El Capitan Theatre
El Capitan Theatre
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Hollywood
Hollywood undoubtedly conjures up images of movie stars and high-end lifestyles, and to this day, tourists flock here from around the world to see the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and to catch a glimpse of the famed Hollywood sign up close. Celebrity impersonators and crowds give these areas the feeling of an amusement park while many clubs and hotels fill up around the weekends for late-night partying - the Hollywood club scene is a haven for thumping music and table-side bottle service. But parties aren’t the only way to enjoy this area, many visitors come to the neighborhood to sit back with a picnic to watch a performance at the Hollywood Bowl and those looking to stay fit trek along nature trails in the Hollywood hills and in Griffith Park.
How to get there
- Hollywood/Vine • 1 min walk
- Hollywood/Highland • 1 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,010 within 5 kms
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451 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Kay REssex, United Kingdom200 contributionsReal life theatre experience watching a movieMy daughter and I watched a movie here during our stay in Los Angeles. I have never visited a movie theatre like this - it really is like an actual theatre not a cinema. Was a great experience and nothing like where I've ever been before - a definite must-do for any UK vistitors due to the difference at home.Visited November 2022Written 7 January 2023
- Voyager424049114321 contributionWe love El Capitan!!!We absolutely LOVE this theater. The first time I brought my daughter to see Frozen, then Mary Poppins. We are all going tomorrow night to see The Haunted Mansion. Are the tickets pricier than a regular theater? Yes, but I’m my opinion it is worth it. The experience is amazing, the theater is gorgeous and has history. They always have a little show before the movie, like they have an organ player on stage for this movie. Then in the basement, you can see props and costumes that were used in the actually movie where you can take pictures. Also, the Ghirardelli chocolate/ice cream shop is amazing and it’s right there too! It’s a fun family event!Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 July 2023
- Sam SBrisbane, Australia16 contributionsA must visitWe attended this evening to watch the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus. The theatre is stunning and the organ was a beautiful touch. It is a real gem on Hollywood Boulevard and a real throw back to the glory days of yester year. Its a real shame that the rest of the boulevard has not been kept in such a pristine state. The only down sides for us were we struggled to pay for concessions as we needed a physical card as Apple pay wasn't accepted and also the theatre itself was freezing cold. Aside from that it is truly wonderful venue.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
429 reviews
Excellent
287
Very good
107
Average
25
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Sam S
Brisbane, Australia16 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We attended this evening to watch the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus. The theatre is stunning and the organ was a beautiful touch. It is a real gem on Hollywood Boulevard and a real throw back to the glory days of yester year. Its a real shame that the rest of the boulevard has not been kept in such a pristine state.
The only down sides for us were we struggled to pay for concessions as we needed a physical card as Apple pay wasn't accepted and also the theatre itself was freezing cold. Aside from that it is truly wonderful venue.
The only down sides for us were we struggled to pay for concessions as we needed a physical card as Apple pay wasn't accepted and also the theatre itself was freezing cold. Aside from that it is truly wonderful venue.
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager42404911432
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
We absolutely LOVE this theater. The first time I brought my daughter to see Frozen, then Mary Poppins. We are all going tomorrow night to see The Haunted Mansion. Are the tickets pricier than a regular theater? Yes, but I’m my opinion it is worth it. The experience is amazing, the theater is gorgeous and has history. They always have a little show before the movie, like they have an organ player on stage for this movie. Then in the basement, you can see props and costumes that were used in the actually movie where you can take pictures. Also, the Ghirardelli chocolate/ice cream shop is amazing and it’s right there too! It’s a fun family event!
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay R
Essex, UK200 contributions
Nov 2022
My daughter and I watched a movie here during our stay in Los Angeles. I have never visited a movie theatre like this - it really is like an actual theatre not a cinema. Was a great experience and nothing like where I've ever been before - a definite must-do for any UK vistitors due to the difference at home.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAinSA
San Antonio, Texas, Usa13 contributions
Jul 2022
We got to see Thor Love and Thunder on opening night here and it was a blast. From the laser show to the organist playing at the beginning until the end of the movie, the whole family had a good time.
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MooshLA
Calabasas, CA513 contributions
Oct 2021
We had a truly fun and enjoyable experience here watching "Nightmare Before Xmas" in 4D which was well worth the visit and $15 price. Concessions on each floor were a bit limited in options for a Disney-owned & operated theater - very few candy options, limited variety of bottled drinks with no fountain options - I was hoping for a bit more including hot foods like pizza, etc. Note that some seats including the AA row have very limited legroom which may annoy some for a longer film presentation. I would advise sitting on the main floor if at all possible as we felt just a bit too removed in the balcony section. The 4D experience made the film even more interesting however it did cause slight glares with your 3D provided glasses. Audio is excellent as is the mesmerizing live organ player at the top of every screening. Fun for families, friends and for sure tourists. In typical Disney form, they exit you through the gift shop which is now run by Ghirardelli. Obviously, the line gets very long as all exit at the same time so note for future visits. The theater offers validation for parking at the Hollywood & Highland structure which is just across the street and crosswalk - really easy to access. The validation is from an usher standing at the theater exit against the wall - I didn't find it well publicized.
