Jim Henson's Fantastic World celebrates the internationally known creative genius Jim Henson, whose work encompassed film, television, and puppetry. The exhibition features over 120 artifacts, including drawings, storyboards, and props, all of which illustrate Henson’s boundless creativity and innumerable accomplishments.

Fifteen iconic puppets, including Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, and Bert and Ernie, are on view, along with photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and excerpts from his early projects and experimental films. The exhibition spans Henson’s entire career, with drawings, cartoons, and posters produced during his college years in the late 1950s and objects related to the inspired imaginary world of his popular 1982 fantasy film, The Dark Crystal. The exhibition features artifacts from Henson’s best-known projects, The Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie and its sequels, Fraggle Rock, and Sesame Street, in addition to materials from Sam and Friends, an early show he created in the 1950s, and his pioneering television commercial work in the 1960s.

Every weekend, Moving Image will present public programs related to the exhibition for audiences of all ages, including screenings, hands-on workshops, and exclusive special events with personal appearances by Henson’s close collaborators and family members. Click here for detailed program information.

Take advantage of our family memberships which offer unlimited admission to the Museum’s galleries and regular screenings, reservation privileges, exclusive discounts on children’s birthday parties and much more! Make the most of your visit to Jim Henson’s Fantastic World. Get helpful information about the Museum and its neighborhood from our Family FAQ.



Jim Henson's Fantastic World Audio Program

Created as a companion to Jim Henson's Fantastic World, the 30-minute audio program features Karen Falk, exhibition curator and Director of the Henson Archives; Craig Shemin, former writer for The Jim Henson Company; and Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson’s daughter and the president of the Henson Foundation. Download the audio program here.

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World was organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company The Muppets Studio, LLC , and Sesame Workshop . This exhibition is made possible by the BIO channel . Additional support has been provided by The Jane Henson Foundation and Cheryl Henson.Support for Jim Henson's Fantastic World at Museum of the Moving Image is provided by The Jane Henson Foundation, Cheryl Henson, Five Napkin Burger , Joan Ganz Cooney, Schmutter, Strull, Fleisch Inc , and The Astor Room