The Night at the Museum movies in order are Night at the Museum (2006), Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Secret of the Tomb (2014), and the animated Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022). Watch them in release order: the first three follow Larry Daley, while the fourth passes the night-watchman role to his son, Nick.
Key takeaways
- The recommended Night at the Museum movies in order is release order: 2006, 2009, 2014, then 2022.
- The first three films are live-action stories led by Larry Daley; the 2022 film is an animated continuation led by Larry’s son, Nick Daley.
- Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is part of the franchise, but it is not a fourth live-action sequel.
- In the United States, Disney+ was the single service listing all four films in the latest cited checks from July 27–28, 2026.
- Streaming catalogs change by country and over time, so availability should be treated as current information rather than a permanent guarantee.
What order should I watch the Night at the Museum movies?
The best Night at the Museum movies in order is release order: start with the 2006 original, continue with the two live-action sequels from 2009 and 2014, and finish with the 2022 animated continuation. Release order introduces the museum’s rules before expanding the story to the Smithsonian, London, and then a new generation of night guards.
| Order | Film | Release year | Format | Runtime | Story focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Night at the Museum | 2006 | Live action | 1h 49m | Larry Daley becomes a night guard and discovers that the exhibits come to life after dark. |
| 2 | Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian | 2009 | Live action | 1h 47m | Larry’s exhibit friends move to the Smithsonian, where Kahmunrah creates a new threat. |
| 3 | Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb | 2014 | Live action | 1h 40m | Larry travels to London when the tablet’s magic begins to fail. |
| 4 | Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again | 2022 | Animation | 1h 21m | Nick Daley takes on the night-watchman role and faces Kahmunrah. |
The release years and Disney+ runtimes in the table come from the films’ official Disney+ title pages for the 2006 film, Battle of the Smithsonian, Secret of the Tomb, and Kahmunrah Rises Again.
1. Night at the Museum (2006)
The first film establishes the central premise: Larry Daley takes a job as a night guard at the American Museum of Natural History and learns that the exhibits come alive after sunset. The tablet connected to Ahkmenrah is the mechanism behind the museum’s nightly transformation, while Larry’s relationships with the animated exhibits provide the foundation for the films that follow.
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Watch the official Disney+ page for Night at the Museum for the 2006 title and its listed 1-hour-49-minute runtime.
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Battle of the Smithsonian expands the premise beyond Larry’s original museum. Larry’s exhibit companions are moved to the Smithsonian archives, where the tablet’s power brings new historical figures and dangers into the story. The principal threat is Kahmunrah, Ahkmenrah’s brother.
The sequel works best after the original because its conflict assumes that viewers already understand Larry, the tablet, and the living exhibits. Disney+ lists the film at 1 hour 47 minutes on its official Battle of the Smithsonian page.
3. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
Secret of the Tomb is the third live-action film and the concluding chapter of Larry’s original trilogy. The adventure moves to London when the tablet’s magic starts to fail, putting the future of the living exhibits at risk.
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![Night at the Museum (Widescreen Edition) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512edxYx+HL._SL160_.jpg)
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- French (Published), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
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The London setting gives the third film a broader final adventure while keeping the tablet and Larry’s friendships at the center. The official Disney+ listing for Secret of the Tomb gives the film a runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes.
4. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022)
Kahmunrah Rises Again is an animated continuation of the film franchise, not a fourth live-action installment. The story shifts the night-watchman role from Larry Daley to his son, Nick Daley, who becomes responsible for the museum after dark and confronts Kahmunrah.
The format and protagonist change make the film feel like a handoff to a new generation, but its premise and characters connect it to the earlier movies. Disney+ Press describes the title as an all-new animated adventure based on the film franchise, while the official Disney+ title page identifies it as animation and lists a 1-hour-21-minute runtime.
Are the Night at the Museum movies connected?
Yes. The four films belong to the same franchise, with the tablet, the living museum exhibits, and the Daley family providing the main continuity. The first three films follow Larry Daley in live action; Kahmunrah Rises Again continues the concept through Nick Daley in animation.
