Movies | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/movies/RSS feed for MoviesenFri, 04 Sep 2026 19:21:00 +0000Kermit the Frog Was Just Trying to Put on a Variety Show. Fifty Years Later, the Muppets Are Some of the Biggest Stars in Television Historyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kermit-the-frog-was-just-trying-to-put-on-a-variety-show-fifty-years-later-the-muppets-are-some-of-the-biggest-stars-in-television-history-180989451/The first episode of Jim Henson's "The Muppet Show" premiered in the United Kingdom on September 5, 1976. Enthusiasm for the eclectic ensemble has endured ever sinceFri, 04 Sep 2026 19:21:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kermit-the-frog-was-just-trying-to-put-on-a-variety-show-fifty-years-later-the-muppets-are-some-of-the-biggest-stars-in-television-history-180989451/‘Rocky’ Is the Story of an Underdog, Created by an Underdog, That Has Spawned Box-Office Champions for Half a Centuryhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/rocky-story-underdog-created-underdog-spawned-box-office-champions-half-century-180989274/Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor when he was inspired by a real boxing match to write the film that became a legend. This year, the origin story of the franchise turns 50.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/rocky-story-underdog-created-underdog-spawned-box-office-champions-half-century-180989274/What Are Mel Brooks’ Favorite Movies? To Celebrate His 100th Birthday, the Comedy Legend Picks 20 Films to Screen Across Los Angeleshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-are-mel-brooks-favorite-movies-to-celebrate-100th-birthday-comedy-legend-picks-20-films-to-screen-across-los-angeles-180989410/The eclectic program spans decades and genres, offering glimpses into Brooks’ comedic influences, personal history and enduring love of filmThu, 27 Aug 2026 19:23:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-are-mel-brooks-favorite-movies-to-celebrate-100th-birthday-comedy-legend-picks-20-films-to-screen-across-los-angeles-180989410/Hollywood's Iconic Cinerama Dome, One of the World's Most Famous Movie Theaters, Is Set to Reopen in Early 2028https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hollywoods-iconic-cinerama-dome-one-of-the-worlds-most-famous-movie-theatres-is-set-to-reopen-in-early-2028-180989190/Shuttered since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles landmark is being revived as more Americans buy tickets to see movies in theatersFri, 24 Jul 2026 19:24:43 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hollywoods-iconic-cinerama-dome-one-of-the-worlds-most-famous-movie-theatres-is-set-to-reopen-in-early-2028-180989190/Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber and Severed Hand From Famed Darth Vader Duel Sold For a Record $3.75 Million at Auctionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/luke-skywalkers-lightsaber-and-severed-hand-from-famed-darth-vader-duel-sold-for-a-record-more-than-3-million-at-auction-180989144/The item, which became the most-valued on-screen Star Wars prop ever sold at auction, was born from cast-off parts from a camera shopFri, 17 Jul 2026 21:11:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/luke-skywalkers-lightsaber-and-severed-hand-from-famed-darth-vader-duel-sold-for-a-record-more-than-3-million-at-auction-180989144/Was There Ever an Original Version of 'The Odyssey,' and Do We Need to Worry About What Homer Would Think?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/The earliest surviving fragments of the epic poem—the subject of Christopher Nolan's latest Hollywood blockbuster—date back more than 2,000 years. But oral storytelling about a hero named Odysseus is much olderFri, 17 Jul 2026 18:40:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/