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Should Theaters Post Actual Movie Start Times

5,183 Views | 44 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by Furlock Bones
bonfarr
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6:38p, 8/4/25
AG
I took my dad to see Naked Gun over the weekend and we are punctual people. Nothing makes me more anxious than the thought of missing even a few seconds of a movie I paid to see. In years past I would make sure I arrived ten minutes before the listed start time but over the last few years I have started getting there right at the start time because commercials have been added to the playlist.

At the Cinemark the start time was 2:10 and the actual movie didn't start until 2:40. I watched the same Coca-Cola commercial at least 3 times in that 30 minutes. Commercial after commercial and the actual new release trailers that are at least mildly interesting didn't start until ten minutes before the movie.

I know theaters are trying to squeeze every cent they can get out of customers since customer traffic is in decline but that kind of crap is one of the things that kills the movie going experience IMO.

Anyone else irked by the excessive commercials and BS start time listings?
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Cinco Ranch Aggie
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6:42p, 8/4/25
AG
Commercials are a newish thing that I don't care for. I do enjoy the coming attractions. But I hate sitting there for half an hour when I thought the movie would start earlier. It would be good if theaters published the time for trailers/commercials.
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bonfarr
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In reply to Cinco Ranch Aggie • 6:46p, 8/4/25
AG
Cinco Ranch Aggie said:
Commercials are a newish thing that I don't care for. I do enjoy the coming attractions. But I hate sitting there for half an hour when I thought the movie would start earlier. It would be good if theaters published the time for trailers/commercials.


Same. I like the trailers but watching commercial after commercial drives me up the wall. I just know the one time I risk it and say no more and show up twenty minutes after the posted start time I will walk in and the movie will have already started. The guessing game is BS
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rhutton125
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6:47p, 8/4/25
AG
It is pretty wild. 31 minutes of previews before Fantastic Four, including TWO promos for "you're watching this in XD, it's going to blow your minds". And then of course, Nicole Kidman (AMC).

Weirder still is before the previews, there was a short (I guess) of two people talking, and it seemed like a sort of like a 15-minute break-up conversation. It was confusing, and kind of a downer - certainly didn't get me excited for the movie ahead.
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Cliff.Booth
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6:48p, 8/4/25
Absolutely. I also wish the trailers would be limited to 30-second teasers. I really don't want or need to know 10 plot-points and punchlines to know if I want to see an upcoming feature or not. Most trailers are either things I have no interest in or ones I do but I feel like I just learned way too much about the plot.
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20ag07
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6:50p, 8/4/25
It's 25 minutes now, guaranteed.

And that's stupid.
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ABATTBQ11
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6:54p, 8/4/25
AG
Previews are fine. I hate commercials.

I get it though. The theater business isn't what it used to be. Costs and expectations are higher, and studios are sometimes sending movies to streaming within 2-3 months. They need all the revenue streams they can get.

And look at movies like Snow White. Disney, from what I understand, requires theaters to keep movies showing for a long period and have a minimum number of showings per day in order to get a movie. They can't cut it loose and free up screens if it sucks. Commercials guarantee at least some minimum revenue per showing even if only 5 people are buying tickets.
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TriAg2010
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In reply to rhutton125 • 7:45p, 8/4/25
AG
rhutton125 said:
It is pretty wild. 31 minutes of previews before Fantastic Four, including TWO promos for "you're watching this in XD, it's going to blow your minds". And then of course, Nicole Kidman (AMC)


The Nicole Kidman bit is honestly off putting. Never seen any other business smell its own farts that hard.
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Wicked Good Ag
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7:51p, 8/4/25
Most theaters will give you the exact time it starts if you call them (and they answer)
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Bruce Almighty
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8:15p, 8/4/25
AG
Alamo is the worst.
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PlanoAggie
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8:46p, 8/4/25
AG
I've just started showing up 15-20 minutes after the "start time" and seems to be working out so far
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Drunken Overseas Bettor
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9:13p, 8/4/25
I enjoy timing my arrival so all I get is Maria Menuous thanking me for watching.
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Cliff.Booth
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9:26p, 8/4/25
My theory is that they draw all of this out because they know you'll be so ****ing bored you'll go buy $28 worth of popcorn and Dr.Pepper to get yourself through it.

But the jokes on them. Ive got 3 Taco Bell items and some fire sauce packets in my pockets, *****es. I'll sit here and Live Mas while you reveal the entire plot of some horror movie I won't watch next March.
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An L of an Ag
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10:12p, 8/4/25
AG
Short answer: **** YEAH. Any other way, including the status quo, is false advertising.


Edit to add: this is why we sneak in wine and bourbon. **** pursuing for more than one overpriced drink!
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to TriAg2010 • 10:21p, 8/4/25
TriAg2010 said:
rhutton125 said:
It is pretty wild. 31 minutes of previews before Fantastic Four, including TWO promos for "you're watching this in XD, it's going to blow your minds". And then of course, Nicole Kidman (AMC)


The Nicole Kidman bit is honestly off putting. Never seen any other business smell its own farts that hard.


You should be off pudding. [/JLaw]
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to Drunken Overseas Bettor • 10:22p, 8/4/25
Drunken Overseas Bettor said:
I enjoy timing my arrival so all I get is Maria Menuous thanking me for watching.


If you stop for gas at the Shell at Wellborn and Rock Prairie, she will yell at you from the display on the pump.
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rhutton125
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In reply to TriAg2010 • 10:31p, 8/4/25
AG
TriAg2010 said:
rhutton125 said:
It is pretty wild. 31 minutes of previews before Fantastic Four, including TWO promos for "you're watching this in XD, it's going to blow your minds". And then of course, Nicole Kidman (AMC)


The Nicole Kidman bit is honestly off putting. Never seen any other business smell its own farts that hard.


Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this.
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20ag07
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5:04a, 8/5/25
The Nicole Kidman one cracks me up every time, because literally all she's done for years is TV series and movies for streamers. All HBO, Netflix, and Amazon Prime for her.
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Wolfpac 08
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6:25a, 8/5/25
AG
I just stopped going to theaters altogether.

Movies start exactly when I want them to, I have the best seat in the house, I never miss anything if I have to go pee, and I don't have to take out a second mortgage for popcorn and a drink.
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BCSWguru
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In reply to Wolfpac 08 • 6:43a, 8/5/25
Cool. Nobody cares. This thread is about previews/commercials at the movie theater.
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wangus12
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In reply to Bruce Almighty • 7:27a, 8/5/25
AG
Bruce Almighty said:
Alamo is the worst.

No they aren't. I watch Fantastic Four 2 weeks ago at 7:30 PM and the actual film started at 7:40. They did 2 previews and their no talking slogan and then straight into the movie.

I'll also add that if they start posting the actual start time, you'll have a **** ton of people that are trying to get there right when it starts and are therefore wandering in front of you through the aisle with their phone lights out to get to their seat 5 minutes into the film

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maroon barchetta
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7:38a, 8/5/25
Maria Menounos in a bikini, appearing on the Today Show outside on the street in NYC, broadcast live to millions of people, is an objectionable image to try and post on TexAgs.

My apologies.
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Wolfpac 08
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In reply to BCSWguru • 7:43a, 8/5/25
AG
BCSWguru said:
Cool. Nobody cares. This thread is about previews/commercials at the movie theater.
oof. A little testy this morning. I hope your day gets better!
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Bruce Almighty
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In reply to wangus12 • 8:04a, 8/5/25
AG
wangus12 said:
Bruce Almighty said:
Alamo is the worst.

No they aren't. I watch Fantastic Four 2 weeks ago at 7:30 PM and the actual film started at 7:40. They did 2 previews and their no talking slogan and then straight into the movie.

I'll also add that if they start posting the actual start time, you'll have a **** ton of people that are trying to get there right when it starts and are therefore wandering in front of you through the aisle with their phone lights out to get to their seat 5 minutes into the film



I saw F4 at Alamo and there were previews, commercials, more previews, thank you for coming to Alamo crap and Pedro Pascal pimping his movie. It was easily 30 minutes.
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bonfarr
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8:35a, 8/5/25
AG
At least Alamo makes their commercials funny and more interesting and they play the clips from old campy movies that make you laugh. It's the constant repeat of a Coke or Progressive Insurance commercial that drives me up the wall.
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citizenkane06
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8:40a, 8/5/25
AG
My last trip to AMC, they actually posted "There will be x minutes of commercials before the film." I didn't mind that because I timed it so I missed the ads, and their duration was accurate.
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The Collective
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8:50a, 8/5/25
AG
A nearby small, independent theater used to list the actual movie start times vs the preview / commercial start time. They aren't around any longer though.

The other day, I tried explaining to my kids the idea of waiting in line for seats on a big opening weekend. They couldn't even comprehend unassigned seats.
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Gomer95
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8:56a, 8/5/25
AG
I used to think yes they should but NO they should not because then idiots would still show up 15 minutes late after the actual movie has already started. Unfortunately not everyone has movie etiquette and in fact, most don't anymore.
I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it. - Woodrow F. Call
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GIF Reactor
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9:05a, 8/5/25
AG
Although I plan for it now, yes, yes they should. I don't mind trailers, but I agree with the poster above -- make it at most the teaser trailer, not every plot point and funny one-liner in the entire movie.

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uujm
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9:15a, 8/5/25
I had been going to the AMC by my office before I moved and the movie start time was about 25-30 minutes later than the posted time. Now I have been going to a Regal and Jurassic World, Superman and Fantastic 4 started within 10 minutes of the posted time.
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Heineken-Ashi
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9:18a, 8/5/25
I have avoided theaters since 2019. Lots of money saved. Lots of terrible movies avoided. Will continue probably forever.
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FL_Ag1998
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9:30a, 8/5/25
AG
To the main point, as someone mentioned above, doing so unfortunately in my experience tends to lead to people now scrambling for their seats in the dark as the movie is starting.

I do hate how long the commercial/trailer length is, because these days many times I'm done with my popcorn before the movie even starts. And no, there's no way I can just sit there and not touch my popcorn for 30 mins during that time period!

Lastly, to those of you boasting about not going to theaters any more...you're missing out. Some movies are fine watching at home on a smaller screen. Most are more enjoyable on the big theater screen. And some are absolute must-sees in the theater. I truly feel sorry for anyone who waits to see F1 at home on their t.v. No way does that experience do justice to that movie.
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Wolfpac 08
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In reply to Heineken-Ashi • 9:45a, 8/5/25
AG
Heineken-Ashi said:
I have avoided theaters since 2019. Lots of money saved. Lots of terrible movies avoided. Will continue probably forever.
BCSWguru doesn't care, FYI
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Prosperdick
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10:13a, 8/5/25
AG
You would think theaters would remove all the excess crap for each showing and it would allow them to add one more showing each day. It wouldn't take much, if you have a film with 5 showings you only need to remove about 25-30 minutes from each to provide enough time to include one more showing.

With ticket prices the way they are that might be worth it but they would need to be strategic with it, only for the movies that are popular.
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Brian Earl Spilner
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10:32a, 8/5/25
AG
My AMC app added a new disclaimer recently - "Movies start 20-30 minutes after showtime"

It's still incredibly annoying, and I wish there was less commercials, but lately I'll just try to time it to get to the theater about 5 minutes after showtime and that way I'll only have to sit through 5 or so minutes of commercials before the real previews start.
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