warner bros movie studio tour

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You?

Posted on Published: June 29, 2019  - Last updated: July 31, 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…

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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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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 :)

Warner Bros.? Paramount? Universal? How to choose the best Hollywood studio tour for you

W hen it comes to L.A. outings, the movie studio tour can be easy for locals to overlook. After all, surrounded by Hollywood productions, the entire city can feel like a stage. And if you've been on backlots or know people who work in the film and television industries, the magic of the moving picture may already be demystified.

And yet there's still much to adore about an afternoon jaunt through a filmmaking campus.

In a city that's too often unjustly stereotyped as favoring the new, the Hollywood studio reminds us of how much history — and, specifically, pop-culture myth-making — is rooted in and around Los Angeles. There in these spaces, you might see a spot where James Dean once stood, roll past the "Psycho" house, step into a partly dressed soundstage or walk through a sound-making Foley factory. Our studios remain working palaces dedicated to crafting dreams.

That all may sound romanticized — the reality of " making it " in Hollywood is increasingly challenging, and the studio itself is threatened by a global, digital and consolidating production industry — but it's only meant to note what's at risk.

For me, the studio tour was once a go-to destination when out-of-towners came to visit. These days, I like to revisit one every few years, just as a reminder to remain uncynical and to marvel at the talent and cinematic art that this region has invented. And each tour has a slightly different flavor. Whether it's animation history you crave or museum-like installations, there's a tour for every kind of film buff.

Universal Studios

Best for: Seekers of thrills and cinematic magic

It's not an exaggeration to say that if there was no tram tour on the Universal Studios lot, there would be no Universal Studios theme park. Sixty years ago, the backlot tram tour began as a way, in part, to increase commissary sales as tourists liked the opportunity to dine on the lot. Quickly, however, those running the tour had a realization that every studio trek has to confront: looking at giant soundstages or deserted sets is fun for only so long.

Thus, Universal Studios pioneered the concept of melding the tour with various attractions — cinematic illusions such as a flash flood, a runaway train or, in the late ’80s, an earthquake simulator. Today, the tram tour — now officially designated as the World-Famous Studio Tour — is but one part of a larger theme park, designed to show us mini-attractions such as an encounter with a shark from "Jaws" or a 3-D ride alongside King Kong. Yes, there are backlot sets, including instantly recognizable locations from "Back to the Future," "Pyscho," "Desperate Housewives" and, most recently, "Nope." But this 60-minute journey is more than a behind-the-scenes look. Instead, the focus is on the emotion and excitement of movie-making mirages.

There is even a lesser known VIP option to exploring the park. Expect to spend around $400 per person for it, but the perks include a longer tour with the ability to walk around the sets, venture into a prop house and likely set foot on a soundstage.

Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza. The tram tour is included with theme park admission, which varies per day but ranges from $109 to $149 per person. For more information , visit universalstudioshollywood.com .

Warner Bros.

Best for: Fans of interactive exhibits, Central Perk selfies and everything "Harry Potter"

Warner Bros. has always had a showman's approach to its studio tour, opening its gates to the public in the mid-'60s to herald the arrival of "The Great Race" with cars, props and a behind-the-scenes featurette to accompany a backlot venture. It's a mindset that continues today, as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour aims to walk the line between pure history and entertainment, with numerous recent expansions into interactive installations. Come for the tour, stay for a potion-making mini-game to celebrate the "Harry Potter" franchise or the ability to pose with multiple Batmobiles.

The standard tour offers about a 60-minute tram outing. Expect to stop and walk among its suburban town, where guides will point out filming locations from "Friends," "The Big Bang Theory," "Gilmore Girls," "Cool Hand Luke" and more, as well as to see the wilds of San Fernando Valley, including a forest area that's been used in the likes of "Jurassic Park," "True Blood" and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." There's also a Turner Classic Movies-themed tour , if you lean more toward cinematic classics such as "Casablanca" and "Rebel Without a Cause."

But what truly separates Warner Bros. from its competitors is recent investments in a re-creation of the "Friends" Central Perk Café — yes, you can dine there — and its surrounding museum-like exhibits. Interactive tables will allow you to explore the actors of Warner Bros. past and present, while special effects stations can add or subtract digital accouterments with the movement of a knob. There's up-sell green screen photo ops, short films and demonstrations of motion-capture technology. A secondary stop pulls from tricks from the theme park industry, with photo ops pegged to DC superhero films and the "Potter" franchise, including the ability to be assigned a personality by the latter's wizardly Sorting Hat.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank. The standard tour starts at $73 ; Southern California residents receive a $12 discount through Dec. 17 , with deluxe and VIP offerings providing additional exploration of the studio's backlot. For more information , visit wbstudiotour.com.

