photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien

Calling all movie lovers big and small!  The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures isn’t scheduled to open until 2017, but they’re whetting our appetites right now with the brand new Hollywood Costume exhibition. Featuring 150 incredible costumes from some of the most beloved films of all time, this exhibit highlights everything from Superman’s tights to Dorothy’s slippers and thrills visitors both young and young-at-heart from start to finish.

Must-Sees for Mini Movie Fans
You’ll definitely want to take your time touring this exhibition. With endless iconic costumes to take in, script excerpts that illustrate the importance of costume to story, and fascinating interviews with costume designers and filmmakers, there’s an overwhelming amount to see and read. Our advice – come with kiddos that are well fed and well rested who will wanna hang for a while. Tots will go ba-nan-as over the opportunity to get up close and personal with uber cool frocks and duds from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman, The Empire Strikes Back & Return of the Jedi, Spider-Man, X-Men, Mary Poppins, The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man, Pirates of The Carribean, Captain America, Harry Potter, Addams Family Values, 102 Dalmations and Dorothy’s infamous ruby slippers from the The Wizard of Oz.

There are also some funtastic animations from The Smurfs and Shrek that tykes will dig as well. All in all, it will take families around 75 minutes to get through.  (If you’re a costume or movie fanatic, come with friends or family and take turns coming back for more while the kids play at the tar pits or under the Levitated Mass!)

photo credit: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Helpful Hints
Because we want your brood to make the most of their visit, here are a few important tips to help things run smoother from the get-go. Strollers are not permitted inside the exhibition, but designated parking is available near the front entrance. Hopefully, you have littles who don’t mind walking (or you have extremely strong arms).

Bags must be checked with the Academy staff, so you may want to bring a diaper or two on your person for any potty emergencies (we all know they happen). Speaking of which, the ever important restroom is located directly to your left once you get inside.

You’re welcome to shoot pics of your future Academy Award winners next to the giant Oscar featured on the red carpet outside. At the beginning of the exhibit, a gleaming window display of Academy gold provides a fabulous photo op as well. Beyond that point, photos are not allowed. Also, it’s pretty dark inside the exhibition, so it may take peepers a few minutes to adjust.

photo credit: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Facts and Figures
Tickets: Tickets are timed entry, valid for a specific admission date and time. Advanced tickets are available online and are highly recommended due to the overwhelming popularity of this exhibition. Adults are $20 and children under 13 are $10.

Dates: Exhibition runs October 2, 2014 – March 2, 2015.

Hours: Mon., Tues., and Thurs. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and closed Wed.

Parking: Visitors may park in the Pritzker Parking Garage located on 6th St. east of Fairfax Ave. or in the lot at Spaulding Ave. and Wilshire Blvd for $12/day. Metered street parking is also available.

Wilshire May Company Building
6067 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Fairfax Ave.)
Miracle Mile
Phone: 310-247-3049
Online: oscars.org/hollywoodcostume

What were your family’s fave parts of the Hollywood Costume exhibition? We’d love to know!

–Jennifer O’Brien