Looking for a behind-the-scenes movie tour in Los Angeles?

If you’re a cinephile, there’s no better way to get behind the scenes of your favorite movies than with a guided tour of star-studded Los Angeles. Expert guides know the glamorous world of movies like the backs of their hands, and they’ll give you true insights into the world of movie-making.

Los Angeles is famous for being the backdrop to so many of America’s well-loved movie, from the aptly named Once Upon A Time in Hollywood to the bone-chilling Mulholland Drive. Though these films make full use of their beautiful backdrop of LA, there are plenty of movies and T.V. shows that have been shot in the city without claiming to be set there.

Home to prestigious studios like Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Universal, Los Angeles is a movie-lover’s dream, with unique locations and stories waiting around every corner.
So, why not join a tour to discover where some of the world’s best-loved stories were brought to life? Read on to discover our favorite L.A. tours for movie-lovers, from studios to celebrity houses.

Studio Tours in L.A.

There are plenty of studio tours to be explored in Los Angeles. Here are our top picks…

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour – $60.00

This Paramount studio tour is perfect for die-hard movie fans who really want to see how the (glamorous) sausage is made… During this 2 hour tour, you’ll hop on a cart driven by an expert studio guide, and zoom through the studio’s most iconic locations, spotting some of the industry’s most talented cast, crew and producers as you learn how movies are made.

See the Bronson Gate, the prop warehouse, and the New York Street Backlot as you hear about how Paramount’s enduring influence has become a part of Hollywood’s DNA.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour – $69

If you’re a fan of the loveable nerds from explosively popular show The Big Bang Theory, Warner Studios is the place to visit. You’ll see the real sets used by the show, get to sit in Sheldon’s special chair, and relive your favorite moments from the show with knowledge from an expert studio guide!

Or maybe you’re more of a Friends person? If you’re a true superfan you’ll know that Central Perk is (sadly) not a real coffee shop, and that although the story of Friends is about six impossibly attractive and slightly terrible best friends living in New York, the show was actually filmed in Los Angeles.

Visit the set of Central Perk and channel your inner-Joey by sinking into the signature squashy red sofa … and possibly being quite awful to women. These sets are just a few of the locations you can visit at the Warner Brothers Studio; the ultimate tour for comedy fans!

Sony Pictures Studio Tour 

Known for creating such iconic movies as The Wizard of Oz and Spider Man, well-loved game shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, and many more besides, Sony Studios is a great place for fans of the small and silver screens to take a tour.

During your tour, your guide will show you around the soundstages from famous TV shows and movies, talking you though how they were made and treating you to behind-the-scenes trivia.

Downtown Los Angeles Filming Locations Walking Tour – $28.00

Join this downtown Los Angeles filming locations tour to get a real insight into how your favorite movies were made, led by a knowledgeable movie-buff who really knows the silver screen inside and out. This intimate, small-group tour will take you on a journey through Downtown, the heart of LA’s filmmaking scene.

You’ll see famous movie clips and visit the very locations where they were filmed, learning not just about the movies but about the history of the area, too.See the Historic Theater District; the Angels Flight Railway featured in star-studded films like La La Land; The Last Bookstore known for being the backdrop to many famous productions – and many more!

Dearly Departed Hollywood Tragic History Tour – $65

And now for something a little darker…

If you prefer the ‘seedy underbelly’ kind of LA tour, this Dearly Departed History tour is the one for you.

This adults only tour takes you on a fascinating and at times gruesome journey through Los Angeles’ movie history, taking you to the locations where the stars lived and died. You’ll see the restaurant where Sharon Tate had her ‘last supper’, and hear the morbidly fascinating tales behind the demise of stars like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and more.

You’ll also get an in-depth overview of some of Hollywood’s most well-known scandals. Finally, you’ll visit the Westwood Memorial Park to see the graves of Marylin Monroe, Farrah Fawcett, Truman Capote and more. By the end of this unusual tour you’ll feel like a true expert in the various scandals, lives and deaths of Hollywood’s elite.

Filming Locations Tour in Los Angeles – $150

Your guide will pick you up from your location and take you on a tour of the movies!

This in-depth Los Angeles tour will take you through the famous locations used in films like Point Break, Blade Runner and (500) Days of Summer.

As well as viewing these well-known movie locations, you’ll also get an insight into LA as a place, hearing about its diverse neighborhoods, culture and history. See the Hollywood sign, The Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica on this private tour.

The Real Hollywood Tour – $35.00

This authentic Hollywood tour will take you through the town’s lesser-known sights and locations, to give you a real insight into life in LA!

You’ll learn about what Hollywood was like before it came the famous star-studded location we know today, and hear stories from the past and present from your well-informed guide. Stops visited include The Dolby Theater where the Academy Awards are held, Pantages Theater, the Capitol Records Building and the Hollywood Walk of Fame – amongst several off-the-beaten track sites.

This is a family-friendly tour, suitable for all ages and perfect for those who want to delve into the real Hollywood LA!

Thanks for reading!

… That concludes our guide to the best filming location tours in LA! We hope you’ve found the perfect tour for yourself or a movie-loving friend, and if you’re still looking for something to do in LA, check out our full range of LA experience gifts here.