Things to Do in Los Angeles During Comic-Con

It’s the third week of July and you know what that means? Writers, directors, actors, cartoonists, animators, assorted creatives and super-fans go to Comic-Con in San Diego (July 24-27). Whether you’re a Trekker, a Potterhead, a Marvelette or whatever we are calling Stranger Things fans, you can always get your pop culture fix right here in the City of Angels.

For movie and TV fans, it doesn't get any better than the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, which offers an immersive, behind the scenes look into Hollywood at work. Guests experience a fascinating three-hour tour that travels through famous backlot streets, soundstages, sets and craft shops. No two tours are alike!

Now on view as part of the Studio Tour, the new Superman Exhibit features costumes from James Gunn's upcoming Superman movie, starring David Corenswet in the title role: the iconic Superman suit and cape, with a newly updated “S” shield; the Daily Planet suit worn by Superman's alter ego, Clark Kent (also Corenswet); Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Superman's archnemesis Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. The Superman lobby display is open to the public and includes exclusive retail only found in the Warner Bros. Studio Store.

The Studio Tour showcases HBO's Emmy Award-winning Game of Thrones, including costumes worn by Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targaryen) and Eddie Eyre as Ser Gerold Hightower. Fans can get close-up views of the costumes and props such as weapons, jewelry, dragon eggs and dragon skulls.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts exhibit offers an up-close look at authentic props and costumes from the beloved Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

The grand finale, Action and Magic Made Here features movie costumes for Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Suicide Squad. Guests can step into the movies with recreated sets from the DC Universe: The Batcave, Superman's Office, Wonder Woman's Study, Aquaman's Lair, and the actual Arkham Asylum gates from Batman & Robin.

This summer, experience the ultimate showdown of good versus evil during the DC Heroes and Villains Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain! Taking place in the DC Universe area of the park on Fridays and Saturdays through July 26, the show features Character Meet & Greets, DC Heroes Cavalcade, Superhero Smackdown, The Joker's Dance Party and Catwoman's Purrr-petrators-A-Go-Go.

Known as the "Thrill Capital of the World" for its record-breaking 20 roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain features several DC-themed rides and attractions:

• Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage - The world's tallest and longest single-rail coaster
• Riddler's Revenge - The world's tallest and fastest stand-up roller coaster
• Batman the Ride - Zero-gravity heartline spins, turns and vertical loops
• Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom - One of the tallest drop tower rides on the West Coast
• Teen Titans Turbo Spin - Join forces with the protégés of the World's Greatest Superheroes
• Justice League: Battle for Metropolis - Show your allegiance and join the battle of hero vs villain

Fans wait all year to attend Comic-Con, but visitors and locals alike head to Universal Studios Hollywood every day for world-class tentpole experiences: level up with a new way to play at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™; enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and soar above Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™; and roll out with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in the battle against Megatron and the Decepticons in Transformers: The Ride-3D.

Mega Movie Summer (through August 10)
Now through August 10, Universal Studios Hollywood presents Mega Movie Summer, featuring anniversary celebrations of Jaws, Back to the Future and much more!

Exclusively this summer, experience the Mosasaurus Splash on Jurassic World - The Ride: bigger splashes, four new additional spitters throughout the ride plus additional water cannons during the final drop. And if you’re STILL not completely drenched, for a small fee your fellow guests can hit your boat with brand-new water blasters.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws with a photo op outside the WaterWorld venue; and of course you can take the world-famous Studio Tour for a trip to Amity Island, which will be decorated for the Fourth of July all summer long.

As part of the Back to the Future 40th anniversary, you can snap a selfie next to the iconic DeLorean Time Machine; and meet Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and Doc’s trusty four-legged companion, Einstein. At Mel's Diner, nosh on the Flux Capacitor Patty Melt, Doc Brown’s Chicken Pot Pie, the Time Traveler’s Milkshake and more.

