TCL Chinese Theatre

Tickets & Guide to Hollywood's Famous Movie Palace

⏱ 1 hour👤 All ages$

The forecourt is the classic stop: a courtyard of concrete squares, each signed and imprinted by a star, a tradition that began in the 1920s. Visitors can walk the forecourt for free and compare their own hands and shoes with those of famous performers. Inside, the theater offers guided tours that cover the building's history and the stories behind the ceremonies, and the auditorium itself is a large-format movie house with a big screen and a dramatic interior.

The theater is best experienced as a working cinema. Seeing a film in the IMAX auditorium gives you the full effect of the space, and premieres, when they occur, bring crowds and red-carpet activity to the boulevard. Check the schedule if you would like to catch a screening, and book ahead for popular titles. A tour, by contrast, is a quieter way to see the interior, and it is a good choice when the forecourt is crowded or the weather is hot.

The theater sits at the heart of the Hollywood Boulevard tourist district, next to the Dolby Theatre and across from the Walk of Fame, so it is easy to combine with other sights. Expect crowds, street performers and souvenir sellers, and keep an eye on your belongings. Early morning is the best time for photos of the forecourt without crowds. The theater suits all ages, and it works well as a short first stop on a Hollywood day before moving on to the studios or Griffith Observatory.