Ripleys

Ripley's, commonly referred to as Ripley's Believe It or Not!, is a global entertainment brand that operates a network of museums, attractions, and media centered on unusual artifacts, oddities, and human achievements. The brand originated with American cartoonist and explorer Robert Ripley, who created Believe It or Not! in 1918 as a newspaper feature and later expanded into books, radio, and film. After Ripley's death in 1949, the franchise grew into a series of permanent Odditoriums and other attractions, which housed a rotating collection of curiosities and interactive exhibits designed to surprise and entertain visitors.

Ripley's current portfolio includes traditional Odditorium museums, aquariums, and themed attractions located in major cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to physical sites, the brand has produced television programs, magazines, books, and online content that present unusual feats, rare specimens, and strange artifacts. The exhibits typically emphasize authenticity, storytelling, and visitor participation, though some items have drawn skepticism over provenance and sensational presentation.

The organization markets itself to families and tourists seeking curiosity and novelty experiences. Ripley’s museums are often positioned as educational-adjacent entertainment, offering opportunities to learn about cultural artifacts, natural history, and human ingenuity in an informal setting.