Have a favorite costume worn by actors in Disney’s live-action films? 

The South Carolina State Museum is showing a Heroes and Villains display with 70 fan-favorite authentic costumes worn by actors in Disney’s live-action films. The costumes range from Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow outfit in Pirates of the Caribbean and to Tim Allen’s holiday gear in the Santa Clause trilogy. But the main attraction is the array of princess gowns, along with the intricate villainess costume wore by Angelina Jolie in Malificent.   

The eight-month display from the Walt Disney Archives runs through Jan. 4, 2026. 

The family-oriented world of Disney has long been beloved by Americans, often a cherished cornerstone of household memories and traditions.  

Molly Hendrix, an athletic trainer at Disney World, said her love for the franchise comes from her mother, Robin Hendrix, a Heath Springs resident who celebrated her honeymoon at Disney World. 

The connection runs deep for the pair. As a child, Molly dressed as Tinkerbell every Halloween, while her mother always went as Snow White.  

“I just like Snow White because she has seven little men that she takes care of,” Robin said. “And being a pharmacist, I feel like I take care of people all the time.” 

Molly and made the trip back to South Carolina so she could see the exhibit with her mother. 

“She has a lot of princess friends,” Robin said of Molly, “and one of them was really jealous because we were coming to the museum. … We actually really like the live-action Cinderella dress. We went to the movies together.” 

A clear crowd favorite, Cinderella’s iconic gown gleams beneath the museum lights. Next to the shimmering dress worn by Lily James in the 2015 film, a screen plays commentary from the designer, who describes the painstaking process of weaving every sparkle and stitch. The exhibit also features quotes from designers and the actors who wore each costume. 

Rhys Wedgeworth, who has worked at the museum for eight months, said the Disney Heroes and Villains collection is one of her favorite exhibits — alongside the sharks and dinosaurs. 

“I definitely really like seeing the costumes,” Wedgeworth said. “It’s a really nice break and a really nice day when I get to work up here.” 

Her favorite piece is the Sugar Plum Fairy’s extravagant dress. The gown’s voluminous lavender tiers span nearly six feet across.  

Softly playing in the background, iconic Disney film music adds to the magic of the space. 

“I like the movies, and I really appreciate the costume design,” Wedgeworth said. “I think the design and the effort that’s gone into these outfits is actually fantastic and amazing, frankly.”