🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shawn Levy
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (141K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 47%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A night watchman drags his museum buddies to London because their magic rock is dying, and they end up bothering Hugh Jackman.
🍿 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Corroding Tablet
The film opens with a flashback to 1938 Egypt, where a young Cecil discovers the Tablet of Ahkmenrah. In the present day, Larry Daley is managing a nighttime event at the Museum of Natural History. However, the tablet begins to corrode, causing the exhibits to act erratically and endangering the guests. Larry learns that the tablet’s deterioration threatens the magic that brings the exhibits to life. He seeks advice from Cecil, now an elderly man, who reveals that Ahkmenrah’s parents, located in the British Museum, may hold the key to restoring the tablet’s power.

Journey to London
Larry and his son Nicky travel to London with Ahkmenrah and the tablet, while the other exhibits stow away. They meet Tilly, the British Museum’s security guard, and encounter new exhibits brought to life by the tablet’s magic, including Sir Lancelot. A chase ensues involving a Triceratops skeleton and a multi-headed snake. The group confronts the parents of Ahkmenrah, who reveal that the tablet’s power comes from moonlight and is essential for keeping the family together. Lancelot, mistaking the tablet for the Holy Grail, steals it, leading to further chaos and the tablet’s continued corrosion.

Confronting Lancelot and Restoring the Tablet
Larry and his crew pursue Lancelot, who interrupts a stage production of ‘Camelot’ starring Hugh Jackman. They eventually confront him on the roof, where Larry convinces Lancelot to return the tablet. Using moonlight, Larry restores the tablet’s power, saving his friends. Ultimately, the New York exhibits decide that the tablet belongs with Ahkmenrah’s parents. Larry returns the tablet and says goodbye to his friends, who revert to their inanimate forms. He later becomes a teacher, seemingly moving on from his museum adventures.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Larry Daley (Ben Stiller): A former night watchman at the Museum of Natural History who embarks on a journey to save the magic of the exhibits.
- Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams): A wax statue of the 26th U.S. President who acts as a wise and supportive friend to Larry.
- Jedediah (Owen Wilson): A miniature cowboy figure who shares a close friendship with Octavius and provides comedic relief.
- Octavius (Steve Coogan): A miniature Roman general figure who often bickers with Jedediah but remains a loyal companion.
- Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek): An Egyptian pharaoh exhibit who is key to understanding the tablet’s power and history.
- Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens): A British Museum exhibit who initially helps Larry but becomes misguided in his quest for the ‘Holy Grail’.
- Tilly (Rebel Wilson): A security guard at the British Museum who initially hinders Larry but becomes an ally.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Teddy Roosevelt: “Smile, my boy. It’s sunrise.” – Teddy’s final words, offering comfort and acceptance as the magic fades and marking Robin Williams’ last on-screen lines.
- Larry Daley: “Some things you can’t hold onto forever.” – Larry realizes he has to let go of the magic to allow the Pharaoh’s family to be reunited.
- Sir Lancelot: “To boldly go where no knight has gone before!” – Lancelot misquotes Star Trek as he embarks on his quest, highlighting his naive enthusiasm and cultural ignorance.
- Merenkahre: “Magic exists, but not forever.” – The Pharaoh explains that the tablet’s power is finite, accepting the natural cycle of things.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $127,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $113,746,621
- Worldwide Gross: $363,204,635
💥 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I’m a sucker for these movies. I went in expecting a silly adventure, and that’s exactly what I got. Seeing Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt one last time was definitely emotional; the whole movie felt like a goodbye to the character. The Lancelot bits were surprisingly hilarious; Dan Stevens really nailed the comedic timing. Overall, it’s a fun, feel-good movie to watch with family, just don’t expect anything groundbreaking!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families looking for a lighthearted adventure.”
- “Fans of Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.”
- “Viewers who enjoy museum settings and historical characters.”
- “Audiences who appreciate CGI-filled comedies.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild action violence.”
- “Some rude humor.”
- “Brief suggestive content.”
- “Deals with themes of saying goodbye.”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While charming at times, ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’ relies too heavily on familiar gags, and lacks the fresh spark that made the original so enjoyable. It’s an okay send-off to Robin Williams, but not a must-see.
- IMDB: “While a bit formulaic, this installment offers enough laughs and adventure to entertain families. Dan Stevens is a standout as Lancelot. The film also provides a touching farewell to Robin Williams, making it a bittersweet experience.
- Common Sense Media: “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is a reasonably entertaining, if uninspired, family film. Expect some mild slapstick and historical inaccuracies, but also a heartwarming message about friendship and letting go.
Audience Reactions
Sir Lancelot steals the show!: Audiences loved Dan Stevens’ portrayal of Sir Lancelot, finding him to be the funniest and most engaging new character.
Bittersweet farewell to Robin Williams.: Many viewers found the movie to be a touching tribute to Robin Williams, appreciating his final on-screen performance as Teddy Roosevelt.
Overall Consensus: A decent but uninspired conclusion to the ‘Night at the Museum’ trilogy, offering light-hearted entertainment and a sentimental farewell to Robin Williams.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This was Robin Williams’ final live-action film role before his death in August 2014; his only other posthumous film was Absolutely Anything, where he provided voice work.”
- “Mickey Rooney also appears in one of his final film roles; he died just months before Robin Williams.”
- “During filming at the British Museum, the production had to be extremely careful to avoid damaging any of the priceless artifacts.”
- “The M.C. Escher painting scene required complex visual effects to create the illusion of a never-ending staircase.”
🖥️ How to Watch Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb?
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is available to stream on platforms like Disney+ and can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, you might like these similar films:
- Night at the Museum (2006): The first film that started it all, introducing the concept and characters.
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009): The second film in the series, offering a similar premise but set in the Smithsonian.
- The Mummy (1999): Features ancient Egyptian artifacts coming to life, blending adventure, comedy, and fantasy elements.
- Paddington (2014): Also set in London and features a mix of live-action and CGI characters, with a heartwarming family theme.
🛒 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Related Products
- Night at the Museum Trilogy (Blu-ray): Own all three ‘Night at the Museum’ adventures in high-definition, perfect for family movie nights. Enjoy the behind-the-scenes features and relive the magic anytime.
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – The Junior Novelization: Relive the adventure with this exciting junior novelization! Great for young readers who want to delve deeper into the story and characters.
- Teddy Roosevelt Action Figure: A highly detailed Teddy Roosevelt action figure. Bring the museum to life at home with this awesome collectible!
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Movie Poster: Adorn your walls with the official movie poster of ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’. A vibrant and fun addition to any movie lover’s collection.
🎧 Soundtrack
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb was primarily filmed at the British Museum in London, England.
Yes, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the third and final film in the original Night at the Museum trilogy, although an animated sequel, “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again” was released in 2022.
The role of Nick Daley was recast with Skyler Gisondo due to the original actor, Jake Cherry, no longer fitting the age range required for the character’s development in the third film. The storyline required Nick to be an older teenager exploring his independence.
🔥 Bonus Content
VFX Breakdowns from “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”
Want to know how they brought the museum exhibits to life in ‘Night at the Museum’? Check out this video to see the amazing visual effects magic!
Night at the Museum – A Review with a Twist
If you’re a fan of ‘Night at the Museum’, you’ll love this review that explores the adorable love story between the tiny cowboy and the tiny Roman soldier.
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