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Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum is a 2006 American fantasy comedy film directed by Shawn Levy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Night at the Museum is a 2006 American fantasy comedy film directed by Shawn Levy. It follows Larry Daley, a night security guard at New York’s American Museum of Natural History who discovers that the museum’s exhibits come to life after dark.

Premise

The film centres on Larry Daley, a divorced father who takes a night watchman job at a museum and discovers that the exhibits become animated after closing time. The plot combines historical figures, museum displays, and comic adventure.

Production

Night at the Museum was directed by Shawn Levy and written by Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon. It was produced by 20th Century Fox and adapted loosely from Milan Trenc’s children’s book.

Release and reception

The film premiered in theatres in December 2006 and became a box-office success. Sources describe it as a family-friendly comedy with strong mainstream appeal.

Franchise

The film’s success led to sequels, including Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. It also expanded the property into additional media and attractions.

Key facts

  • The film is based on Milan Trenc’s 1993 children’s book The Night at the Museum.
  • Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, the museum’s new night watchman.
  • The museum exhibits come to life at night because of an ancient Egyptian curse or magical artifact.
  • The film was a commercial success and led to sequels.
  • It helped launch a larger franchise that included theatrical sequels and other media.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally, including in Canada, and became part of a globally recognisable family-film franchise familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Night at the Museum about?
It follows a new night guard at a natural history museum who discovers that the exhibits come to life after dark.
Who directed Night at the Museum?
Shawn Levy directed the film.
Who stars in Night at the Museum?
Ben Stiller leads the cast, alongside Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, and Robin Williams.
What is Night at the Museum based on?
It is based on Milan Trenc’s 1993 children’s book The Night at the Museum.
When was Night at the Museum released?
It was released in theatres on December 22, 2006.
Did Night at the Museum have sequels?
Yes. It was followed by two sequels: Battle of the Smithsonian and Secret of the Tomb.

References

  1. Facts.net — https://facts.net/movie/32-facts-about-the-movie-night-at-the-museum/
    Supports: 2006 release year, premise, director, source book, commercial success, sequels
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477347/
    Supports: Plot premise, main character, museum setting, supporting guard characters
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_at_the_museum
    Supports: Director, genre, release date, cast, studio, rating, premise
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/night-at-the-museum
    Supports: Release date, cast, director, studio, runtime, rating, family-oriented synopsis