Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS Returns to The Franklin Institute

Philadelphia, PA – February 13, 2025—BODY WORLDS: Vital, the next chapter in the global phenomenon BODY WORLDS, opens February 15 at The Franklin Institute. Spanning 16,000 square feet, the groundbreaking exhibition features more than 150 real human specimens—including 20 whole-body plastinates—offering guests an unparalleled journey beneath the skin.  

This exhibition goes beyond anatomy to tell the story of how our lifestyle choices, emotions, and behaviors shape our health and well-being. Enhanced with engaging media experiences, these vivid displays of real anatomical specimens reveal the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body. From the mechanics of artificial knee and hip joints to healthy and diseased lungs, guests will gain a profound appreciation for the human body’s ability to thrive under optimal conditions—and its struggles during illness.  

As the original and acclaimed exhibition of real human bodies, BODY WORLDS has captivated more than 56 million people in 168 cities worldwide since its debut. The Franklin Institute has hosted three iterations of BODY WORLDS, including the East Coast debut of the original exhibit in 2005, which drew record-breaking crowds of over 600,000 visitors.  

“BODY WORLDS has proven to be one of the most popular and impactful exhibitions in The Franklin Institute’s history, delivering massive and enduring appeal,” said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “The exhibit invites meaningful conversations about what makes us human, from our physical form to our emotional experiences, delivering an unforgettable and thought-provoking journey.” 

BODY WORLDS: Vital joins The Franklin Institute’s new Body Odyssey exhibit, creating a powerful and dynamic pairing. Together, these exhibits provide a comprehensive journey into the science of being human—from the inner workings of our body’s systems to the human body’s limitless potential. 

The exhibit is presented in the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and The Mandell Center through September 1, 2025. Liberty Coca-Cola is the Associate Sponsor. Tickets are now on sale at www.fi.edu.  

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo credit alongside images © Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com. 

Ticket Information:  

Daytime Tickets
Daily: 9:30 am-5 pm
Adults (18+) $47
Youth (13-17) $43
Children (3-12) $41
Daytime tickets include admission to the general museum.

Evening Tickets – Exhibition Only
Thursday – Saturday: 5 pm-8 pm
Adults (18+) $20
Youth (13-17) $20
Children (3-12) $20
Evening tickets include admission to BODY WORLDS: Vital only. 

Tickets are timed and dated, and advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. For information on purchasing tickets, please visit www.fi.edu.

About The Franklin Institute
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.

About BODY WORLDS, Plastination, and the Institute for Plastination
BODY WORLDS is the pioneering exhibition of real human bodies. It has been showcased across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Australasia, and Africa. The specimens featured in BODY WORLDS are preserved through plastination, a technique that replaces bodily fluids and fat with polymers like silicone. Once cured with light, heat, or gas, the resulting plastinates are dry, odorless, non-toxic, and permanently preserved in lifelike poses. Apart from a few historical fetal specimens predating the 1930s, all displayed bodies were generously donated for plastination through the Institute for Plastination’s body donation program, established in 1982 by Dr. Gunther von Hagens. This program allows individuals to support medical education and public health awareness by donating their bodies for plastination and exhibition. To date, more than 21,000 individuals worldwide, including over 1,000 Americans, have registered as body donors. For more information, visit www.bodyworlds.com.