Night At The Museum Movies in Order: Ever wondered what happens when history literally comes alive after dark? The Night at the Museum franchise has captivated audiences with its blend of fantasy, comedy, and heartwarming adventures. Starring Ben Stiller as the hapless night guard Larry Daley, this series turns museums into magical playgrounds where exhibits spring to life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or introducing the films to a new generation, watching the Night at the Museum movies in order is the best way to follow the story’s progression. Luckily, the chronological order aligns perfectly with the release order, making it easy to dive in. In this guide, we’ll cover the full timeline, plot summaries, cast highlights, trivia, and more—plus updates on what’s next for the series in 2025.
For a quick reference, here’s the Night at the Museum movies in order:
- Night at the Museum (2006)
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
- Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)
Also Read: Hotel Transylvania Movies in Order
How to Watch Night At The Museum Movies in Chronological Order
The franchise unfolds in a linear fashion, with each film building on the events of the previous one. Starting with Larry’s first chaotic night shift, the story expands to new locations and deeper lore about the magical Tablet of Ahkmenrah. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each entry in the Night at the Museum series order.
1. Night at the Museum (2006)
Released in 2006 and directed by Shawn Levy, this film kicks off the franchise with a bang. Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), a down-on-his-luck divorced dad, lands a job as a night security guard at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. What seems like a simple gig turns into an epic adventure when an ancient Egyptian tablet brings the exhibits to life after sunset. From a playful T-Rex skeleton to miniature cowboys and Romans, Larry must wrangle the chaos to keep his job—and protect the museum’s secrets.
This movie introduces the core concept of the magical tablet and sets up recurring characters like the wise Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams) and the mischievous monkey Dexter. It fits as the starting point in the chronological order of Night at the Museum films, establishing the rules of the animated world and Larry’s growth from skeptic to hero.
- Key Cast: Ben Stiller as Larry Daley, Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wilson as Jedediah, Steve Coogan as Octavius, Ricky Gervais as Dr. McPhee, Patrick Gallagher as Attila the Hun, Mizuo Peck as Sacagawea, Rami Malek as Ahkmenrah, Dick Van Dyke as Cecil Fredericks, Mickey Rooney as Gus, and Bill Cobbs as Reginald.
- Fun Trivia: The film’s idea stems from a 1993 children’s book by Milan Trenc. Filming took place at a real museum set built in Vancouver, and the T-Rex effects were inspired by Jurassic Park. It grossed over $574 million worldwide, proving family-friendly fantasy was a hit.
- Where to Watch: Stream on Disney+ or Hulu. Also available for purchase on Amazon Video or Apple TV.
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Directed again by Shawn Levy and released in 2009, this sequel picks up three years after the original. Many exhibits from the New York museum are shipped to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., for storage. When Dexter steals the tablet, Larry infiltrates the massive complex to retrieve it from the clutches of Ahkmenrah’s evil brother, Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria). Joined by old friends and new allies like Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), Larry faces off against historical villains in a battle for the ages.
Building on the first film’s events, this entry expands the universe by introducing more historical figures and larger-scale antics, like a living Abraham Lincoln statue. It’s a natural progression in the Night at the Museum movies in order, heightening the stakes while keeping the humor intact.
- Key Cast: Ben Stiller returns as Larry, with Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wilson as Jedediah, Steve Coogan as Octavius, Hank Azaria as Kahmunrah, Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart, Christopher Guest as Ivan the Terrible, Alain Chabat as Napoleon Bonaparte, Jon Bernthal as Al Capone, and Bill Hader as George Armstrong Custer.
- Fun Trivia: The Smithsonian allowed filming on location, a rare privilege. The Jonas Brothers voiced the cherub statues, adding a pop culture twist. It earned $413 million at the box office, solidifying the franchise’s popularity.
- Where to Watch: Available on Disney+ and Hulu. Rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video.
3. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
Shawn Levy directs this 2014 installment, set five years after the Smithsonian adventure. The tablet’s magic is fading, causing the exhibits to malfunction. Larry, now with his teenage son Nick (Skyler Gisondo), travels to the British Museum in London with favorites like Teddy, Sacagawea, Jedediah, Octavius, Dexter, Attila, and a new caveman named Laaa (also played by Stiller). They seek help from Ahkmenrah’s parents and the quirky Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) to restore the tablet before dawn.
This film deepens the lore by exploring the tablet’s origins and delivers emotional moments, especially as a tribute to Robin Williams in his final on-screen role. In the chronological timeline, it serves as a fitting climax to the live-action trilogy, wrapping up character arcs while introducing international flair.
- Key Cast: Ben Stiller as Larry Daley/Laaa, Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wilson as Jedediah, Steve Coogan as Octavius, Ricky Gervais as Dr. McPhee, Skyler Gisondo as Nick Daley, Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot, Rebel Wilson as Tilly, Ben Kingsley as Merenkahre, and Mizuo Peck as Sacagawea.
