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Last updated: March 2026 by Corey Gasman
From the Editor:
We have good friends who live in La Brea, one of whom is a working actor in film and television. When he picked us up from the airport on our last trip, we skipped the hotel drop-off and went straight to the Warner Brothers Studio for a tour to see how sets are built and movies are actually made.
The real highlight came that night when our LA friends took us to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a Cinespia outdoor movie. We brought blankets, a premium sushi box to go, wine, and champagne, and settled in on the Fairbanks Lawn to watch a classic comedy. Watching a movie in a cemetery sounds bizarre at first, but securing a spot here is one of the ultimate Los Angeles summer moves. This guide breaks down the logistics so you arrive prepared and comfortable.
Quick Navigation
Cemetery Rule: Keep a low profile. Chairs that sit high off the ground are strictly prohibited so everyone can see the screen.
Start Here: The Cinespia Game Plan
Cinespia is an outdoor movie series that runs primarily during the summer in Los Angeles. It is heavily attended by locals who know the drill, which means showing up unprepared puts you at a disadvantage. The event requires a bit of effort upfront, but the payoff is one of the most memorable nights you can have in the city.
The secret to a great night here is managing your timeline. Show up early enough to walk the historic grounds, bring better food than you think you need, and stick around after the credits roll for the music. Treat it like a festival rather than a simple movie screening.
- Book early: Tickets sell out extremely fast for popular movies. Get on the mailing list.
- Pack smart: You are sitting on grass for hours. Comfort dictates how much fun you will have.
- Arrive with time to spare: The line to get in starts forming long before the gates open.
- Plan your exit: Leaving the cemetery with thousands of other people requires patience.
Pro Tip: Buy the on-site parking pass if it is available. Parking in the surrounding Hollywood neighborhoods is incredibly frustrating and restrictive.
Watching a classic like Coming to America with thousands of locals is a quintessential Los Angeles summer experience.
The Cinespia Movie Experience
The screen is projected onto the side of a massive white mausoleum, creating a stunning visual anchor for the night. The crowd energy is fantastic. People cheer at iconic lines, applaud great character entrances, and treat the film like a shared community event rather than a quiet theater outing.
The organizers curate a brilliant mix of cult classics, 80s comedies, and iconic dramas. Our screening of Coming to America was the perfect choice for the venue. It is loud, vibrant, and fun.
| Element | What to Expect | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| The Screen | Projected on a mausoleum wall | It creates an unforgettable, highly unique viewing backdrop. |
| Sound Quality | Massive outdoor concert speakers | You will have no trouble hearing the dialogue over the crowd. |
| The Crowd | Engaged, vocal, and festive | This is not a silent viewing. Expect laughter and applause. |
Local Guide Tip: Sit closer to the middle of the lawn if you want the best audio mix. The edges can get a slight echo from the surrounding stone structures.
Arriving before sunset gives you time to walk the grounds and find legendary gravesites like the Johnny Ramone statue.
Pre-Show: Exploring the Legends
The gates typically open a couple of hours before the movie starts. You absolutely want to use this time. After securing your patch of grass on the main lawn, take a walk through the cemetery. It serves as the final resting place for hundreds of Hollywood legends, musicians, and cultural icons.
You can easily spot the Johnny Ramone memorial, the bust of Burt Reynolds, and the touching monument for Anton Yelchin. The grounds are beautifully maintained with roaming peacocks, palm trees, and reflective ponds. The atmosphere is respectful but clearly celebratory.
As the sun begins to set, the lighting across the cemetery changes dramatically. Many of the classical mausoleums are illuminated with bright colors, adding a surreal and beautiful layer to your pre-show walk.
| Notable Sights | Location Vibe |
|---|---|
| Johnny Ramone Statue | Iconic rock tribute near the main pond |
| Chris Cornell Memorial | Often surrounded by fresh flowers and fan tributes |
| Judy Garland Pavilion | Elegant and highly visited indoor resting place |
| Anton Yelchin Statue | A striking bronze tribute to the late actor |
Pro Tip: Download a map of the cemetery on your phone before you arrive. Cell service can drop significantly when thousands of people gather on the lawn.
You are encouraged to bring your own food and drinks, making it easy to upgrade your movie snacks to something like a high-quality sushi spread.
The Picnic Setup: What to Pack
One of the best parts about Cinespia is the liberal food and drink policy. You are entirely responsible for your own picnic. You will see everything from basic chips and dip to full charcuterie boards and takeout from top Los Angeles restaurants. Bringing a premium takeout option like Sugarfish sushi elevates the whole evening without the stress of cooking.
You can bring beer and wine, but hard liquor is technically not allowed. Keep your gear manageable since you have to carry it from your car to the lawn. A tarp to put under your blanket is essential, as the grass gets heavily saturated with dew once the sun drops.
Essential Packing List
- Low chairs: The seat must rest on the ground. Staff will force you to the very back if your chair has standard legs.
- Blankets and layers: Los Angeles summer nights get surprisingly cold. Bring a warm jacket or hoodie.
- A tarp: Place this under your blanket to block the ground moisture.
- Trash bags: You are responsible for packing out your own garbage.
Local Guide Tip: Pack your wine or beer in a soft cooler. Dragging a massive hard plastic cooler across a crowded lawn is a nightmare.
Cinespia goes all out with elaborate photo booths built specifically to match the theme of the movie being shown.
Photo Booths, DJs, and the Vibe
Cinespia builds a massive custom photo booth for every screening. The sets are highly detailed and manned by professional photographers. The line for this gets long very quickly. If you want a souvenir photo, make this your very first stop right after claiming your spot on the lawn.
Music is a huge part of the night. A DJ spins records before the movie starts as the sun sets over the palm trees. The music sets the mood perfectly, turning the wait time into a massive, relaxed lawn party.
A DJ kicks off the post-movie dance party at Cinespia in Hollywood Forever Cemetery as colorful lights and a packed crowd transform the lawn into an outdoor nightclub.
The After-Party and Getting Out
Do not rush to pack up your blankets the second the movie finishes. The DJ immediately comes back on, accompanied by heavy stage lighting effects and sometimes even fireworks. The lawn essentially transitions from a cinema into an outdoor club.
Staying for the music allows you to let the initial wave of the crowd exit. Leaving the cemetery involves funneling thousands of people out of a few narrow gates. Hanging back for twenty minutes of music makes the exit logistics much less frustrating.
Pro Tip: Rideshare apps surge heavily right after the movie. Walk a few blocks away from the Santa Monica Boulevard gates before calling your car to save money and time.
Cinespia Hollywood Forever FAQs
Can I bring my own alcohol to Cinespia?
Yes. You are allowed to bring beer and wine. Hard liquor is prohibited and bags are checked at the entrance.
What kind of chair is allowed on the lawn?
You can only bring low-profile chairs where the seat rests directly on the ground. Standard folding camping chairs are not allowed in the main viewing area.
How early should I get in line?
People start lining up outside the gates well before they open. Arriving 60 to 90 minutes before gates open is standard if you want a prime spot on the lawn.
Are dogs allowed at Cinespia?
No. Pets are not allowed on the cemetery grounds during the movie screenings.