Night at the Museum is a popular movie that showcases the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The movie revolves around the character of Larry Daley, played by Ben Stiller, who becomes a night guard at the museum only to discover that all the exhibits come alive at night.
Many people have wondered whether the movie was actually filmed at the Museum of Natural History. Well, the answer is yes and no. While some parts of the movie were filmed inside the museum, many scenes were filmed on a set built to replicate various parts of the museum.
Scenes Filmed Inside The Museum
Several key scenes in Night at the Museum were shot inside the American Museum of Natural History. The most recognizable location is probably Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, which features prominently in several scenes, including when Larry Daley first arrives for his job interview. Also filmed inside were Hall of Ocean Life and Hall of African Mammals.
Scenes Filmed Outside The Museum
Several outdoor scenes in Night at the Museum take place outside on Central Park West, just in front of the museum’s main entrance. These include scenes where Larry Daley pulls up to begin his first night as a security guard and where he meets Rebecca Hutman outside before heading into work.
Scenes Filmed On A Set
Many other parts of Night at the Museum were constructed on a set built to replicate various parts of the museum. These included replicas of Hall of Miniature Mammals and Hall of Ancient Egypt.
The set was built in Vancouver, Canada and was designed to look like it was part of New York City’s Central Park and American Museum of Natural History. It took almost three months to construct this elaborate set that included 45-foot-tall trees made out of steel frames with foam leaves and more than 80 taxidermy animals including elephants, giraffes, lions, camels, and monkeys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Night at the Museum was not entirely filmed inside the American Museum of Natural History, it did feature several iconic locations within the museum. The set built to replicate various parts of the museum was so well done that it’s hard to tell which scenes were filmed on location and which were shot on a set.
Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just curious about the filming locations, there’s no denying that Night at the Museum has helped to bring attention to this magnificent museum and its amazing exhibits.