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Hollywood Studio Tours

Which are the best.

This post covers the most enjoyable movie studio tours in and around Hollywood.

With so many historic studios in the area, it might be difficult to pick just one to visit.

Taking a studio tour is one of the top things to do in LA .

• Studio Tours
• Celebrity Homes Tours
• Ways to Save on Tours
• LA TV Show Tickets
• Things To Do in Hollywood
• Tips from Locals and Travelers

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

STUDIO TOURS

Interestingly enough, there are quite a few differences between the tours offered at each studio, and that should make it easier to figure out which tour best fits your expectations.

Ticket prices vary from $62 per person to literally thousands of dollars.

However, 3 of the tours, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, and Universal Studios are included for free or at a lower cost in several tourist attraction passes. 

It's also worth noting that the length of these tours can run from roughly an hour to almost a week.

With all of that said, let's start talking about what each movie studio offers with their tours.

• Warner Bros.
• Sony Pictures
• Universal Studios
• Paramount Pictures
• Adventures by Disney: Disney Backstage

At the bottom of this post , we share some thoughts and opinions from members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook.

Our group comprises roughly 9,000 locals (like our tour guides), tourists, returning visitors, and newbies to LA.

You don't need to be a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR

Below is a summary of our post on Warner Brothers Studio tours , where we also provide tips on planning your trip.

If you're in the market for a somewhat normal tour on the backlot, this might be one of your best bets.

In addition to seeing movie sets and sound stages from some of the most notable movies in film history, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a few specific activities.

  While on this movie studio tour, you'll be able to re-create a famous scene from the hit television show Friends , climb aboard Harry Potter 's broomstick, and even create your own Batmobile.

Warner Bros. even offers an interactive sound stage that explores the entire process of making a film from start to finish.

At three hours in length, this tour is probably the longest duration of all of the options in Hollywood.

• $70/adult | $60/child
• Availability: Thursday - Monday
• Hours: Every half hour from 9 am - 3:30 pm
• Duration: 3 hours
• Available in both English and Spanish
• Click here for more information .

TIP: This tour is included for free with the purchase of the Go City Los Angeles Explorer Tourist Pass .

You can also combine this tour with the Universal Studios tour using the combo deal below!

With an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars , it's fair to say that this Hollywood studio tour is very well rated ( read reviews here ).

Some guests have gone so far as to suggest that this trip is worth every single penny.

Visitors were typically very happy with their tour guides, referring to them as both friendly and informative. 

SONY PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

This might be the most affordable movie studio tour in Hollywood, and it's also one of the most historic. Do note, that is is a walking tour.

While on this tour, you'll see the sound stages where they recorded classics such as The Wizard of Oz and superhero flicks like Spider-man .

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to see where Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are recorded.

Although they don't make any promises, there's always a chance that you'll run into someone famous on this active studio back lot!

They also offer a premium tour which includes transportation via golf cart, access to the Sony Museum, a free souvenir photo, a complimentary beverage, and lower prices at the Sony Studio Store.

Tickets 

• $55 per person | $150 for the Premium tour
• Availability: Monday – Friday at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
• Duration: 2 hours

Tip: Admission is usually included for free with the purchase of at least one Los Angeles tourist pass .

With an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, it's clear that this is a pretty popular Hollywood studio tour.

Customers really appreciated the opportunity to see several historic filming locations and learn a lot about the process of making a movie.

Although some reviewers were unhappy that this is a walking tour, others simply appreciated the opportunity to see where film history was made.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR

This is where things get interesting, as Universal Studios has essentially made their tour one of the services offered at their amusement park.

In other words, you need to buy a ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood in order to experience this studio tour.

Clocking in at only one hour in length, this is definitely the shortest studio tour available. Check out this video of Stephen Spielberg giving a tour of the site.

In addition to seeing the back lot, you'll also experience attractions such as the Jaws ride, King Kong 360 in 3D, Bates Motel and Fast & The Furious : Supercharged.

Although it will cost more to take this tour, it's worth noting that your ticket lasts all day and guarantees access to all of the rides. 

• $119-$139/adult | $109-$129/child
• Availability: Daily from 8 am - 6 pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Click here for ticket information .

TIP:   Universal Studios Hollywood is included for free with the purchase of a tourist pass. Read about all the opportunities for deals in our full post .

Despite the higher price tag, this movie studio tour has still received quite excellent ratings ( read reviews here ). The overall Universal Studios Hollywood experience has a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars .

A few visitors have even suggested that this trip around the studio is worth the price of admission.

Although most customers feel that the ticket price is a bit high, even the critics can't deny that they had a blast. 

PARAMOUNT PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

Unlike the other movie studios, Paramount Pictures offers three different studio tours.

The main tour is 2 hours long and covers quite a lot of ground on the backlot.

However, if you want to experience more, their VIP tour lasts for 4 ½ hours and includes access to several additional areas.

The VIP tour also provides a gourmet lunch at a unique location in the studio.

Alternatively, you can also choose a 2 ½ hour night tour that reveals a lot of historic locations such as notable theaters and original film vaults.

No matter which option you choose, you'll learn a lot about the history of Paramount.

• $65 for the studio tour | $215 for the VIP tour
• Availability of Studio tour: Mon-Fri, every half hour from 9 AM - 3:30 PM
• Availability of VIP tour: Mon, Wed, Fri at 9:30 AM
• Duration of Studio tour: 2 hours
• Duration of VIP tour: 4 ½ hours
• Click here for additional information .

Reviews for the Paramount Pictures Studio tours are very positive, averaging a rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. 

Some visitors referred to the excursion as a movie buff's dream, while others were just impressed with how much they learned and discovered.

Some reviewers indicated that Paramount alters the tour slightly depending on the season, ensuring a nice variety of topics and locations to cover no matter when you decide to buy a ticket.

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY: DISNEY BACKSTAGE

You had to figure that Disney was going to be a little more expensive, but the actual cost of this week-long experience might shock you.

To be fair, the package includes meals and accommodation at both the Loews Hollywood Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

This Disney backstage adventure includes a tour of the Walt Disney Studios & Archives, an Imagineering tour, a Hollywood walking tour, and a tour of the Jim Henson Company.

Most of these tours are only available via this week-long package. The entire itinerary takes six days to complete, and it will keep you busy with plenty of fun activities from start to finish. 

• $4,999 for Adults | $4,749 for Children
• Availability: 2-4 times per month
• Duration: 6 days
• Hotel accommodation included
• 11 Meals included
• VIP Disneyland ticket included

As you can probably imagine, the testimonials for this experience are quite positive ( read reviews here ).

Some guests even noted that they made friends with their tour guides and continue to stay in touch with them to this very day.

Additionally, customers also appreciated the opportunity to see some behind-the-scenes areas that bring the history of Walt Disney to life.

One visitor even suggested that this trip allowed them to become kids again as they explored secret and wonderful locations at the happiest place on earth.

COMBO DEALS

If you're looking for a better price on these tours and other activities in Hollywood, you might want to consider one of the following combo packages.

Studios like Warner Bros. and Universal often work with tour companies to provide their services at lower prices.

There are several options to mull over, and almost all of them provide additional tours and services.

If you plan on spending more than one day in Hollywood, these combo deals are definitely worth a look.

GO CITY LOS ANGELES ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS

There's a reason that this is one of the premier attraction passes in Los Angeles.

In addition to offering access to a variety of notable locations, they also provide admission to some studio tours.

In particular, you can enjoy the Universal Studios tour, the Warner Bros. Studio tour and (sometimes) the Sony Pictures Studio tour with one version of this pass or another.

The Warner Bros. Studio tour is currently only offered with their Explorer Pass, and you'll need to purchase at least a 3-Day All-Inclusive pass to get admission to the Universal Studios tour .

Given that this tourist pass also supplies tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, it's fair to say that the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass could be a real bargain.

• $109 for 1-day pass
• $164 for 2-day pass
• $284 for 3-day pass
• $344 for 4-day pass
• $374 for 5-day pass
• $434 for 7-day pass
• $99 for 2 choices
• $119 for 3 choices
• $144 for 4 choices
• $154 for 5 choices
• $189 for 7 choices
• This attraction pass is available every day of the week
• Includes up to 3 movie studio tours

Read our post comparing the different tourist attraction passes available in Los Angeles.

TRANSPORTATION COMBO PACKAGES

If you're looking for transportation to and from each movie studio tour, the following services are available.

The advantage of these combo deals is that you won't have to pay for parking, gas, or car rental in order to visit each location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included with each package.

Take your time and enjoy the studio tour without having to worry about anything else!

• Not currently available as of January 2024

CELEBRITY HOMES TOUR COMBO PACKAGES

These combo deals provide both a celebrity home tour and a movie studio tour.

Each option includes transportation not only around Hollywood but also to and from the studios.

While some of these services use a mini-bus, others drive you around town in a luxury sedan or an SUV.

Each company offers both hotel pickup and drop-off.

Expect these outings to last for between 6-8 hours on average.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Movie Star Homes Tour (Starline Tours) - $119/Adults | $99/Children
• Alternatively, we offer our own self-guided celebrity homes tour .

