TCL Chinese Theatres
TCL Chinese Theatres
4
Historic Sites • Cinemas • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
Walk in the steps of the Tinseltown's stars: visit the theater's famous forecourt and gaze down at the stars' footprints, handprints and autographs immortalized in cement.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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from A$45.90
All you need to step foot in the door.
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Top ways to experience TCL Chinese Theatres
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Hollywood
Hollywood undoubtedly conjures up images of movie stars and high-end lifestyles, and to this day, tourists flock here from around the world to see the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and to catch a glimpse of the famed Hollywood sign up close. Celebrity impersonators and crowds give these areas the feeling of an amusement park while many clubs and hotels fill up around the weekends for late-night partying - the Hollywood club scene is a haven for thumping music and table-side bottle service. But parties aren’t the only way to enjoy this area, many visitors come to the neighborhood to sit back with a picnic to watch a performance at the Hollywood Bowl and those looking to stay fit trek along nature trails in the Hollywood hills and in Griffith Park.
How to get there
- Hollywood/Vine • 2 min walk
- Hollywood/Highland • 2 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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1,877 within 5 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
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4.0
3,477 reviews
Excellent
1,117
Very good
1,399
Average
775
Poor
126
Terrible
60
Robye144
Rome, Italy160 contributions
In the years, I have been enjoying movies in this Cinema, where I always return with pleasure. You may not arrive in rush and walk around the people which got their imprints and names around. You’ll be feeling why LA is the “Stars City”.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cathy H
BETTENDORF11 contributions
Family
We took the tour and because of the heat we opted to see the movie on another night - we realized it was the same thing (the tour only lets you see the lobby and the theatre area) only cheaper and we got to see the movie. The history is cool but if you just want to see inside, buy a ticket to the imax movie showing when you are in town. The handprints and footprints are open to the public and you’ll be able to go in the theatre 20 minutes prior to your movie and see everything.
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cherilyn J
34 contributions
Couples
It’s a historic treasure! The ornate design and decor. From 1920’s. They have original and custom artifacts as well. They have the original theater with IMax and additional theaters in upper levels. The tour was awesome. We loved Lear big about the history and unique facts. The book they sell is worth it for $3. Loved seeing all the celebrity concrete prints and insignia out front. Highly recommend!
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Indah Edlightz
Ontario, Canada2,817 contributions
A must see when in Hollywood, this iconic theatre and landmark is in tons of movies and always on TV. its a very busy place and we were there too early for the tour, but would like to come back for the tour. Very busy place indeed but everyone is fairly courteous so everyone gets a turn taking photos. This is also a great start if you are doing the Hollywood walk of fame.
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve B
Worthing, UK172 contributions
Got to go as it is a famous site but it is what it is, a small cinema in central Hollywood. It was cool seeing all the hand/footprints outside the entrance but thought it was all pretty average really.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
midway42
Georgia2,975 contributions
Sid Grauman was a dreamer, and in the early 1920s he set out to construct a theater to match his love of cinema and his ambitious vision of how it should be seen. After a successful opening of his eponymously named Egyptian theater in 1922, he set his sights on constructing what is universally accepted as the world’s most iconic/renowned/beloved/etc. movie auditorium on Hollywood Boulevard. Cecil B. DeMille’s “The King of Kings” premiered here in 1927 and the building hasn’t looked back, passing through various owners and names over the decades. Aside from the Hollywood Walk of Fame (see separate review), it is hard to imagine an attraction here that is more emblematic of American movies and their stars. A year-long residence of the movie “Star Wars” occured in 1977-78, actors and actresses have pressed their hands and feet in cement outside, and the solo-theater became a multiplex over the years.
I made two visits during my three days in Los Angeles. The first was for a 30-minute “VIP tour” that I purchased online the day before. We met in the lobby and our docent took us on a didactic trek around the interior. This included the history of the building as mentioned above, an explanation of various costumes and artifacts in the entry, and a review of the architecture and decorative elements in the main hall and adjoining entryways. We finished just as previews for “Bullet Train” started, which obviously gave me the idea to see said movie the next day in all of its IMAX glory. Multiple quick stops at the appendage cement prints outside rounded out my experience.
In summary, this was an inexpensive and easily accessible attraction to learn and experience one of the world’s quintessential entertainment modalities. The tour was concise and informative, although our guide seemed a bit hesitant and admittedly kept explanations short due to some attendee's brief attention spans. The theater itself was a one-of-kind experience and quite simply is how movies should be seen: large screen, symphonic sound, dazzling surroundings, and most importantly with an audience that appreciates all of these traits.
A recommended visit for anyone, and an essential visit for cinema aficionados.
I made two visits during my three days in Los Angeles. The first was for a 30-minute “VIP tour” that I purchased online the day before. We met in the lobby and our docent took us on a didactic trek around the interior. This included the history of the building as mentioned above, an explanation of various costumes and artifacts in the entry, and a review of the architecture and decorative elements in the main hall and adjoining entryways. We finished just as previews for “Bullet Train” started, which obviously gave me the idea to see said movie the next day in all of its IMAX glory. Multiple quick stops at the appendage cement prints outside rounded out my experience.
