Before ‘Stranger Things,’ Shawn Levy Directed This 42% RT Fantasy Comedy That Finds Redemption on Streaming

Since 2016, Shawn Levy has been an executive producer on Netflix’s hit sci-fi horror series, Stranger Things, and has also directed a couple of episodes, including upcoming ones in the show’s fifth and final season. Literally everyone can’t wait for the masterpiece to return, but that won’t be happening until November. So in the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to check out some of Levy’s older works, both on small and large screens, particularly one of his highest-grossing features that’s now trending on streaming.

Night at the Museum, directed by Levy, was released in December 2006 to mixed reviews from critics, some of whom described it as “bland.” Even on Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 42% critics’ rating based on 137 reviews, with most of them being negative. 21 years later, the film has found redemption on streamingas it has made its way to the top 10 movies on Hulu in the U.S. after joining the streamer’s library on September 1, 2025.

Despite its below-average critical reception, Night at the Museum was a box office success. The comedy grossed $574.5 million against a $110 million budget, thus becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of 2006. It was also Levy’s most financially successful feature until it was surpassed by Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Due to its success, two live-action sequels were created: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian in 2009 and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb in 2014. An animated sequel, Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, was also released in 2022 on Disney+.

Shawn Levy Directed ‘Night at the Museum’ Two Decades Ago

Night at the Museum was inspired by Croatian illustrator Milan Trenc’s 1993 children’s picture book and tells the intriguing story of a divorced father, Larry Daley (Ben Stiller). Larry applies for a job as a night watchman at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, where he makes a startling discovery: Thanks to the unleashing of an ancient Egyptian curse, the museum’s animals, birds, bugs, and other exhibits spring to life after the building closes. Even former President Teddy Roosevelt (played by Robin Williams) is among those that bumbling Larry encounters. The film also stars Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs.

Night at the Museum is available to watch on Hulu. Follow Collider for more streaming updates.