New Beverly Cinema is at the top of the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. Before the first film projectors arrived, 7165 Beverly Blvd was a vaudeville house, candy factory and beer parlor, Jewish Community Center, and celebrity nightclub. But everything changed in 1978, when Sherman Torgan transformed a closed adult theater into the repertory movie haven that is now known as the New Beverly Cinema.

Sherman Torgan dedicated his life to sharing his passion for film for nearly 30 years, transforming a simple venue into a de facto film school and beloved cultural hub through nightly themed double feature pairings of classic, foreign, independent, and arthouse cinema. For the city's cinephiles, seeing Sherman in the theaters was always a welcome sight. When he died suddenly in 2007, his son Michael took over day-to-day operations, ushering in a new era for the theater. Michael is still helping to manage the theater with his extensive knowledge and passion.

Cinephiles learn their ABCs at this beloved grindhouse, which is supported by none other than Quentin Tarantino, a student of the medium who has a personal hand in booking much of the programming. Tarantino is known for his fondness for vintage film formats, and he has outfitted the New Bev with as many as possible, including four-track mag heads and a 16mm projector. On your way into a showing, take a second to glance around at the walls, which have been decorated with a collection of large-scale vintage European movie posters.

Google Ratings: 4.8/5.0

Address: 7165 Beverly BlvdLos Angeles90036

Contact: info@thenewbev.com

Website: thenewbev.com

Alamo Drafthouse ranks 2nd on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. If you've never been to an Alamo Drafthouse, here's the lowdown: The theater shows first-run films as well as repertory selections (for example, Terror Tuesday, which features deep-cut horror films, and Weird Wednesday, which features all sorts of dusted-off oddities), all within plush cinemas with in-theater food and drink service (including booze) and a strict no talking, no texting policy.

A server brings cold drinks, delicious meals, and tasty local beers to your seat when you watch a movie at Alamo Drafthouse. Do you want a free refill on your popcorn or soda? Raise an order card, and they'll take care of it right away. Burgers, pizzas, salads, snacks, and desserts are prepared fresh from locally sourced ingredients at each Alamo Drafthouse location. In addition, their chefs regularly create special menus inspired by classic films and upcoming blockbusters, such as an all-Pakistani menu curated by Kumail Nanjiani for THE BIG SICK or an African-inspired menu for BLACK PANTHER.

At Alamo Drafthouse, beer is their middle name, so they make certain that every Alamo Drafthouse location highlights and promotes the best local craft breweries. Their bartenders enjoy experimenting with new cocktail creations that will enhance the cinematic experience.

Google Ratings: 4.5/5.0

Address: 700 W 7th StSte U240Los Angeles90017

Contact: 213-217-9027

Website: drafthouse.com

American Cinematheque at the Aero Theater ranks 3rd on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. This Art Deco landmark hosts screenings of classic and contemporary independent films, as well as special programs and series, director appearances, and lectures. It's been in operation since the 1940s and is owned by American Cinematheque, which also operates the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, which is an equally impressive venue (though you'll have to fight through a lot more tourists to get in). Check out the American Cinematheque's website for special programs; they're plentiful and expertly curated.

After visiting the Cinémathèque Française in Paris in 1984, filmmaker Sydney Pollack collaborated with Gary Abrahams and Gary Essert, the team behind the legendary Filmex (The Los Angeles International Film Exposition), to create a year-round film festival for the city of Los Angeles where cinephiles and filmmakers could discover, engage with, and discuss the seventh art.

Since its inception in 1985, the American Cinematheque has presented new and repertory cinema to Los Angeles through diverse film programming and immersive in-person discussions and events with thousands of filmmakers and luminaries. True to the hope and intent of Sydney Pollack, the American Cinematheque is a place where both the public and members of the film industry come together as a community with the common language of film.

Google Ratings: 4.5/5.0

Address: 1328 Montana AveLos Angeles90403

Contact: +1 310-260-1528

Website: www.americancinematheque.com

Vista Theater ranks 4th on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. The historic Vista Theater, which features giant Art Deco light fixtures, kitschy Egyptian-themed wall details, and a lovely manager, Victor Martinez, who dresses up for every opening, plays movies on actual film reels (no digital here) (think: Willy Wonka for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Joker for The Dark Knight, etc.). The theater isn't luxurious (though the leg room is impressive), but it has character and is within walking distance of Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and East Hollywood, making it an especially appealing option for Eastsiders.

When in San Diego, don't pass up the opportunity to visit the restored all Digital Village Theatres on Coronado Island. The late designer Joseph Musil, who was responsible for the sensational restoration of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood among other things, spent ten years and three million dollars creating the Village Theatres Atmospheric Interiors. With so many entertainment options these days, they are here to serve you and want to be your first choice for a movie theater.

Google Ratings: 4.5/5.0

Address: 4473 Sunset BlvdLos Angeles90027

Contact: 323 664-2169
Website: vintagecinemas.com

ArcLight Hollywood ranks 5th on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. Since 2002, the ArcLight has been a Hollywood favorite, offering comfortable assigned seating (cushy, reclining, leg room for days), cutting-edge sight and sound, fantastic snack bars, and an in-house café-bar for some Dionysian indulgence. The programming is a smart mix of first-run movies, indies, foreign films, and premieres, and alcohol is even permitted in some screenings. There are always fun cinephile treats on display as an added bonus (original costumes, architectural models, etc.). It's L.A.'s most appealing modern multiplex, but it's also a vintage classic thanks to the Cinerama Dome, a fantastic and unique domed movie theater that opened in 1963.