This might be a good way to save even more money if you don't mind doing a bit of driving around Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we provide the details of what each tour offers, costs, and other information, here you can see what members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook have to say.

There are plenty of fans of the Warner Brothers tour.

And some enjoyed Paramount as well.

If you have to choose only one, between Warners or Paramount, these members’ insight may help.

Universal Studios received mixed reviews. Some people felt it was a waste of time and money.

On the other hand, Issa had a fantastic time, so much so that she wrote a very long post detailing her time there and how to make the most of your visit.

Take a look at our Los Angeles Travel Tips group for more recommendations, opinions and advice.

You don't need to join to read comments, but if you do join you can post a question regarding the studios!

RELATED POSTS

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Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You?

Posted on Published: June 29, 2019  - Last updated: February 26, 2024

Categories North America , California , Travel

There are four major Hollywood studio tours that you can go on in and around Los Angeles : Warners Bros., Sony, Paramount, and Universal Studio Tours.

It’s really not necessary to do all of them , especially on the same trip. There’s quite a bit of overlap between each studio tour, and the ticket prices can really add up.

Throughout my visits to California, I’ve managed to visit all 4 Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles (and some more than once!).

Here’s my in-depth reviews of all the major Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. This is what to expect from each one so you can decide which is the best studio tour in los Angeles for you!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Why Should You Go On A Hollywood Studio Tour?

Hollywood Studio Tours in Los Angeles are a great way to gain an “ all-access” pass to the biggest backstage lots in California .

They give you a chance to go behind the scenes on some of your favourite movies and TV shows.

You’ll get to see the sets and props, and learn about the magic of making movies. And, if you’re lucky, you might get the chance to either see a live film set or a celebrity at work . 

Let’s just say, visit a movie set is a quintessential Los Angeles activity … p.s. see my L.A. guide here .

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You ?

The best Hollywood studio tour for you will depend on three main factors :

• Your favourite films and TV shows

The studio tours vary in budget and tour length. The price ranges between $55 to $110 / ticket . And the tour can last anywhere between one to three hours .

But your favourite movies and TV shows are the most important factor when deciding which studio tour in Los Angeles to go to. If you haven’t watched anything the studio has produced, you’ll be less interested in what you’re seeing and learning about.

Best Studio Tours In LA: Overview

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Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

Universal Studios is a bit of a unique studio tour in Los Angeles. The studio tour can only be accessed if you buy a ticket to the entire theme park .

This also puts the studio tour at a much higher price point compared to the others around Los Angles. But, on the other hand, it is an ENTIRE day of activities instead of a few hours.

The tour itself is only 60 minutes but there are no shortage of other rides and shows to see once you’re in the park.

Quick Information & Links

Total Time : 1 hour (not including wait time in line) Admission : $109 -$119* (includes access to the entire park, price varies depending on the season) Book Tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood . Parking : Starts at $32* (General Parking)

*Updated January 2024

Movies Referred To/ Filmed Here:

You should check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Jurassic Park
• Fast and the Furious
• Jordan Peele’s horror epic, NOPE

Pros Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

You are on the LARGEST film and TV studio in Hollywood and the world! You get to drive by some of the most iconic sets in all movie history.

You drive-by the sound stages, new and old sets.

But this is still a ride in a theme park so they’ve added some more ride-like adventure elements to make things more exciting, unlike any other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles.

At times you feel like you’re in the movie rather than just seeing where one was filmed!

And it’s not all for show either, they do still use these sets to film. In fact, this was the only Hollywood studio tour where I caught a live taping , so it’s still possible to see!

One thing’s certain though, you won’t be bored for a second on this tour even if you don’t happen to see an active film set during your tour. 

P.S. Make the most of your time at Universal Studios and book an Express Line ticket through Viator here . It gives you one-time express access to each ride, show, and attraction at the park !

Cons Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

It’s the least personal studio tour in Los Angeles. You’re on a tram the entire time for 60 minutes straight, with about 30 other people!

As I said, this tour is sometimes more of a ride than a studio tour (so it’s both a pro and a con!).

At times, the tour felt very streamlined , because most of it is. You still have a guide, but he’s following a script on a set path so it’s the same tour every time (unlike the others which have a bit more variance based on your guide).

The tram is on a set course and there are timed animatronics and effects throughout the tour.

Value For Money – Movie Location Los Angeles

I will admit, you get pretty good value for your money with your tickets to Universal studios. But that’s only if you wanted to visit the theme park.

If you were already planning on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then the studio tour is a must-do ride! 

But if you don’t like theme parks, and your only interest is the Hollywood studio tour, I wouldn’t recommend paying for the entire theme park just for the tour.

You might also be interested in reading…

• How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation

Logistics: What To Know Before You Go

A tram leaves about every 30 minutes for the Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour so the line builds up pretty quickly. I’d prioritize this as one of your first rides of the day.

As I said, don’t expect reality with this one, they do show you real sets but it’s also still a ride. So you’ll get a lot of gimmicky routines created specifically for this tour. 

Also, some advance warning, you might get wet at certain points during the ride. If you’d prefer to not get wet, try to sit in the middle of the row.

Book Universal Studio Tours Tickets In Advance Through Viator

Book General Admission tickets →

Book Skip the Line Express Tickets →

Book the VIP Experience on Viator (giving your exclusive access to off-limits areas of the park) →

For more Los Angeles organized tours from Viator, click here .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros. Studio is actually in Burbank California , but it’s close enough to Los Angeles.

Warner Bros. studio tour takes you on a tram around different parts of the studio, with only around 12 guests at a time on the tour.

So unlike Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour, it’s a lot more personal and you’re only on the tram to get from place to place (because their lot is HUGE!).

You drive by sound stages and countless outdoor sets. But you’ll get off and walk around a bit, even walking in some sets if you’re lucky. So you should be prepared for some walking on this studio tour in Los Angeles!

Total Time : ~3 hours (1 hour guided, 2 hours unguided). Leaves every 30 minutes from 9:30 to 3:30 Admission : 70$* Parking : 15$* Website

What Was Filmed Here (Sets You Might See!)

Check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Harry Potter
• Gilmore Girls
• Back to the Future
• The Big Bang Theory
• Pretty Little Liars

So Much More Than A Studio Tour

Over the years, the Warner Bros. studio tour has grown. It’s no longer just a backlot tour, now, that’s just one part of it…

Museums, Props, Sets, & Photo Ops At Warner Bros. Studio

Tickets to the Warner Bros. studio tour also includes interactive museums where you’ll want to take all the pictures you can!

You can interact with different sets from your favourite movies and TV sets, like Friends, the Big Bang Theory and Harry Potter! on the magic of movies, costume

There’s also an entire exhibit on the DC universe with all superheroe and villain props. They have Aquaman’s lair, Wonder Woman’s study, Superman’s office, and the Batman’s bat cave.

And finally they have an in-depth exhibit on all things filmmaking. Staring with the writing process and finishing with the special effects of movie making.

Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tickets With Viator

General Admission tickets →

Pros Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

They are constantly updating the Warner Bros. studio tour – that means you can even go back the next time you’re in Los Angeles, I’ve already gone back twice!

There was some over lap with the sets and information, but very little. A lot had been updated and added to the tour. And I’ve already noticed that they’ve added a lot more content since I’ve gone!

Also, the guided portion of the tour will rarely be the same. For starters, where you go will all depend on what they’re filming at the time. So not only can it change over the years, but it can change within the hour!

It’s also a very personal tour with only being 12 people on the tram. You can also all your questions about movie magic!

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Cons Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

With all the new additions to the tour every year, I’ve noticed the guided portion has become less and less…

The guided tour portion is only hour , and then two hours are a self guided tour through the museums.

But it’s the guided portion of the tour that’s always fresh and what brings me back! I’m a bit disappointed that the museums seem to have taken over the tour now, making the tour a bit more gimmicky and less about touring real sets and sound stages…

How to See San Diego in One Day

Bring government I.D. when you visit, and make sure to arrive early!

You have to go through security and there might be a lineup. They suggest arriving 30 minutes in advance.

Don’t worry about getting lost on your way to the studios (if you’re driving there)! I followed the instructions we were given on how to get to the visitor’s centre, but my GPS brought me to the wrong gate. No need to panic if this happens to you too! The patrol was very understanding (I’m sure this happens all the time) and told us exactly where to go.

If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot across the street from the visitor’s centre (paid, of course). The studio is in a pretty secluded area, but there’s a Starbucks in the visitor’s centre .

You can book Warner Brothers Studio tour tickets in advance on Viator here .

Paramount Pictures Hollywood Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures is really interesting because it’s the last Hollywood studio still in Hollywood (well in Los Angeles). 

So it’s only about a 15-minute drive from Hollywood Blvd. FYI, Warner is in Burbank, and Sony is in Culver City.

It was very similar to Warner Bros. Hollywood studio tour in terms of the scale of the studio. They have several sound stages, a water tank, and a totally customizable New York set.

