How to See Movies at Theaters for Free
Ever wonder how people get to see movies for free before they are officially released in theaters? As part of their marketing campaigns, movie studios sponsor free movie screenings to create buzz for a particular title. Movies are also screened to gauge the public's opinion before a studio decides to move forward on a project. Sometimes the reaction from a screening could result in a movie being released to theaters, or sent directly to video stores. The movie could also be shelved indefinitely. Follow these steps to see movies for free at your local theaters.
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Instructions
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A Night at the Movies
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Find out what movies are going to be released by checking newspapers, entertainment websites, movie studios and movie theater websites such as rottentomatoes.com, amctheaters.com and fandango.com. Most movies are released on Fridays, but some have been released on weekdays such as Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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Check entertainment promoters, movie studios, newspapers, movie websites, theaters and radio stations such as gofobo.com, shakefire.com or filmmetro.com for chances to get free movie passes. Passes are only handed out on specific days during set time periods. The passes are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Get a movie pass. When applying for a free movie pass online, enter your personal information such as name, address, telephone number and email address. When trying to get passes at newspapers or radio stations, you don't have to apply. All you have to do is show up when the passes are distributed.
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Confirm your pass. Organizers overbook movie theaters for these free screenings, so space is limited. Each pass is often valid for two.
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Go see the movie. Most screenings take place during the same week that the movies hit the big screen. Free screenings oftentimes take place between 6-7:30 p.m. Special screenings for horror movies such as "Paranormal Activity" have taken place at midnight to add to its haunting effects.
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Tips & Warnings
Arrive early to pick up free movie passes in person. There is only a limited supply available and it's often quickly depleted.
Arrive early to the theater---at least 45 minutes before the movie starts---to ensure admission. Once the theater fills, no one else is allowed inside. Most free screenings don't include the upcoming movie previews that run before the feature presentation, so the movie will start promptly.
Not showing up to a free movie screening can ruin your chances of receiving passes in the future. If you confirmed that you're attending, show up. If can't attend, immediately let the organizers known so they can open up your space to someone else. Emergencies are unexpected, so if one occurs, explain to organizers what happened.
Bringing recording devices, cellular phones and other electronics will get you removed from the theater. You could also be banned from returning to the theater and face criminal charges.
Sneaking into a movie screening can get you barred from the theater.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit old movie film onwhite background image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