Walt Disney Studios

Best for: Disney history buffs and animation lovers

If Disneyland idealizes American stories and Western takes on classic fairy tales, then a trip to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank grounds them in a bit more reality. But it is still Disney, so expect a little bit of folkloric mythologizing, especially when it comes to company founder Walt Disney.

A centerpiece of the 2½-hour tour — open only to members of the Disney fan club D23, including those with a free membership — is the meticulous restoration of Disney's five-room office suite. It's a treasure trove of items belonging to Disney — or re-creations of them, such as a reproduction of the special Oscar he won for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” with a normal-sized statuette and seven smaller ones. Marvel, too, at the Disneyland master plan, with nods to what were then recently completed projects such as It's a Small World. The office is preserved as it would have looked at the time of Disney's death in 1966. (Note: At the time of publication, the office was due for renovation in late 2024.)

Additionally, no other tour is as dedicated to the art of animation as this one. No real surprise, of course, but guests will visit the original animation building — where "Cinderella" and "Lady and the Tramp," among many others, were created — and learn about Disney's many advancements to the medium. Discover, too, the unique construction of the lot, and clever efforts to conceal precious hand-drawn animation cels from the sun. The tour also includes a stop at the Walt Disney Archives, the working research lab dedicated to preserving all things Disney.

The Walt Disney Studios Official Tour, 500 S . Buena Vista St., Burbank. D23 members are allowed to purchase two tickets; ticket cost varies by membership level but starts at $79. For more information , visit d23.com/upcoming-events.

Sony Pictures

Best for: Game show devotees and a vision of Oz

The Times first wrote about a tour of the famed MGM Studios lot in the late ’60s. Times, culture and ownership have changed, and the now Sony Pictures Studio Tour no longer, for instance, provides a look at Esther Williams' private swimming pool. Today, it begins with a re-creation of the "Seinfeld" set and props from the "Men in Black" films. The Culver City lot still offers the occasional nod to its past, via architectural allusions to MGM's history or artist Tony Tasset's 94-foot, 2012-constructed rainbow that references "The Wizard of Oz," which was filmed at the locale.

A signature of the modern Sony Pictures tour is a stop on the sets of venerable game shows such as "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune," provided they're not in the midst of filming. But even if they are, you'll still have the opportunity to stand before a green screen and take home a "Jeopardy!" picture as a memento.

You'll also likely get a look at various working aspects of the studio. On the day I visited, we strolled through the sound production offices to see how Foley artists operate. Imagine a darkened, cramped room that looks like someone's garage filled with old clothes, crusty leaves, an assortment of footwear and broken machinery.

It was a brief chance to play, as guests stepped among different floor types to create various sounds. We also spent a moment in an overdub room, mimicking the creation of white noise from a crowd.

"Breaking Bad" and Ghostbusters" fans will snare a look at vehicles used in productions. For a different perspective, schedule one of Sony's evening tours.

Sony Pictures, 3990 Overland Ave ., Culver City. Tours start at $55. For more information, visit sonypicturesstudiostours.com.

Paramount Pictures

Best for: Those looking for Hollywood nostalgia

Paramount dispenses with the slickness and some of the how-to's of other tours, focusing instead on its historic Hollywood locale on Melrose Avenue. A sense of grandeur permeates the lot, thanks in large part to the ornate archway of the Bronson Gate — which was a filming location for "Sunset Boulevard." On Paramount's standard tour, you'll learn how Alfred Hitchcock nearly destroyed a soundstage to film "Rear Window," and glimpse the lot's expansive "blue sky tank," which can create oceanic illusions. On the day I visited, we explored a soundstage dressed for Taylor Tomlinson's "After Midnight," and paused to watch crews ready the lot's New York streets for filming.

At a prop warehouse specifically geared for the tour, one can step on a transporter from "Star Trek Beyond." Also present: costumes for the "Halo" series, a full-scale Bumblebee from the "Transformers" films and mushrooms and an "egg mobile" from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" movies. This is more of a gallery-like setup than it is a venture into a working prop house.

The two-hour Paramount tour is relatively intimate, featuring a small group and a tour guide armed with an iPad. Higher-priced options offer a look into more operational archival areas of the lot, but as it stands, it's primarily a chance to see a historic Hollywood lot, one potentially on the verge of significant change .