Like the other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles, there’s a museum portion of the tour with props. Paramount Pictures one had a lot of “ unwanted ” props (those that could only be used once for the film they were designed for).

There was A LOT of props from the Transformers franchise, but there were also Star Trek, Gladiator, and Dream Girls props.

Time : 2 hours * They leave every 30 minutes from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Admission : 65$* Parking : $22 – (used to be cash only)* Website

What Was/ Is Filmed Here

• The Godfather
• OG King Kong (In Set 19)
• Breakfast at Tiffanys
• Forrest Gump

Pros Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour In Los Angeles

The best part about the Paramount Pictures Hollywood studio tour tour was the small size of the group. There’s a max of 7 people on the tour (you’re in an 8 seater golf cart).

The tour also provided earphones to be able to perfectly hear your tour guide at all times, so they didn’t have to shout at you! There can be a lot going on on sets with a lot of noises, so the earphones were definitely appreciated.

I also liked that they provided visuals for what you were looking at during the tour. Our tour guide carried around an iPad showing examples of what a specific set was used for over the years. So instead of looking at a giant green screen, they showed us how that green screen was used in different films.

Cons Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures studio tour taught me a few things about Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles…

First, the quality of the tour really depends on your tour guide – they can make or break your visit. And unfortunately, you won’t really know who you’re going to get beforehand.

Unfortunately for me, my tour guide at Paramount Pictures wasn’t the best. There’s so much history to this Hollywood studio that I ended up lost most of the time because I didn’t know who or what he was referring to, I guess the references were also a bit ahead of my time…

Paramount Studio tour also really showed me how important it is to have seen (or at least heard of) the films or shows the studio produced. 

So if you’re a fan of classics like I Love Lucy, Alfred Hitchcock, or the original King Kong then Paramount Pictures studio tour is a must for you!

For me, Paramount Pictures studio tour was a bit of a mixed bag. I really see the potential of this tour though, but I think you have to be a really big movie buff to enjoy Paramount Pictures studio tour.

The visitor parking is across the street from the main gates. Be wary of the address on Google Maps, it brought me to the wrong gate.

When I visited, parking was cash only, so it’s always good to be prepared. There’s an ATM you can use at the end of the tour if you need (apparently no one does cash back in the area…).

Like the other tours, you have to show I.D. and go through security, so they ask you to arrive 30 minutes before your tour . But, in case there’s no wait at all, there’s a mini-exhibit you can visit to pass the time before your tour starts. 

Make sure to bring water and food, there’s really not much in the area. But drinks aren’t allowed on the tour itself, so leave it in the car!

SONY Studio Hollywood Tour

SONY Hollywood studio tour ended up being my favourite studio tour . We were only about 5 people on this tour, so it was very personal. But I don’t know if this was the max, or that fewer people happened to sign up for it.  

I know online there are 25 spots per time slot. I don’t know if that’s the typical tour size on a busier day, or if they would always split you up into smaller groups once you get there.

There are famous cars on display from movies and shows (like Breaking Bad and Ghostbusters). They also have a prop museum at the start of the tour. There’s even an Oscar and an Emmy award you can see (and even hold!). 

Time : 2 hours * Leaves 4 times a day: 9:30, 10:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Admission : 55$* Parking : Free Valet Website

What Was Filmed Here

• Breaking Bad
• Wheel of Fortune
• Ghostbusters
• The Goldbergs

Pros Of The SONY Studio Tour

SONY is a MUCH smaller studio than the other three Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. That means you don’t even need a tram to get around, we walked everywhere (so you should also be prepared to walk!). This made it easier to take appreciate it all and take pictures!

I also absolutely loved our tour guide, he was by far my favourite out of all the ones we had on any tour. It didn’t seem like he simply memorized a script. It was as if he lived and breathed SONY and films in general. I would’ve believed it if he’d told us he grew up on set.

We also got the chance to walk on to a sound stage from one of my favourite TV Shows – The Goldbergs. And our guide brought us onto a working foley stage (where they create extra sounds for movies). 

If a sound or foley stage isn’t available to see, you are guaranteed to see either the Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy set . They film on opposite days, so you’ll always be able to see one of them.

But the best perk of all is… You get your picture taken on the set of either Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, which they’ll print out and give to you as a souvenir… FREE OF CHARGE! ! Seriously when is anything ever free these days…

Cons Of The SONY Hollywood Studio Tour

As I mentioned, there’s no tram for the SONY Hollywood studio tour. Although the studio isn’t as large as the others, you have to be prepared to walk quite a bit.

Another sort of pro and con is that it’s 80 % outdoors . So you really want to go when it’s decent weather. And be prepared to be in the sun!

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Value For Money – Hollywood Studio Tours In Los Angeles

I think you get a lot of value for your money at SONY studio tour. It’s the cheapest out of any of the Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles and they give you some nice freebies (like parking and a photo souvenir!).

The scale of the studio might be smaller than the other three major studios, but there’s still a lot to see. And despite the lack of big blockbuster sets, they make up for it in different ways (like seeing the inside of a game show set, and a foley stage).

Like Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures studio tours, they ask that you arrive 30 minutes early to go through security. 

If you drive there, they offer FREE valet parking in the Overland lot. 

The studio is very much out of the way, so plan your meals and snacks in advance. All they had at the studio was a vending machine .

Don’t expect to see large outdoor sets like from Warner Bros. or Paramount, SONY is a lot smaller, so most of their sets are on sound stages. So if you’re interested in the big New York outdoor sets, SONY isn’t for you!

Overview, What’s The Best Studio Tour In Los Angeles?

Like I said before, Universal Studios is the most expensive, but you do get an entire days worth of activities. But if your intent is to learn about movie magic, the other three are better choices. 

If you have time for more than one, you don’t need to see both Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. There’s quite a bit of overlap between the two. Instead, choose one of those, and then either Universal or SONY as your second option.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In L.A.? Hotel Recommendations

Finding a place to stay in Los Angeles can be quite overwhelming – it’s HUGE!

I stayed at the Sofitel and would highly recommend it. It was in a safe area, and across the street from the Beverly Hills mall (which proved to be very convenient). It was also within walking distance to some local restaurants you need to try – like the Kings Road Cafe! See room rates & availability here .

If you want to stay on the beach outside of the city life instead, we stayed at The Georgian in Santa Monica and couldn’t recommend it enough! It’s only about a 25 minute drive from the city. This was a beautiful art deco hotel that is begging you to go there! It’s a minutes walk to the beach, Santa Monica Pier, and the Third Street Promenade. See room rates & availability here .

For more accommodation options in Los Angeles, click here . Interested in longer stays in L.A. check out Plum Guide here .

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Last update on 2024-07-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Tuesday 26th of September 2023

You've gotten me excited about my next trip to Los Angeles. I've done the Universal tour and the Warner Bros tour, so I may do what you suggested and do Paramount and Sony next.

You're right about Universal's tour being more of a ride from what I remember. However, it was cool to see sets from The Good Place, Jaws, and Psycho. Being on the tram the whole time was a little different, and my experience was a bit thrown off because I hadn't expected Universal, CA to have such similar rides to Universal, FL, and I loved how Universal, FL made it really seem like you were on a set walking through various cities. Definitely not the same as CA. I think I was there for about 2 hours and was done. The weather was weird where it was kindof warm at first, but then turned super cold while I was in line for a ride, so I was done sooner than I expected.

I absolutely loved the Warner Bros tour. The guide was super nice and knowledgeable. I almost died when I saw the Gilmore Girl house and Luke's Diner. Of course I took pictures at the Central Perk. To me, the prop museum was a tad boring, but still overall decent. The tour was partially walking and partially riding. There were so many moments where I was like...."this looks familiar" and had to think of where the set had been used. Super cool. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

That's awesome!! Definitely I enjoyed that the Warners brothers was mixed with walking and a tram ride you were able to get so much further that way - and the lot is HUGE! It really is cool seeing sets from your favourite TV shows and movies! I really liked the SONY tour but it was definitely a lot smaller than Warner bros!

Sunday 19th of February 2023

Hi Meghan, great article. Easy to read and allowed me to choose the studio we should visit in the short time we will be in L.A. Thanks you.

Monday 20th of February 2023

That's awesome to hear! Glad I could help :D :D

How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation | Afternoon Tea Reads

Thursday 1st of October 2020

[…] sure which one to visit? Read my overall review of each studio tour to help you […]

Monday 1st of July 2019

Wow what a great list of tours to choose from! I personally don't like these types of things however I think your post will be super useful for those who do!

Thanks! I hope it will be :)

I’ve done the Universal tour but it was like 20 yrs ago! I really want to go back and do all these studio tours. I’m film mad me 😃💕

Oh wow, you really should I'm sure a lot has changed since then. It's a movie geeks dream :)

DAILY TOURS

PREMIUM STUDIO TOUR

VIP LUNCH TOURS

TWILIGHT TOURS

GROUP TOURS

INSIDE THE GATES

Step back into a legendary time on the Sony Pictures Studio tour! Walk through the famed gates and you’re behind the scenes at one of the most historic and exciting studio lots in the world. Our two-hour guided walking tour will give you the real experience of a working studio.

