Mary Poppins in Leicester Square

Statues of film and television characters are displayed in streets, parks, and airports of many cities around the world. These bronze and metal monuments honor figures who have made a mark in the history of cinema. From the giant sculpture of Marilyn Monroe in Palm Springs, recreating the famous scene from "Seven Year Itch," to the 4-meter statue of Charlie Chaplin installed outside the Corsier-sur-Vevey museum in Switzerland, these installations allow visitors to explore film legends' legacies. Some locations concentrate several of these sculptures. At Leicester Square, London's cinema district, nine bronze statues depict characters like Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Indiana Jones, Bugs Bunny, and Mr. Bean. Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars features a statue of Bruce Lee in a fighting stance. In Wellington, New Zealand, the airport hosts a large-scale Gollum from The Lord of the Rings. These landmarks provide photo opportunities and encourage exploration of the cities where they are located.

Statues of film and cartoon characters stand in dozens of cities worldwide, connecting popular culture with public space. From the bronze figures along Hong Kong's waterfront to the collected sculptures at Leicester Square in London, these works mark the cultural reach of cinema and animation. Some emerged from commercial initiatives, others from local pride in characters connected to the city. Together, they form an unexpected geography of entertainment history. The collection includes well known locations like the bronze boxer statue in Philadelphia and the full scale Gundam in Odaiba, as well as more obscure installations such as the Popeye statue in Alma, Texas, or the Winnie the Pooh figure in White River, Canada. In Brussels and Charleroi, several statues honor Belgian comic strip characters like Gaston Lagaffe, Tintin and Marsupilami. London hosts various representations, including Sherlock Holmes, Paddington Bear and a series of film sculptures around Leicester Square. Other examples range from Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens to Mary Poppins in Queensland, Australia. Most of these statues are freely accessible and work well as part of city walks. Some, like the Yoda fountain in the Presidio or the Superman statue in Metropolis, Illinois, specifically draw fans. Others, such as Hachiko in Odate or Charlie Chaplin in Vevey, have become local landmarks. This collection demonstrates how entertainment figures have become permanent fixtures in urban landscapes.