On Friday, July 25, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosts a conversation with Legacy Effects Co-Founder Shane P. Mahan, who has developed an array of cutting-edge practical effects and designs. The conversation will highlight the innovations seen in films such as Avengers: Endgame (2019), The Suicide Squad (2021) and many more. It will also highlight the work Legacy Effects did on bringing the iconic transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). The conversation will be moderated by Alpha Studios VFX supervisor Kaitlyn Yang.

Dedicated to the history and heritage of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, the Hollywood Museum houses 10,000 show business treasures from over 100 years of Hollywood history - it’s one of the most extensive collections of Hollywood memorabilia in the world. Set aside time to explore the different floors - the eclectic mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions are packed with costumes, props, vehicles and much more.

The original costume that Christopher Reeve wore in Superman (1978) is on display, along with screen-accurate replicas of costumes for Batman, Robin and Batgirl from the '60s TV series; and Lynda Carter’s 1970s Wonder Woman that were created from the patterns of the original costumes.

The Transformers exhibit features original cars used in Transformers and Transformers: Age of Extinction, original costumes from the two installments of the blockbuster franchise, and much more.

Don't miss the Dungeon of Doom in the basement, featuring the museum's horror collection and the actual prison corridor set from The Silence of the Lambs (1991), including Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell and props from the Oscar-winning movie.

Opening in theatres on Friday, July 25, The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the highly-anticipated MCU debut of Marvel's First Family: Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (played by Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

TCL Chinese Theatre (July 25)
As with any MCU movie, The Fantastic Four demands to be seen on the big screen, and they don't come any bigger than the TCL Chinese Theatre, which boasts state-of-the-art IMAX Laser projection and the largest IMAX auditorium (by seating capacity) in the world.

Opening Night - El Capitan Theatre (July 24)
Located across the street from the Chinese, the El Capitan Theatre is hosting a special Opening Night screening on Thursday, July 24, featuring costumes and props from the movie and photo ops with The Thing and H.E.R.B.I.E. statues. Tickets are $53 and include a reserved seat, collectible popcorn tin with popcorn, fountain drink and event credential.

Now through August 4, the American Cinematheque presents the annual Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest, featuring 32 films in glorious 70mm at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. The weekend of Comic-Con, AC is screening Aliens on Friday, July 25; Nope (July 26) and Ghostbusters (July 26) at the Egyptian.

One of LA's most popular outdoor movie series, Street Food Cinema is collaborating with the Official Disney Fan Club, D23, to present a 30th anniversary screening of Toy Story at The Autry! The first entirely computer-animated feature film, as well as the first feature film from Pixar, Toy Story features the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.

Tickets are $22 for presale and $27 at the door. Gates open at 6pm and the movie starts at 8:30pm. Full bar and food trucks will be on-site. This is a pet-friendly event, leashed dogs are welcome!

What would Comic-Con be without comic books? From Atwater Village to the Valley, the Westside and the South Bay, we've got you covered with our guide to the best comic book stores in LA.

Opened in November 2019, Funko Hollywood is a 40,000 square-foot wonderland of pop culture, spanning the Marvel and DC Universes, Disney/Pixar, sports, music and much more. There are photo ops galore with life-size Funkos, from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Groot to the Justice League, Jurassic Park and Star Wars ("These aren't the droids you're looking for.") You can even "Pop! Yourself" and create a custom Funko of yourself, complete with your name on the box!

If you want to get your fix of anime, manga, anime fans, Japanese cultures and the most traditional forms of cosplay, get yourself to Little Tokyo. There you can visit Kinokuniya, the venerable Japanese book and stationery (and dolls, trinkets, DVDs, etc.) emporium where the Japan-obsessed go for their paper-based media. The shopping center where Kinokuniya is located (Weller Court) is also home to many cosplayers and Japanese-influenced subcultures, and you can mingle with them all year round, including Comic-Con weekend. Cosplayers get their outfits and gear at the shops around the traditional Japanese Village Plaza, LA's longstanding hub of anime and manga fandom.