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank P
Eugene, OR1,216 contributions
Aug 2021
This is like going back in time. To a better time for movie theaters. It is simply one of the finest examples of the spectacular movie houses of the past. Owned by Disney and thank god for that as I am sure the upkeep and maintenance costs are a lot.
There is an Organist before the movie. A real live person introduces the movie and tell you some info on the theater. Both just like the very old days. We saw the Jungle Book with the Rock and enjoyed it very much but the STAR of the show was the building itself. Go no matter what movie is playing.
There is an Organist before the movie. A real live person introduces the movie and tell you some info on the theater. Both just like the very old days. We saw the Jungle Book with the Rock and enjoyed it very much but the STAR of the show was the building itself. Go no matter what movie is playing.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin R
Blandon, PA59 contributions
Aug 2021
It's a nice theatre to see a film at because of the attention to detail and the wonderful look of the place, but I definitely think it's a little overpriced + the seats / legroom are really bad + the sound system is weird as it was hard to hear dialogue a lot of the time. A cool theater to visit and a nice experience but I wouldn't make it a regular place to visit.
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim & Bea
Southern Pines, NC967 contributions
Mar 2020
Our son took us and his family here to see the premier of "Onward". It was fun to see and hear the old time organ. And then a skit before the movie. It was so "Hollywood". We had a great time with our granddaughters and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith A
Los Angeles, CA639 contributions
Jan 2020
It took an outing to see Frozen II singalong with a 3 year old to come here. Wow, what a beautiful venue. Show well done, kind staff and tickets were ok reasonable. Happy to have had the experience of a theater of that era . Well worth a visit.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roxy M
Los Angeles, California, United States12 contributions
Mar 2019
I love this theater and its vintage qualities; however, the chairs have become really uncomfortable now that AMC uses recliners. Audiences used to fill this theater constantly, now only openings seems to be their big draws. I am hoping they slowly start converting their seating over, as family that used to join us for movies here no longer want to attend due to the chairs.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How safe is the area? There are two small children in our party. We plan to see “Coco “
Liz A
1 contribution
We take our kids to the theatre across the street, the Chinese Theater, to watch all the Marvel movies (better screen) and we have never had an ‘unsafe’ experience, although not sure what you mean by being safe. The streets are very busy and vibrant with vendors, musical acts and a few dressed-up characters looking to charge for pictures. The only thing I can think of as being ‘unsafe’ is if your kids are prone to wonder off and do not like to hold your hand, then yeah, I can easily imagine them getting lost as being somewhat of a concern. Also, maybe you may want to watch your kids a bit more if they like to pick-up stuff from the floor and put it in their mouth as it can get a bit dirty as you can imagine, with so much foot traffic, but other than that, pretty safe to me.
Natalie Y
Peterborough, UK36 contributions
Hi! Thanks for the helpful review. Do you know what times the tours are please?
Natalie Y
Peterborough, UK36 contributions
Hi Daniel, Thanks for the answer. Sorry I clicked on up vote but my mouse jumped & it's registered as down. I'll see if I/TripAdvisor can sort it out but your response is appreciated!
Amanda4471
Sittingbourne, UK280 contributions
Any recommendations which seats to book? We were thinking about the balcony - Maybe row CC so that there's no one behind us. Would the view be good from here? Thanks
She S
Bronx, NY110 contributions
I sat on the lower level near the back and had an unobstructed view. They charge more to be in the first section by the stage.
Robyn P
Sun City, AZ392 contributions
would this be a good venue for 2 adults? Or is it geared towards younger children?
Nancy M
Scottsdale, AZ467 contributions
It is a wonderful venue for adults. The place is magical and the theater is worth a visit to just enjoy the décor and architecture. The theater offers great views and lots of people watching opportunities along with the wonderful live entertainment
437knelson437
Redondo Beach, Ca6 contributions
If I am not buying a reserved seat is there a best day and time to go to get a good seat?
Marsha G
Lawrence, KS67 contributions
I'm not sure there is a bad seat. We sat in the very back row and thought it was perfect. Others in our group sat in front and liked their seats. I think it is just a matter of personal preference (e.g., I like to be on the aisle and not too close to the screen). You're in for a treat.
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Claim your listingEL CAPITAN THEATRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about El Capitan Theatre
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience El Capitan Theatre:
- LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour by US Ghost Adventures (From €27.35)
- Small-Group Day Tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beaches from Anaheim (From €90.27)
- Hollywood Tour (From €181.44)
- Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour (From €24.62)
- 30-Minute PRIVATE Ferrari California Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign (From €126.74)
- Hotels near El Capitan Theatre:
- (0.06 km) Samesun Hollywood
- (0.17 km) The Hollywood Roosevelt
- (0.17 km) Loews Hollywood Hotel
- (0.25 km) Hollywood Celebrity Hotel
- (0.26 km) Orange Drive Hostel
- Restaurants near El Capitan Theatre:
- (0.01 km) Disney Studio Store & Ghirardelli Soda Fountain
- (0.02 km) Ben & Jerry's
- (0.03 km) california PIZZA KITCHEN
- (0.03 km) Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
- (0.04 km) Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
- Attractions near El Capitan Theatre:
- (0.02 km) Hollywood
- (0.03 km) Dolby Theatre
- (0.03 km) Los Angeles Urban Adventures
- (0.03 km) Hollywood Boulevard
- (0.04 km) Tours By Locals