against time to fix the enchanted tablet that has begun to deteriorate and lose its all-important power. Without the assistance of the sacred book, Larry’s historical museum friends will lose their ability to come to life at night and he must help save the crucial magic before it’s too late. While Larry is joined on his vital mission with pals like Theodore Roosevelt, Jedediah, Octavius, and Sacagawea, he also meets new famous faces including Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) and the mummy Merenkahre (Ben Kingsley).
The star-studded third installment marks the completion of the original trilogy and its dynamic cast, and it also features the final performances of Robin Williams and Mickey Rourke, who both passed away before the film’s release. Secret of the Tomb once again delivers the fun and excitement of its predecessors while letting the wholesome gang go out with a thrilling bang.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is currently available on Disney+ and HBO Max.
Related: These Are Robin Williams’ Best Performances, Ranked
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Night at the Museum
20th Century Fox
Shawn Levy directed the captivating 2006 film that kicked off the lucrative and celebrated franchise with Night at the Museum, in which the always hilarious Ben Stiller portrays divorced father Larry Daley, who is hired to be the night guard at the Museum of Natural History in an effort to demonstrate stability and responsibility to his young ten-year-old son Nick. Larry is notorious for hopping from one job to the next without ever fully committing, so he sets out to prove to both his child and his ex-wife that he can be a good example.
The determined dad quickly realizes he might have bitten off more than he can chew when he makes the extraordinary realization that all the exhibits come to life at night, making his seemingly simple job all the more complicated (and wildly entertaining). Night at the Museum was a massive success with audiences, grossing over half a billion dollars and an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers; the The Washington Post wrote, “It’s a fun ride, and the big payoff — that history turns out to be way cooler than its reputation suggests — is even more gratifying.”
You can watch Night at the Museum on Disney+.
