After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has officially opened its doors in Los Angeles.
Located in Exposition Park, the museum opened to the public on September 22, 2026, welcoming visitors into a spectacular 300,000-square-foot building designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD.
But what exactly is the Lucas Museum?
Despite being founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, this isn’t simply a Star Wars museum.
The idea behind the museum is narrative art — the way humans have used images to tell stories, communicate ideas, create myths, and understand the world.
The collection spans thousands of years and includes paintings, illustrations, comic art, children’s book illustrations, photography, murals, science-fiction artwork, film-related works, and cinematic artifacts. The inaugural exhibitions feature more than 1,300 works across 30+ galleries.
And yes, there is Star Wars.
Visitors can see iconic cinematic artifacts and production artwork, but Star Wars is just one part of a much larger collection.
So, how does visiting work?
You can’t simply walk in whenever you want.
Everyone needs a timed-entry ticket — including members and children.
General admission is currently:
- Adults: $25
- Seniors 65+: $21
- Children 17 and under: Free
But a reservation is still required, even when admission is free.
And this is where things get interesting.
The museum’s opening day welcomed a sold-out crowd, and tickets have been in high demand.
What about membership?
The museum also introduced several membership levels, starting at $140.
Membership provides benefits such as priority ticket access, free admission for the member and designated guests, member previews, exclusive content, and other perks depending on the membership level.
For example, the higher tiers include invitations to special events and additional guest admission.
One important detail: being a member doesn’t mean you can simply show up without a reservation. Members still need to reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance.
Why is everyone talking about it?
Part of the excitement is obviously George Lucas.
But the museum is also offering something different from the traditional idea of an art museum.
It brings together things that many people already recognize and love — from comics and movie art to classic paintings, illustrations, and popular culture — and puts them into one larger story about how humans communicate through images.
And perhaps that’s the most interesting thing about the Lucas Museum:
You don’t have to be an art expert to understand the idea.
You just have to understand a story.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is now open in Los Angeles. And if you want to visit, don’t forget to reserve your timed-entry ticket.
Plan your visit and check current ticket availability