Visit soundstages once home to iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Men in Black” and “Spider-Man.” Swing by smash-hit games shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” You might even catch a glimpse of the Barbra Streisand Scoring stage or Walter White’s RV from the hit series, “Breaking Bad.” Keep your eyes open... You never know what – or who – will be around the next corner.

TOUR DETAILS

• Tours run Monday through Friday
• Standard times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Additional tour times are added during peak seasons
• Reservations are required
• Children age 12 and up are welcome
• Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the tour
• $55 per person
• Free parking in the Overland Parking structure at 3990 Overland Ave Culver City, CA 90232

For more information, call (310) 244-TOUR (8687)

Buy your tickets now.

EVENING TOURS AVAILABLE

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Guide to Los Angeles' Studio Tours

 Universal Studios

Going on a studio tour in Los Angeles is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite TV and movie sets. As a tourgoer, you'll get to see some of the most iconic backdrops in town, from Monica's apartment on "Friends" to the RV from "Breaking Bad"—but access is limited and be aware that your favorite movie scenes might actually be just a bunch of warehouses full of lights, cables, and set pieces.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros.' studio tour in Burbank entails both walking and riding in a cart around to working sets (although rarely are there any actors around). It's the most expensive of the studio tours, but that's because it's a bigger studio and it's also home to some of the most familiar stages like "Friends," "Big Bang Theory," the Harry Potter series, and more. There's even a working Central Perk Café on-site. The regular tour takes three hours and there's also a deluxe version that takes six hours.

Paramount Studio Tour

TripSavvy / Kayte Deioma

Two-hour cart tours of the studio behind the famous Paramount Arches are offered several times a day. Here, you'll see the Bronson Gate, the New York Street Backlot (which is designed to look like NYC), and the Prop Warehouse. You might recognize things from "Forrest Gump" and "I Love Lucy." The VIP Paramount Studio Tour includes a gourmet lunch and talks with archivists and last four hours, 30 minutes long.

Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Michael Kovac / Getty Images

The two-hour guided walking tour of Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City includes photo opportunities on the "Jeopardy" set and in front of the mobile meth lab from "Breaking Bad." Tours are offered four times a day Monday through Friday, but they can get very busy—probably because this is one of the cheapest studio tours in town—so it's recommended to make a reservation beforehand.

Universal Studios Tour

Universal Studios Tours are unique in that they're actually part of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park . You'll have to pay theme park prices to take the tram tour, which includes special effects sets so you get to experience earthquakes, floods, car crashes, "King Kong" in 3D, and a "Fast and the Furious" simulation along the way. You'll also get to see outdoor backlot sets that have been used in TV shows and famous movies like "Psycho" and "War of the Worlds." The route is ever-changing depending on which sets are in use.

Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio & Museum

Rick R.1 / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Newhall, north of Los Angeles, is a working set for everything from westerns to war movies. Its museum houses nine decades of movie memorabilia, including the famous "Dukes of Hazard" car. Tours of the 22-acre lot are only available for groups, but if you come in April, you might be able to attend the annual Cowboy Festival  (that is if it doesn't get relocated due to filming).

Paramount Ranch

Patrick Slaven / Flickr CC By-NC 2.0

In addition to the Paramount Studio Tour, you can also visit Paramount Ranch , located in the Santa Monica Mountains. This old western movie set was built back in 1927 and operated for 25 years. After that, it changed hands numerous times, until the National Park Service finally took it over. It is still available for use as a film set or for weddings, but it's open to the public, so you can sometimes watch filming from afar. The ranch is a hub for surrounding hiking and equestrian trails. Best of all, it's free to visit. 

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Book Your Studio Tour

The signature Studio Tour includes the Storytellers Showcase, the backlot, Stage 48: Script To Screen, and the Action and Magic Made Here finale. Allow three hours: 1 hour for the guided studio tour, and 2 hours for self-guided. Studio Tour tickets are priced at $69 per adult (ages 11 and up), $59 for children (ages 5-10), and $57 for SoCal residents (ages 5+).

Additional tour options include:

• Classics Tour - A must for fans of Golden Age Hollywood, this themed tour focuses on award-winning movies and TV shows that were shot on the iconic backlot from the studio's early days through the 1970s. (3 hours inclusive of guided + self-guided)
• Studio Tour Plus - Includes an expanded 2 hour guided tour + 2 hour self-guided, welcome reception, and lunch at Central Perk Café.
• Deluxe Tour - The ultimate Warner Bros. experience spans six hours (3 hours guided, 1 hour fine dining lunch, 2 hours self-guided & shopping) and includes a visit to the famed Property Department.

Online tickets are highly recommended and available at wbstudiotour.com/tickets . Walk-up tickets are limited and not guaranteed.

Visitor Info

The Studio Tour is open daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Closed June 13-14.

The Warner Bros. Studio Store is open to the public (no ticket needed) and offers exclusives from Hollywood classics to DC and wonderful kids toys, plushies and apparel. The store is open daily 10am to 7pm, closed June 13-14.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank 91505 (818) 977-8687 www.wbstudiotour.com

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Studio tours in Los Angeles for behind-the-scenes moviemaking magic

Check out these studio tours in L.A. for a behind-the-scenes look at how movies and TV shows come to life

Photograph: Michael Juliano

Embark on a studio tour and you’ll discover what Angelenos already know: (Almost) everything is filmed in L.A. That quiet East Coast cul-de-sac? A fake residential block at Universal Studios. That New York cityscape? The backlot at Warner Bros. Studios. An elaborate sci-fi ship? That would be a soundstage at Sony Pictures Studios. When L.A.’s  beaches , scenic hillsides and aesthetically diverse neighborhoods can’t quite cut it, productions set up shop at one of the city’s studios—and some of the biggest ones have opened their gates for tours. From  Culver City  to  Hollywood , take a peek behind the soundstage doors with these studio tours in Los Angeles.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Go behind the scenes on these studio tours in L.A.

Warner bros. studio tour hollywood.

• Things to do
• Walks and tours
• price 2 of 4

Warner Bros.’ guided tram tour zips through the studio’s sizeable footprint—110 acres on the Valley-side of the Hollywood Hills—with about a dozen other passengers onboard. It’s an encyclopedic tour of all types of filming locations, with a journey through the backlot’s city stand-ins and Gilmore Girls -starring residential square, as well as a stops inside a soundstage and at a few museum-caliber displays of props. Though you’ll spend some time simply navigating the sprawling grid of soundstages, you’ll also stop and venture on foot with memorable photo ops: a seat on the couch at Friends’ Central Perk or The Big Bang Theory’s  Apartment 4A, an opportunity to mount a Harry Potter broomstick and the chance to come face to face with almost every Batmobile imaginable. 

For fans of: Ellen , Conan , The Big Bang Theory , Friends , Harry Potter , Batman ,  Aquaman ,  Wonder Woman ,  Crazy Rich Asians ,  Looney Tunes

You won’t find anywhere else: A dedicated studio museum, and by far the most to see on any studio tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

• Theme parks
• Universal City
• price 3 of 4

While Universal Studios’ tram tour is technically an amusement park attraction—which means you’ll have to stomach the hefty price of admission—it manages to combine the look of a living, working studio with entertaining theme park polish. The tour mixes live narration and pre-recorded bits as you cart through backlot sets of New York, a mutt of European villages, the Old West and familiar movie landmarks—most impressively the 747 crash site from  War of the Worlds . The majority of live filming is securely tucked away—and if it’s not, expect portions of the backlot to be chopped off of your experience—but Universal compensates with preplanned encounters that mimic special effects: a wet and fiery earthquake simulation, a sudden flash flood and that delightfully rubbery, toothy grin on the face of Bruce—a.k.a.  Jaws . While the 3-D motion simulation that replaced the iconically campy (and burned down) King Kong section is a welcome technical upgrade, the tunnel lacks the same immersion and charm of the original—the same can sadly be said for the similarly dizzying and ill-executed Fast & Furious: Supercharged segment.

For fans of: Psycho , The Fast and the Furious , all things Steven Spielberg

You won’t find anywhere else: Rubber sharks, CGI gorillas and plenty of pyro.

Up to 1hr, $109–$139 theme park admission

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

• Culver City

As you pass through the studio gates on this walking tour, you’re immediately greeted by Tony Tasset’s arching  Rainbow  sculpture—a nod to the studio’s past as the home of  The Wizard of Oz . The lot’s footprint has been significantly downsized since then, when it was known as the iconic MGM Studios; virtually all of its colorful backlot sets are now gone with the wind. But the magnolia tree-lined sidewalks and clean, white Art Deco facades provide a pleasant ambience that the other industrial-edged studios lack. A leisurely pace allows time to peer through the elephant doors of a soundstage and look out for passing celebrities. The tour skews toward contemporary productions—the bullet-riddled RV from  Breaking Bad , a stock car from  Talladega Nights  and a stop in the studios for  Jeopardy  or  Wheel of Fortune —but there are still plenty of small moments where that old moviemaking charm endures.