In summary, this was an inexpensive and easily accessible attraction to learn and experience one of the world’s quintessential entertainment modalities. The tour was concise and informative, although our guide seemed a bit hesitant and admittedly kept explanations short due to some attendee's brief attention spans. The theater itself was a one-of-kind experience and quite simply is how movies should be seen: large screen, symphonic sound, dazzling surroundings, and most importantly with an audience that appreciates all of these traits.
A recommended visit for anyone, and an essential visit for cinema aficionados.
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark
31 contributions
Family
We stayed at the Loews Hotel just behind the theatre. Great Theatre with hundreds of famous hand prints outside. We watched Top Gun 2 at 2140 on a Thursday evening. The area is safe for families and no one bothers you. If you get a chance visit the hotel opposite, the Roosevelt Hotel (it’s been in a lot of movies) you can have a wander around the lobby. surprisingly resultants on the strip close around 10pm so plan your evening meal around your visit.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Enamul13
Chittagong City, Bangladesh1,522 contributions
Friends
The Theatre is in the busy Hollywood Blvd. There is lots of tourist attraction as well as tourist. In front of Hollywood star lane TCL theatre is an iconic attraction with it’s beautiful surroundings.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Silk44w
Exeter, UK19 contributions
Solo
Well I went expecting to watch a film in Hollywood! What I got was an experience as far as the film was concerned. It was something else! The staff were also quite inviting and happy to help you out
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Levi6800
8 contributions
Friends
We just walked around the plaza outside the theater and it was very neat. Really cool seeing handprints and footprints of famous stars. My favorite was the marvel characters. Kinda sketchy area though, if you are going to bring your family come from the west side and don’t continue down the Hollywood walk of fame
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Renatahehu92
3 contributions
Hola, actualmente se pueden hacer tours dentro del Teatro o están suspendidos? Y se puede ver alguna pelicula ahi? Gracias por sus comentarios.
Alguien tomó el tour que incluye la tarjeta GO LOS ANGELES? hay que reservar? Quisiera un horario por la noche después del tour de Warner de las 3 pm .Envié correo pero no me ha contestado
_pequitas_org
Province of Pontevedra, Spain253 contributions
Hola. Se lo puedo decirte y recomendar como lo hicimos nosotros, por separado en un día cada uno. Así se disfruta y ve mejor. Es mi consejo. Un saludo
Derek T
Denver, CO28 contributions
Where is the best place to park? I’m taking my kids to look at the walk of fame and hand prints.
Nancy D
Los Angeles, CA1,719 contributions
You can pay $3 for two hours if you get a validation from a store in the Hollywood Highland center. This site does not allow me to post a link. If you google Hollywood Highland parking, you will get more details. Have fun.
Chantelle M
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
i see on the website there are 2 tours avaliable :
LOBBYISTS & HANDPRINTS TOUR (NR) and
TCL CHINESE THEATRE TOUR.
does anyone know the difference between them? and are they worth doing?
thanks
DrCDB
Chile421 contributions
Agree with the other reviewers, the best value option is to get to see the inside by seeing a movie. The handprints you can do it yourself (no tour needed).
Eva Krupova
Istanbul, Turkey9 contributions
Unfortunatelly the Chinese Theater was closed. The big truck was in front of the theater so we did not see anything.
itaca117
150 contributions
Ciao, vorrei sapere se si può visitare da soli il teatro e poter vedere le lastre di cemento senza una guida, se si, quanto costa e se si può entrare a qualsiasi orario. Grazie
epistocuro
Turin, Italy2,951 contributions
Penso proprio che si possa
Lauren M
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
What are the opening hours for tours?
cszostak
Doylestown, PA556 contributions
Tours start in the morning. The best place to go for specifics is their website. They have tour options as well as times. You can book everything in advance, guaranteed a spot. Have fun!
Lauren M
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
What are the opening hours for tours?
Michael S
Los Angeles, CA96 contributions
Christine from New York posted the hours but this theatre chain hosts many special events from Academy events, (there is more than one academy), to industry screenings to film festivals, so worth a phone call before you go.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
TCL Chinese Theatres (Los Angeles): All You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions about TCL Chinese Theatres
- TCL Chinese Theatres admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost AU$45.19, while a popular guided tour starts around AU$7.64 per person. See all 97 TCL Chinese Theatres tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- TCL Chinese Theatres can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 97 TCL Chinese Theatres tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience TCL Chinese Theatres:
- Madame Tussauds Hollywood Admission Ticket (From AU$45.19)
- TCL Chinese Theatre VIP Tour (From AU$20.35)
- Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour (From AU$39.67)
- Los Angeles Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour (From AU$71.99)
- Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open-Top Bus (From AU$51.42)
- Hotels near TCL Chinese Theatres:
- (0.10 km) The Hollywood Roosevelt
- (0.20 km) Hollywood Celebrity Hotel
- (0.17 km) Samesun Hollywood
- (0.18 km) Orange Drive Hostel
- (0.21 km) Loews Hollywood Hotel
- Restaurants near TCL Chinese Theatres:
- (0.05 km) Randy's Donuts
- (0.05 km) Hollywood Rock Cafe
- (0.06 km) Pokinometry
- (0.13 km) Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
- (0.10 km) 25 Degrees
- Attractions near TCL Chinese Theatres:
- (0.01 km) City Sightseeing Los Angeles
- (0.04 km) Have Fun Tours
- (0.05 km) Virtual Room Los Angeles
- (0.05 km) Red Line Tours
- (0.05 km) Star City Tours