Paramount Pictures, 5515 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Tour start at $65. For more information, visit paramountstudiotour.com.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

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"True Blood" - Merlotte’s Bar and Grill (Practical House, the Jungle)

Situated in the eastern portion of the lot is a lush, foliage-covered set known as the Jungle . At the center of the massive outdoor set sits a large 130x95-foot basin that can be filled with 250,000 gallons of water and dressed to resemble a lagoon, lake or swamp. Hundreds of species of trees dot the landscape surrounding the basin, as do several wooden structures, making it one of the most versatile spots on the backlot. The Jungle was originally constructed in 1956 for the filming of Santiago in which it portrayed Cuba. The cinematic stalwart has since gone on to mask as everything from rural Missouri in Million Dollar Baby to war-torn Vietnam on China Beach and 1870s Japan in The Last Samurai . The lagoon was even transformed into a flooded Chicago city culvert for the Season 2 episode of ER titled “Hell and High Water” in which Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney) famously rescued a drowning boy.

Positioned on the northern bank of the lagoon is a large ramshackle wooden structure that was originally built for the television series Invasion . The set piece is best known, though, for its role as Merlotte’s Bar and Grill , the watering hole owned by Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) on the hit HBO series True Blood . The same structure also appeared as the Rammer Jammer restaurant on Hart of Dixie and the Lost Woods Resort on Pretty Little Liars .

Discover LA Newsletter

Classic film lovers: See James Dean’s apartment and more on new TCM tour at Warner Bros.

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In 2021, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour created new interactive exhibits focused on the company’s recent history, unveiling areas dedicated to the DC Comics universe and the “Harry Potter” franchise.

This week, the popular Studio Tour in Burbank is doubling down on its more distant past.

Warner Bros. is now offering a Turner Classic Movies-branded version of its studio tour that will bring guests to previously off-limit areas of the lot, including vintage animation buildings, a mini rose garden and an apartment that once housed James Dean. The 90-minute tram portion of the jaunt — about 30 minutes longer than the studio’s standard tram excursion — will allow guides to go deeper into the history of the studio’s catalog to deliver factoids related to such films as “Casablanca,” “My Fair Lady,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” “Auntie Mame” and many more.

“We’re off the leash,” says Brad Taylor, a 15-year tour guide veteran with Warner Bros., noting that the TCM excursion will include time for guides to chat with visitors about their favorite films.

“We get to talk to the guests and really hang out with people who have the same passion that we do,” Taylor says. “I find that ‘classics’ guests are less about behind-the-scenes and more, ‘I can’t believe this is where we are.’ It’s just the look on their faces when they realize ‘Casablanca’ filmed here, or James Dean stood right here.”

The launch of the TCM tour arrives during the network’s 30th anniversary and close to 12 months after classic film fans were given a scare. In June, Warner Bros. announced that layoffs would hit TCM, including some of the network’s top executives, prompting concern from prestige directors such as Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese. After garnering national attention, key cuts were reversed and Warner Bros. sought to assure fans that TCM would continue to be handled with care.

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TCM network hosts — Eddie Muller, Jacqueline Stewart, Ben Mankiewicz, Alicia Malone and Dave Karger — recorded new video segments for the outing. The tour will take guests into the lot’s Property House, an area not visited by the standard tour. Here, visitors can get glimpses of materials for a full set, including items for a complete Oval Office setting, but expect guides to highlight vintage items, such as a throne from the Errol Flynn pirate film “Captain Blood.”

Danny Kahn, vice president-general manager of the studio tour, says there have been numerous requests over the years from guests to delve a little deeper into the studio’s animation history. That’s why the TCM tour will for the first time take visitors to an area of the lot once known as “Termite Terrace,” which from 1955 to 1964, says Taylor, housed the animation department, a building with a sloped roof designed to capture sunlight. Animation legend Chuck Jones, says Kahn, had an office in the Termite Terrace area in the 1990s despite Warner’s moving animation production elsewhere.

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Another unique tour locale is the exterior of the Dean apartment. When Dean resided there during filming of “East of Eden,” it was actually across the street from the lot, the apartment nesting above a pharmacy. But gradual studio expansion has led to the area now being on Warner Bros. property.

“That was an actual drugstore with apartments, and the studio rented it for him,” Kahn says. “I think it was to keep an eye on him and keep him on a short leash.”

The tour will also give tram riders a look at executive life at the studio, allowing them to briefly walk around a rose garden. The manicured spaces once held a tennis court as well as offices and personal screening rooms for the likes of studio mogul Jack Warner, with many of the structures dating to the 1920s. “It’s a really historic area of the lot that hasn’t really changed a lot in all these years,” says Kahn, noting the area is still in use by studio principals. “Jack Warner, when he ran the studio, privatized the first floor. That was a massage parlor that he had beneath his office.”

