George Lucas has spent more than five decades collecting art that tells stories.

This fall, visitors will finally get the opportunity to experience that vision for themselves when the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens its doors on September 22, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Located in Exposition Park, the new museum is much more than a celebration of Star Wars. Instead, it aims to explore one of humanity’s oldest traditions: storytelling through images. From ancient myths and historical paintings to comic books, movie props, children’s illustrations, photography, and modern cinema, the museum will showcase how visual storytelling has shaped cultures around the world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum was designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, with surrounding gardens created by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The striking futuristic structure has quickly become a landmark on the Los Angeles skyline, even before welcoming its first guests.

According to Lucas, storytelling serves as a form of modern mythology, helping people understand the world around them.

The museum’s mission centers on what Lucas has often described as “the people’s art”—illustration, comics, popular culture, and visual storytelling forms that have not always received the same recognition as traditional fine art.

More Than 1,200 Objects Across 30+ Galleries

The museum’s inaugural exhibitions will feature more than 1,200 objects drawn from its remarkable collection of over 40,000 works.

Spread across more than 100,000 square feet and over thirty galleries, visitors will journey through thousands of years of storytelling traditions.

Rather than organizing galleries strictly by historical period, many exhibitions focus on universal themes that connect generations. Visitors will explore stories centered on:

• Love
• Family
• Community
• Childhood
• Adventure
• Play
• Work
• Sports
• Civic Life

These themes are intended to highlight the shared experiences and myths that unite people across cultures and eras.

The collection spans an impressive range of artistic mediums, including:

• Ancient sculptures and historical artworks
• Renaissance paintings
• Photography
• Children’s book illustrations
• Comics and graphic novels
• Manga and anime
• Murals
• Film artifacts
• Science fiction and fantasy illustration

Fans of classic American illustration will find works by Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Jessie Willcox Smith, and Thomas Hart Benton. The museum will also showcase works by artists including Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White, Diego Rivera, Judith F. Baca, and many others.

Comic and graphic storytelling enthusiasts can look forward to pieces from legendary creators such as Jack Kirby, Alison Bechdel, Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Marie Severin, Rafael Navarro, and Mœbius.

A Home for Comics, Manga, and Popular Culture

One of the most intriguing aspects of the museum is its embrace of forms of storytelling that have often been overlooked by traditional museums.

Dedicated galleries will spotlight American and European comics, graphic storytelling, manga, anime, children’s literature, and science fiction illustration.

For many visitors, these galleries may feel especially familiar. They celebrate the stories people grew up reading, watching, and imagining, while placing them alongside more traditional artistic works.

In many ways, the museum challenges the idea that popular culture and fine art exist in separate worlds.

The Cinema Gallery Takes Center Stage

For film fans, one of the most anticipated areas of the museum will be the Cinema exhibition.

The gallery explores how filmmakers use visual storytelling to create worlds, characters, and myths that resonate with audiences across generations.

Visitors will encounter production artwork, props, costumes, movie posters, and other artifacts drawn from the Lucas Archives and the museum’s broader collection.

Documentaries featuring artists and filmmakers will also help connect visitors with the creative process behind some of cinema’s most memorable stories.

Star Wars in Motion Arrives Opening Day

Perhaps the most anticipated inaugural exhibition is Star Wars in Motion.

Unveiled on May 4, 2026, the exhibition celebrates the enduring influence of George Lucas’s iconic galaxy far, far away.

Rather than focusing solely on characters, the exhibition explores movement, design, and transportation throughout the Star Wars saga.

Visitors will encounter vehicle concepts, production artwork, props, costumes, and artifacts spanning the first six Star Wars films.

Highlights announced so far include:

• Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
• The first physical build of General Grievous’s Wheel Bike from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
• Concept artwork and illustrations
• High-speed racers and transport vehicles from across the saga

The exhibition promises to showcase the imagination and engineering that helped define one of cinema’s most influential franchises.

A New Destination for Travelers and Story Lovers

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is shaping up to be one of the most significant new cultural attractions opening in the United States this decade.

Whether you’re a fan of classic illustration, comic books, cinema history, science fiction, photography, or simply great storytelling, the museum offers something that feels both personal and universal.

For travelers planning a future visit to Los Angeles, September 22, 2026, marks the beginning of a new destination that bridges art, entertainment, and imagination in a way few museums have attempted before.

After years of anticipation, George Lucas’s vision is finally ready to welcome guests—and tell the story of storytelling itself.