For fans of:   The Wizard of Oz ,  Singin’ in the Rain ,  Ben-Hur ,  Spiderman ,  Breaking Bad ,  Talladega Nights ,  Jeopardy ,  Wheel of Fortune

You won’t find anywhere else:  The acoustic bliss during a stop in a foley studio. 2hrs, $50 

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Believe it or not, Paramount is the last major studio to keep its headquarters located in Hollywood—and the only one there to open its doors to the public. Inside the famous wrought iron gate, you’ll be treated to a guided tram tour through the prop house and a sizable New York backlot. Of particular note, there’s the open-air Blue Sky Tank, which holds almost one million gallons of water to film anything from surfing scenes to maritime disasters.

For fans of:   This Is Us, Grace and Frankie ,  Dr. Phil

You won’t find anywhere else:  A seasonal after-dark tour that takes a macabre walk through moviemaking history and the neighboring Hollywood Forever Cemetery .

What can’t you see?

Some of the biggest and most exciting studios are open to public tours, but you may be scratching your head at some big name omissions. CBS Television City (which has been solf for future redevlopment) technically doesn’t offer tours, but there are tons of  TV shows  that film there everyday for which you can secure tickets. NBC’s famous Burbank studio tour was discontinued in 2012 after most of its productions had migrated to Universal City—notable holdout  The Tonight Show  fled the lot for New York in 2014. Sunset Gower and Sunset Bronson (the locations of the original Warner Brothers and Columbia studios, respectively) are closed to the public, but you can get a fantastic oral history from the  Felix in Hollywood Tour . Similarly,  Siren Studios ,  L.A. Center Studios ,  the Jim Henson Company Lot  and the 20th Century Fox Studios are for serious business only, though all have been known to host the occasional public-facing event. And not to stomp all over your childhood dreams, but unless you know an employee, don’t plan on getting inside the gates at the Walt Disney Studios or Nickelodeon’s Burbank animation studio.

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We Explore and Rank the Best Studio Tours in Hollywood

Finding the best studio tours in Hollywood is tricky.

Because there are so many of them!

When visiting Los Angeles there really isn’t anything better for a film lover to do than to visit one of the infamous studio tours. But which studio do you visit?

With such a wide range of options, we have done the hard work for you and have ranked the best to worst Hollywood studio tours.

The Best Studio Tours in Hollywood

With the list below being my own personal opinion, you may have different choices and tastes.

Consider this a guide for your next Los Angeles adventure.

1. Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Situated in Burbank the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is simply the best.

Mixing film education with an absolutely incredible tour it is above and beyond what you’d expect a studio tour to be.

Get ready, this one is a MUST VISIT!

Warner Brothers actually offer the most in terms of range when it comes to the tours. There are three options to choose from!

Warner Brothers Standard tour

Hop on board the open-sided vehicle and head into one of the most iconic movie studios in Hollywood.

Every single tour is different from the last but what you can expect is to visit various backlots and sound stages of various productions and it’s a guarantee you’ll visit such classic sets as The Big Bang Theory and the iconic Central Perk from Friends.

You’ll also explore the DC Universe exhibit in addition to a wizarding world exhibit in the Warner Bros museum where you can look around at your own leisure at all the movie props and costumes.

On the tour, you’ll also be taken into Stage 48 where you’ll step into an immersive world of seeing a movie go from script to screen.

From pre to post-production you can see how a movie is pieced together and the interactive elements are sure to keep you engaged from start to finish.

This added touch to an already perfect tour shows just how much the public and their entertainment means to Warner Bros.

Warner Brothers Classic tour

This is the only tour on the list that I haven’t personally experienced but I imagine it’s very similar to the structure of the normal tour.

As you drive around the back lot a tour guide will guide you through the studio tour themed to classic movies and TV shows rather than modern ones.

The perfect gift for the older generation or even the younger soul who appreciates the good classics. The modern  Stage 48 is also included as part of the tour but the classics tour also includes a tour of The Prop House.

I’d personally want to go on the classics tour JUST to see The Prop House.

That really should be included on the normal tour too!

Warner Brothers Deluxe tour

The Warner Bros Deluxe Tour is without a doubt the best Hollywood experience I had at a studio. The deluxe tour is the ultimate experience.

If you’re travelling to Los Angeles to do movie tours and have the cash to splash this is one experience that you’ll never forget.

This 5-hour in-depth tour takes you through the whole studio. In and out of live sets and the two times I did the deluxe tour I actually spotted a celebrity.

The studio is a live working studio so on any tour you can expect to spot a known talent at any given moment.

With the deluxe tour, you get to eat in the fine dining room. An exclusive dining experience where studio execs, talent and more all gather to have meetings over a nice spot of lunch prepared by an executive chef.

The food was outstanding and we saw so many big named talent in there it was unbelievable.

Naturally, you really shouldn’t approach them but we did have the studio executive approach our tour to say hello so you just never know who you may meet during your very own tour.

The day starts off with a complimentary drink and breakfast and then into a private screening room for a little introduction to the studio.

The 5 hours fly by from exploring the museum to seeing the Batmobile collection. As well as the costume department (only available on the deluxe tour) you also explore the props department.

Warner Bros Tour Comparison Chart

Out of the best studio tours in Hollywood. No, THE best studio tour in Hollywood! Warner Brothers will always be number one for me! 

I had so much of a great time on the tour that when I flew back over to LA a few months later and I did it all again and it was completely different.

That’s the magic of these tours. No two days are the same!

Book A Warner Bros Studio Tour Here

2. Universal Studios Tour

The second place on our best studio tours in Hollywood list is Universal Studios.

Universal Studios combines a studio with a theme park in this incredibly exciting experience. Here we have two options to choose from. A standard tour and a VIP experience.

Standard tour (Inclusive of park entry price)

This 60-minute experience will take you through four acres of the historic studio lot.

Jump into your Universal tram and explore some large construction sets whilst being narrated by the one and only Jimmy Fallon.

This is a tour like no other as your tram actually becomes part of various interactions including a subway earthquake scene, a 4D experience and some epic special effects set pieces that showcase various effects used in movies.

Drive past such iconic structures as Bates Motel and step into the grand finale of Fast & Furious Supercharged.

The standard tour is a thrill ride mixed with information about the studio itself. Whilst a fun ride it’s not very informative.

If you want an informative tour then Warner Bros are the clear winners here.

If you want some extra fun on your tour you can’t go wrong with Universal.

Once the tour has finished you’re free to explore what the rest of the theme park has to offer.

Universal Studios VIP Experience – Price – $299 per person

It’s a tough choice between this VIP experience and the Warner Brothers one.

As stated above if you want a more informative and deeper look into how a studio works then Warner Brothers are unrivalled but if you want an epic VIP tour and THEN access to a theme park thereafter then Universal is the way to go.

The VIP Universal experience is a full-day experience.

Arrive at Universal Studios, flash the VIP pass and enjoy your own valet parking.

Upon entering into a private VIP building you are served breakfast as you await your call time before setting off in a VIP tram with comfy leather seats and complimentary drinks as you drive around set.

Whilst the normal tram tour just drives on by the VIP tour park up, get off as you tour sound stages and movie sets from the biggest shows and films ever created.

Visit the prop department and more as you can take a sneak peek behind the scenes.

Feel Like A Star

Universal doesn’t usually have as much going on compared to Warner Brothers when it comes to activity on the production lot, as a result, the two times I visited the studio section was rather empty but maybe I just attended on a quiet day. Unfortunately we didn’t see any stars this time around.

Your personal tour guide takes you throughout the studio and you enjoy a lovely gourmet meal in a private dining room.

Once you’ve had your food the real fun begins.

Your tour guide will personally walk you to the front of every single ride in the park and you will get front row seats at every show in the park with your VIP badge.

You can ride the rides as many times as you want once the tour is open and your VIP badge will shoot you to the front of the queue every single time.

With such rides as the brand new Jurassic World water ride and the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey expansion, you’ll really feel like a star with the Universal Studios VIP pass.

I think I went on The Mummy rollercoaster 12 times in a row and kept walking past people who had been queuing for over 30 minutes.

Ignore the envious looks and just have yourself a wonderful time!

Book A Universal Studios Tour Here

3. Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Third on our list is Paramount Pictures who offer two tours, a standard tour, and a VIP tour.

Standard Tour – Price $60

This 2-hour cart tour takes you on a little journey around the studio as you visit infamous locations like the Bronson Gate, the prop house and more.

For me, the Paramount tour was quite dull. With Paramount being a much smaller studio the driving areas are narrow and limited.

Most of the tour involved parking up somewhere and being spoken to.

As much as it was interesting to hear about the studio we were usually parked up next to a brick wall, an iconic brick wall but a brick wall nonetheless.

I was a little bored throughout the tour until we ran into Ken Jeong (Hangover) who was on the lot filming and Kevin Hart was also filming a show as our tour was taking place.

This made the tour worth every penny as we were right next to these Hollywood giants and seeing them at work.

If I hadn’t have seen these two I would have had a very poor experience. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

There was nothing to keep me hooked and it felt as though we were being taken around an office building rather than an iconic studio.

