The TCM Classic Films Tour is a truly fantastic way to experience everything the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood has to offer and if you’re curious about what exactly it entails, we’ve got you covered. Not a lot of people talk about the surprisingly robust experience of visiting this 100-year-old movie studio.
Here’s a look what you need know about TCM Classic Films Tour experience at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood…
Video
You can see our recap video of everything you can enjoy on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood from our visit to enjoy the TCM Classic Films Tour.
What We Experienced
Storyteller’s Showcase
You’ll want to arrive AT LEAST 30 minutes early for your tour to give yourself time to explore the lobby waiting area which is actually a wonderful attraction unto itself.
The floor is a sprawling map of the actual Warner Bros. Studio where some of the sound stages are recreated in smaller scale. Around the space, you can explore exhibits with props and photographs taking a look back at the studio’s history and learn about its founders — the Warner Bros. We’re not talking about Wakko, Yakko, and Dot but the real people behind the studio: Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner who all played pivotal roles in the founding and success of the 100-year-old studio.
A Sweet Start
After you’re checked in and it’s time for your tour to start, you’re welcomed into a green room where refreshments, snacks, and pastries are available. Enjoy a croissant and a coffee and grab a soda or water bottle and a bag of chips to nosh on later in the tour.
The Screening Room
Once everyone is sufficiently satiated, you’re invited into the screening room to watch a special video featuring the TCM hosts: Ben Mankiewicz, Eddie Muller, Jacqueline Stewart, Alicia Malone, Dave Karger. You’ll also see videos, clips, and interviews with these TCM notables later throughout the tour via the on-board monitors. They’ll give additional context and historical learnings about the movie-making magic.
The group is split up into smaller groups of roughly 10-15 people and then everyone is invited to board special TCM branded black and gold carts to begin the guided tour.
A 90-Minute Guided Tour
As you explore the property, you’ll dive into the world of classic cinema seeing where favorites were filmed such as Casablanca, The Life of Emile Zola, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Blazing Saddles, Giant, and more.
Your Tour Guide is happy to answer any questions along the way and they actually begin the tour by asking the whole tour group for their general interests so that they can hone in and craft the tour to really hit on the preferences of the group. Naturally, during our tour, we shared that we were Disney nuts and while there’s not a lot of Disney history created here (considering the Mouse has their own studio just down the street) there’s still fun some surprises in store. For instance, we learned that pick up shots for the Rainbow Connection scene in the original Muppets movie were filmed here in their green jungle area as well as select town scenes for Pollyanna. Popular ABC shows Full House and Family Matters also taped here.
The tour explores the backlot with stops at their Jungle green area which doubles as backwoods, forests, and jungles across the globe; the backlot sets which include residential neighborhoods, bustling cities, and quaint midwestern towns; and the Prop House where you’ll find rows and rows of props large and small that are in active use today — some of which date back to the earliest days of the studio.
Self-Guided Exploration
There are two separate areas that allow for self-guided exploration. Warner Bros. estimates it takes about 2 hours to venture through all of the displays, interactive elements, and exhibits but you are free to take this at your own pace and really make a whole day out of everything offered in this surprisingly robust final act for the tour. There’s two main sections: Stage 48: Script to Screen and Action and Magic Made Here.
Stage 48: Script to Screen
This great exhibit runs through the lifecycle of making a movie with rooms dedicated to each step along the way.
- The Pre-Production space at the beginning offers a glimpse into the mechanics including writers room, scripts, casting, storyboarding, and more.
- The Production space includes peeks at costumes and props from films new and old with an ever-rotating array of showcases. There’s also ACTUAL sets on display that were saved after production wrapped including some for Friends and Big Bang Theory.
- The Post-Production space goes into behind-the-scenes movie magic. Explore and interact in exhibits for sound, foley, and voiceover work plus play in green screen photo- (and video-) ops.
- The Friends Boutique and The Central Perk Café are also available in this space where you can grab a hot lunch, a snack, and a made-to-order beverage and enjoy them in re-creations of sets from the show including Central Perk itself plus Rachel and Monica’s kitchen and living room, as well as Joey and Chandler’s living room.
- From here, you will move onto a new location for the very last experience: Action and Magic Made Here…
Action and Magic Made Here
As the grand finale for the whole experience, you can explore a space with exhibits and props exploring Warner Bros. classics including the DC Universe with costumes and Batmobiles on display; the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (and Fantastic Beasts); Game of Thrones and more! On your way out, pay homage to the classics with one final burst of props and costume pieces from prestige classics such as Casablanca, The Music Man, and My Fair Lady.
Warner Bros. Studio Store
Of course, NO experience is really complete until you’ve exited out into a gift shop and this one is a huge space with must-have merch from the wide expanse of Warner Bros. films and television programming. While we were there, they had a special pop-up shop celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Goonies.
Our Full Review
TCM Classic Films Tour might just be the best way to experience Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood — even if you aren’t necessarily a film geek for the golden age of Hollywood. See why we highly recommend this tour below.
MORE INFO: REVIEW: TCM Tour is a CHOICE way to experience the Warner Bros. Studio
See it for Yourself
TCM Classic Films Tour is available now for booking starting at $95 per adult.
MORE INFO: Compare tour options at on the official site at wbstudiotour.com.
