Chronological Order of Night At The Museum Movies & Streaming Availability

Engaging with the Night at the Museum film series can create a delightful experience for viewers of all ages. Its interplay of magical elements and comedic performances from renowned actors draws in those who appreciate museums and whimsical storytelling. Although Ben Stiller’s family-oriented films have had varied success, his ability to create magic when he hits the mark cannot be understated. Despite several shortcomings within the Night at the Museum franchise, its creative foundation is rich enough to inspire numerous entertaining ideas.

The central concept of a night watchman at the American Museum of Natural History offers a fantastical backdrop, allowing for any narrative missteps to be easily overlooked in favor of the whimsical enjoyment that characterizes the series. The franchise has proven to be financially successful, with the first three films generating a remarkable $1.35 billion at the box office (as reported by BoxOfficeMojo).While none of the films, save for the latest animated feature, receive high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, they have undeniably woven themselves into the fabric of family film culture, setting the stage for future installments.

The Night At The Museum Movies & TV Shows In Order (& Where To Watch)

The Night At The Museum Movies Are Available On Disney+

Various characters from Night at the Museum

If you’re interested in experiencing the Night at the Museum movies in sequence, it’s convenient to note that their release dates reflect their chronological order. The original film, Night at the Museum, follows Larry Daley (played by Stiller) as he discovers that the museum’s exhibits come alive after dark. Its sequel, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, occurs three years later, showing Larry’s return to the magical world as he confronts the removal of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah during a move to the Smithsonian.

The third installment, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, jumps five years ahead, with Larry heading to London to avert a curse that could eradicate the Tablet’s power. The latest release, Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, serves as an animated sequel to its predecessor and introduces Nick Daley (voiced by Joshua Bassett), who steps into his father’s shoes as a night guard at the American Museum of Natural History.

Originally produced by 21st Century Fox, the first three films transitioned under Disney following the corporation’s acquisition in 2019. Today, all installments are accessible for streaming on Disney+, ensuring their availability for audiences.

Night At The Museum Movies
Title	Release Date
Night at the Museum	December 17, 2006
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian	May 22, 2009
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb	December 11, 2014
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again	December 9, 2022

This exciting development means that every installment of Night at the Museum is currently available for streaming on Disney+, with no plans to remove them anytime soon. Disney+ offers various subscription options: the Duo Basic plan at $10.99/month and the Duo Premium plan at $19.99/month, both of which include Hulu. The primary distinction is that the Premium option features ad-free viewing and download capabilities.

Night At The Museum (2006)

The Film That Launched the Franchise

Larry Daley and T-Rex in Night at the Museum

The inaugural film premiered in December 2006, introducing several central characters who would become iconic within the franchise, including Larry, Cecil Fredericks (Dick Van Dyke), Reginald (Bill Cobbs), Nicholas Daley (Jake Cherry), Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais), and Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams), among others. The success of Night at the Museum can be quantified through its box office earnings of $574 million, even though it holds a modest 42% on Rotten Tomatoes (via BoxOfficeMojo).Kids, in particular, are sure to adore the film, while adults who can overlook the less polished special effects may find themselves enjoying the whimsicality it offers.

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (2009)

Amy Adams’ Performance Shines in the Sequel

Rami Malek and Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum

Debuting in May 2009, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian achieved a box office return of $413 million and garnered a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (via BoxOfficeMojo).The sequel sees Larry travel to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D. C., where he must protect beloved exhibits from Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), Ahkmenrah’s nefarious sibling intent on world domination through the Tablet’s power.

Amy Adams portrays Amelia Earhart, infusing the film with her charisma that elevates it beyond the slapstick moments that sometimes miss their mark. Returning cast members join Adams, alongside new additions like Christopher Guest as Ivan the Terrible and Jon Bernthal as Al Capone.

Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (2014)

The Final Chapter with the Original Cast

The cast of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Premiering in December 2014, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb holds a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and tallied $363 million in box office receipts (via BoxOfficeMojo).This third entry leads Larry to London, where he must restore the Tablet of Ahkmenrah to revive its power, allowing the exhibits to continue their nightly escapades.

This film marks a solemn moment as it pays tribute to Mickey Rooney, who passed away prior to its release. Additionally, the project holds emotional weight due to the passing of Robin Williams, creating a nostalgic, bittersweet atmosphere as it symbolizes the conclusion of an era within the franchise.

Night At The Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)

The Franchise’s First Fully Animated Feature

Nick Daley with the T-Rex skeleton in Kahmunrah Rises Again

Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again made its debut on Disney+ in December 2022 as the franchise’s inaugural animated offering. The story takes place after Secret of the Tomb and follows Nick Daley (voiced by Joshua Bassett) as he assumes his father’s night guard role with Pharaoh Kahmunrah seeking vengeance against the Daley lineage. This animated film has garnered a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing the franchise’s ability to adapt and innovate.

The Future Of The Night At The Museum Franchise

Prospective New Animated Installments

A memorable moment with Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum

Although specific details regarding the next Night at the Museum film remain unconfirmed, co-writer Thomas Lennon has hinted at exciting possibilities for future installments (via ComicBook).He shared his enthusiasm for the recent animated release and its potential to expand the franchise in new directions:

“The new Disney+ [movie] is also really funny.[It’s] really great. It opens up a lot of new possibilities for it. I’m a pretty big Night at the Museum fan.”

While details about a fifth film remain scarce, there’s a strong likelihood for further developments, especially given the animated format’s flexibility within Disney+.As long as interest persists, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more adventures unfold in the captivating Night at the Museum universe, ideally maintaining a chronological coherence in viewing order.

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