- Fun Trivia: This was Robin Williams’ last live-action film before his passing, and it includes a poignant dedication. Hugh Jackman and Alice Eve make uncredited cameos as themselves. The movie grossed $363 million globally.
- Where to Watch: Stream on Disney+ or Hulu. Available for digital purchase on Apple TV or Amazon.
4. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)
Shifting to animation, this 2022 film directed by Matt Danner focuses on Nick Daley (voiced by Joshua Bassett), Larry’s son, as he becomes the new night guard. Struggling with self-doubt, Nick must stop the resurrected Kahmunrah from unleashing the Egyptian underworld. Teaming up with Teddy, Sacagawea, Attila, Laaa, and newcomer Joan of Arc (Alice Isaaz), Nick embarks on a comedic quest to save the world.
As the latest in the Night at the Museum series order, it passes the torch to Nick while revisiting familiar elements. The animated format allows for more exaggerated action, making it a fun extension of the timeline.
- Key Cast: Joshua Bassett as Nick Daley, Thomas Lennon as Theodore Roosevelt, Joseph Kamal as Kahmunrah, Akmal Saleh as Seth, Steve Zahn as Jedediah, Jack Whitehall as Octavius, Kieran Sequoia as Sacagawea, Alice Isaaz as Joan of Arc, and Zachary Levi as Larry Daley/Laaa (voice).
- Fun Trivia: This is the first animated entry, produced by Disney after acquiring 20th Century Fox. It nods to the originals with recast voices and earned a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest in the series.
- Where to Watch: Exclusively on Disney+.
How many Night at the Museum movies are there?
Based on the 1993 children’s book The Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc, Night at the Museum film series consists of a total of Four (4) movies, begins with Night at the Museum in 2006, followed by three sequels Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), and Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022).
All Night At The Museum Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the Night at the Museum movie series, in the order, they were released.
1. Night at the Museum — December 22, 2006
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian — May 22, 2009
3. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb — December 19, 2014
4. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again — December 9, 2022
Why Watch the Night at the Museum Movies in Chronological Order?
Viewing the Night at the Museum films in order enhances the experience by tracking character development, like Larry’s evolution from novice to mentor and Nick’s coming-of-age. It ensures you catch references to past events, such as the tablet’s history or recurring villains like Kahmunrah. Plus, it builds emotional investment, especially in heartfelt moments involving Teddy Roosevelt. For families, this order keeps the story coherent and engaging, turning a movie night into a full adventure series.
Will there be a 5 Night at the Museum?
In July 2025, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed a new live-action Night at the Museum film is in development at 21 Laps Entertainment, produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Emily Morris. Scripted by Tripper Clancy, it promises a fresh story with new characters and historical figures, potentially rebooting the franchise. Thomas Lennon has expressed interest in another live-action outing with Ben Stiller, and the animated film opens doors for more possibilities. As of October 2025, plot details are under wraps, but it could revive the magic for a new era. Stay tuned for updates!
Night at the Museum Film Series Movies Box Office
The “Night at the Museum” film series, which consists of three movies, performed well at the box office. Here are the approximate worldwide box office earnings for each film in the series:
|
Title
|
U.S. release date
|
Budget
|
Box office gross | |||
| Opening weekend (North America) |
North America | Other territories | Worldwide | |||
| Night at the Museum | December 22, 2006 | $110 million | $30,433,781 | $250,863,268 | $323,617,961 | $574,481,229 |
| Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian |
May 22, 2009 | $150 million | $54,173,286 | $177,243,721 | $235,862,449 | $413,106,170 |
| Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb |
December 19, 2014 | $127 million | $17,100,520 | $113,746,621 | $249,458,014 | $363,204,635 |
| Total | $387 million | $101,707,587 | $541,853,610 | $808,938,424 | $1,350,792,034 | |
Please note that these figures are approximate and can vary slightly depending on the source.
FAQ’s About Night at the Museum Film Series
What is the correct order to watch Night at the Museum movies?
The best way is chronological/release order: Night at the Museum (2006), Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Secret of the Tomb (2014), and Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022).
Is Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again a sequel?
Yes, it continues the story with Nick Daley as the lead, though it’s animated and recasts some voices.
Are there any Night at the Museum spin-offs?
There’s a 2009 video game based on the second film and a stage musical in development since 2020.
How many Night at the Museum movies are there?
Four so far, with a new live-action reboot in the works for potential release post-2025.
Does the chronological order differ from release order?
No, they match perfectly, making it straightforward for viewers.
Is the new Night at the Museum movie a reboot or sequel?
It’s described as a reboot with new characters, produced by Shawn Levy’s team.
Where can I find more about the Night at the Museum series?
Check IMDb for cast details or Wikipedia for franchise history.
Conclusion:
Watching Night at the Museum movies in chronological order, gives you Four times hilarious comedy-adventure, of kindhearted dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is hired as the night guard for the Museum of Natural History, where all the exhibits come to life — and wreak total havoc — after the sun sets. Luckily, chronologically and by release date are the same. The order in which you do these things is up to you now. But when we watch it, we prefer to do so in order.
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