How Long Are the Commercials Before a Movie?

How Long Are the Commercials Before a Movie?

Everything you need to know about pre-show ads, trailers, and what to expect before the main feature starts

(By Jim Webb)

When you buy a ticket for a 7:00 PM movie, you might think the film begins at exactly that time—but in most cases, it doesn’t. The reality is that between 15 and 30 minutes of content typically plays before the main feature. This includes a mix of commercials, movie trailers, theater promos, and sometimes public service announcements.

Understanding what happens before a film can help moviegoers better manage their time and expectations—and in some cases, arrive a little later without missing the film.

Not all pre-movie content is created equal. The time before the main feature can be divided into two main categories:

Commercials: These are standard advertisements from brands like Coca-Cola, car companies, or streaming services. They’re similar to TV ads and often last 20 to 60 seconds each.

Trailers: These are previews for upcoming films. Each trailer typically lasts 2 to 3 minutes.

Theaters generally front-load the commercial ads and then play a block of trailers closer to showtime. If a theater has 25 minutes of pre-show content, around 10–15 minutes might be ads, with 10–15 minutes of trailers.

Based on data from industry sources and audience experiences, here’s a look at the average time for pre-movie content:

Regal Cinemas: Typically shows around 15–25 minutes of ads and trailers combined.

AMC Theatres: Known for running longer pre-show times—up to 25 minutes, including their in-house “AMC Theatres Feature Presentation” and Nicole Kidman intro.

Cinemark: Usually sticks to 15–20 minutes.

Alamo Drafthouse: Often limits traditional ads and instead shows curated vintage clips and themed content, totaling 10–15 minutes before the movie.

So, if your movie is listed at 8:00 PM, the actual film may not start until 8:15 or later, depending on the theater chain and location.

The reason for these long pre-show sessions boils down to business. Advertising is a key revenue source for movie theaters, especially as streaming services and at-home entertainment chip away at box office numbers.

Theaters sell pre-show ad space to brands in the same way TV stations sell commercial time. These ads help cover operational costs and keep ticket prices competitive. Some ad packages even guarantee placement right before trailers for maximum exposure.

Big-budget ads from companies like Google, Nike, or Apple may be scheduled to run nationwide ahead of blockbuster films like Avengers: Endgame or Avatar: The Way of Water, banking on huge captive audiences.

On average, you’ll see 5 to 7 trailers before a film, depending on the studio, genre, and time of year. Each trailer runs for about 2–3 minutes. That’s roughly 10–20 minutes of previews.

Blockbusters and major releases tend to have more trailers. For instance:

Before Dune: Part Two (2024), many theaters ran 7 trailers, totaling 18 minutes.

Before Barbie (2023), audiences reported 5 trailers averaging 15 minutes in total.

Family films like Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) often have fewer trailers, around 4–5, targeting a younger attention span.

Studios also use trailers strategically—placing them with similar genres or demographics. For example, horror trailers are more likely to appear before a horror film like The Conjuring rather than a romantic comedy.

If you want a shorter pre-show experience, consider seeing a film in a premium format. Screenings labeled as:

IMAX

Dolby Cinema

4DX

VIP / Reserved Seating

…often feature fewer ads and a tighter schedule. These formats are marketed as higher-end experiences, and some theaters streamline pre-show content to match the upscale vibe.

For example, at an AMC Dolby Cinema showing, viewers report as little as 10 minutes of pre-show time—sometimes only 2 or 3 trailers followed by the film. This is a major perk for moviegoers who want to get straight to the action.

Film festivals like Sundance or Tribeca rarely show ads before a film. Instead, they focus on brief sponsor logos or promotional videos for upcoming festival entries. These often run for less than 5 minutes.

Similarly, independent theaters or arthouse cinemas usually avoid heavy commercial advertising. A typical pre-show might include:

1–2 trailers

A short message from the theater about upcoming events

A welcome screen or sponsor acknowledgment

For example, the IFC Center in New York typically plays just 2 trailers and a brief intro, totaling about 6–8 minutes before the feature begins.

Many moviegoers wonder if they can show up after the listed start time to skip ads. Technically, yes—but there are a few things to consider:

Ticket rules: Some theaters won’t let you enter after a certain point for safety and courtesy.

Assigned seating: If you arrive late, you risk disturbing others or losing your preferred spot.

Movie timing: Without knowing exactly how long the pre-show is, you might miss key opening scenes.

Still, savvy regulars often show up 10–15 minutes late, especially for major chains like AMC or Regal where trailers are consistent in length.

If you want to skip commercials without missing the start of the movie, some apps can help:

RunPee: This app tells you when to arrive, when to take bathroom breaks, and what you’ll miss.

CineClock: Tracks average trailer times for local theaters.

Atom Tickets & Fandango: Sometimes indicate whether the film starts at the exact time or after a pre-show.

Frequent moviegoers rely on these tools to plan their arrivals more precisely, especially during busy weekends or for double features.

Public opinion on pre-show content is mixed:

Some viewers enjoy trailers, using them as part of the moviegoing experience.

Others find the long ads annoying, especially when ads for cars or streaming apps drag on.

A 2023 survey by Fandango found that 67% of moviegoers wished the ads were shorter, while 81% said they liked watching trailers before a film.

This has led to discussions in the film industry about potentially separating ads and trailers more clearly—or offering “ad-free” screenings at a premium.

So, how long are the commercials before a movie? The short answer: usually 15 to 25 minutes, including both ads and trailers. The exact timing depends on the theater chain, the format, and sometimes the movie itself.

To make the most of your experience:

Check your theater’s usual pre-show length.

Arrive early if you like trailers—or a bit later if you don’t.

Consider premium formats or indie theaters for fewer ads.

Whether you love trailers or prefer to skip straight to the feature, knowing what to expect gives you more control over your movie night—and keeps those popcorn munching moments focused on the main event.

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