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How to Watch the Night at the Museum Movies in Order

Watch the four Night at the Museum films in release order: the original Ben Stiller trilogy from 2006, 2009 and 2014, followed by the 2022 animated sequel led by Nick Daley.
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Watch the Night at the Museum movies in release order: Night at the Museum (2006), Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Secret of the Tomb (2014), and the animated Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022). The first three are Ben Stiller’s live-action trilogy; the fourth follows Larry Daley’s son, Nick.

Watch the Night at the Museum movies in release order:

  1. Night at the Museum (2006)
  2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
  3. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
  4. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)

The first three films form the original live-action trilogy, with Ben Stiller playing night watchman Larry Daley. The fourth is an animated continuation led by Larry’s son, Nick Daley.

1. Night at the Museum (2006)

The franchise begins when Larry Daley takes a job as a night watchman at New York’s Museum of Natural History. After sunset, an ancient Egyptian tablet causes the exhibits to come alive, turning what Larry expects to be a quiet security job into a nightly struggle involving dinosaurs, historical figures, animals and a rapidly expanding group of animated museum displays.

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Released on December 22, 2006, the film is rated PG. It establishes the tablet’s rules, Larry’s relationship with the exhibits and the basic premise that the later films continue.

2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

The second movie follows Larry beyond the Museum of Natural History. His museum friends are moved to the Smithsonian Institution, where the tablet’s magic brings a much larger collection of historical figures and exhibits to life.

Larry returns to help his friends when they become involved with the Smithsonian archives. Watching the 2006 film first is useful because the sequel assumes you already understand Larry’s role and his connection with the animated exhibits. Battle of the Smithsonian was released on May 22, 2009.

3. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

In the third live-action film, Larry and his friends travel to London in an attempt to preserve the magic that brings the exhibits to life. The story expands the mythology surrounding the tablet while returning to the relationships established in the first two movies.

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Secret of the Tomb was released on December 19, 2014. It is presented as the final live-action adventure, so it is the natural ending point for viewers who specifically want Larry Daley’s original Ben Stiller-led story.

4. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)

Kahmunrah Rises Again is an animated follow-up, not a fourth live-action film. The focus shifts to Nick Daley, Larry’s son, as he follows his father into the role of night watchman and faces the return of the villain Kahmunrah.

Disney describes the film as an animated adventure based on the franchise. It debuted exclusively on Disney+ on December 9, 2022. Because it changes both the format and the principal character, it works best as an additional chapter after the original trilogy rather than as an essential part of the live-action arc.

Do you have to watch the fourth movie?

Not if you only want the original live-action trilogy. You can stop after Secret of the Tomb, which completes Larry Daley’s live-action adventure.

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Watch Kahmunrah Rises Again afterward if you want the complete film franchise, are watching with younger viewers or would like to see the museum premise continue with Nick as the lead. It should be watched last because it follows the three live-action films and shifts the story to a new generation.

Where to watch the Night at the Museum movies in the U.S.

U.S. availability note: The latest listings used for this guide show all four films on Disney+, but streaming catalogs can change by date and region. Check each title page or current streaming availability before starting a marathon.

The live-action films may also have separate rental, purchase or disc options. For example, current U.S. listings identify digital storefront routes for some titles, and Battle of the Smithsonian has been listed with a free-with-ads option on The Roku Channel. Those options can change independently from subscription streaming availability.

If you want to own the live-action movies rather than depend on changing streaming licenses, look for the Night at the Museum Blu-ray or DVD releases. Check the exact product listing before buying: prices, sellers, stock, editions and whether a release includes bonus material or multiple films vary. Do not assume that every disc listing contains all four movies or the 2022 animated film.

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Best way to plan a marathon

  1. Start with the 2006 original. It introduces the tablet, Larry and the museum’s living exhibits.
  2. Continue with Battle of the Smithsonian. The second film broadens the setting while continuing the original characters.
  3. Finish the live-action story with Secret of the Tomb. This is the stopping point for Larry’s trilogy.
  4. Add Kahmunrah Rises Again last. It is animated and passes the night-watchman role to Nick.

This order is preferable to starting with the 2022 film because the animated sequel assumes familiarity with the franchise’s central premise and its earlier characters. It also preserves the progression from Larry’s first night at the museum to the conclusion of his live-action story, followed by Nick’s new adventure.

At a glance

Order Film Year Format and lead
1 Night at the Museum 2006 Live action; Larry Daley
2 Battle of the Smithsonian 2009 Live action; Larry Daley
3 Secret of the Tomb 2014 Live action; Larry Daley
4 Kahmunrah Rises Again 2022 Animated; Nick Daley

Sources and availability caution

Release information and franchise descriptions are based on official 20th Century Studios pages for the three live-action films and official Disney materials for Kahmunrah Rises Again. U.S. streaming, rental, purchase and disc information is based on current availability listings consulted for this guide. Because licensing and retail inventory are volatile, verify availability in your country immediately before watching or purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to watch Kahmunrah Rises Again?

No. The first three movies are the complete live-action trilogy and conclude Larry Daley’s story. The 2022 animated film is an optional continuation centered on his son, Nick.

What is the correct order for the Night at the Museum movies?

The recommended order is Night at the Museum (2006), Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Secret of the Tomb (2014), and Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022).

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Where can I watch the Night at the Museum movies?

The latest U.S. listings used for this guide show the four films on Disney+, although availability can change. The live-action films may also be available to rent, buy or purchase on disc, depending on the title and region.

The Bottom Line

The simplest answer: watch Night at the Museum (2006), Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Secret of the Tomb (2014), then the animated Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022). Stop after the third film if you only want Larry Daley’s live-action trilogy.

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