Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Hollywood · movies · architecture

A Movie Palace. Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 as one of the most glamorous movie theaters in the world, with an exotic design inspired by Chinese architecture that made moviegoers feel like they were stepping into a palace.

Handprints in Cement. The theater's forecourt features the handprints, footprints, and signatures of hundreds of famous actors pressed into cement, a tradition that started in the 1920s and became one of Hollywood's most iconic attractions.

Premiere Destination. The biggest movie premieres in Hollywood have been held here for nearly 100 years, with red carpets, searchlights, and crowds of fans gathering to see movie stars arrive for brand new films.

A Historic Landmark. The theater sits right on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and is considered one of the most important movie palaces ever built, influencing how grand theaters were designed across America.