New Star Wars Exhibition Will Showcase Rare Props, Costumes and More Than 90 Action Figures
A new traveling exhibition celebrating 50 years of Star Wars will give fans a close look at screen-used props, costumes, creatures, droids and decades of action figure history when it opens in Philadelphia next year.
Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy will make its world premiere at The Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027. The 18,000-square-foot exhibition is being developed with Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products and MDSX as part of the franchise’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
One of the biggest attractions will be a display devoted to the history of Star Wars action figures. The exhibition will feature more than 90 figures spanning the Kenner and Hasbro eras, along with over 20 rare prototypes, development models, tooling samples and original design materials. Some of those items have never previously been placed on public display.
The collection will trace the evolution of Star Wars toys from the figures released alongside the Original Trilogy to the premium collectibles produced today. It will also offer a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the toys were developed before reaching store shelves.
The exhibition will include a collection of artifacts from Lucasfilm, many of them screen-used and being displayed publicly for the first time. Announced pieces include Darth Maul’s lightsaber, Darth Vader’s costume, a speeder bike and original props from Andor. Visitors will also encounter characters and creatures including Grogu, R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Costumes will play a major role in the exhibition. One gallery will take visitors through Queen Amidala’s Throne Room, using projections, fabric and recorded voices from Star Wars costume designers. The display will culminate with Queen Amidala’s red Throne Room Gown.
Another section will focus on the early design work behind the franchise’s ships and environments. A wireframe TIE fighter will anchor a gallery containing early vehicle sketches, design notes and artifacts showing how some of the most recognizable ships in the series were created.
Fans will also be able to see a full-scale Han Solo in carbonite prop and take part in an interactive carbon-freezing sequence inspired by one of the best-known scenes from The Empire Strikes Back.
The exhibition will explore more than physical props and toys. Galleries will cover sound design, creature creation, fan art and the transition from the practical effects used in the earliest films to modern digital production.
The Franklin Institute revealed the first exhibition renderings and official artwork during San Diego Comic-Con. More artifacts and displays are expected to be announced before the exhibition opens.
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in November. Star Wars: The Experience will remain at The Franklin Institute through September 6, 2027, before beginning a five-year tour across North America.