There was sadly no magic or effort made from the studio to cater for their tour guests.

VIP Tour – Price $189

This 4 and a half hour tour gives you VIP access to archives and backlot production facilities. The VIP upgrade is 100 times better than that of the rather dull standard tour!

You are taken around the inner workings of the studio and not just the brick walls that make up the studio and get hands-on with props and speak to members of staff working on various movies.

You are physically introduced to people within the studio and this could include stars.

For dinner, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch in a private production dining room and this exclusivity makes for all the more enjoyable experience.

Seriously, forget the standard tour. I felt as though I had wasted my money. Take the leap and bump yourselves up to the VIP tour. You won’t regret it!

Instead of seeing Kevin Hart and Ken Jeong there was more chance of meeting them and getting photos with them if I had taken the VIP tour.

I’m still kicking myself even now!

Book A Paramount Studio Tour Here

4. Sony Pictures Studio Tour – $50

Step back in time, walk through those iconic gates and enjoy this 2-hour walking tour.

Sony only offers a standard tour, there are no VIP upgrades available.

Take a look at sound stages, sets including Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. The sony tour just lets you walk around a visually stunning studio in the glorious LA sunshine.

With various picture opportunities (including the Breaking Bad RV and ECTO-1 from Ghostbusters ) I can’t really pick out a highlight of the tour.

The tour office houses some iconic Sony movie props and that was before the tour even started and free to view for any member of the public.

The best bit of the tour was the museum which was free to explore.

Instead of going through movie history, the majority of the tour is looking at TV game shows that I couldn’t care less about.

If you’re a TV gameshow fanatic then Sony Pictures is for you.

If you love your movies then look elsewhere.

A tour guide pointing to a car park and saying this is where we shot a scene from The Holiday starring Cameron wasn’t my idea of informative, immersive or interesting.

Easy the worst tour on the list and the price reflects that.

To be honest even the $50 they do charge seems overpriced. Very much so.

The best part about the tour was the mini-museum that was located within the reception building and that’s free!

The standard tour at Warner Brothers is only $60 and the experience there is much more involved and interesting.

Book A Sony Pictures Tour Here

As far as the best studio tours in Hollywood goes the clear winner here is Warner Brothers. They have the full package for an all-round studio tour experience.

Universal could easily be a number one but for me as a studio experience, you want to go to Warner Brothers.

With Universal Studios being more of a theme park it dampens the studio experience somewhat. You’re on the tour aching to get inside the park properly and jump on the rides!

It doesn’t feel as detailed or as movie focused. It’s very much more family targeted.

The tram is a theme park-style experience not an informative tour, it was very commercialized. Which is fine. But for a genuine studio tour, Warners takes the crown every single day of the week.

I absolutely recommend the VIP upgrades on all of the studio tours. You will absolutely regret it and at no point did I feel short-changed on any of them.

You get the full experience and some great photos to remember it by.

Create some memories and who knows, you might just meet a celebrity along the way!

Thanks for checking out our Best Studio Tours in Hollywood post!

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Owner of Back to the Movies and Born in Stoke on Trent Sean Evans set up this website to talk about films the way you'd talk to your friends about them. No critics, just fans.

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2 thoughts on “ we explore and rank the best studio tours in hollywood ”.

Thank you so much. This was such an informative and helpful review of the studios. Exactly what i was looking for. Thanks

Thank you Michael, this is an old article but the general premise remains the same and WB is still miles ahead in terms of tour quality.

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Watch CBS News

Best Studio Tours In Los Angeles

February 25, 2018 / 5:00 PM PST / KCAL News

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood 3400 Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91522 (818) 972-8687 www.wbstudiotour.com

Stop by Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank where guests will be treated to one of the best studio tours. Featuring behind the scenes news, visits to sound stages, sets and black lot streets, it's one tour you won't want to miss. This is home to TV shows such as "Friends," "Gilmore Girls" and "Big Bang Theory." Harry Potter fans will be delighted to visit the Warner Brothers Museum as one floor is dedicated to the popular movie. Explore outdoor sets and soundstages used to create productions and more! Each tour includes access to original props and costumes, picture cares and sets used from "Batman" to "Friends". Studio tour guests will stop at the DC Universe - DC Comics Exhibit, the real Central Perk Friends set, original Batman Museum - Batmobile Collection, and much more!

Sony Pictures Studio Tours 10202 W Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 244-4000 www.sonypicturesstudiostours.com

Formerly MGM Studios, this walking tour treats visitors to where the Yellow Brick Road wrapped through Munchkinland. The two-hour guided walking tour will give you the real experience of a working studio. Visit soundstages that once were home to films like "The Wizard of Oz," "Men in Black" and "Spider-Man." Swing by smash-hit games shows "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune." Maybe you'll even catch a glimpse of a celebrity! Tours run from Monday to Friday at 9:30am, 10:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Reservations are required.

Paramount Studios Tour 5555 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 956-8398 www.paramountstudiotour.com

Get an intimate behind the scenes view of Hollywood! Visitors can choose between the Studio Tour, the VIP Tour or the After Dark Tour. The 2 hour Studio Tour will let visitors get a look at Hollywood's original movie studio, discover the rich history of the new Tour Center and Prop Warehouse, and explore locations like the New York backlot, Bronson Gate, soundstages and more! Or, opt for the VIP Tour, which is a true behind the scenes insider experience where guests will get access to Paramount's archives, the backlot and special effects studios. Meet archivists during this 4 1/2 hour tour and backlot tradesman and get a private gourmet lunch in the afternoon. The After Dark Tour provides exclusive access to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and offers a look at the nocturnal side of Paramount!

Universal Studio Hollywood Tour 100 Universal City Plaza Los Angeles, CA 91608 (800) 864-8377 www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Go behind the scenes of a real working movie studio with this world famous studio tour! This one hour tour will have guests visiting 13 city blocks on four acres of a historic studio lot. Laugh along with comedian Jimmy Fallon, the video host the Studio Tour, and more!

Related: Guide To Universal Studios Hollywood

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How to Visit the “Friends Studio Tour” in LA with the Warner Bros Hollywood Tour

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Looking for a Friends studio tour or Friends set tour to do in LA? Read on for a guide on how to visit some of the most iconic and famous sets from Friends with one of the best studio tours in LA.

We here are GeekTrippers are obsessed with finding the best filming locations around the world, and as avid Friends fans, one of our biggest bucket list items has been visiting the Friends set in real life!

We got to fulfill this dream a few years ago in LA, and again recently with a return to the (newly improved) version of the tour that includes way more sets and fun photo opps, including the original Friends fountain.

For movie and TV lovers, Los Angeles offers several studio tours that bring you right into the action so you can personally witness where the magic of film and television come alive.

In this post, we’ll share with you how you can tour the Friends set in LA (sort of) and show you the wonders of the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Burbank.

IMPORTANT: If visiting the Friends set and Warner Bros Studio Tour is important to you, make SURE you book your tour in advance online . This attraction is wildly popular and we almost missed out on going because we procrastinated. There are very limited tickets available on-site, so buying in advance these days is 100% the way to go. Check ticket price and availability here.

How to Tour the Friends Set and Studio in LA

Unfortunately, there is no Friends Studio Tour in LA that will allow you to visit all your favourite Friends sets from the show (i.e. every apartment).

The closest thing to a Friends set tour where you can visit Monica and Rachel’s apartment set, along with Joey and Chandler’s apartment set, Ross’ apartment set and even the Central Perk set all in one go is the FRIENDS Experience , which doesn’t have any stops in Los Angeles.

When people talk about doing the Friends studio tour in LA though, what they are really talking about the Warner Bros Studio Hollywood Tour in Burbank, which is not a 100% Friends themed set tour, but rather a studio tour that takes you to various sets and backlots including ones seen in Friends.

If you love TV, this is a must-do experience, with wonderfully familiar sets from Friends, Gilmore Girls, Pretty Little Liars, and more.

As of 2021 though, there is WAY more to offer for Friends fans, including a full-on “Central Perk Café” and Friends boutique, where you can grab a coffee amidst recreated apartment sets.

Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood: Details

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located in Burbank and tickets start at $69 per person.

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours total (1 hour guided, 2 hours self guided), and is capped at 12 people per tour to ensure a more personal experience.

Be sure to book your tour  online in advance, as time slots can get filled quickly.

We opted for the cost-effective Studio Tour (as opposed to the pricier Deluxe tour), and it was more than enough for us! 

Tours are offered from 8:15am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Our Experience Touring the Friends Studio/Set at the Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour

Warning: spoilers ahead! I’ll be going into detail about where they brought us and what we saw on the tour, so you better look away if you’re a fan of surprises! The photos and experience below are from our most recent in visit in 2022.

1. Getting to the Warner Brothers Studio Lot

The address for the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Hollywood is 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505.

This is the address you would put into a rideshare app or taxi, but there is also covered parking available here at the Tour Center for $15 per vehicle.

