Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Renzo Piano–designed museum of filmmaking on Wilshire's Miracle Mile, with the Oscars Experience and rotating exhibits.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Academy Museum of Motion Pictures worth it?
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
The best dedicated film museum in the world — costumes, props, an Oscars-stage simulation, and serious exhibits on craft and film history, in a striking spherical building.
- 02
It's ticketed and can feel a bit thin if you expected wall-to-wall famous props, so it suits genuine movie lovers more than casual tickers.
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Los Angeles
The definitive LA stop for understanding the industry the city is built on.
You're watching the budget
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
You're traveling with kids
With kids, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is an easy yes.
Think twice if
The main downside would spoil the experience
It's ticketed and can feel a bit thin if you expected wall-to-wall famous props, so it suits genuine movie lovers more than casual tickers.
Plan it well
- Cost
- ~$25 (Oscars Experience extra)
- Timing
- Weekday afternoons are calmer than weekend mornings.
- Booking
- Buy timed tickets online; the Oscars Experience costs extra.
- Allow
- 2-3 hours
- Accessibility
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Getting there
- Metro D (Purple) Line to Wilshire/Fairfax is steps away.
Consider instead
Sources and method (3)
- Opened 2021 next to LACMA, designed by Pritzker laureate Renzo Piano, with a 1,000-seat theater in a glass sphere. rpbw.com ↗
- Collection highlights include the Rosebud sled, Dorothy's ruby slippers, R2-D2 and C-3PO, and a Jaws shark; visitors under 17 are always free. academymuseum.org ↗
- timeout.com ↗