Hollywood isn’t quite the epicenter of filmmaking like it once was—but it’s still big business, and a bigger part of the city’s identity.
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And, yes, you can pop in at major studios to take a peek behind the curtain, so to speak.
Some studios let you jump on a tram and take a ride around famous film sets. Others are a lot more interactive. Almost all offer VIP experiences for diehard fans.
Here’s what you need to know about the best studio tours in LA, including where to find them and what sorts of sets you could see on the tour.
Studio tours in LA: at a glance
- Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
- Sony Pictures Studio Tour
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Walt Disney Studios
Studio tours in LA
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
- Location: Los Angeles
- Length of tour: 2 – 4.5 hours
- VIP option available? Yes
- Famous TV shows/movies from the studio:This Is Us, The Rookie, Transformers
We’re kicking off the list with the longest-running studio still in operation in Hollywood. Icons like Mae West and Bing Crosby have graced the studios. Depending on which tour you select, you could get access to archives and backlots—and even the old Prop Warehouse.
You can choose from three different tour types, including a basic studio tour, premier tour, or VIP tour. Even the most basic is a solid bet for fans of film and television. You get to check out Paramount’s expansive NYC studio sets—which include ten distinct neighborhoods from the Big Apple. You’re sure to recognize a few from your favorite hits.
Sony Pictures Studio Tour
- Location: Culver City
- Length of tour: 2 -3 hours
- VIP option available? Yes
- Famous TV shows/movies from the studio: Spider-Man, Wheel of Fortune, Breaking Bad
What makes Sony slightly different from other studio tours in Los Angeles? It’s got those game show sets that you’re guaranteed to recognize—even if you don’t normally watch Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. Aside from its famous game shows, Sony is also behind some of the most beloved modern television dramas, including Breaking Bad.
Interestingly, Sony also overtook MGM’s former studios, which are some of the most iconic in the world. The majority of MGM’s studios are now defunct and repurposed, but you’ll still see plenty of Art Deco buildings that were once home to MGM projects. Make sure you read carefully when you decide which of the two tours to take—only the VIP tour lets you see those old MGM lots.
Universal Studios Hollywood
- Location: Universal City
- Length of tour: 1 hour
- VIP option available? Yes
- Famous TV shows/movies from the studio: Harry Potter, Jurassic World
Universal Studios Hollywood is also an amusement park that is home to a few famous sets that you can tour. A day pass, for example, includes access to the Studio Tour options for some of the world’s most beloved franchises, like Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and The Secret Life of Pets. As a perk, you also get access to themed rides.
Speaking of themed rides, it’s worth mentioning that Universal Studios just opened the coolest ride I’ve ever heard of: Mark Kart Bowser’s Challenge—but that doesn’t coincide with the Studio Tour. The Studio Tour is a one-hour ride that covers over 400 acres of historic sets, including famous studios from Jaws, NOPE, and even the famous Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Location: Burbank
- Length of tour: 1 -3 hours
- VIP option available? Yes (Deluxe Tour)
- Famous TV shows/movies from the studio: Friends, Batman, Crazy Rich Asians, Ellen, Conan
Home to that famous Central Perk café set from Friends, Warner Bros. Studio is a legacy stop if you’re a fan of the silver screen. You can choose between a basic tour and the deluxe option. The latter includes a stop-in at Warner Bros’ Property Department, which is partly responsible for managing the studios. Think: Getting to see how the sausage is made.
Uniquely, Warner Bros. also has plenty of fanfare from the Golden Age of Hollywood with their Classics Tour. You can step into the past to check out famous sets and pieces from 70s-era shows in partnership with Turner Classic Films.
Walt Disney Studios
- Location: Burbank
- Length of tour: 2.5 hours
- VIP option available? Yes
- Famous TV shows/movies from the studio: The Santa Clause, original Disney concept sketches, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mary Poppins
Mega-fans of Disney will enjoy this studio tour. Similar to Universal Studios, it’s part of the Disneyland amusement park. The tour lets you get a closer look at soundstages, production studios, and historic sets that were used for Disney films. Because it’s an amusement park, too, you can even see a few defunct theme park props and innovations.
But there’s a catch: It’s only available for D23 members or via an Adventures by Disney Package. You can’t book a standalone tour as a one-off. Again, that makes this ideal for diehard Disney fans.