TCM Classic Films Tour

Where: The Warner Bros. Studio, 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank 91505

When: Most days, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Cost: $95 for adults; $82 for children. A SoCal resident discount is available for $75

Info: (818) 977-8687 or wbstudiotour.com

Staples of the tour, such as a journey around the backlot city streets, a visit to the “Friends” set and cafe and recent additions highlighting the studio’s modern franchise films are included in the TCM trek, as is a pre-tour reception with beverages and pastries. All told, expect the tour to last about 3½ hours. A tour spokesperson says the first TCM-branded outing is scheduled for Wednesday, with trams expected to depart daily after that date. Adult tickets are $95, but there is a Southern California resident discount available for $75.

“It feels so good to have TCM here,” Kahn says. “People understand that the TCM brand is synonymous with classic film.”

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Todd Martens is a features columnist at the Los Angeles Times who writes about theme parks and West Coast Experiences, among other topics. Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and has covered a mix of interactive entertainment as its game critic and pop music as a reporter and editor. Previously, he reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. Martens has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Warner bros. studio tour hollywood: a behind-the-scenes adventure.

WAMG headed to Hollywood over the Labor Day weekend and the town was buzzing over the upcoming release of Tim Burton’s BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE.

(Hollywood & Highland)

One of our stops was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. We visited the studio lot decades ago when “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” was on the air in the mid 1990’s and was filming at Warner Brothers. It was a tram tour and it took visitors on a guided tour of one of the most famous movie studios in the world. And that was it.

In the immortal words of Robin, “Holy Cow Batman,” have they upped their game and revamped the whole tour – one movie geeks will absolutely LOVE!

Fans can step into the world of movies and TV, not only with a guided tour of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, but really experience the magic of Hollywood! We were able to explore iconic sets, see props and costumes from TV shows, and even caught a glimpse of current productions. It’s a terrific tour that gives you a true look into Hollywood’s golden age.

This amazing tour now includes the backlots with a walking tour through the streets of Gotham City, Central Perk, Big Bang Theory and other famous locations. Our guide, Frye, gave an entertaining and informative tour, filled with expertise and humor. The entire staff was helpful, fun, and engaging.

https://www.wbstudiotour.com/hollywood-made-here/   

Water fountain for “Friends” and THE OMEGA MAN.

ANNABELLE: CREATION “Scarecrow House”

Prop, Art and Production Design and Costume Displays where you can see original items used in movies and TV shows are also featured.

The Warner Bros. Costume Department offers a wide range of costumes for various productions, including films, television shows, commercials, and theatrical performances. With their vast collection of costumes from different eras and styles, they can help bring any vision to life. Over 60,000 square feet of climate-controlled stock, including selections from top designers.

The highlight was the Interactive Exhibits where you can explore the worlds of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones and dive into the DC Universe. From the Batmobile from 1989’s BATMAN to the costumes of The Trinity – Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman, as well as the members of The Justice League, comic book fans can celebrate their heroes in this awesome final part of the tour.

On September 21st, 2024, the studio is calling all Batman fans with the Bat-Signal and a special film screening of Tim Burton’s  Batman  on the iconic WB backlot.  Bring your friends and family for a night of fun and memorable moments, as you go behind-the-scenes of your favorite Batman films and see original costumes, cowls, and Batmobiles.

https://www.wbstudiotour.com/tour/wbmovienights

James Gunn’s SUPERMAN: LEGACY hits theaters on July 11, 2025.

The tour also featured costumes and scenes from BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE which was a fun surprise!

To plan your visit, check out the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website: https://www.wbstudiotour.com/

Contributed by Michelle McCue and Marc Butterfield

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Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood: Honest Review (2024)

Iconic TV and movie sets. Working Hollywood actors roaming past your tour group. New York, San Francisco, and small town America all in one place.

In this Warner Brothers studio tour review, we’re sharing exactly what it’s like stepping foot into Warner Brothers Studio in Hollywood and embarking on one of their incredible studio and backlot experiences.

Unlike other tours around the world, this is a current working film and TV studios.

The people you pass aren’t actors (well, they are actors, but they aren’t acting as if they’re real movie and TV crew when they’re not – you know what I mean!)

And while you will see sets that have been frozen in time on the WB Studio Tour (Friends set, we’re looking at you!), you’ll also experience the constantly changing backlot.

It’s a dream come true for movie and TV fans to get to explore one of the oldest studios in the entire world, and after reading this Warner Bros tour review, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to make the most of your time here.

Please note this is about the Warner Brothers Hollywood Studio Tour in Los Angeles, not the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London, England.

💰 Top tip: want the cheapest Warner Brothers Studio tour tickets ?

We always book them on this site for the best deals!

