Why you should experience Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Universal Studios is a world-renowned film studio and theme park where Universal City's cinematic heritage, studio craftsmanship, immersive storytelling, and technological innovation bring more than a century of moviemaking to life.
Set along Universal Hollywood Drive near Lankershim Boulevard and just steps from Universal CityWalk Hollywood, this working motion picture studio invites visitors behind the scenes of Hollywood production while seamlessly blending authentic backlots, elaborate soundstages, groundbreaking attractions, and meticulously crafted environments inspired by some of cinema's most influential stories. Every experience reveals another dimension of filmmaking as practical effects, digital technology, scenic construction, stunt performance, animation, and visual storytelling converge across one of the entertainment industry's most historic production campuses. Historic studio facilities continue operating alongside ambitious themed experiences, allowing visitors to witness the ongoing evolution of Hollywood while exploring the place where countless films and television productions have been created for generations. The experience ultimately combines cinematic history, technical ingenuity, and immersive entertainment into one of Southern California's defining creative destinations.
What you should know about Universal Studios.
Universal Studios is best known for operating as the world's oldest continuously functioning major film studio while evolving into the first Universal Studios theme park, tracing its origins to March 15, 1915 when founder Carl Laemmle officially opened Universal City as a self-contained motion picture production complex where members of the public could watch films being made for just twenty-five cents. Established across approximately 230 acres in the San Fernando Valley, Universal City rapidly became one of Hollywood's largest production centers, incorporating expansive exterior backlots, permanent streetscapes, soundstages, prop warehouses, costume departments, technical workshops, and post-production facilities that supported thousands of feature films, serials, and television productions throughout the twentieth century. The internationally celebrated Studio Tour, introduced in 1964 after decades of informal public visits, transformed active production into a permanent attraction by carrying guests through genuine working backlots while continually evolving with attractions created by filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, whose longstanding creative partnership helped shape experiences such as Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, and numerous enhancements to the tour itself. Signature attractions including The World-Famous Studio Tour, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Jurassic World-The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! combine advanced robotics, projection technologies, practical effects, motion simulation, augmented reality, and sophisticated ride systems that reflect decades of engineering innovation. Universal's historic backlot continues serving as one of the world's busiest production environments, encompassing famous locations including Courthouse Square, Colonial Street, Brownstone Street, New York Street, and numerous standing sets that have appeared in productions ranging from Back to the Future and Psycho to Desperate Housewives, Bruce Almighty, The Good Place, and hundreds of additional films and television series. The adjacent Universal CityWalk Hollywood, opened in 1993 and continually expanded, further established the campus as a comprehensive entertainment district integrating dining, shopping, cinemas, and live entertainment alongside one of the global film industry's most influential production facilities.
Film history remains inseparable from every aspect of the experience as active productions regularly share the campus with visitors exploring attractions inspired by Universal Pictures' century-long cinematic legacy. Studio craftsmen, scenic artists, engineers, special-effects designers, animators, set decorators, costume specialists, and production crews continue using the same production infrastructure that has supported generations of Academy Award-winning filmmakers and internationally celebrated directors. Technological innovation continually reshapes the destination through sophisticated ride systems, high-resolution projection, robotics, audio engineering, and digital media while preserving authentic working studio environments that distinguish Universal Studios from conventional theme parks. Every street, soundstage, attraction, and production facility demonstrates how filmmaking, engineering, storytelling, and entertainment have evolved together within one of the world's most influential studio campuses.
How to fold Universal Studios into your trip.
Universal Studios is best experienced as the centerpiece of a full day exploring Universal City's entertainment district and nearby Hollywood attractions.
Begin at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, where restaurants, specialty retailers, live entertainment, and energetic public spaces establish the atmosphere before entering Universal Studios. Continue aboard The World-Famous Studio Tour, whose authentic backlots, production facilities, and cinematic effects reveal the extraordinary craft behind generations of Hollywood filmmaking. Conclude at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, where an in-depth behind-the-scenes exploration provides a compelling complement through another of Southern California's most celebrated working studios. The progression moves naturally from vibrant entertainment district to historic production campus before concluding with an intimate studio experience, revealing why Universal City remains one of the world's great centers of filmmaking and entertainment.
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