2. The Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Welcome Center

Here, you’ll find a full-service Starbucks where you can grab a drink by the Tri-Wizard Cup from Harry Potter, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Store, which is filled with amazing merch from across fandoms.

The tour will bring you back into the store at the end, so don’t worry about buying all your souvenirs now. It’s highly recommended you buy your ticket online because day-of tickets are highly limited, and the experience is just way smoother if you have your tickets already.

3. Warner Bros Storytelling Showcase

After you show your tickets, your tour begins with a storytelling showcase that explores the century-long history of Warner Bros through old photos and displays.

While this is a more general showcase area, there are some fun props for Friends fans, like one of Phoebe’s guitars:

4. The Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour Pre-Show 

After you go through the Storytelling showcase, you are brought into a nice waiting area that has decorated with international posters from famous Warner Bros movies.

From here, you are brought into a theatre for a pre-show introduction to Warner Bros, featuring clips from the myriad of films and shows that they have produced.

This little film does an awesome job of pumping you up for the tour! After this, you will meet your tour guide and will then be sent on your way.

5. Warner Bros Backlot Tour

After the intro film, you are loaded onto the giant golf carts and sent off to explore some backlots. Since the studio is a working one, which specific backlots you see will depend on what is currently in use for filming.

The tour guides here are really knowledgable and fun, and tend to start the tour by asking which Warner Bros movies/shows you like.

Don’t be shy here, because they will tailor the tour based on your interests, so if your goal is to see as many Friends filming locations as possible, they will help point them out!

As well as Midwest Street, which is supposedly one of the most used sets in Hollywood.

Most notably, it has appeared as Star’s Hollow from Gilmore Girls, and Rosewood from Pretty Little Liars. While here, we got off the carts to explore a bit on foot, taking time for lots of photos at the Star’s Hollow gazebo:

We then stopped off to see the interior of a house set, which happened to be the house where Monica and Rachel’s  prom video  was shot. Can’t you picture sad Ross on those stairs?!

We also went past Stage 24, which is the Friends stage. Unfortunately, it was in use, so not open to visitors!

Stage 48: Script to Screen

After the backlot tour, you will be brought to Stage 48, which is home to an exciting museum-esque display of sets, costumes, and props, arranged in a sort of way that mimics the production process, from initial scriptwriting all the way to special effects at the end.

The best part is that this stage is super interactive, with plenty of staff photographers scattered around to help you get the perfect photo.

You’ll find the real Central Perk set here, which is so much smaller in real life than it looks on TV.

There were also a few sets from the Big Bang Theory.

And a really fun interactive area where you can see some special effects at work.

Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique

At the end of the Stage 48 experience, you are brought to the new Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique.

If your main goal for doing the tour is seeing sets from Friends in real life, then THIS is your place to shine.

There’s of course the cafe itself, which serves a variety of coffee/deli treats, some of which are named after the Friends themselves, or based on the show (e.g. Rachel’s English Trifle, luckily without any meat).

We’d advise 1000% to get your coffee for here, rather than to go, because you have your pick at fun places to sip and marvel at the MANY Friends easter eggs scattered around the cafe/boutique.

You can sit and have a drink at “Central Perk”:

Grab a seat at Monica & Rachel’s kitchen table or sofa:

Or enjoy some chill time on one of Joey and Chandler’s BarcaLoungers, before spending your life savings around the gift shop, where every single item is Friends themed. We couldn’t resist going home with a Central Perk mug. It just had to be done.

Action and Magic Made Here

After you’ve spent all your money, you step outside and take a short golf cart shuttle over to the final part of the tour, which is called “Action and Magic Made Here”.

During our visit, this part of the tour was clearly divided into two sections: the world of DC and the world of Harry Potter.

The DC section had lots of cool costumes and props from the more recent DC movies, including old Batmobiles and outfits from the Justice League & Suicide Squad.

The Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts section had a few different rooms, including a Potions classroom, Herbology classroom, and the interior of Newt’s briefcase.

This part of the tour concludes with a display of the awards Warner Bros has won, and you get to take a photo with your own real life Oscar if you so wish!

Warner Bros. Studio Store

The final stop was of course the gift shop, where you could find a variety of fun souvenirs from across fandoms.

If you’re not sick of photos just yet, there are also some unique costumes on display! During our visit, we got to see some more costumes from the DC Universe, like suits from Grant Gustin’s Flash and Stephen Amell’s Arrow.

How to Visit the Friends Set in Real Life

So, to recap, if your goal is to explore the sets from Friends in real life, you either have to wait for a travelling exhibition like FriendsFest, or you should go to LA and book the Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour so you can see the Central Perk set, Friends fountain, and other recreated sets at the Central Perk Café and Friends Boutique.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to doing a Friends set tour. Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions!

GeekTrippers Team

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Home > Road Trip Itineraries > West Coast > California Road Trip Itineraries > California Coast > Los Angeles Travel Guide > Los Angeles Attractions > Movie Studios

An Overview of Hollywood’s Film Studios

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A trip to Los Angeles is not complete unless you visit at least one of the Hollywood film studios . Over the years, Universal, Warner Bros., Sony, and Paramount have produced movies and TV series that have made us grow and have shaped us and excited us… to see for yourself the places in Los Angeles where they were produced and shot will certainly be one of the highlights of your California vacation if you’re a film buff.

So let me briefly introduce the 4 best movie studios in Hollywood  and highlight their main differences and strengths.

Universal Studios

Warner bros. studios, paramount studios, sony pictures studios, melody ranch motion picture studio, what is the best movie studio tour in los angeles, map of the film studios.

Let’s start with Universal Studios , California ‘s most famous and popular studios. If what you’re looking for is pure fun and adrenaline, this is the place for you. At Universal Studios, you will live unique exciting experiences because it is a theme park . Its shows at specific times (the most famous ones are WaterWorld , Harry Potter , Kung Fu Panda ) and its rides ( The Simpsons , Walking Dead , The Mummy  …) will make you experience special effects that will leave you speechless and inevitable nostalgic moments. One of the more recent attractions is the famous The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hollywood) , a Harry Potter-themed area that will certainly thrill fans of the series by J.K. Rowling.

Universal Studios is an amusement park for young and old alike, but there is more. There is also the possibility to take a guided tour of the movie sets (the motel of Psycho , the neighborhood where Desperate Housewives was set, the Clock Tower of Back to the Future …), an exciting tour that tops off the Universal experience .

Admission is not cheap but, as I’ll talk about later, it’s certainly worth it. Remember that you will have to plan to spend the whole day at Universal Studios because there are so many things to see and do. Also, especially in the high season, this is one of the main attractions in Los Angeles so if you do not buy passes to skip lines, be prepared to wait in line at the entrance and individual attractions inside the park.

• Read more in our article about Universal Studios.

From Casablanca to Batman , from Friends to Big Bang Theory , the magnificent Warner Bros . has produced not only some of the masterpieces of American cinema, but also some of the most beloved series in the world. You can go behind the scenes of the most famous films, cartoons, and TV series produced since 1923 by Warner Bros. There are three tours that you can choose from: the Studio Tour, the Classics Tour, and the Deluxe Tour.

Among the most popular attractions are the Batmobiles exhibit and DC Universe: The Exhibit , an interactive exhibition that features superheroes of Warner Bros. Studios’ movies. You’ll also be able to see the original clothes and sets of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . And that’s not all, thanks to At Stage 48: Script to Screen , you’ll have the chance to see with your own eyes how a movie is created, from the script to the broadcast. During the visit, you can enjoy a cup of coffee at the Central Perk Café . It’s a reconstruction of the cafe found in Friends . Don’t you want to experience what it is like to sit on the armchairs and sofas where Rachel, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica, and Ross used to sit? Unlike Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios is an operational film studio complex and you might meet famous actors between filming one scene and another. On the official website, you can find out what TV series are being produced at the moment.

• For more information, read our article about Warner Bros. Studios

You may not know this, but Paramount Pictures in Hollywood are the oldest movie studios in the United States . It was founded in 1912, while the actual film studio complex was built starting in 1926. Even before entering the entrance gate, it is exciting to think that it was here that the Ten Commandments , Roman Holiday , The Godfather , Grease , Forrest Gump , and the epic Titanic were produced. And that’s not all. Science fiction fans will be pleased to know that Star Trek was produced here. Not to mention another highly successful series, Happy Days , was also made by Paramount Pictures. How could we forget Fonzie’s leather jacket?

To visit the film studio complex, there are guided tours and you can choose between the Studio Tour and the VIP Tour . One of the positive aspects is the limited number of 7-8 people per tour , so you can visit the proposed movie sets, the props storage area, and other highlights of Paramount Studios without too much confusion. Since the studios are still active, the tours change according to what is currently being filmed , so while you may meet famous actors, you may not get to see the set you had hoped to see.

• Read more in our article about Paramount Studios

The Wizard of Oz is just one of the many masterpieces produced in the studios in Culver City . Today the studios are home to Sony Pictures, which bought them in 1990, after a period of degradation and neglect. It was the Triangle Film Corporation and especially MGM that made these film studios famous, with productions such as Singin’ in the Rain , Ben-Hur , Gigi and, of course, The Wizard of Oz . In 1969, however, MGM Studios had to close due to financial problems, and an era of set dismantling, auction sales, and decline began. As a result of the great work done by Sony Pictures since the nineties, today it is again among the most popular active film studios in California .

