Museum · Astoria

Museum of the Moving Image

Housed in the former Paramount Studios complex where a quarter of Hollywood's golden-age films were shot, the Museum of the Moving Image is one of New York's most unexpectedly thrilling days out. Interactive exhibits let you dub your voice into movie scenes, flip through animation frames, and marvel at thousands of pieces of original film and TV memorabilia.

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A Studio Lot Turned World-Class Museum

Astoria's filmmaking roots run deep — in the 1920s the neighborhood was home to Paramount Studios' eastern outpost, and that cinematic DNA lives on inside the Museum of the Moving Image at 36-01 35th Avenue.

The permanent core exhibition, 'Behind the Screen,' walks visitors through the full arc of moving-image history, from hand-cranked Mutoscopes to modern CGI pipelines, with more than 1,400 artifacts on display — life masks of Hollywood stars, original puppets, vintage arcade games, and broadcast equipment spanning a century of media.

Interactive Highlights You Won't Want to Miss

What separates MoMI from a passive gallery experience is the sheer density of hands-on stations: record your own foley sounds, build a stop-motion animation, or have your face digitally mapped onto a classic film character.

The Jim Henson exhibition on the upper floor is a perennial favourite, showcasing original Muppets, sketches, and behind-the-scenes footage that delights visitors of all ages. Pair it with a film screening in the museum's state-of-the-art Celeste Bartos Theater for a full cinematic afternoon.

Planning Your Visit

The museum sits in the heart of Astoria, a short walk from the 36th Avenue N/W subway stop, and the surrounding blocks are packed with Greek tavernas and coffee shops perfect for a post-exhibit meal.

Admission is very reasonable by NYC standards, and the museum regularly hosts free community screenings and special events, so check the calendar before you go.

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