Action! Universal Studios Hollywood is the ultimate trip for movie fans – here’s why right now is the perfect time to visit 

Movie milestones and big screen thrills make now the perfect time for a film fan pilgrimage to Hollywood.

As I crane my head up into the mouth of gigantic Jaws himself, hanging ceremonially 20 feet above me, I take a meditative breath and relax. Yes, this is the exact place in the world where I should be. 

After all, there is nowhere more spiritually fulfilling for movie fans than Hollywood – and within that, no more thrilling a tribute to the art of movie making than the iconic Universal Studios Hollywood – Great White props and all. 

World-famous movie thrills 

Less than ten minutes away from Los Angeles’ star-studded Walk of Fame and Sunset Boulevard lies Universal Studios Hollywood. Home to recognisable movie sets and adrenaline-fuelled rollercoasters within its incredible Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and Jurassic Park areas, amongst others, it’s a theme park fit for the land of movie magic.

Even more excitingly for film fans, the park is also home to the Universal Studios backlot – a working studio, where iconic movies such as Psycho, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park were all filmed, even before the area was home the theme park you can visit today. 

So, while you ride thrilling rollercoasters or meet a minion, you’re also surrounded by real sound stages and hot sets – look closely, and you might even see a celeb or five at work, filming their next big show… or in the background of your theme park ride pic. After all, you’re in the star’s backyard. 

There’s no doubt about it: This place is a mecca for movie fans. 

Celebrating 60 years behind the scenes 

That Jaws moment which so spiritually aligned with me? It’s all part of the park’s 60th anniversary celebration, happening right now. 

Arguably Universal Studios Hollywood’s most iconic attraction, the Hollywood Studios Tram Tour, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. 

The world-famous studio tour as we know it now launched back in 1964 – before the rest of the theme park’s fast and furious rides. Since then, it’s been giving film fans a unique glimpse bend the scenes of the studio’s movie making magic.

60 years on and more than 200 million guests from all over the world later, the tour has undergone a special revamp, including one-of-a-kind stops putting you right into the big screen sets, photo opps, and retro additions. 

Now, you can go behind the bright lights with the tour’s new vintage-style Glamor Trams, complete with kitsch red and white awnings, an adorable replica of the tour’s 1964 originals. 

Then, on the two hour tell-all tour, not only will you be whisked through real as-seen-on-screen sets, but for the first time, ever, you’ll be able to disembark and get properly up close and personal – like, head in the mouth of Jaws up close and personal – with the movies. 

The unique stop makes for the perfect way to create your own movie magic, with the opportunity to pose with legends such as King Kong (or his gargantuan gorilla fist, at least), the equally giant hanging Jaws, and the iconic Bates Motel. Consider your Instagram feed authentically Oscar worthy – even if you can’t say the same for your acting. 

Then, another highlight of the tour, ‘Earthquake – The Big One’ where the destructive effects of an 8.3 magnitude quake wreak havoc on your poor tram, has been revamped and turned up to 11 since its debut on the Studio Tour in 1989, with the latest technology making its water and fire special effect hurl you right inside a movie’s hot set. And, with the pyrotechnics warming your face here, I mean that literally. 

Elsewhere, you’ll also get to see the real sets you’ll recognise from some of your favourite TV shows and movies, including The Good Place, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Desperate Housewives. Yes, that means driving right down Wisteria Lane! 

For a real taste of Hollywood, you can even top it off with a celebratory 60th anniversary Studio Tour cookie.

Step inside your favourite movies 

Even more movie immersion is to be found in the rest of the park, with Transformers, Fast & Furious and fan-favourite coaster The Mummy all make for a mix of track-based rides and 3D motion marvels.

First stop we recommend for movie magic come to life, though? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

Year-round snow-topped Hogsmeade streets make for an incredible sight against the Calfornian sun, where cobbles lead to iconic stores like Honeydukes Sweet Shop, where you can pick up a chocolate frog, or Ollivander’s, where you can choose your very own wand – or rather, have it choose you. In what might be the most immersive movie land of any theme park, ever, you can also catch charming shows such as the Frog Choir – all while sipping a real butterbeer.

