The TCL Chinese Theatre is the most famous movie theater in the world. Opened in 1927 as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, it still hosts big Hollywood premieres, and its forecourt holds nearly 200 sets of celebrity handprints, footprints and signatures pressed into concrete. Seeing it is free, and it is the anchor of any visit to Hollywood Boulevard.
This guide covers the theater’s history, the most famous prints to look for, how to take a tour or see a movie in its giant IMAX auditorium, and tips for visiting.
In this guide
The theater sits on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so plan to see both.
TCL Chinese Theatre at a glance
- Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
- Forecourt: free to visit, open daily
- Tours: about 30 minutes, daily except during special events
- Movies: one of the world’s largest IMAX auditoriums by seating, plus the TCL Chinese 6 multiplex
- Nearest Metro: Hollywood/Highland station on the B Line
- Time needed: 20 minutes for the forecourt; 2 to 3 hours with a movie
A short history
The theater opened on May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings. Showman Sid Grauman built it with architect Raymond Kennedy, and co-owners included silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. With its pagoda roof, giant dragon on the facade and stone Heaven Dogs guarding the entrance, it was designed to make moviegoing feel like an event.
The theater has hosted countless premieres and three Academy Awards ceremonies in the 1940s. It was named Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 55 in 1968, and the TCL electronics company bought the naming rights in 2013.
The Forecourt of the Stars
The forecourt is the reason most visitors come. Nearly 200 stars have pressed their hands and feet into wet cement here, and the tradition continues at regular ceremonies. Stories differ on how it started: one popular version says silent star Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped into wet concrete, and Grauman loved the idea.
Prints to look for:
- Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, who added theirs together in 1953.
- Jimmy Durante’s nose and Betty Grable’s legs, two of the most unusual imprints.
- The Harry Potter trio’s wands, left by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
- Classic stars such as Judy Garland, Clark Gable and Shirley Temple, and modern stars such as Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
The forecourt is free and open to the public. Try to measure your hands and feet against your favorite star’s.
Tours
The TCL Chinese Theatre Tour lasts about 30 minutes and takes you inside the historic auditorium, with stories about its design, premieres and famous guests. Tours run daily except during premieres and special events. Buy tickets at the box office or contact the theater for availability.
Seeing a movie here
Watching a film in the main auditorium is the best way to experience the theater. It was converted to IMAX in 2013 and reopened with The Wizard of Oz in 3D. It is the largest IMAX auditorium in the world by seating capacity, with a curved screen about 94 by 46 feet. Blockbusters often show here on opening weekend, and premieres sometimes close the theater to the public.
Next door, the TCL Chinese 6 multiplex inside Ovation Hollywood shows more films, including a motion-seat 4D theater.
Getting there and parking
- Metro: take the B Line to Hollywood/Highland station, right next to the theater. See our LA Metro guide.
- Parking: the Ovation Hollywood garage on Highland Avenue is the most convenient, with validation from the theater or shops. Rates rise during events.
Nearby things to do
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: stars line Hollywood Boulevard in both directions.
- Dolby Theatre: home of the Oscars, inside Ovation Hollywood next door.
- Ovation Hollywood terraces: a good view of the Hollywood Sign.
- El Capitan Theatre: Disney’s restored movie palace across the street.
- Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: across the street, host of the first Oscars in 1929.
Tips for visiting
- Go early in the morning to see the forecourt before the crowds and costumed characters arrive.
- Watch your belongings; Hollywood Boulevard is busy with tourists.
- Costumed characters expect a tip for photos; you can politely decline.
- Check the premiere schedule; the forecourt can be partly closed when the red carpet is out.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TCL Chinese Theatre free to visit?
Yes. The forecourt with the handprints is free. Tours and movies cost extra.
How many handprints are at the Chinese Theatre?
Nearly 200 sets of celebrity handprints, footprints and signatures.
Is the TCL Chinese Theatre the same as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre?
Yes. It opened as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in 1927 and has been called the TCL Chinese Theatre since 2013.
Can you watch a movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre?
Yes. The main auditorium is an IMAX theater showing new releases, and the TCL Chinese 6 next door has more screens.
What is the closest Metro station?
Hollywood/Highland on the B Line.
Photo credits
Featured image: Chris English / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
