Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Astoria, New York, announced record attendance of 311,000 visitors in 2025, a 105% increase from 2024 and a 147% increase from 2023. The opening day of the exhibition 'Stories and Set Design for the Sopranos' on February 14, 2026, marked the highest single-day attendance in the museum's history, with 3,600 visitors. Growth was driven by special programs like the 'Open Worlds' initiative, community events such as Lunar New Year and Iftar celebrations, and popular exhibitions including 'Mission: Impossible—Story and Spectacle,' which drew over 81,500 guests. The museum also hosted more than 500 screenings in its upgraded Sumner M. Redstone Theater.
This attendance surge matters because it demonstrates how a museum can thrive post-pandemic by centering community engagement and diverse programming. MoMI's success—with nearly half of general admission attendees being repeat visitors and strong local support from New York City residents—offers a model for cultural institutions seeking to rebuild audiences. The museum's focus on media, technology, and film, combined with free access initiatives, has attracted younger and more diverse visitors, reinforcing its role as a cultural anchor in western Queens and highlighting the value of inclusive, participatory exhibition strategies.