This November, ACMI will present the world premiere of Lifelike – a joyful, surprising and deeply human exhibition celebrating the magic of on-screen puppetry in all its forms. Sure to tug at the heartstrings and spark wonder, nostalgia, fear and fascination Lifelike invites audiences behind the scenes to explore how memorable movie characters come to life.
The ACMI-curated exhibition features original puppets, rarely seen sketches, concept art and behind-the-scenes materials from screen worlds including Pinocchio, Anomalisa, Jurassic Park, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, the Alien series, Jim Henson’s The Muppets and Australian television favourites including Agro and Ozzie Ostrich from the 1980s and 1990s.
“We are delighted to present the ACMI-curated Lifelike exhibition this summer, which gives adventurous and inquisitive visitors the opportunity to go behind the scenes to explore and revisit how some of the most memorable on-screen characters from the 1970s to now come to life through practical FX and puppetry,” said ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan.
“We know this exhibition will bring excitement, delight and occasional fright to visitors, and will help inspire the next generation of screen storytellers to imagine the possibility of world creating and handmade craft on screen.”
Through dedicated thematic sections and experiences, the exhibition unpacks the role of imagination, iconic characters, illusions, nostalgia, terror and emotional bonds.
Trace the evolution of puppetry in filmmaking through the mischievous adventures of Pinocchio. Featuring a wooden Pinocchio from the 1970s, plus posters, production materials, and the original Pinocchio and Geppetto puppets from Guillermo del Toro’s 2022 stop-motion film, visitors are invited into the story of one of cinema’s most beloved characters.
Explore the works of acclaimed filmmaker Charlie Kaufman, including marionettes from quirky fan-favourite film Being John Malkovich, plus behind-the-scenes content and both protagonist puppets from stop-motion masterpiece Anomalisa.
Spring into the wild imagination of Jim Henson’s workshop where visitors can roll up their sleeves and try their hands at puppetry to recreate a Muppets inspired sing-along, that highlights the craft behind the creations.
Revisit cult classics with four original Henson puppets including Sherlock Hemlock, Brad and Bertha from Sesame Street, screen content and concept sketches from The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Dive into the world of fantastic creatures with a video essay about digital puppetry and the giants of the big screen featuring Jurassic Park, alongside King Kong and Godzilla. Then explore rare concept sketches from beloved Spielberg creation, E.T.
Brave visitors can face their fears and learn how animatronics work by bringing an Alien Facehugger puppet to life, explore the creepy crawly with an original puppet from the movie Sting, and dive into the fear of the unknown with a dedicated experience in the Nightmare Room.
Featuring synchronised screens, sound, movement and shadows, the line between screen and reality thrillingly blurs with The Babadook, Annabelle and Chucky, placing the visitor in the role of the protagonist in this fun and frightening experience.
Step out of the Nightmare Room into 1980s and 1990s nostalgia with a section focused on Australian TV. The wholesome and fun display features puppets and screen content from titles including Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Agro and The Ferals.
“This is exactly the kind of world-class cultural experience that makes Victoria the creative capital of Australia. ACMI continues to prove why it’s one of our state’s most important cultural institutions, drawing visitors from across the country and supporting local jobs in our screen and creative industries,” said Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward.
Lifelike is on display at ACMI – Fed Square, Melbourne, from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 18 April 2027 . For more information, visit: www.acmi.net.au for details.
Images: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) – courtesy of Netflix | Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) – courtesy of Netflix | The Dark Crystal – Age of Resistance (2019) – courtesy of Netflix