Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday Honored by Academy Museum with Exhibition

The Academy is set to give Marilyn Monroe the recognition she rightfully deserves. Despite never receiving an Oscar nomination during her lifetime, the ‘Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon’ exhibition will now be dedicated to the legendary actress, born Norma Jean Mortenson.

The exhibition, scheduled to open on May 21, 2026, and run through February 28, 2027, will present hundreds of original objects, including posters, portraits, photographs, production documents, letters, and rarely seen personal materials—many of which will be on display for the first time—the exhibition will give unique insight into her agency in becoming a Hollywood icon.

The exhibition will also feature an extensive display of Monroe’s screen-worn costumes, ranging from a dress featured in Love Happy (1949) to items from her final and unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give (1962). Major highlights include two costumes by Orry-Kelly from Some Like it Hot (1959), as well as the rarely exhibited famous pink dress by William Travilla from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).

Adding to its 2026 lineup, the Academy Museum will present ‘Studio Ghibli’s PONYO’. This exhibition builds upon the success of the Museum’s inaugural 2021 presentation, ‘Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki’s Body of Work.’ The ‘PONYO’ exhibition will delve into the many elements of traditional hand-drawn animation, exploring themes of transformation and human connection as depicted throughout the 2008 film Ponyo. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with an interactive animation table, allowing them to create their own animated sequences. Additionally, an immersive play environment, specifically designed for younger visitors, will invite them to fully immerse themselves within the whimsical world of Ponyo.

Featuring an exclusive donation of original materials from Studio Ghibli to the Academy Collection— some of which will be displayed in North America for the very first time—the exhibition will include over 100 materials that have been hand-picked by Studio Ghibli, including art boards, posters, a Studio Ghibli animation desk, and original hand drawings by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

Additionally, ‘Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA’ exhibition will explore the groundbreaking work of LAIKA, the award-winning studio known for its wildly creative, enduring, and innovative films including Missing Link (2019), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), The Boxtrolls (2014), ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009). 

“This incredible array of exhibitions demonstrates how the Academy Museum collaborates with filmmakers, studios, and collectors to bring to life the most compelling histories of cinema,” said Amy Homma, Academy Museum Director and President. “We all look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to celebrate their favorite films and be introduced to new behind-the-scenes stories.”

‘Studio Ghibli’s PONYO’ will run from February 14, 2026, to January 10, 2027, followed by ‘Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA’, from December 13, 2026, to September 9, 2027.