Night at the Museum
In New York, unemployed and divorced Larry Daley is a complete loser. His son Nick is very disappointed with his father who is going to be evicted. Larry accepts the job of night watchman in the Museum of Natural History and takes the place of three old security guards that have just retired in order to raise some money and pay his bills. On his first shift, Larry soon realizes that everything at the museum is not as it seems as the statues begin to come to life after the sun sets. The Museum transforms into complete chaos with the inexperienced Larry in charge as he learns that an old Egyptian stone that came to the Museum in 1950 brings these statues to life until dawn. When Larry brings his son to spend a night with him, the three old guards break into the Museum to try to steal the magical stone. Larry organizes all the historic characters to help him stop the criminals and save the museum.
Despite a substantial budget of $110.0M, Night at the Museum became a financial success, earning $574.5M worldwide—a 422% return.
2 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Night at the Museum (2006) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Shawn Levy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Larry Daley
Theodore Roosevelt
Jedediah
Octavius
Cecil Fredericks
Gus
Reginald
Rebecca Hutman
Sacagawea
Ahkmenrah
Nick Daley
Main Cast & Characters
Larry Daley
Played by Ben Stiller
A down-on-his-luck dreamer who takes a night security job at the Museum of Natural History, only to discover the exhibits come alive after dark.
Theodore Roosevelt
Played by Robin Williams
A wax figure of the 26th President who serves as Larry's mentor and guide through the chaos of the museum at night.
Jedediah
Played by Owen Wilson
A miniature cowboy from a Western diorama who is fiercely territorial and initially hostile to Larry before becoming an unlikely ally.
Octavius
Played by Steve Coogan
A miniature Roman general from an ancient Rome diorama who rivals Jedediah but shares his fierce pride and warrior spirit.
Cecil Fredericks
Played by Dick Van Dyke
The elderly head night guard who trains Larry, secretly harboring a scheme to steal the museum's magical Egyptian tablet.
Gus
Played by Mickey Rooney
One of the former night guards conspiring with Cecil, a gruff and antagonistic old man who underestimates Larry.
Reginald
Played by Bill Cobbs
The third former night guard involved in the theft scheme, serving as muscle alongside Cecil and Gus.
Rebecca Hutman
Played by Carla Gugino
A museum docent and aspiring author writing a book about Sacagawea, who becomes Larry's love interest.
Sacagawea
Played by Mizuo Peck
The wax figure of the Lemhi Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark, unable to speak but longing to explore beyond the museum.
Ahkmenrah
Played by Rami Malek
An ancient Egyptian pharaoh whose magical tablet brings the museum to life each night.
Nick Daley
Played by Jake Cherry
Larry's young son whose respect and admiration Larry desperately wants to earn by becoming successful.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Larry Daley is evicted from his apartment, revealing him as a divorced dreamer who can't hold a job. His son Nick looks disappointed as Larry makes another excuse about his latest failed venture.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Larry is offered the night guard position at the American Museum of Natural History by director Dr. McPhee, with the three retiring guards Cecil, Gus, and Reginald giving him cryptic advice about locking doors.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to On his first night alone, the museum exhibits come alive. Larry discovers the Tyrannosaurus skeleton wants to play fetch, Attila the Hun and his warriors chase him, and chaos erupts throughout the museum. He chooses to stay rather than flee., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Larry finally gains control of the museum by studying history and using his knowledge to earn the exhibits' respect. He impresses Nick by promising to bring him to the museum, experiencing a false victory as he believes he's mastered the job., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Larry is fired after the museum is found in chaos. Nick witnesses his father's failure and leaves disappointed. The retired guards steal the tablet, meaning all the exhibits will become lifeless forever—a metaphorical death for Larry's new friends., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 77% of the runtime. Larry chooses to return and fight. He rallies the weakening exhibits with a plan to recover the tablet, finally demonstrating the leadership and commitment Teddy has been modeling. He's no longer running from responsibility., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Night at the Museum's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Night at the Museum against these established plot points, we can identify how Shawn Levy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Night at the Museum within the adventure genre.
Shawn Levy's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Shawn Levy films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Night at the Museum takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Shawn Levy filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Shawn Levy analyses, see Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, This Is Where I Leave You and Free Guy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Larry Daley is evicted from his apartment, revealing him as a divorced dreamer who can't hold a job. His son Nick looks disappointed as Larry makes another excuse about his latest failed venture.
Theme
At the employment agency, the counselor tells Larry he needs to find something and stick with it, establishing the theme that commitment and responsibility lead to self-worth and connection.
Worldbuilding
Larry's failures are established: his ex-wife Erica is remarrying successful bond trader Don, Nick is losing faith in him, and Larry desperately needs stable employment to maintain custody visitation rights.
Disruption
Larry is offered the night guard position at the American Museum of Natural History by director Dr. McPhee, with the three retiring guards Cecil, Gus, and Reginald giving him cryptic advice about locking doors.
Resistance
The elderly guards give Larry a tour and strange instructions: don't let anything in or out, throw the bone to Rexy. Larry is skeptical but takes the job for his son. Rebecca the museum docent is introduced as someone passionate about history.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
On his first night alone, the museum exhibits come alive. Larry discovers the Tyrannosaurus skeleton wants to play fetch, Attila the Hun and his warriors chase him, and chaos erupts throughout the museum. He chooses to stay rather than flee.
Mirror World
Larry meets Teddy Roosevelt, who explains the Tablet of Ahkmenrah brings the exhibits to life each night. Teddy becomes Larry's mentor, representing the responsible leadership and commitment Larry lacks.
Premise
Larry attempts to control the nightly chaos: dealing with Jedediah and Octavius's miniature war, the mischievous capuchin monkey Dexter, Attila's aggression, and learning about each exhibit's personality and history.
Midpoint
Larry finally gains control of the museum by studying history and using his knowledge to earn the exhibits' respect. He impresses Nick by promising to bring him to the museum, experiencing a false victory as he believes he's mastered the job.
Opposition
Cecil, Gus, and Reginald reveal their plan to steal the Tablet of Ahkmenrah. Dr. McPhee threatens to fire Larry after discovering the museum in disarray. The exhibits become uncooperative when Larry tries to impress Rebecca and Nick.
Collapse
Larry is fired after the museum is found in chaos. Nick witnesses his father's failure and leaves disappointed. The retired guards steal the tablet, meaning all the exhibits will become lifeless forever—a metaphorical death for Larry's new friends.
Crisis
Larry sits alone, having lost his job, his son's respect, and his museum family. The exhibits begin turning to dust without the tablet's magic, forcing Larry to confront whether he'll give up or finally commit to something.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Larry chooses to return and fight. He rallies the weakening exhibits with a plan to recover the tablet, finally demonstrating the leadership and commitment Teddy has been modeling. He's no longer running from responsibility.
Synthesis
Larry leads the exhibits through Central Park to chase down the thieves. Jedediah and Octavius work together, Rexy joins the chase, and Ahkmenrah is finally freed from his sarcophagus. The exhibits unite under Larry's leadership to defeat Cecil and recover the tablet.
Transformation
Larry is rehired and the museum becomes a nighttime sensation with the exhibits secretly performing for visitors. Nick proudly watches his father succeed, and Larry has transformed from an irresponsible dreamer into a committed leader who finally stuck with something.