Designed by Italian starchitect Renzo Piano, this 300,000-sq-ft blockbuster celebrates LA's greatest passion: movies. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (academymuseum.org; adult/child $25/free) isspectacular and expansive, a cutting-edge ode to film, with thought-provoking exhibits, priceless memorabilia and a dynamic program of movie screenings and talks delving deep into celluloid culture. If you only have time for one museum in town, make it this one.
The museum's permanent exhibition offers an immersive, state-of-the-art journey through cinema's evolution. The core Stories of Cinema galleries explore the many aspects of filmmaking, as well as showcasing movie memorabilia that includes Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Iconic items from films are all here, including a surviving Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane. Scripts for blockbusters are dissected and annotated to explain the creative process. Temporary exhibitions have depth, such as Oscar-winner Bong Joon Ho (Parasite; 2019) detailing how he creates his films.
Temporary exhibitions explore diverse aspects and figures of the industry, while daily screenings include anything from world movies to weekend children's matinees. The museum's Dolby Family Terrace offers a suitably cinematic panorama of the world's entertainment capital.
The Academy Museum occupies two sharply contrasting buildings. Entry is via the restored Saban Building, a 1939 Streamline Moderne landmark that once housed a May Company department store, which was a popular shopping location for many of the stars now memorialized within. Directly behind it is Piano’s addition, a commanding space-age sphere featuring a dome with 1500 glass panels. A terrace offers sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills.
The museum's theaters host year-round film screenings and discussions. Oscar Sundays brings out award-winning blockbusters, while Silent Sundays screens long-forgotten classics. Branch Selects sees Academy members curating films significant to their specific craft. Watch for films hosted by academy members who worked on them.
Use the Bloomberg Connects app which offers insight to greatly enhance your experience in the galleries. There's a good cafe-restaurant with outdoor seating.
