8 Best Performing Arts Venues in Los Angeles, California

Thank goodness for Vidiots, which reopened in nearby Eagle Rock in 2023 after its original storefront had to shutter in 2017. The nonprofit and film space has become a beloved space for the community with its generous offerings of mainstream and indie films week after week. Catch a 2000s rom-com one night, a first-run classic American noir the next, and a children’s title on the weekends. Vidiots also has a separate room of amazing titles available to rent for those who want a cozy night of cinema at home.

Home to Los Angeles's first home of spoken drama, El Capitan Theatre carries on that tradition by way of film showings—specifically Disney films, having been acquired by the company in the 1980s. Watching movies in this classic movie palace, originally built in 1926, is an elevated experience, thanks to its special screenings and its elegant East Indian Revival interior. Having survived several transformations, it has been restored to almost exactly how it looked in 1926. It's also the grand venue for all Disney movie premieres during which movie fans can spot (and perhaps even meet) celebrities as they walk the red carpet on Hollywood Boulevard. Guided tours are available Friday through Sunday.

Want to feel like a Hollywood insider? Look like a local and attend an event at this Santa Monica–based American Cinematheque theater, which first opened in 1940. The name refers to its roots: this Streamline Moderne-style theater was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company to entertain its armies of workers during the war effort. Newly renovated, it offers new projection equipment, improved sound, and cushier facilities. In addition to now-standard digital films, the theater is equipped to show 35mm and 70mm reels. American Cinematheque also hosts industry events like filmmaker discussions and revivals.

Built by Sid Grauman in 1922, who also constructed the TCL Chinese Theatre, this Hollywood Boulevard movie house is famed not only for its Egyptian theme, complete with hieroglyphs and carvings, but also for being the venue of Hollywood’s first-ever movie premiere. A 100th anniversary renovation by streaming giant Netflix brought back numerous original architectural flourishes such as the theater's ornate, hand-carved, gilt ceiling, brilliant neon sign, and decorative Sphinx sculptures. The re-do updated projection tech too. Currently, the Egyptian hosts Netflix’s movie output along with the American Cinematheque’s classic film screenings. It is one of five theaters in the U.S. which can still project pre-1952 vintage nitrate film prints.

Foreign and indie films, documentaries, classics, recent releases, Oscar short-film screenings—there’s not much the Nuart doesn’t show. Midnight showings, like the long-running Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live "shadow cast" on Saturday nights, continue to bring in locals. Q&A sessions with directors and actors also happen here frequently.

Located inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this 288-seat theater serves as a space for innovative performance and visual art in addition to film screenings and literary events. The gallery features changing art installations. Tickets are reasonably priced and many are free.

This intimate three-auditorium theater is nothing fancy, but it's one of the most cherished in the city. Two of the rooms cater to the latest first-run releases and often host Netflix screenings, while the third is host to exclusive American Cinemateque events and showings.

Vista Theater is one of the best places in Los Feliz to watch a movie. Owned by Quentin Taratino, the historic single-screen 400-seat theater has preserved much of its art deco and Egyptian-themed walls and light fixtures. Today it screens all of its films in 35mm or 70mm reels, making it one of the most fitting places to watch the very best of classic and “indie lux” movies. Bonus: the extra legroom.