What to Expect at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Los Angeles

From the iconic Friends fountain and orange couch to facades of the exterior of houses that you’ll recognize from everything from Growing Pains (1980s) to Fuller House (2020s), there’s something memorable literally around every corner on the Warner Bros tour.

We couldn’t possibly cover everything you’ll see, and we wouldn’t want to because part of the fun is the element of surprise.

Instead, we’ll touch on some highlights to get you excited and give you some of the best tips for making the most of your day.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Warner Bros Tour

Buying tickets to the wb studio tour.

Buying tickets to the studio tour needs to be done before your visit, but it’s very easy to buy them online here.

Prices are $69 per adult and $59 per child, and you’ll just keep your confirmation e-mail with you as you go through the experience and arrival process.

Discounts and Cheap Tickets for Warner Bros Studio Tour

Sometimes, you can find discounted tickets for the tour using a couple of different methods.

Firstly, if you’re a SoCal resident, you get discounted tickets anyway as long as you have proof of residency.

If you’re not from the area, sign up for the mailing list through the official website for the chance to keep an eye on any promo codes (they aren’t frequent, but there is a space on the booking site for promo codes so it is possible).

Alternatively, check out the Warner Brother Studios Tour on Undercover Tourist here , as they often have discounted tickets available for about $5-10 off the regular price.

Opening Days and Times

Currently, the Warner Bros Studio Tour is open five days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

On days they are open, the first tour usually begins at 9am and the last tour begins at 3:30pm (again, you have unguided time to walk through afterwards).

How Long is the Warner Bros Studio Tour?

The guided portion of the tour is about 1 hour, and you should leave about 2 to 3 hours total as the rest will be unguided at your own pace.

Parking at Warner Bros Studio LA

Los Angeles is a driving city, which means your main options to get to the tour are either driving yourself or taking an Uber or Lyft.

If driving yourself, parking is $15 and is located in a dedicated, security-guarded parking lot adjacent to the Warner Bros main visitor building ( 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 ).

If you get an Uber, they are allowed to drop you off and pick you up right outside the visitor building in a dedicated rideshare landing zone.

The Warner Bros Tour website also makes mentions of buses and trains that can “get you” to the tour, but these are convoluted and long processes and they’re only going to drop you off a quarter mile away from the tour.

Stick to the Uber or driving yourself.

Arrival and Movie

When you first get to the visitor center, you’ll show your tour confirmation and go through an airport-style security section.

Then, before you know it, you’re in!

You can check out the café and shop, or you can save that until afterwards and head straight to the first part of the tour, the Storytelling Showcase.

This is a look-in-your-own-time room with plenty of artifacts from movie studio history, including letters to and from famous studio execs, address books that include Walt Disney’s information, and a year-by-year rundown of how the Warner Brothers started the studio in the first place.

When you’re ready, you make your way to the start of the official guided tour, the backlot tour, where you’ll get in a line similar to a theme park ride line and wait until it’s time for the next tour to depart.

Note: Despite the tour entry time on your confirmation page, tours do run continually and they will get you on the next one. Aim to arrive at the Studios so that you are entering the main visitor center 10-15 minutes before the time on your confirmation if you want to make sure you’re on that tour, or arrive at the visitor center at the time it says on your confirmation and then just know you’ll get on the next tour when you’ve made your way back to the starting area – they really do run frequently.

Warner Brother Studios Backlot Tour

The Backlot tour, for many people, is the best part of the Warner Brother Studios tour.

This is the main, guided, section, where you hop on the iconic little trams with your tour guide and driver and wind your way around the real, working Warner Brothers backlot.

Not only will you pass by the buildings that house the interior sets, but you’ll get to see many of the exterior sets that have been used for so many of your favorite movies and TV shows (and you may be surprised how easily they are to recycle and use again and again!)

One of the most fascinating sets is Warner Village, which is actually a collection of offices within houses that replicates a typical American street.

These are exterior sets only, in case you need a front yard or standard American street to film in.

Then you’ve got the Midwest Residential Street, which is where you’ll find the famous Gilmore Girls sets like the chapel, “Luke’s Diner” and that gazebo in the middle of the park.

You’ll also see the brownstones, a classic New York style area, as well as the exterior of a school, a bank, and more industrial areas.

Along the way, your guide will point out many of the most important productions that have been filmed using these locations and, better yet, they’ll ask you ahead of time what your favorite Warner Brothers productions are so they can be sure to point out filming locations that you might be interested in.

You’ll pass by actor’s trailers, often see real productions taking place (and in that case, you may be rerouted as they need all to be quiet on set!), and you will get down a couple of times from the vehicle and get to explore with your guide on foot.

