History of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 16, 2026

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, located in Los Angeles, California, opened in 2021 as the first large-scale film museum in the U.S. It is dedicated to the art, history, and science of filmmaking. The museum houses part of the Academy Collection, which is the world's largest film-related collection, containing over 52 million objects from significant movies and celebrates the artists of the film industry.

1971: Exhibition of Black Cinema 1898-1971

After the Hayao Miyazaki exhibition, the museum presented Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, which explored the history of Black participation in American cinema from its beginnings to just beyond the civil rights movement.

2019: Midsommar Film Release

In 2019, Midsommar film released.

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April 2020: Exhibition Featuring Debbie Reynolds' Costumes Opens

In April 2020, the Academy Museum opened an exhibition showcasing costumes from the collection of Debbie Reynolds, along with items from her costume conservation studio.

May 2020: Museum Purchases Midsommar Dress

In May 2020, the Academy Museum purchased the May Queen dress worn by Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019) for $65,000 at a charity auction benefiting COVID-19 relief.

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2020: Academy Museum Opening Delayed

In 2020, the opening of the Academy Museum was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 2021: Criticism Regarding Focus on Jewish Pioneers

In September 2021, shortly after its opening, the Academy Museum faced criticism for a perceived lack of focus on Jewish industry pioneers, including figures like Carl Laemmle and Jack Warner. This was noted by Sharon Rosen Leib in The Forward, and Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League expressed his disappointment.

September 2021: Inaugural Gala Hosted

In September 2021, the Academy Museum hosted its inaugural gala, a major fundraising event to support its programming, exhibitions, and educational initiatives.

September 25, 2021: Academy Museum Opens to Celebrity Guests

On September 25, 2021, the Academy Museum officially opened to selected celebrity guests before its public debut.

September 30, 2021: Hayao Miyazaki Exhibition Opens

On September 30, 2021, the Academy Museum opened its inaugural temporary collection in the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery, dedicated to Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. This was the first major retrospective of Miyazaki's work in the United States, featuring over 300 objects, including original image boards, character designs, and interactive installations.

2021: Inaugural Gala Honorees

In 2021, the Academy Museum Opening Gala honored Haile Gerima and Sophia Loren, along with Academy Museum Campaign Leaders Annette Bening, Bob Iger, and Tom Hanks.

2021: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opens

In 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the first large-scale film museum of its kind in the United States, opened in Los Angeles, California. The museum houses part of the Academy Collection, containing over 52 million film-related objects.

January 2022: Plans for Exhibit Dedicated to Jewish Pioneers Announced

In January 2022, the Academy Museum announced its plans to create a permanent exhibit dedicated to Jewish industry pioneers, in response to earlier criticisms.

June 5, 2022: Hayao Miyazaki Exhibition Closes

On June 5, 2022, the Hayao Miyazaki exhibition at the Academy Museum closed. The exhibit, which opened September 30, 2021, was the inaugural temporary collection of the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery and the first major retrospective of Miyazaki's work in the United States.