Lifelike: Movie Puppetry Exhibition at ACMI

Try your hand at Muppets-style puppetry and bring an animatronic Alien Facehugger to life at Lifelike, ACMI's new exhibition at Fed Square!

Lifelike is a world premiere exhibition on movie puppetry, and it runs daily for almost five months from 20 November 2026.

Lifelike Opens at ACMI in Fed Square

Inside the Ground Floor gallery you'll find original puppets, concept art and rarely seen sketches from films such as Pinocchio, E.T., Jurassic Park, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, along with Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and Geppetto puppets. One section covers Australian television from the 1980s and 1990s.

The hands-on stations are the main draw for children, who can recreate a Muppets-inspired sequence using techniques Jim Henson pioneered and work out how the animatronic Facehugger moves. ACMI suggests allowing at least 60 minutes for the whole exhibition, so give them time here!

ACMI compares the content to a PG rating, with some clips from horror films or mild to moderate violence. The horror section is optional.

Good to Know

You'll pass dark spaces, flashing imagery and loud, bass-heavy sound in places, and staff can give guidance if your child is sensitive to sensory stimuli. The gallery has lift access and seating. Prams are welcome throughout the building, with baby change facilities at the Flinders Street (Ground Floor) and Fed Square (Level 1) entrances.

Visit Lifelike for more details and to book your tickets.

Where:  ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne 
When:   Daily, 10 am – 5 pm, from 20 November 2026 to 18 April 2027 (closed 25 December)
Cost:     Full $27; Senior $25; Concession $20; Member $19; Child (4 to 15 years) $17; Flexi $35

The optional horror section includes films rated R and MA15+, so decide beforehand whether younger children skip it.

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