Learn about the history of movie-making, handle apparatus used in the early days of cinematography, and find displays of original costumes.
At the Film Museum you can learn about movie-making history, touch equipment from cinema’s prehistory, find actor’s costumes, and watch movies from various cinema periods. Opened in 1993 and spread over four floors, this museum is a must for anyone with an interest in cinema.
Enjoy over 10,000 exhibits on the four floors of the permanent exhibition. Start on the ground floor and look for the costumes and awards of famous actors, plus movie posters and photographs. Among this collection you’ll find Charlie Chaplin and Star Wars memorabilia.
Go to the second floor to see an exhibit about the evolution of shadow puppets. It contains around 500 figurines from the 13th to 19th centuries. While here, look for the display of cameras and projectors, some of which are over a century old. Learn how to create special effects and how camera angles can reinvent actuality.
Experience the creation of sound effects on the third floor, then find displays explaining the relationship between film, economics, and politics. See more costumes plus set designs and original scripts on the fourth floor, followed by an explanation of 3D cinema techniques.
A guided tour is a good way to learn about the museum’s exhibits in more detail. It takes place on the first Wednesday of every month, and a fee is applicable. Come to the museum to watch movies at the Black Box cinema. There is an organ which provides live accompanying music to silent movies. Visit the museum’s official website to make a tour reservation and to find the cinema’s movie schedule.
Located in Dusseldorf’s Old Town, the Film Museum is a short walk from Marktplatz and the Rhine Promenade. Pay-and-display parking is available nearby. The nearest tram stops are Benrather Strasse and Heinrich-Heine-Allee, both less than 10-minute walks away.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, except for selected public holidays. Find the complete opening hours on the museum’s official website. Admission is free for children under 18 years old.
