Los Angeles police said a security guard in the area notified them of a man pointing a gun shortly before 2 a.m. near the theater in the 6300 block of Sunset Boulevard.
Movie patrons were told to shelter in place as a perimeter was set up by authorities.
The search led heavily-armed police to a parking structure at De Longpre Avenue between Ivar Avenue and Vine Street.
Police eventually said nobody has been taken into custody, and the scene was cleared at about 4 a.m.
It's not clear what, if anything, was recovered or if shots were ever fired.
No injuries were reported.