REFERENCES

References in other media! Background art, game show answers, quotes, and more!

Different from parodies, which use the concepts, imagery, and ideas in the series; references are simply nods to the franchise or simple details in the background. A parody would be if a show or movie made a recreation of a film's poster. An reference would be if a character had a Tablet of Ahkmenrah pin on their bag, or a certain pair of miniatures on their desk.

References can show up anywhere in media, but to make it easier on yourself, keep an eye on media made after December 2006.

Games // Films and TV // Books

Games

New York Times: Spangrams

The theme for 3 August 2023 was "A night at the museum". Rather than being NatM references, the solutions were all different art periods, including Baroque, Classical, and Medieval. There's nothing left of us but the title!

Infinite Craft

Discovered by @prisencolinensinainciusol09. Combine Ben Stiller + Museum to get NatM, and combine further with Owen Wilson to get NatM 2. Combine both together to get NatM 3. Adding Owen to get NatM 2 may be a reference to the fact that Wilson was not billed on the posters for NatM, but was front and center important to BotS.


Life Choices

Spotted somewhere inside the game by @helphowdoiusethis.


Two Dots - Marvelous Museum Scavenger Hunt (2022)

In a limited time event in the mobile game Two Dots, themed in a museum. Larry, Ahkmenrah, Teddy, Jed, and Octavius are visible on the steps in the first level.


Films and TV

Inside the Magic - Disney Jeopardy: Episode 61

Night at the Museum was a category this episode! Due to KRA's existence, the 400 category answer has to specify "live-action".


Abbott Elementary - 19 April 2023

Referenced in S02E22 "Franklin Institute". The clip has been removed from YouTube.


Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - 3 October 2022

Referenced in S09E24 "Museums". Embedded video begins a few seconds before, for context.


Bros - Fall 2022

Referenced throughout the film. Ben Stiller shows up, playing the role of a night guard. He says "Hey, queers!" which is what I say whenever I walk into a room like I'm on a sitcom.

Top Chef - 8 December 2010

Theme of S08E02 "Night at the Museum". Featured Joe Jonas, who starred in NatM 2 as one of the Cherubs. Involved cooking for the NATM Sleepover at the AMNH.


Wheel of Fortune Solutions

23 November 2009 - Episode #5121 [Season 27]

Category: Movie Title

Answer: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

Jeopardy! Solutions and Categories

9 February 2007 - Teen Tournament Quarterfinals

Category: Movies

Clue: "Working the graveyard shift, security guard Ben Stiller sees natural history exhibits come to life in this film" ($1600)

Answer: Night at the Museum

20 October 2008

Category: Old Hollywood

Clue: "His co-stars have ranged from Judy Garland (in several films) to Ben Stiller (in "Night at the Museum")" ($400)

Answer: Mickey Rooney

15 April 2009

Category: Movies Any Time

Clue: "Attila the Hun & Sacajawea are characters in this 2006 Ben Stiller comedy" ($600)

Answer: Night at the Museum

21 October 2009

Category: Night at the Museum (All works of art with "Night" in their titles.)

1 December 2009

Category: Nights

Clue: "In 2009 this actor spent a second "Night at the Museum" as Larry Daley" ($400)

Answer: Ben Stiller

5 July 2011

Category: Movie Sequels

Clue: "In the second "Night at the Museum" movie, Larry fights the "Battle of" this place" ($400)

Answer: The Smithsonian

2 May 2012

Category: Laugh Lines

Clue: "Teddy Roosevelt, to Larry the security guard in this movie: "Lawrence! Why are you slapping a monkey?"" ($400)

Answer: Night at the Museum

9 April 2013

Category: Playing President

Clue: "Teddy Roosevelt in "Night at the Museum"" ($800)

Answer: Robin Williams

5 May 2015

Category: Multiple Roles, Same Movie

Clue: "Ben Stiller as Larry Daley & the caveman Laaa (the third film, "Secret of the Tomb")" ($800)

Answer: Night at the Museum

25 January 2016

Category: "At" The Movies

Clue: "The sequel to this 2006 film was subtitled "Battle of the Smithsonian"" ($600)

Answer: Night at the Museum

13 October 2016

Category: "N"tertainment

Clue: "Real-life historical people who came to life in this 2006 Ben Stiller film included Teddy Roosevelt & Sacajawea" ($800)

Answer: Night at the Museum

30 January 2017

Category: Yes, Mr. Movie President

Clue: "Robin Williams saddled up to play this president in "Night at the Museum"" ($800)

Answer: Teddy Roosevelt

21 June 2019

Category: One Actor, Multiple Roles

Clue: "In a sequel to this comedy, Amy Adams plays Amelia Earhart & later, a modern look-alike who meets Ben Stiller" ($1200)

Answer: Night at the Museum

23 January 2020

Category: The Rest of the Movie's Title

Clue: "This film series: "Battle of the Smithsonian"" ($400)

Answer: Night at the Museum

10 January 2023

Category: NYC Subway Stops

Clue: "If you want a day at the museum, take the C train to 81st Street to enjoy this "Night at the Museum" museum" ($1000)

Answer: The Museum of Natural History

22 June 2023

Category: Movie Title Connections

Clue: "Date ____ at the Museum"

Answer: Night

31 October 2023

Category: Night at the Museum

20 May 2024

Clue: "In this 2006 movie Ben Stiller is given instructions on how to handle the nocturnally animate dinosaur skeleton & other exhibits" ($1200)

Answer: Night at the Museum

Books

last edited: 16 may 2024, 3:05 PM EDT

Ultimate Weird But True: 1,000 Wild & Wacky Facts and Photos - September 2011

Seen on a page in this book regarding Jeff Koons's Balloon Dog. Available for sale through Thriftbooks.