We saw production designers working on a set for a new scene for an upcoming Warner Brothers movie, as well as plenty of movie and TV crew who were milling around, eating their lunches and going from set to set.

The energy here is electric.

Even when there isn’t filming taking place, you can feel that this is truly a place where magic is created and history is made.

One of the most famous outdoor sets includes the fountain from the Friends intro.

This is the real fountain – it was filmed here, on the studio, not on location in New York.

When you pass by the soundstages, where interior sets are built, you can take pictures unless the doors are up.

If the doors are up, there may be sets inside that you can see on the tour, but cannot be shared via photo with anyone else as it may be a spoiler for an upcoming episode or movie.

Oh, and did I mention celebrities?

Yes, those working actors show up to the Warner Brother Studios for work, and they have to walk around like the rest of the crew!

If you see someone you recognize, the etiquette is simply to keep your mouth shut and enjoy a spotting.

Don’t yell at them, run towards them, or do anything besides a kind wave if they happen to make eye contact.

It’s not because the actors themselves are stuck up or don’t want to meet fans, but with tours running continuously, it’s easy to make them feel like they’re an animal in a zoo and at the end of the day, they’re a professional who is at work, not roaming the streets of Beverly Hills, so let them get on with their day.

Self-Guided Warner Brothers Studio Tour

After your backlot tour is over, you’ll be taken by your driver to the self-guided portion of the tour, which takes you through more movie and TV history as well as some of the world’s most famous soundstages.

Some of the first exhibits you pass by include information on the actual movie-making process, from the writing to the casting to the costume design.

Friends Set and Café at Warner Brother Studios

Friends fans, listen up.

This is it.

The moment you’ve been waiting for.

Friends is one of the most-watched shows in the world, particularly in syndication and has been beloved by fans since it was on air from 1994 to 2004.

While it was set in New York City, it was mostly filmed in Los Angeles at the studios, and the interior Central Perk set is now available for fans to see in-person.

Yes, the original Friends cafe set, almost as it was during filming, is there in Studio 48 in all of its glory, waiting for you to discover it.

You won’t be allowed to roam around the real set too much because they don’t want it to be damaged, but you can get your picture taken on the famous couch!

If you want to spend more time in the Friends world, the Friends café at the end of the self-guided part of the tour is the perfect place to do that.

Grab a coffee, sit on the replica orange couch, and enjoy the replica sets including Monica’s apartment, Monica’s kitchen, and Chandler and Joey’s place!

Big Bang Theory

Big Bang Theory is another popular show that has retained its sets for fans to view, and if you want, you can also get some of your pictures taken here pretending that you live in the same world as these characters.

Other Exhibits at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour

From the real Batmobile to a Harry Potter exhibit featuring some props to iconic superhero costumes, there really is something for everyone on this tour no matter your movie tastes.

Again, so much has been filmed here, from superhero movies to La La Land to Pretty Little Liars to Gilmore Girls to Fuller House to Growing Pains to some older movies that used the original exterior soundstages.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour Gift Shop and Exit

When you exit into the main visitor area, you’ll get to experience the incredible gift shop, which is one of the best gift shops I’ve ever been in.

There’s a big emphasis on merch that you can only buy here (there is also Friends store connected to the Friends café for exclusive items).

I purchased some Gilmore Girls memorabilia, as well as some Warner Brothers studio merch including a T-shirt and coaster.

It’s hard to get out of there without buying something, so budget some money to make sure you can get a souvenir from one of your favorite movies or shows.

Is the Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood Worth it?

The Warner Brothers Studio tour isn’t a cheap investment.

It can run a family of four into the hundreds of dollars, and the experience is about 2-3 hours long (though you can spend as much as you want after you exit the backlot tour and go to the self-guided interior section).

There are a lot of options of things to do with that money in LA, but this is the one studio tour that is an absolute must-do.

It’s the most iconic one, even better than Universal or Paramount, and the fact that it’s a working studio and you’re constantly looking for actors or being rerouted so you don’t get in the way of active filming brings an energy and excitement to the experience that makes it well worth the money involved.

Where to Eat Near Warner Bros Studio Tour: Dine with the Stars

If you’re finished at the tour and looking for somewhere to eat, head across the road to the Smoke House Restaurant .

With plush red booths and an old-timey Americana feel, this restaurant has been a favorite with celebrities over the years, including George Clooney who named his production company “Smokehouse Pictures” after the restaurant!

Prices are decent for LA and the pulled pork sandwich is one for the ages.

