Los Angeles can be an overwhelming, sprawling, mess of a city...but it doesn't have to be. Take it from me, a native Angeleno who has spent 35 years living, eating, wandering, and loving every corner of the City of Angels. As a culture-hound and lover of all things delicious, I have gotten to know many unique neighborhoods in L.A. while on a hunt for the best that the city has to offer. Let me help you make the best of your time here -- or if you're a local, perhaps I can show you a corner of L.A. you haven't seen before!
If this is your first time visiting L.A., you'll likely see attractions like the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, or TCL Mann's Chinese Theater in your guides. While every tourist locale serves a purpose, the list below is an outline of a few of my favorite places for a movie-going experience. This FREE guide is meant to help whet your appetite to explore our city -- and hopefully help you fall in love with it.
Consider catching a film at one of the many theaters that L.A. has to offer. While we have no shortage of big screens across the city, we also have some amazing independent and unique theaters that offer special and/or repertory programming.
Silver Screen from a Golden Era -
American Cinematheque at The Egyptian
Good for: Cinephiles, History, and Architecture & Design lovers. Films screened include both new and repertory programming. Worth a visit if you're looking to be in the heart of Hollywood. Just steps away from the TCL Mann's Chinese Theater.
The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood
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Built in 1922, The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood is one of the original lavish movie houses of the Golden era. Located in the heart (and chaos) of Hollywood, the Egyptian is one of 3 theaters affiliated with the nonprofit organization American Cinemateque. Recently partnered with Netflix, the theater has been lovingly restored to its former glory, and is an architectural gem.
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Additional theaters affiliated with AC include:
Aero Theatre
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This neighborhood theater feels like a world away from the nearby Promenade and the beach-side attractions of the Santa Monica Pier. Built in 1940, the Aero Theater has been the main hub for the American Cinematheque; hosting many special engagements, premiers and world-class cinema. Located on a quiet stretch of Montana Avenue next to local restaurants including the beloved craft beer bar Father's Office.
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Los Feliz 3 Theatre
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As the most recent addition to the American Cinematheque portfolio, the Los Feliz 3, built in 1935, has been an anchor of the quaint Los Feliz Village neighborhood to the east of Hollywood. Once a single-screen theater which was then converted into 3 smaller auditoriums, catching a flick here feels like you're in your own private theater with about a hundred of your closest friends. The most notable feature of this theater is all the gems that the village offers; from great dining options, shopping, and one of the finest independently-owned bookstores in the region, Skylight Books.
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Screen-Saved: Iconic Theaters Saved by Hollywood
What do the two movie houses below have in common? Both theaters were saved by director Quentin Tarantino. While he may not have the most warm & fuzzy reputation, there is no doubt that Tarantino loves cinema. When the New Beverly Cinema (known for it's repertory double features) and the Vista Theater (known for a mix of new and special releases) were both recently renovated, Tarantino made sure to keep the quirky charm and overall historic feel of the beloved theaters.
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Outta the Way, but Noteworthy
If you're looking to dive deeper into L.A's film scene, here are some additional screens that we can't help but love.
Gardena Cinema
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Originally opened as the Park Theater in 1946, the Gardena Cinema has been an institution in this South Bay community since the Kim family purchased it in the 1970s. Still family-owned and operated, this historic single-screen theater has adapted to the needs of its neighborhood over the years; from screening Spanish-language movies to cater to its predominantly Latino neighbors, to showcasing new and reparatory films at reasonable prices. Daughter Judy Kim now operates the space and is constantly pouring love into the theater's programming and legacy.
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Landmark's Nuart Theatre
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If you've ever wanted to do the whole Rocky Horror Picture Show at Midnight thing, look no further than The Nuart! Open since 1930, this historic theater in west L.A has been screening independent, foreign, and unique films for decades. Although currently owned by Landmark Theaters, the high quality programming and weekly midnight screenings live on, including the Saturday midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast that's been running weekly since 1987! Added bonus, you're steps away from Sawtelle's Japantown and Cinefile, one of the last remaining DVD rental shops in town.
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Paramount Drive-In Theatres
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After the recent closure of Montclair's Mission Tiki Drive-In, the Paramount may just be one of the last remaining drive-in theaters in the southland. Need I say more?
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