You can choose between the Daily Tour and the VIP Lunch Tour . Again, as is the case at Warner Bros. Studios and Paramount Studios, the film studio complex in operation so some sets may be closed and tours may be modified. On the other hand, you might run into some famous actors who are studying their lines… you never know!

• Find out more in our article about Sony Pictures Studios

To wrap up the list, the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Santa Clarita deserves a mention as well. It may have a less grandiose name, but it’s the place where Western film enthusiasts should bring their cameras. Active for over 100 years, this film set has had a glorious yet tumultuous history. Thanks to the efforts of the Veluzat family, the Western town of Melody Ranch was rebuilt in the 1990s after the devastating effects of a fire. Even today, it remains highly sought after by production companies working on the Western genre , whether it’s more or less adapted. Need some examples? Quentin Tarantino’s Django and Once Upon a Time In Hollywood , as well as TV series like Westworld and Deadwood .

If you wish to visit this studio, you’ll need to purchase a tour from a specialized agency in Newhall , the neighborhood of Santa Clarita where the ranch is located.

• Find out more in our article about Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio 

If you’re a movie lover, at this point you’ll be literally overwhelmed with choices . You may ask yourself what is the best movie studio to visit in Los Angeles . Unless you’re a real fan of a particular production company and want to see the headquarters where your favorite movies were shot, I suggest you choose Universal Studios .

In my opinion, this is the choice that pleases everyone, both fans and those who are curious. As I mentioned earlier, it offers a complete experience ! Not only do you have the chance to see the film studios, the scenery, and to go behind the scenes of classic movies, but also to spend a whole day in a real movie theme park , combining history and culture with a good dose of fun .

Tickers, tips, and other information about Universal Studios

If you’re not the least bit interested in the idea of going to a theme park, then you could opt for Warner Bros. Studios , which, according to many, offers good value for your money… even though it is still subjective.

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

Flora Lufrano

I am a translator and teacher. I love to travel, meet new people and cultures and never cease to be surprised by the beauty of our planet.

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‘taylor swift: eras tour’ director sam wrench launches production banner.

Jeff Zucker-backed Everwonder Studio has a stake in Next of Kin Content, which will focus on live event, documentaries and unscripted TV.

By Etan Vlessing

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Sam Wrench, who directed Taylor Swift ’s blockbuster concert tour film, is opening his own production company, Next of Kin Content, with Jeff Zucker-backed Ever Wonder Studio as a financial backer and joint venture partner.

After the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour  film had a global box office haul of $267 million, opening the way for a concert film boom in Hollywood, Wrench has opened the doors on his own production venture focused on culture-driven live event, documentary and unscripted programming. 

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“Sam is exceptionally well-versed across a range of genres and styles, and his work consistently drives the beat of pop culture,” said EverWonder Studio President Mike Antinoro of Wrench. The director, who will also helm the upcoming concert film Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration , welcomed the tie-up with EverWonder Studio.

“I’ve long enjoyed working with Mike and am excited by the scale, ambition and support Ian and the team at EverWonder have shown. Whether directing or producing, I love telling big, noisy stories that cut through regardless of genre; Next of Kin Content will be the perfect home for me and our partners to make that a reality,” Wrench said.

EverWonder Studio is led by producer and executive Ian Orefice and focuses on nonfiction content with global appeal.

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‘Queer Rhapsody,’ a new film series coming to five L.A. venues, arrives in a moment of need

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A new LGBTQIA+ film series, intended as a showcase for recent work and potentially standing in for the absence of Outfest, will launch in July. Taking place at multiple venues across Los Angeles, “Queer Rhapsody” will run from July 19-28 and screen more than 50 films, including eight features.

“We’re in a moment right now where queer identity is called into question, where marginalized communities don’t necessarily have spaces to convene and share in art,” said May Hong HaDuong , director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, who organized the series. HaDuong says “Queer Rhapsody” was motivated by a need to “create art spaces for communal engagement for queer identities under fire.”

Events for the series will take place at five venues: the Hammer Museum in Westwood; Vidiots in Eagle Rock; the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Los Feliz 3 in Los Feliz; and the Broad in downtown L.A.

The series, with a special emphasis on hybrid works that blur the lines between fiction and documentary, will open with Drew Denny’s “Second Nature,” a documentary about evolutionary biologist Dr. Joan Roughgarden, narrated by Elliot Page .

Other feature films will include Fawzia Mirza’s “The Queen of My Dreams,” starring Amrit Kaur and Nimra Bucha; Susie Yankou’s “Sisters,” an L.A.-set comedy on chosen family in which the filmmaker stars alongside Kausar Mohammed; and Patiparn Boontarig’s Thai romantic drama “Solids by the Seashore.” A prom-themed party at Vidiots will follow Silas Howard ’s “Darby and the Dead,” a supernatural teen comedy starring Riele Downs and Auli’i Cravalho .

Other feature documentaries are Julia Fuhr Mann’s “Life Is Not a Competition, but I’m Winning,” on issues of gender in competitive athletics; Jules Rosskam’s “Desire Lines,” an examination of transmasculine identity; and Elizabeth Purchell ’s “Ask Any Buddy,” which uses fragments from all-male adult films to explore historical depictions of desire.

Organizers are specifically referring to “Queer Rhapsody” as a film series and not a film festival, in hopes of further fostering a spirit of conversation, not competition.

“Most festivals, or many festivals, you’re going into that track of academy qualifying, various award qualifying, status-based — you have certain designations,” said Martine McDonald, creative director and senior programmer. “And this is more about contemporary work that’s moving the lens of queer storytelling forward and really bringing community. So it makes sense for that reason, I think.”

Additionally, it was intentional, organizers say, to place “Queer Rhapsody” outside of June’s Pride Month.

“I am not a subscriber to heritage months in a way that a lot of arts organizations are forced to put communities within one bucket of a month,” said HaDuong. “The intersectionality of the day-to-day life that Angelenos live, I think it’s beyond June. It became very clear that it didn’t have to be June. And to be frank, people during Pride Month don’t necessarily want to be in a theater.”

Along with HaDuong and McDonald, the programming team behind the series also includes Moi Santos, manager of the Equity, Impact and Belonging Program at the Sundance Institute; curator Daniel Crooke, senior programmer at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival in Canada and former senior programmer at L.A.’s Outfest; and filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris, who has a short film playing in the series.

McDonald was also formerly director of artist development at Outfest. While the organizers of “Queer Rhapsody” are careful not to say they are looking to step into the void left by the collapse of that long-running event, they also recognize the gap it has left in the local queer arts community.

“I think queer audiences have always been really hungry for storytelling, to see themselves onscreen, to engage in spaces, beyond any one moment,” said HaDuong. “I would be remiss not to mention that, yes, of course there was this acknowledgment of what the community might be losing in the moment, and [us] stepping in and saying, ‘This is really for us to come together and do this.’ We wanted to center the filmmaking, the spaces, the stories in this moment and do it in a way that we felt was possible with our compact operations to serve the community.”

As for whether the new event will become a recurring annual fixture on the Los Angeles film calendar, HaDuong demurred, saying: “This is such a unique moment in time that we’re mostly just focused on making sure we’re here to serve the community. So one step at a time is how I see it.”

The group of venues participating in “Queer Rhapsody” beyond the UCLA Film & Television Archive came together organically, as organizers simply thought about the places they would like to go.

“These are venues that we’ve gone to as community members as much as cultural workers,” said McDonald.

“L.A. will always need a place for queer cinema,” said HaDuong. “I thought it would be important to reach out to other venues that we’ve worked with, that we’re aware of, who are committed to this. And to be able to partner across them and say, : ‘Let’s just commit to making sure this summer we have a series that showcases these stories across the city.’”

These films changed queer representation forever. We spoke with their earliest champion

On the occasion of an upcoming anniversary series at the Academy Museum, we caught up with film scholar B. Ruby Rich, coiner of the term “New Queer Cinema.”

June 14, 2024

The “Queer Rhapsody” series is coming at a moment when the city’s queer arts community is in need of an event to fill the space left by Outfest. But it has been organized with a fresh energy all its own, one rooted in a boundary-breaking curiosity and sense of exploration, right down to its name.

“Martine and I had a lot of back and forth about the title ‘Queer Rhapsody,’” HaDuong said. “The word ‘queer’ is a term that some folks don’t necessarily respond to as fully embodying every type of identity. But for me, it is a version of the LGBTQIA experience that can sometimes feel edgy. And ‘rhapsody’ is the moment where the image hits the screen, where you’re taking a deep breath and you say, ‘What am I going to see?’

“So rhapsody is that energy between the motion of moving images and the motion of people around you, living and breathing experience through art. And you can’t always quantify what rhapsody is, but you put the two together and it’s creating a space for some of that joy to come out.”

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