After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally ready for its close-up. We got an exclusive sneak peek inside the highly anticipated new Exposition Park museum ahead of its official public opening on September 22, 2026, getting an early look at the galleries, architecture, and some of the stories waiting inside.
And while the museum is closely associated with its founder, Star Wars creator George Lucas, this isn’t simply a shrine to the franchise. The inaugural exhibitions span everything from paintings and photography to comics, illustration, murals, and film memorabilia, all connected by the idea of visual storytelling.
Inside The Long-Awaited Lucas Museum
The $1.5 billion Lucas Museum has been years in the making. Construction officially began in March 2018, and the futuristic five-story building was designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD. The museum sits on an 11-acre campus in Exposition Park, with roughly 300,000 square feet of space and landscaped areas designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA.
Inside, visitors will find 35 galleries spanning about 100,000 square feet, plus two theaters, a library, dining options, retail space, and community areas. The inaugural exhibitions bring together more than 1,200 objects from the museum’s founding collection, which includes more than 40,000 works.
One of the biggest draws is Star Wars in Motion, the museum’s inaugural cinema exhibition. It features vehicle designs, props, costumes, and illustrations from the first six Star Wars films, including Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder and the first physical build of General Grievous’ Wheel Bike.
How to visit the Lucas Museum for free
There is also a pretty sweet perk for residents who live closest to the museum. The LM37 pass gives people who live in the 90037 ZIP code free admission for themselves and one guest, along with access to exhibitions, gardens, public spaces, and special events. Proof of address is required on the first visit.
For everyone else, general admission is $25 for adults, while children 17 and under enter free. The museum requires timed-entry tickets for gallery and exhibition access.
