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 // Game Shows // Books

Games

New York Times: Spangrams (2023)

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!


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.


Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)

Undiscovered until April 2025, a reference to NATM was hidden in ACNH! Interact with the Tyrannosaurus rex or Triceratops skulls to watch them move! [Source]


Infinite Craft

Discovered by @prisen09. 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.


Egyptian Couple Dress Up

A dress-up game where you can dress a male doll in Kahmunrah's outfit from NATM 2! [Source]


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.

Game Shows

Jeopardy

Answers

Date Clue Answer
9 February 2007
Teen Tournament Quarterfinals
"Working the graveyard shift, security guard Ben Stiller sees natural history exhibits come to life in this film" ($1600) Night at the Museum
20 October 2008 "His co-stars have ranged from Judy Garland (in several films) to Ben Stiller (in "Night at the Museum")" ($400) Mickey Rooney
15 April 2009 "Attila the Hun & Sacajawea are characters in this 2006 Ben Stiller comedy" ($600) Night at the Museum
1 December 2009 "In 2009 this actor spent a second "Night at the Museum" as Larry Daley" ($400) Ben Stiller
5 July 2011 "In the second "Night at the Museum" movie, Larry fights the "Battle of" this place" ($400) The Smithsonian
2 May 2012 "Teddy Roosevelt, to Larry the security guard in this movie: "Lawrence! Why are you slapping a monkey?"" ($400) Night at the Museum
9 April 2013 "Teddy Roosevelt in "Night at the Museum"" ($800) Robin Williams
5 May 2015 "Ben Stiller as Larry Daley & the caveman Laaa (the third film, "Secret of the Tomb")" ($800) Night at the Museum
25 January 2016 "The sequel to this 2006 film was subtitled "Battle of the Smithsonian"" ($600) Night at the Museum
13 October 2016 "Real-life historical people who came to life in this 2006 Ben Stiller film included Teddy Roosevelt & Sacajawea" ($800) Night at the Museum
30 January 2017 "Robin Williams saddled up to play this president in "Night at the Museum"" ($800) Teddy Roosevelt
21 June 2019 "In a sequel to this comedy, Amy Adams plays Amelia Earhart & later, a modern look-alike who meets Ben Stiller" ($1200) Night at the Museum
23 January 2020 "This film series: "Battle of the Smithsonian"" ($400) Night at the Museum
10 January 2023 "If you want a day at the museum, take the C train to 81st Street to enjoy this "Night at the Museum" museum" ($1000) The Museum of Natural History
22 June 2023 "Date ____ at the Museum"
Night
20 May 2024 "In this 2006 movie Ben Stiller is given instructions on how to handle the nocturnally animate dinosaur skeleton & other exhibits" ($1200) Night at the Museum
29 January 2025 "Institutionalized: "Battle of the Smithsonian"" ($800) Night at the Museum

Categories

Date Category
21 October 2009 Night at the Museum (All works of art with "Night" in their titles.)
31 October 2023 Night at the Museum

Wheel of Fortune

Date Category Answer
23 November 2009 Movie Title NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

Books

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.


The Muppets King Arthur - 2010

In one isue of this comic, a reference is made to BotS!


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