Night at the Museum movies in order Night at the Museum Marathon
Page Last Modified:
4 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb - 2014
Total Runtime:
311 Minutes
Total Items:
3
Average User Score:
(6.3)Night at the Museum movies in order
Sometimes, you just crave a movie night that feels like a rollercoaster ride. Enter the Night at the Museum movie marathon. This family fantasy-comedy franchise blends slapstick with history, magic with miniature cowboys, and Ben Stiller with a hyperactive monkey. Naturally, once you start, you'll want to watch them in the correct order, especially with a magical tablet that brings everything to life. No worries we've got the perfect sequence lined up for you, along with what to expect from each film, spoiler-free. So, grab your popcorn, gather your friends on the couch, and let the first film begin... now.
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1
Night at the Museum Movie 108 min. 2006Chaos reigns at the natural history museum when night watchman Larry Daley accidentally stirs up an ancient curse, awakening Attila the Hun, an army of gladiators, a Tyrannosaurus rex and other exhibits.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Movie 105 min. 2009Hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley must help his living, breathing exhibit friends out of a pickle now that they've been transferred to the archives at the Smithsonian Institution. Larry's (mis)adventures this time include close encounters with Amelia Earhart, Abe Lincoln and Ivan the Terrible.USER SCORE 6 -
3
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Movie 98 min. 2014When the magic powers of The Tablet of Ahkmenrah begin to die out, Larry Daley spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.USER SCORE 6
Night at the Museum (2006)
The first film in the Night at the Museum franchise is your gateway into this magical, chaotic world where history comes alive as soon as the sun sets. Directed by Shawn Levy, it offers a perfect mix of comedy, adventure, and heart. We meet Ben Stiller as Larry Daley, a well-meaning but somewhat lost father who lands a night job at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Sounds dull? Think again. As night falls, the entire museum literally springs to life.
With Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt, Owen Wilson as Jedediah, and Steve Coogan as Octavius, their miniature rivalry is pure gold. This film sets the tone for everything that follows. The magical tablet of Ahkmenrah is introduced as the artifact that sets everything in motion, and trust us, it will cause plenty of chaos. Also, Crystal the Monkey as Dexter steals every scene he's in. It's the perfect first film to set the stage for your binge.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Your marathon continues with a significant scale-up. Goodbye New York, hello Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. This sequel cranks everything up a notch: more action, more characters, and a new museum filled with historical figures that awaken once it gets dark. After the events of the first film, the magical adventure shifts to an even larger setting, with more moving parts in the story.
Enter Hank Azaria as Kahmunrah, a delightfully over-the-top villain with a flair for drama. And then there's Amelia Earhart. Jedediah and Octavius gain real momentum here, and the whole vibe is a bit more slapstick meets adventure. It's the perfect second film because it picks up right where the last one left off, making everything just a bit more epic.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
The trilogy concludes with a journey to London, where the magic of the tablet begins to falter, leading to museum chaos in a new location. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb takes the story to the British Museum, providing the franchise with a worthy, emotional, and hilarious finale.
Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot adds a hefty dose of Arthurian knightly energy (and yes, his scenes are wonderfully over-the-top), while Rebel Wilson as Tilly injects British humor. But this film is also about closure: Larry's father-son story arc gains depth, and there's a surprisingly tender edge to this final night. Fans of Robin Williams' Teddy Roosevelt will especially appreciate this film. Without giving away spoilers, his scenes here are iconic and moving.
It's a worthy conclusion that honors not just the magic but also the characters and the journey you've taken with them. Bonus points for the miniature cowboy and Roman who deliver one of the funniest and most heroic moments of the series.
Why This Order Works
You might wonder, "Can I watch these films individually?" Sure, but trust us, in this order, they feel like one long, magical night filled with historical chaos and unexpected friendships. The Night at the Museum timeline is refreshingly straightforward: watch them in release order, and you'll get the whole story as intended.
The fun of this marathon is that you're not just watching a live-action fantasy; you're also getting a sneaky history lesson, wrapped in family-friendly blockbuster vibes. From the American Museum of Natural History to the British Museum, it feels like a world tour through time, with Ben Stiller's Larry Daley as your guide and best friend, just as bewildered as you are.
Tips for Your Night at the Museum Binge
Plan your marathon on a rainy Saturday or a lazy Sunday. Start around late afternoon; the first film is the perfect kickstarter around 5 PM. Take a dinner break after the second film (think pizza or burritos) and finish the trilogy with snacks and blankets. Bonus: set up a trivia game with your friends and see who knows the most about Carla Gugino's Rebecca, Attila the Hun, or the journey of the magic tablet.
And if you really want to go all-in, check if your local museum has a night opening who knows, something might come to life or make it a themed night with outfits like Jedediah and Octavius. Anything for the atmosphere.
Conclusion
The Night at the Museum franchise is a rare blend of humor, adventure, and pure fantasy. Thanks to Shawn Levy's direction and a cast fully committed to the absurdity of the concept, it feels like you're walking through the museum yourself. The magic lies not only in the spectacle but also in the small, human moments, Larry's struggle as a father, the unexpected friendships, and yes, even the battles between miniature heroes.
So, if you're looking for a binge night with heart, humor, and a hefty dose of history coming to life, this is your perfect marathon. All you need to do is dim the lights, set up the snacks, and hit play on the first film. The magic will take care of itself.