Verdict:Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.2/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Family genre.
Answer: Yes, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 10, 2026
Released in 2009, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian enters the Adventure genre with a narrative focused on Hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley must help his living, breathing exhibit friends out of a pickle now that they've been transferred to the archives at the Smithsonian Institution. Under the direction of Shawn Levy, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Beyond the narrative, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian resonates with current cultural themes in the Adventure space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
As of January 2026, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
The plot of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian centers on a unique premise within the Adventure landscape. Hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley must help his living, breathing exhibit friends out of a pickle now that they've been transferred to the archives at the Smithsonian Institution. Larry's (mis)adventures this time include close encounters with Amelia Earhart, Abe Lincoln and Ivan the Terrible. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2009 cinema will find fairly predictable.
The ending of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009): with an audience rating of 6.2/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Family cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $150,000,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $413,106,170 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is $150,000,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2009 cinematic year.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian has received mixed reviews with a 6.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Fantasy, Action movies, but read reviews first.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is a Adventure, Fantasy, Action movie that Hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley must help his living, breathing exhibit friends out of a pickle now that they've been transferred to the arc...
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian has received mixed reviews with a 6.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Fantasy, Action movies, but read reviews first.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is a Adventure, Fantasy, Action movie that Hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley must help his living, breathing exhibit friends out of a pickle now that they've been transferred to the arc...
Yes, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is suitable for family viewing as it falls under the Adventure, Fantasy, Action genre.
You can find streaming options and availability for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
The runtime and duration of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Shawn Levy didn't waste any time cobbling together this sequel and though it's not terrible, it's all a bit silly. "Daley" (Ben Stiller) has made his fortune and "McPhee" (Ricky Gervais) is facing the worrying digitisation of his soon to be "interactive" museum. This is going to result in the relocation of some of the exhibits to the Smithsonian where the megalomanic Pharaoh "Kahmunrah" is poised to ally with Ivan the Terrible, Al Capone and Napoleon to form his own little axis of evil. Quickly, it falls to "Daley" and his assembled troop of recently transported, brave, exhibits to thwart this dastardly plan. To be fair, this film does move along well and has retained most of the cast from the first film - Robin Williams as the sagely Teddy Roosevelt and quite a dashing Rami Malek ("Ahkmenrah") as well as adding an enthusiastic performance from Amy Adams as the trail-blazing Amelia Earhart. It's all just a bit overly-theatrical for me, though - especially the really hammy Hank Azaria who just seems to be trying to do his best Robert Downey Jr impersonation of the menacing Pharaoh. It's really just anther vehicle for Ben Stiller to do what he does best, and if that's what you like then there is nothing to disappoint here - he does all that he needs to. For me, it's all just a little lazy with a denouement that offers little by way of jeopardy. It looks good, though, and again reminds us to go visit a museum some time.