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Transport Yourself To The Golden Age Of Hollywood At The New Warner Bros. Studio Tour With Turner Classic Movies 

The new TCM Warner Bros. Studio Tour truly stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Hollywood and gives a captivating look through the evolution their history.

Los Angeles is often referred to as the birthplace of entertainment. Living amongst all the gorgeous views, glitz, glam, and expected traffic, it’s easy to forget that our home holds so much cinematic history. If we reflect on the beginning of Hollywood up to now — we can recognize that our vibrant city has served as the backdrop for countless films . It’s also the “dreams do come true” home of numerous legendary filmmakers, actors, and actresses. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the historic studio lot of Warner Bros. , it’s no secret that Los Angeles exudes the heritage and allure of the silver screen.

Now Warner Bros. Studios Tour is inviting film lovers local and all over the globe to experience this historic movie magic for themselves. The renowned studio unveiled an exciting collaboration with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to introduce their all-new TCM Classic Films Tour to honor the network’s 30th anniversary. Recently launched, this enhanced tour promises guests an unforgettable expedition through the Golden Age of Hollywood , spotlighting films from the TCM collection, as well as highlighting the vast array of films in the Warner Bros. library — from Casablanca, Rebel Without a Cause to even Batman and Harry Potter.

“The partnership with TCM solidifies our commitment to providing unforgettable entertainment experiences to our guests,” said Danny Kahn , Vice President & General Manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. “The TCM Classic Films Tour is a natural fit for the Studio Tour. TCM showcases and preserves beloved classic films, and the Studio Tour offers our guests the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Hollywood legends and connect with their beloved titles.”

Guests embarking on the TCM Classic Films Tour will be treated to a cinematic adventure through Warner Bros. Studio’s historic backlot where iconic films were shot and every corner is steeped in cinematic lore. From Bette Davis’ red and black gown from Jezebel to Joan Crawford’s navy two-piece in Mildred Pierce — visitors can really get a glimpse into the glamour of old Hollywood by seeing these legendary costumes up close and personal.

The tour also unlocks a backstory into the studio’s early days, including visits to James Dean’s apartment, the serene rose garden (where for decades creatives gathered to decompress), and even the renowned Eastwood Scoring Stage. As if that wasn’t enough, fans can wander around the Warner Bros.’ Property House, home to over a half-million television and movie props from recognizable shows and movies.

This new TCM Warner Bros. Studio Tour truly stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Hollywood and gives a captivating look through the evolution their own history — from Warner Bros. Studio’s birth to its living legacy today. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile, someone new to L.A., or just looking to understand our city’s roots a little more — the tour offers an unforgettable experience for the movie lovers of past, present, and the next generation to come.

Ticket Info: Grab them here !

Location: Warner Bros. Studio, 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505

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Celebrate Batman’s 85th anniversary at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank, Calif., has illuminated the Bat Signal for a one-night-only event on Sept. 21, 2024, to celebrate Batman’s 85 th anniversary.

The special event on “Batman Day” includes a one-hour guided Studio Tour highlighting Batman’s history plus a screening on the iconic Warner Bros. backlot of Tim Burton’s “Batman” (1989) starring Michael Keaton as Batman, Jack Nicholson as Joker , and Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale.

Fans will also get to see a brand-new Batcave exhibit featuring original costumes, cowls, and Batmobiles – including the Tumbler from “The Dark Knight” (2008) – and see the Bat Signal light up Warner Bros. Studios Stage 16, one of the largest sound stages in the world. 

The special studio tour for Batman’s 85 th anniversary will take place on Sept. 21, 2024, at 5 p.m.; the movie screening starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $89 per person (ages 5+).

Click here for additional information to purchase tickets.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Merges Theme Park, Studio Tour and Retail Groups Into One Division

By Todd Spangler

Todd Spangler

NY Digital Editor

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Warner Bros. Discovery is consolidating its Global Themed Entertainment licensing group — whose purview includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s theme parks — and its Studio Tours & Retail group under one umbrella.

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A WBD rep said there are no layoffs or executive departures with the reorg. “This is very much about growth in the experiences space,” the spokesperson said.

“WBD has an incredible mix of location-based experiences for fans around the world, from theme parks and tours to exhibits, retail and more,” Campbell said in a statement. “Bringing these two teams together under one roof gives us an opportunity to leverage and coordinate the talent and resources across all of our experiential businesses to better delight our consumers through offering even more truly authentic and engaging in-person experiences and events in every market.”

In 2025, NBCUniversal’s Universal Resort Orlando plans to open a new attraction, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic,” featuring rides, shops and other experiences spanning 1920s Paris and ’90s-era London.

