The only U.S. museum dedicated to film, TV, and digital media, with hands-on galleries and rotating exhibitions in Astoria, Queens.
Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) explores the art, history, technique, and technology of the moving image through its core exhibition, Behind the Screen, which occupies 15,000 square feet across two floors and features roughly 1,400 artifacts from the museum's permanent collection, including cameras, costumes, props, and classic video games visitors can play.
The museum also hosts The Jim Henson Exhibition, a permanent gallery on Henson's work for film and television, alongside changing special exhibitions and a full calendar of film screenings, talks with filmmakers, and media-making workshops for families.
Housed in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios (now Kaufman Astoria Studios), MoMI's lobby, cafe, and Kaufman Courtyard are open to the public free of charge through its Open Worlds initiative, even without a gallery ticket.
**Tickets & prices:** General admission (all galleries): Adults $20; Seniors (65+) $12; Students (18+) $12; Youth (3-17) $10; free for members and children under 3 Book via the [official site](https://movingimage.org/visit/museum-admission-tickets/).
*Photo: Engrigg22, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Museum_of_the_Moving_Image_Marquee.jpg).*
The story behind Museum of the Moving Image.
Founded in 1988 as the American Museum of the Moving Image, the museum is housed in a building that was once part of the Astoria Studios complex, reflecting Astoria's history as an early center of American filmmaking. It underwent a major $67 million expansion, reopening in its current expanded form in January 2011.
Today MoMI bills itself as the only museum in the United States devoted entirely to film, television, and digital media. Its core exhibition, Behind the Screen, walks visitors through the technical and creative process of making moving images, from 19th-century optical toys to modern digital production tools, and includes interactive stations for stop-motion animation, sound dubbing, and flipbook-making.
Beyond its galleries, MoMI operates three theaters, screens contemporary and classic films year-round, and runs extensive education programs serving tens of thousands of students annually.
It's one of the few museums where you can geek out over a real Chewbacca mask and an arcade cabinet in the same room, then catch a rare film screening downstairs. The hands-on exhibits make it a rare museum that genuinely rewards slowing down and playing.
— The 7Days7Nights editors
Don't miss these.
- 1Behind the Screen core exhibition with 1,400+ artifacts
- 2The Jim Henson Exhibition on permanent view
- 3Playable vintage video game and arcade collection
- 4Three in-house theaters with year-round film screenings
- 5Free lobby, cafe, and courtyard access via Open Worlds
- 6Free general admission every Thursday 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Plan your visit.
Reservations
Buy timed-entry tickets online to skip the line on weekends.
Best time to visit
Visit Thursday afternoon for free general admission, or arrive early Saturday before crowds peak midday.
Nearest subway
M, R to Steinway St; N, W to 36 Ave
Hours
Thursday 2:00-6:00 p.m.; Friday 2:00-8:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; closed Monday-Wednesday (check site for holiday hours)
Accessibility
Elevator access to most galleries, wheelchairs available for loan, ASL interpretation and audio description for select programs, inclusive restrooms on the third floor; discounted $3 admission for visitors with disabilities.
Seasonal note
Great year-round, with a different feel each season.
Insider tip
Go on a weekday afternoon to skip the lines and get the best photos.
Price range
Expect $$ pricing. Budget accordingly and check the website for the latest.
Who this is for.
On the map.
Subway: M, R to Steinway St; N, W to 36 Ave
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