Inside a 1920s film studio where Rudolph Valentino once performed, visitors now explore the magic behind movies, television, and digital media.

Step into the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, and you're walking onto hallowed ground for cinema lovers. This isn't just any museum building—it's part of the historic Astoria Studios complex, where silent film stars once graced the soundstages.

Today, the museum offers an insider's look at how moving images have shaped our culture, from early television broadcasts to cutting-edge digital media. It's where the curtain gets pulled back on the entertainment industry.

From Working Studio to Cultural Landmark

The story begins in 1920, when Astoria Studios opened as a major East Coast film production facility. After decades of creating movies and television shows, the complex faced an uncertain future until the Astoria Motion Picture and Television Center Foundation stepped in during 1970 to preserve the landmarked buildings.

After seven years of development and $15 million in investment, the American Museum of the Moving Image opened its doors on September 10, 1988. It became the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to film, television, and video. In 2008, the museum embarked on a major $67 million expansion, reopening in January 2011 with double the space and striking new architecture by Thomas Leeser.

What You'll See Inside

The permanent exhibition "Behind the Screen," designed by Ali Höcek, takes visitors through the complete process of creating moving images. The collection spans from vintage television sets like the RCA TRK-9 from 1939 to modern video game consoles, representing one of the most significant collections of video game and gaming hardware anywhere.

Since 2017, the Jim Henson Exhibition has been a permanent fixture, celebrating the puppeteer's creative genius with actual Muppets and production materials. The museum's overall collection has grown dramatically, from 60,000 artifacts in 2000 to over 120,000 items. In 2020, the museum opened "Envisioning 2001: Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey," showcasing materials from the groundbreaking 1968 film.

More Than Static Displays

The museum brings its subject matter to life through multimedia experiences that go far beyond glass cases. Two premium theaters host ongoing film series including "Changing the Picture," "Fist & Sword," and "Science on Screen," exploring diverse corners of cinema culture.

Since 2011, the museum has hosted First Look, an acclaimed festival introducing New York audiences to formally inventive international cinema. Regular panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals offer direct access to the people shaping today's media. The museum's theaters are equipped to screen everything from 70mm presentations to historic nitrate prints, making it one of the few venues capable of such diverse film formats.

Museum of the Moving Image Highlights & Tips

• The Jim Henson Exhibition This permanent exhibit features original Muppets, production materials, and interactive displays honoring the legendary puppeteer's creative legacy. A must-see for fans of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Henson's innovative film work.
• Behind the Screen The museum's core permanent exhibition walks you through every stage of production, from scriptwriting to post-production, with hands-on demonstrations and historic equipment that reveal how movies and TV shows actually get made.
• Video Game Collection One of the world's most important collections of video game hardware and software, documenting the evolution of interactive entertainment from early arcade cabinets to modern gaming systems.
• Premium Film Screenings The museum's two state-of-the-art theaters present rare film formats including 70mm and historic nitrate prints, plus curated series exploring everything from martial arts cinema to experimental documentaries.
• Getting There by Subway The museum is accessible via the M or R trains to Steinway Street, or the N or W trains to 36th Avenue. It's located at 35th Avenue and 36th Street in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens.
• Panel Discussions and Events Check the museum's calendar before visiting. Regular discussions with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals offer unique insights into current productions and film history. The First Look festival in winter showcases cutting-edge international cinema.
• Interactive Experiences Plan extra time for the hands-on elements of Behind the Screen, where you can try sound editing, add foley effects, and experiment with other production techniques yourself.

The Museum of the Moving Image transforms the technical details of filmmaking into something genuinely engaging. Whether you're examining the puppets that Jim Henson brought to life or settling into a theater seat for a rare 70mm screening, the museum connects visitors to the artistry and innovation behind the images we watch every day.

It's fitting that this exploration happens within the walls where actual film history was made, where crews once scrambled across soundstages at Astoria Studios in the early decades of cinema. The building itself is part of the story.