Strike a pose: classic movie moments you can recreate at Madame Tussauds London

Flashbulbs pop and adoring fans swoon as you step into the spotlight and across a red carpet that’s been rolled out just for you. Well, you and every other visitor to Madame Tussauds. The Party Zone is the first you’ll encounter on entering and – while not exactly set up for faithful frame-by-frame reproductions of classic movie moments – it does give you the opportunity to mingle with movie royalty and bellow famous film quotes at your waxwork idols. Oh go on: loosen up! After all, it’s not often you get to say “you’re welcome” to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, or scream “I’m the king of the world” at a stony-faced Leonardo DiCaprio. Best of all: they can’t even answer back!

You can also say hey (or whatever else takes your fancy) to other party-goers including Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Ranveer Singh, John Boyega and Nicole Kidman. Just remember to channel that Oscar-winning swagger and try not to do a Jennifer Lawrence and trip over the red carpet.

Exhibit: Party Zone

Step right up! For here’s your chance to take centre stage in a truly iconic blockbuster movie moment. Feel the wind in your hair as you grab a lightsaber (blue for authenticity, please) and prepare to square up to perhaps *the* most recognisable movie villain of all time. The jet-black helmet, the billowing cape, that heavy mechanical breathing: we’re of course talking about Darth Vadar: cultural icon, scourge of the galaxy and – spoiler alert – Luke Skywalker’s old man. Channel Obi-Wan, Rey, Yoda or Luke himself as you strike several poses both serious and silly beneath Vadar’s withering gaze. And may the Force be with you.

But that ain’t all. You can also wander the shifting sands of Tatooine with (a rather worse-for-wear) C-3PO and R2-D2, ride the Millennium Falcon with your hirsute Wookiee co-pilot, and enjoy an audience with Jabba the Hutt. And last but least not: Yoda in the swamplands of Dagobah you must visit.

Exhibit: Star Wars Experience

Recreate the heartwarming scene in which the Brown family first lay eyes on Paddington in the hit 2014 movie. Well, sort of. Because connoisseurs of the movie will know that Paddington is, well, ‘bear’-naked when he arrives at Paddington Station. Suspend your disbelief (because trying to remove his trademark blue duffle coat and red hat will certainly get you thrown out) and get on with the business of snapping some selfies with the adorable Peruvian furball. Want to go full Paddington pro? Bring along your own emergency marmalade sandwich for the perfect prop. But do try to resist the urge to nibble Paddington’s because –  like the bear himself – it’s made entirely of wax.

Exhibit: Baker Street Studios

Ready to hang with the planet's number-one web-slinging superhero? Course you are! Make your way to the Marvel Hall of Heroes, where you can join Spidey for gravity-defying selfies on the ceiling and maybe even attempt to recreate that famous upside-down kissing scene from the 2002 movie. This marvel-ous exhibit also features several more icons of the Marvel universe, meaning there are loads more opportunities to recreate your favourite movie moments and maybe even save the planet. Come face-to-masked-face with Iron Man in the test laboratory, bask in the fiery glow as you harness Captain Marvel’s powers and (ahem) marvel at the Black Panther’s glowing bodysuit. 

But it’s the Hulk – all 4.5 pea-green metres of him – who steals the show here. With eyes the size of cricket balls, Bruce Banner’s incredible alter-ego is the biggest waxwork ever made by Madame Tussauds. So don’t miss the chance to pull your best HULK SMASH face in the shadow of this not-so-jolly green giant.

Exhibit: Marvel Hall of Heroes