It’s all overlooked by the stunning Hogwarts castle, a breathtaking building for Potterheads and film fans alike. It’s home to the thrill ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which combines immersive film screen wizardry with intense drops, spins, twists and turns, and to really make you feel like you’re flying through face offs with Dementors, a Quidditch match and more for a ride which might be one of the wildest in any Universal theme park. 

For even more adrenaline, water-based Jurassic World: The Ride brings you face to face with an Indominous Rex – and will have your heart pounding as much as it will get you wet. Into something slightly less terrifying? Catch an encounter with a raptor right outside to see a dino up close, and be sure to have your camera ready. 

For younger film fans, Minion Land is like a banana candy dream come true, with a real life Super Silly Fun Land water play area and 3D motion ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, which sees you transformed into a minion yourself and taken on a whirlwind ride – which is just as fun as it sounds. You can even grab a bite afterwards at the Minion Cafe – expect it to be banana flavoured, naturally. A word of warning: there’s a high chance you’ll run into a mischievous minion outside, too. 

Elsewhere in the entertainment world’s most recognisable faces, the park’s Super Nintendo World is not to be missed. The immersive area will delight gamers of all ages, with walking through Princess Peach’s castle and into land just like stepping right into a Nintendo video game, with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad all ready to greet you, as well as interactive games and a real-life Mario Kart ride to compete against your pals in. If that sounds like fun to you, Hollywood should be your next pitstop – it’s the only US Universal theme park you can experience it in, for now. Super Nintendo World will also open at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, when the theme park opens in 2025. 

At night, Universal Citywalk, right outside the park’s gates, is the place to be, with a fluorescent hub of shops, bars and restaurants just steps away from the park. Head to Vivo Italian Kitchen for upscale Italian dishes, and follow it up with one of the famous doughnuts from VooDoo Doughnut, at its first Californian outpost. 

Hollywood on your doorstep 

Of course, one of the greatest things about this theme park, perhaps over almost any in the word in fact, is its location – and it goes without saying that Hollywood is a dream for movie fans, with world-famous landmarks such as the stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the handprint-famed TCL Chinese Theatre perfect places to look out for signs from your favourite stars. 

Speaking of landmarks, there’s perhaps none more recognisable than the Hollywood Sign, bright and unmistakable from the Hollywood Hills. Now’s an exciting time to visit, as the sign is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Get a great, unbroken, view – and a great Instagram photo – by taking a relaxed hike from 

Where to stay 

For the ultimate Universal Studios Hollywood trip, there’s no base better to call home than the Sheraton Universal Hotel, the closest hotel to the theme park and a simple stroll to its gates and lively Universal City Walk. An outdoor pool for chilling after your day of movie mayhem, and a convenient free shuttle to the park makes this a perfect spot for your movie pilgrimage. 

If you fancy exploring more of Hollywood, meanwhile, 1 Hotel West Hollywood makes for an endlessly chic stay. Right on the Sunset Strip and ideally suited for movie sightseeing and West Hollywood’s unrivalled nightlife, this five-star spot with eco-friendly design touches also offers stunning sweeping views of the city by its hotspot pool – a perfect Hollywood people watching spot. 

A year of Hollywood milestones

With the iconic Universal Tram Tour celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the Hollywood Sign marking its 100th birthday, there’s never been a better time to plan the ultimate movie lover’s holiday. And really, who needs a better excuse to stick their head in the mouth of a shark than that? 

Getting there 

Universal Studios Hollywood Buy a Day, Get a 2nd Day Free Special Offer Ticket costs from £92 / €102 per person, booking through AttractionTickets.com. Tickets are gate-ready offering instant entry to the park, bypassing the ticket and voucher lines. The second visit to Universal Studios Hollywood can be taken any time within six days of the first visit. To book visit www.attractiontickets.com