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| Film | Main night guard | Primary setting | Franchise role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night at the Museum | Larry Daley | American Museum of Natural History | Introduces the tablet, living exhibits, and Larry’s role. |
| Battle of the Smithsonian | Larry Daley | Smithsonian archives | Broadens the mythology and introduces Kahmunrah as a major threat. |
| Secret of the Tomb | Larry Daley | London, including the British Museum setting | Brings Larry’s live-action story to its concluding adventure. |
| Kahmunrah Rises Again | Nick Daley | The museum premise, with a new animated adventure | Passes the night-watchman role to Larry’s son. |
Where can I watch all the Night at the Museum movies?
In the United States, Disney+ was the most straightforward single-service option in the latest cited availability checks, made July 27–28, 2026, because JustWatch listed all four films as streaming on Disney+. The JustWatch US listing for the original and the corresponding listings for Battle of the Smithsonian, Secret of the Tomb, and Kahmunrah Rises Again provide the cited availability snapshot.
| Film | US option reported in the cited check | Other reported options |
|---|---|---|
| Night at the Museum (2006) | Disney+ streaming | Digital purchase or rental through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. |
| Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) | Disney+ streaming | Free with ads on The Roku Channel, plus reported digital rental and purchase options. |
| Secret of the Tomb (2014) | Disney+ streaming | Digital purchase or rental through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. |
| Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022) | Disney+ streaming | No free streaming option was reported in the cited check. |
Streaming availability is not universal. Disney+ Press states: “Library title availability varies by region and is subject to change.” That warning appears in the official Disney+ Press availability announcement, so viewers outside the United States should check their local Disney+ catalog and a current regional streaming guide before subscribing or renting.
Should you watch the animated movie after the live-action trilogy?
Yes, watch Kahmunrah Rises Again after the three live-action films if you want the clearest introduction-to-continuation progression. The first film establishes the rules, the second expands the world, the third completes Larry’s live-action arc, and the animated film refreshes the premise around Nick.
Viewers interested only in the original Ben Stiller-led storyline can stop after Secret of the Tomb. Viewers who want every released feature-length entry should include the 2022 animated film, while keeping the live-action and animated formats distinct.
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What is the best way to own the movies?
Physical discs are an alternative for viewers who want access without depending on changing streaming catalogs. If you want permanent access instead of relying on changing streaming catalogs, look for the Night at the Museum movies on DVD or Blu-ray. Individual editions and any complete collection should be checked for the exact format, region, price, and availability before purchase; no specific four-film box set is assumed here.
Can I watch the movies in chronological order?
Release order remains the recommended choice because the franchise was designed to introduce its premise, mythology, and character handoff in that sequence. The films do not require a separate complex chronology: watch the 2006, 2009, 2014, and 2022 releases in that order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kahmunrah Rises Again part of the Night at the Museum series?
Yes. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is part of the franchise, but it is an animated continuation rather than a fourth live-action sequel. The film passes the night-watchman role from Larry Daley to his son, Nick Daley.
Is Night at the Museum on Disney Plus?
In the United States, Disney+ was the service listing all four films in the cited July 27–28, 2026 availability checks. Streaming rights vary by country and can change, so viewers should verify the local catalog before watching.
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- DVD
- Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen
- Spanish (Published), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
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Does Night at the Museum have a fourth movie?
The original three films form Larry Daley’s live-action storyline, while the 2022 animated film continues the franchise with Nick Daley. Watching all four in release order gives the clearest continuity.
What is the difference between the live-action and animated Night at the Museum movies?
The first three films are live action and center on Larry Daley. Kahmunrah Rises Again is animated and centers on Nick Daley, Larry’s son, while retaining the museum-after-dark premise.
The Bottom Line
Watch Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian, Secret of the Tomb, and Kahmunrah Rises Again in release order. The first three are Larry Daley’s live-action trilogy; the 2022 animated film continues the franchise with his son, Nick. In the United States, Disney+ was the single-service option listing all four in the cited July 27–28, 2026 checks, but catalogs vary by region and can change.
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