ACMI's Lifelike Exhibition to Trace Puppetry on Screen from Pinocchio to The Muppets
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne is preparing to unveil an extensive puppetry exhibition titled "Lifelike" on November 20, 2026. This showcase will run through April 18, 2027, featuring a diverse collection of puppets, sketches, and production insights from acclaimed films, including Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" and Jim Henson's "The Muppets." Highlights include four original creations by Henson and a dedicated "Nightmare Room" highlighting horror cinema, such as "The Babadook." A hands-on workshop inspired by Henson's legacy will also be available. ACMI Director Seb Chan emphasized the exhibition's appeal to fans of cinematic storytelling.
Key facts
- ACMI's Lifelike exhibition opens 20 November 2026 and runs until 18 April 2027.
- Features original puppets, sketches, concept art, and behind-the-scenes material from films and shows including Pinocchio, Anomalisa, Jurassic Park, King Kong, Godzilla, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Alien, The Muppets, and Agro's Cartoon Connection.
- Includes four original Jim Henson puppets: Sherlock Hemlock, Brad, and Bertha from Sesame Street.
- Nightmare Room features material from The Babadook, Annabelle, and Chucky with synchronised screens.
- Hands-on workshop inspired by Jim Henson allows visitors to try puppetry and recreate a Muppets-inspired sing-along.
- ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan commented on the exhibition's aim to inspire the next generation of screen storytellers.
- Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company opens at QAGOMA in Brisbane on 12 September 2026 and runs until 18 April 2027.
- Agro from Agro's Cartoon Connection was created from a puppet of Animal from The Muppet Show.
- Lifelike includes displays from Australian classics Hey Hey It's Saturday and The Ferals.
- An official hotel partner is involved to attract international and interstate visitors.
Entities
Artists
- Guillermo del Toro
- Jim Henson
- Gary Rhodes
- Seb Chan
- Leah J. Williams
Institutions
- ACMI
- Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
- Netflix
- Apple
- The Jim Henson Company
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Brisbane