Los Angeles is vast, with no single central location suitable for a theater. However, even though it is some distance from the industry-heavy Westside, the Arclight was the highest grossing theater in the city's core area, from the ocean to downtown. The Arclight was considered a cutting-edge multiplex when it first opened in 2002. It was a forerunner in the fields of reserved and advanced-purchase tickets, as well as membership services. The theater aggressively set higher-than-average ticket prices, which increased grosses and increased distributor interest.

It evolved into a platform theater, in addition to showing studio-wide releases, as a near-automatic choice when Los Angeles had two initial theaters open on the same date as a similar number in New York. This was especially important during the September-December awards season, but it quickly became a year-round position. It was frequently the highest-grossing film at the box office.

Google Ratings: 4.5/5.0

Address: 6360 W Sunset BlvdLos Angeles90028

Contact: N/a
Website: N/a

Many studios host their premieres at the Regal L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 for a reason: the 800-seat premiere cinema is one of the country's largest stadium auditoriums. There are 13 more auditoriums, one of which has 4DX technology. What exactly is 4DX? Consider watching a car chase while your movie seat leans this way and that, or walking through a waterfall and feeling a gentle mist.

The first 4DX theater in the United States is located at Regal L.A. LIVE! With 4DX technology, you can see the biggest blockbusters like never before! The 4DX auditorium includes motion seats as well as special effects such as wind, fog, mist/rain, scents, and more that perfectly sync with the on-screen action. The 4DX theater is a combination of a movie and a theme park ride. Do you have a sweet tooth? At the concession stand, don't miss the Oreo churros.

Google Ratings: 4.5/5.0
Address: 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles 90015
Contact: 213-763-6070
Website: lalive.com

The TCL Chinese Theatre is the world's most recognizable movie palace. Every day, the theatre makes Hollywood history with over 50 events per year, including movie premieres, imprint ceremonies, and film festivals. On January 11, 2013, the world-famous Chinese Theatre announced a 10-year naming rights partnership with TCL, aka "The Creative Life," one of China's largest electronics manufacturers. This collaboration has resulted in numerous exciting upgrades and preservation projects for the Chinese Theatre. New sloped seating, a new digital marquee, main lobby renovations, and key technology upgrades for both audio and visual presentation are just a few examples.

These upgrades will not only return the cherished venue to its glory days when showman-founder Sid Grauman first opened the doors, but they will also give the storied movie palace a new lease on life and provide theatre-goers with a much improved, truly world-class movie experience.

The TCL Chinese Theatre has hosted the most prestigious red carpet movie premieres and special events since 1927. It's where Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars go to see their films! The Forecourt of the Stars, a unique feature of the theatre, features cement hand and footprints of major movie stars from the past to the present. Because of these features, our cinema palace is the most well-known movie theater in the world.

Google Ratings: 4.4/5.0

Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028

Contact: 323-464-8111

Website: tclchinesetheatres.com

TCL Grauman's Chinese Theater ranks 6th on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. It's still a great place to see a movie, especially since reopening in 2013 after extensive renovations, but most people come to the Chinese Theatre to get their hands and/or feet imprinted by around 200 Hollywood stars. According to legend, Norma Talmadge stepped into wet cement outside the new building during construction, prompting theater owner Sid Grauman to summon Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to repeat the "mistake" with their feet and hands, thus beginning the tradition.

The courtyard is usually clogged with snap-happy tourists comparing their own extremities to the likes of John Wayne and Judy Garland; it's just a shame that the courtyard's appeal is tempered by the tour hawkers and ticket agents who crowd it. If you come to see a movie, the 932-seater theater—one of the world's largest IMAX auditoriums—offers architecture as stunning as the projection quality on the screen.

Google Ratings: 4.4/5.0

Address: 6925 Hollywood BlvdHollywood90028

Contact: +1 323-461-3331

Website: www.chinesetheatres.com

El Capitan ranks 7th on the list of best movie theaters in Los Angeles. Do you want to relive your childhood by watching a Disney film? The lavish 1926-built theater screens classics such as Cinderella, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Finding Nemo, as well as first-run films from Disney companies such as Pixar and Marvel. Tickets are more expensive than at a typical cinema, but where else can you see a 2,500-pipe organ being played before the show?

There are two tours of El Capitan available if you want to brush up on your Hollywood history and get a peek inside. The 30-minute Disney Movie Palace & Backstage Tour ($15, 8:30am) takes you into the dressing rooms, behind the curtain, and, of course, inside the theater auditorium, with a close-up photo opportunity with the grand Wurlitzer organ. The 15-minute Express Tour ($9) is available throughout the day, but due to scheduled screenings, it will most likely not take you inside the actual auditorium. They'd definitely prefer the longer tour (walk-ups are welcome at both), but nothing beats simply settling in for a movie.

Google Ratings: N/a

Address: 6838 Hollywood BlvdLos Angeles90028

Contact: N/a
Website: elcapitan.go.com