El Capitan Theatre
Hollywood, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The bright sign for El Capitan Theatre points the way to a Hollywood showplace with plenty to admire before the movie starts. The ornate marquee, ticket window, and glittering entrance make this a worthwhile stop even when you’re only passing through. Across from the Chinese, it gives this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard another reason to light up after dark. Take a closer look at the box office before heading inside—the entrance is part of the attraction.

Opened on May 3, 1926, the El Capitan began as “Hollywood’s First Home of Spoken Drama.” The exterior was designed by Morgan, Walls & Clements, with G. Albert Lansburgh responsible for the auditorium. Behind the Spanish-inspired frontage, elaborate East Indian-influenced decoration gave audiences a setting worthy of an evening out.

Its first movie was quite an introduction to the screen: the 1941 world premiere of Citizen Kane. The theatre subsequently operated under the Paramount name, with remodeling concealing much of its earlier decoration. For years, moviegoers saw a different interior from the one that had welcomed the original stage audiences.

El Capitan Theatre
Hollywood, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Disney and Pacific Theatres later undertook a major restoration, bringing back the El Capitan name and uncovering the elaborate surroundings. A historic Wurlitzer organ added another attraction, recalling the days when music from the theatre itself could be part of the program.

UPDATE: The restored El Capitan reopened in 1991 with The Rocketeer and continues as a showcase for Disney films and special presentations. Depending on the engagement, stage entertainment and displays can turn a movie stop into a longer visit. Celebrating its centennial in 2026, the theatre still offers a little Hollywood ceremony with a ticket. Give yourself time to enjoy the building before settling in for the show. 10-26

Mann's Chinese Theatre (Rem.)
Hollywood, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The towering entrance and star-studded forecourt make Mann’s Chinese Theatre one of Hollywood’s familiar stops. Before reaching the ticket window, visitors can compare hands and shoes with the impressions left by generations of performers. Finding a favorite name in the concrete can take longer than expected, especially when another recognizable signature is just a few steps away. Even without a movie ticket, there’s plenty here to keep you looking around.

Opened by Sid Grauman in 1927 with The King of Kings, the theatre made spectacle part of its identity from the beginning. Its pagoda-style roof, sculpted dragon, and elaborate entrance offered a setting unlike the ordinary neighborhood picture house. Inside, the decorated auditorium continued the showmanship, giving premiere audiences something to admire before the lights went down.

The forecourt became an attraction of its own, recording Hollywood history one set of impressions at a time. It’s a place where several generations of movie stars share the same small patch of boulevard, with visitors bending down to read names while the theatre rises overhead.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Hollywood, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Broadhurst

UPDATE: To the far left is an updated photo of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood from 2009. The neon marquees on the sides are now gone. Many thanks to Scott Broadhurst for updated photo. 12-10

UPDATE: Now known as TCL Chinese Theatre, the historic main auditorium was converted for IMAX presentations in 2013. It continues showing movies and hosting premieres, keeping entertainment behind the famous frontage. The projection technology has changed considerably since Grauman’s opening night, but stopping to inspect the footprints remains part of the Hollywood experience. 10-26