(Pictured above: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando)

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Warner Bros. Discovery announced a new global structure for the company’s worldwide studio tours, retail destinations, touring exhibitions, and all location-based experiences, bringing together the existing licensed entertainment and owned and operated teams into a single worldwide division called Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences.

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Specifically, WBD Global Experiences combines the company’s existing global themed entertainment licensing group, and the Studio Tours & Retail owned and operated businesses into a new cohesive and unified division. The new team will develop and execute on global strategies that offer partners the right mix of both models, putting WBD in a position to drive growth worldwide in the creation, development, licensing and operating of location-based entertainment inspired by Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, Friends, Discovery and more.

Robinson will report to Campbell for Experiences and will continue reporting into WBD’s CFO Gunnar Wiendenfels for his studio and content operations and financial roles.

He named two veteran to his new organization, who will report to him.

And Sarah Roots. EVP, Worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, will continue in her role leading WBD’s owned and operated experiences including the award-winning Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and the Harry Potter flagship and other retail stores. 

“Peter and Sarah are experts in curating and executing global location-based experiences at the very highest caliber. Our teams have an obsession for detail that we bring to each project and together, we will be able to bring partners – and fans – even more of what they’ve come to expect from a Warner Bros. experience,” Robinson said.

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Warner bros. discovery launches new experiences division, including theme parks and studio tours.

The new division will be led by Simon Robinson, COO of WBD Studios.

By Alex Weprin

Alex Weprin

Media & Business Writer

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Warner Bros. Discovery is making a big bet on live experiences like theme parks, studio tours, themed exhibitions and retail, creating a new division meant to capitalize on that opportunity.

The new division is called Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, and will encompass both owned and operated experiences like its studio tours or exhibitions, as well as licensed entertainment, like its deals with Universal Destinations and Miral (which are the home of Harry Potter in theme parks).

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Peter van Roden will be executive VP of global themed entertainment, leading the licensed operations like Harry Potter ; while Sarah Roots will oversee owned operations like the studio tours in the U.K. and Hollywood, as well as retail.

“WBD has an incredible mix of location-based experiences for fans around the world, from theme parks and tours to exhibits, retail and more,” said Campbell in a statement. “Bringing these two teams together under one roof gives us an opportunity to leverage and coordinate the talent and resources across all of our experiential businesses to better delight our consumers through offering even more truly authentic and engaging in-person experiences and events in every market.”

Weidenfels actually teed up the news Wednesday at a Bank of America conference, where he said that the experiences group is “about a half billion dollar revenue business.”

Live experiences are a burgeoning business for entertainment companies, led by Disney and Universal’s massive theme parks. However, companies like WBD have found their own way in, both through operated experiences like the Harry Potter exhibitions or studio tours, but also licensing, for IP like Harry Potter and DC Comics, which is controlled by Six Flags.

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Kadoosh! —

Jack black stars as expert crafter steve in a minecraft movie teaser, "anything you can dream about here, you can make.".

Jennifer Ouellette - Sep 4, 2024 7:47 pm UTC

Minecraft is among the most successful and influential games of the early 21st century, winning many awards and selling over 300 million copies (so far) since its 2011 release. So it was only a matter of time before Hollywood gave us a feature film based on the 3D sandbox game, simply titled A Minecraft Movie . Sure, one might have reservations about yet another video game-based movie, but on the plus side, we've got Jason Momoa and Jack Black co-starring. And the first teaser is full of eye-popping candy-colored cubic visuals and sly references to the game that should please fans.

Within a year of Minecraft 's initial release, Mojang Studios was fielding offers from Hollywood producers about making a TV series based on the game, but the company wanted to wait for "the right idea." There was a 2014 attempt to crowd-source a fan film, but game creator Markus "Notch" Persson didn't agree to license that effort since he was already negotiating with Warner Bros. about developing a film based on the game. Thus began a long, convoluted process of directors and writers being hired and leaving the project for various reasons.

When the dust finally settled, Jared Hess (who worked with Black on Nacho Libre ) ended up directing. The COVID pandemic and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike delayed things further, but filming finally wrapped earlier this year in Auckland, New Zealand—just in time for a spring 2025 theatrical release. Per the official synopsis:

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative… the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

Game players will recognize Steve as one of the default characters in Minecraft . The teaser is set to The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" and opens with our misfits encountering a fantastical Tolkien-esque landscape—only with a lot more cube-like shapes, like a pink sheep with a cubed head.  We get the aforementioned Piglins and other creatures before Black appears and dramatically announces with great fanfare, "I.... am Steve." Honestly, we'll probably watch it just for Black's performance alone.

A Minecraft Movie hits theaters in April 2025.

Listing image by YouTube/Warner Bros.

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