Was Night at the Museum Filmed at the Museum of Natural History?

Have you ever wondered if the famous movie “Night at the Museum” was actually filmed in the Museum of Natural History? Well, you’re not alone.

The 2006 comedy movie starring Ben Stiller has captured the hearts of many viewers, leaving them curious about where the film was shot. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into whether or not the movie was filmed at the Museum of Natural History.

The Plot of Night at the Museum

Before we dive into the filming location, let’s take a brief look at what “Night at the Museum” is all about. The movie revolves around Larry Daley, a divorced father who takes up a job as a night security guard in a museum. He soon realizes that everything in the museum comes to life at night due to an ancient Egyptian artifact that brings all exhibits to life.

Location Scouting for Night at the Museum

The filmmakers were looking for a natural history museum with expansive exhibit halls and an iconic entrance. After scouting various museums across America and Canada, they finally settled on filming at two locations: The American Museum of Natural History in New York City and The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.

The American Museum of Natural History

The majority of “Night at the Museum” was filmed on location in New York City’s American Museum of Natural History. The museum has an extensive collection of exhibits ranging from prehistoric creatures to cultural artifacts from around the world. Some notable scenes from the movie include:

  • Theodore Roosevelt (played by Robin Williams) riding on horseback through one of the museum’s halls.
  • The T-Rex skeleton coming to life and chasing Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller).
  • A scene with Attila the Hun (played by Patrick Gallagher) taking over one of the museum’s exhibits.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Although most of the movie was filmed in New York, some scenes were shot in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D. In one scene, Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller) runs through the museum’s rotunda, which is home to the iconic Hope Diamond.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Night at the Museum” was indeed filmed at two natural history museums: The American Museum of Natural History in New York City and The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D. These locations provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s plot and allowed viewers to experience the magic of a museum coming to life at night.

So, if you’re ever in New York or Washington D., make sure to visit these museums and relive some of your favorite moments from “Night at the Museum.”