This summer, the British Film Institute (BFI) is set to honour one of cinema’s most enduring icons with a major two-month season celebrating the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth.
Running throughout June and July at BFI Southbank, Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star invites audiences to rediscover the actress beyond the myths, highlighting her as a groundbreaking performer, producer, and cultural force who reshaped Hollywood on her own terms.
The season brings together Monroe’s most iconic performances across musicals, comedies, and dramatic roles, offering a deeper look at her versatility and artistic intelligence. From the dazzling charm of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to the emotional depth of The Misfits, the programme showcases the full range of a performer often reduced to a single image.
A central highlight of the celebration is the BFI’s rerelease of The Misfits in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 5 June. Directed by John Huston and written by Arthur Miller, the film stands as Monroe’s final completed work a poignant and deeply human performance that continues to resonate decades later.
Curated by BFI Lead Programmer Kim Sheehan, the season is structured into three thematic strands: Star Attractions, celebrating Monroe’s magnetic presence in musicals and comedies; Dramatic Turns, focusing on her more serious and emotionally complex roles; and Scene Stealers, highlighting early performances that signalled her rise to stardom.
Beyond screenings, the programme will include panel discussions, study days, and special events exploring Monroe’s legacy, influence, and the cultural impact of her image. Audiences will also have the opportunity to hear Monroe in her own words through rare archival recordings and documentary screenings.
The celebration extends beyond the BFI, with the National Portrait Gallery presenting a parallel exhibition, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait, running from June to September.
More than a retrospective, Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star aims to challenge long-standing narratives and reposition Monroe as a pioneering creative figure a woman who not only defined an era of cinema but also took control of her own story in an industry that rarely allowed it.
Tickets for the season go on general sale from 8 May, with early access available to BFI members and patrons.
