Opened in 1922, the Egyptian Theatre has long been one of Hollywood Boulevard’s crown jewels. The theater reopened in 2023 after a major restoration funded by Netflix, which delivered updated sound and projection systems while still preserving its dramatic Egyptian Revival style—ornate columns, hieroglyphic details, and a grand courtyard. The old-world, cinematic aesthetic brings you back to a golden era of Hollywood. The theater’s main auditorium seats over 500 guests and, as one of the major cultural hubs for LA cinephiles, it regularly hosts premieres, film festivals, and Q&A screenings.
Why you should go: It’s one of the few places in Los Angeles where Netflix films receive theatrical runs, giving streaming titles a proper big-screen moment.
Address: 611 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Located just steps from the vintage stores and record shops of Melrose Avenue in the artistic Fairfax neighborhood, Brain Dead Studios is a small but mighty fixture in the Hollywood movie-goer scene. Originally opened in 1942 as the Silent Movie Theatre, the space was revitalized in 2020 by Kyle Ng of the streetwear brand Brain Dead. Today, it houses a single screening room with fewer than 200 seats, giving it a communal, almost secret-club energy. Their programming leans eclectic and retro, with cult favorites, experimental films, and community events. There’s also a cozy patio out back where moviegoers can gather for coffee and conversation.
Why you should go: For less than $15 a ticket, you can be fully transported back in time and experience what it was like to go to a true, old school movie theater.
Address: 6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Located across from the Chinese Theatre, El Capitán has been dazzling audiences since 1926. Now owned by Disney, the single-screen, 1,550-seat theater is known for its lavish Spanish Baroque design, complete with dramatic ceilings and intricate detailing. It frequently hosts Disney premieres, and also screens everything from new animated releases to beloved classics from the studio’s vast vault. The space feels grand in a way few modern multiplexes can replicate. Plus, Jimmy Kimmel Live! tapes here, adding another layer of Hollywood lore to an already storied venue.
