If you’ve ever been to a movie theater, you know that the experience involves more than just the feature film itself. From the moment you walk into the theater, there are several things that happen before the actual movie begins. But have you ever wondered when exactly the movie starts and what those preliminary moments are all about?
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the timing and the series of events that take place in a theater before the actual movie begins, helping you understand the typical flow of a movie-going experience.
The Time on Your Ticket vs. When the Movie Starts
When you look at the time on your movie ticket, you’ll usually see a specific start time listed. However, that time doesn’t always represent the moment when the feature film will begin. Typically, the time on your ticket refers to the scheduled showtime—the time when the theater expects to start showing the movie. But this is often not the actual time the film begins.
So, when does the movie start? The actual start time usually comes after a few other elements have been presented. Here’s what happens before the movie officially starts:
Previews and Trailers
One of the first things that happens when the lights dim and the showtime approaches is the trailers or previews. These short clips, usually 2-3 minutes long, give viewers a sneak peek at upcoming films. The purpose of these previews is to build excitement for future releases and to entice viewers to return to the theater.
Trailers typically start about 15-20 minutes before the movie’s scheduled start time. Sometimes, theaters will even show several trailers, sometimes focusing on upcoming blockbusters or films in similar genres. For example, if you’re seeing a superhero movie, you may get previews for other action-packed films.
Advertisements
Before the trailers, you’ll often see advertisements. These can range from local businesses promoting discounts to national ad campaigns for various products or services. These advertisements usually last 5-10 minutes and are played before the trailers begin.
Some theaters, especially in large chains, may include ads for other films or merchandise in addition to general product promotions. This is a way for theaters to generate additional revenue and promote movies and services to the audience.
Pre-Show Entertainment
In addition to the usual ads and trailers, some theaters now offer pre-show entertainment. This could include interactive games, trivia about the movie you’re about to watch, or behind-the-scenes clips about the making of the film. These segments are designed to entertain and keep the audience engaged before the main event.
Though not as common in all theaters, this entertainment can sometimes add a few more minutes of content before the movie begins.
The Official Movie Start
After all the trailers, ads, and pre-show entertainment, the actual movie will finally begin. This is when the opening credits roll, the music kicks in, and the story starts unfolding. In most cases, you can expect the movie to begin about 20-30 minutes after the time listed on your ticket.
Keep in mind that this can vary based on the theater chain, the movie itself, or even the time of day. For example, in larger theaters or when a blockbuster film is playing, the previews and ads might be a bit longer, so the movie could start closer to the 30-minute mark after the scheduled time.
Why the Wait?
You might wonder, why all the waiting? The reason for the delays before the actual movie starts comes down to several factors:
- Revenue Generation: Ads and previews provide theaters with additional income, which is especially important for maintaining business.
- Audience Engagement: Trailers and advertisements help build excitement, and pre-show entertainment can engage the audience while they’re waiting.
- Latecomers: Movie theaters often aim to start the movie at a time when most people have taken their seats, allowing a buffer for any last-minute arrivals.
The waiting period also ensures that everyone has time to settle in and that the theater’s staff can complete any last-minute checks, like ensuring the film is loaded and ready for viewing.
When Can You Expect the Movie to End?
While the movie itself might start 20-30 minutes after the time listed on your ticket, it’s important to know that the runtime of a film includes these pre-show moments. For example, if a film is listed as 7:00 pm, the actual runtime you experience (from the moment the film starts until it ends) will still be what’s advertised, but with trailers, ads, and entertainment added, it might feel like you’ve been in the theater for a bit longer.
If you’re someone who wants to avoid sitting through the entire pre-show experience, it’s a good idea to arrive a bit later—just before the movie is about to start. However, be mindful of the theater’s policy on late arrivals, as some theaters might lock the doors once the movie starts to avoid disturbing others.
So, when does the actual movie start in a theater? The answer is usually about 20-30 minutes after the time listed on your ticket, once the trailers, ads, and pre-show entertainment have wrapped up. While these moments are meant to enhance the experience and generate extra revenue, they can be a bit of a wait if you’re eager to get to the main event.
By understanding the structure of the movie-going experience, you can better plan your arrival time and enjoy the full experience of both the movie and everything leading up to it. Whether you’re there for the trailers, the previews, or just the feature film, the theater experience is designed to entertain and engage you from the moment you walk in the door.