National GeographicSep 21, 2026
9 Film Museums Every Cinema Lover Should Visit
Find out more about the props, practical effects and artistry behind some of cinema’s most imaginative worlds.
10 things in this story
- Ghibli MuseumMuseumReveals craft behind animations like My Neighbour Totoro.
- Elsewhere
- Lucas Museum of Narrative ArtMuseumLos Angeles, United StatesFeatures costumes, concept art, and vehicles from Star Wars.
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)MuseumSeattle, United StatesExplore 10+ exhibitions and 80,000+ artifacts at MOPOP in Seattle.
- Godzilla MuseumMuseumAwaji Island, JapanExplores kaiju filmmaking with dioramas and production material.
- Karel Zeman MuseumMuseumPrague, CzechiaExhibits explore films and practical effects.
- Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry PotterMuseumWatford, United KingdomFeatures original sets, costumes, and props from the films.
- Lumière MuseumMuseumLyon, FranceCharts early moving image experiments and inventions.
- HR Giger MuseumMuseumGruyères, SwitzerlandWorld's most extensive collection of his work.
- HR Giger Museum barPubGruyères, SwitzerlandBar with skeletal arches and otherworldly forms.
- National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)MuseumMumbai, IndiaTells the story of Bollywood and Indian filmmaking.