Scenes in the Square
Film-themed sculpture trail in Leicester Square, London.
Scenes in the Square is a sculpture trail in Leicester Square, London, with a film theme. It launched in February 2020 with eight statues, chosen to highlight the square's history with cinema—its first movie theatre opened in 1930, and the first film premiere took place there in 1937. The original set included Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood (as played by Gene Kelly), Paddington Bear, Mr. Bean, and Wonder Woman, covering a century of film. The Heart of London Business Alliance and Westminster City Council organised the exhibition, with backing from major movie studios.
Laurel and Hardy sit atop a ticket booth, recreating a scene from the 1929 film *Liberty* where they balanced on a skyscraper ledge. Mary Poppins is shown descending with her umbrella raised, as in the 1964 film. Batman stands 25 metres above the square on the roof of the Odeon Leicester Square cinema. Bugs Bunny pops out of a flower bed hole in front of his mailbox, eating a carrot. Gene Kelly, as Don Lockwood from *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), swings around a lamppost; his wife, Patricia Ward Kelly, gave permission for the statue. Paddington Bear sits on a bench eating a marmalade sandwich. Mr. Bean, played by Rowan Atkinson, also sits on a bench; his statue marked 30 years since the character first appeared. Wonder Woman breaks through the wall of the Vue West End cinema above street level, wielding her Lasso of Truth, inspired by a scene from the 2017 film.
On 30 September 2020, a statue of Harry Potter riding a Nimbus 2000 broomstick was added, based on *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, which premiered in Leicester Square in 2001. Around that time, Westminster Council extended permission for the statues to stay until at least July 2023. In June 2021, a statue of the Iron Throne from *Game of Thrones* was unveiled to mark ten years since the show's first episode. In July 2021, the Bugs Bunny statue was modified with a basketball and backboard to promote the 16 July release of *Space Jam: A New Legacy*; the backboard included a QR code for online content. In December 2021, a statue of Clifford the Big Red Dog was installed ahead of the film's release, with links to donate to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
- Location
- Leicester Square, London
- Installed
- February 2020 (original eight sculptures)
- Organizer
- Heart of London Business Alliance in partnership with Westminster City Council
- Notable sculptures
- Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), Paddington Bear, Mr. Bean, Wonder Woman
Lore & Background
The original eight statues were installed in February 2020 and include Laurel and Hardy perched on a ticket booth, Mary Poppins landing with her umbrella, Batman 25 meters above the square on the Odeon Leicester Square roof, Bugs Bunny popping from a flower bed, Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood swinging around a lamppost, Paddington Bear seated on a bench eating a marmalade sandwich, Mr. Bean also seated on a bench, and Wonder Woman breaking through a wall of the Vue West End cinema. The Mr. Bean statue marked 30 years since the character's first appearance. Later additions include a statue of Harry Potter riding a Nimbus 2000 broomstick installed on 30 September 2020, and an Iron Throne from Game of Thrones unveiled in June 2021. In July 2021, the Bugs Bunny statue was modified with a basketball and backboard to mark the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy. A statue of Clifford the Big Red Dog was installed in December 2021, the largest in the series at 3 m long, 2 m high, and weighing 600 kg. A statue of Indiana Jones was unveiled in June 2023, a statue of Daniel Kaluuya in October 2024, a statue of Bridget Jones in November 2025, and statues of Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in December 2025.
Reader's Guide
Scenes in the Square serves as a permanent tribute to the cinematic history of Leicester Square, which has been a hub for film premieres and cinemas since the 1930s. The trail brings together iconic characters from different eras and genres, from silent comedy (Laurel and Hardy) to superhero films (Batman, Wonder Woman), animation (Bugs Bunny), family classics (Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear), and modern blockbusters (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones). The sculptures are placed in interactive poses that reference famous scenes, such as Gene Kelly swinging around a lamppost from Singin' in the Rain and Wonder Woman breaking through a wall. The exhibition is supported by major movie studios and has been extended to remain in the square until at least July 2023. Later additions have continued to expand the collection, including temporary installations like Clifford the Big Red Dog, which also promoted donations to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The trail highlights Leicester Square's ongoing role in film culture and provides a free, accessible attraction for visitors.
Did You Know?
- The statue of Mr. Bean marked 30 years since the character's first appearance.
- The statue of Wonder Woman is depicted breaking through the wall of the Vue West End cinema.
- The statue of Clifford the Big Red Dog is the largest in the series, measuring 3 m long and 2 m high and weighing 600 kg.
- The statue of Bugs Bunny was modified in July 2021 with a basketball and backboard to promote Space Jam: A New Legacy.
More in Characters
Elsewhere in Game of Thrones
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced