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.
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Universal 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.
Warner Bros. 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
Paramount 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
Sony Pictures Studios
An 89-ft tall and 187-ft-long rainbow stands out from the view as you approach Sony Pictures Studios. It is the rainbow of The Wizard of Oz, which features Dorothy, the undisputed star of the Oscar-winning song for Best Original Song, Over the Rainbow.
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
Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio
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
What is the best movie studio tour in Los Angeles?
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.
