New Bill Could Force Movie Theaters to Change Start Times; Here’s What That Means for You

There’s no doubt that you’ve found yourself sitting through what feels like an eternity of trailers and ads before the movie actually starts. It could be around 20 to 30 minutes of pre-show advertisment, and most movie goers know that they can show up at least 20 minutes after the advertised start time, and be fine.

Well, a new bill out of Connecticut is looking to change some things up, potentially reshaping the way movie theaters operate nationwide.

State Senator Martin Looney introduced legislation on January 21, 2025, that would require theaters to list not just the movie’s start time, but also when the pre-show (trailers and ads) begins and ends. He obviously hates the ads and trailers.

The idea is to give audiences the choice to skip the pre-show and show up just in time for the main feature. Again, rule of thumb is 20 minutes, so if an audience wants to skip all that crap, they can.

While this might sound like a win for some frustrated moviegoers, it has theater owners worried, especially smaller, independent cinemas that depend on pre-show advertising revenue to survive.

Most major chains already give vague estimates about pre-show lengths, but this bill would make precise timing mandatory for all theaters. And that’s where things get complicated.

Pre-show advertising isn’t just filler, it’s a crucial revenue stream. Digital projectors can cost upwards of $150,000 per screen, and ongoing maintenance isn’t cheap. For many theaters, the money from those ads helps keep the lights on.

Then there’s the argument that the pre-show builds excitement. Studios rely on trailers to generate buzz, and for many, the experience of seeing those previews on the big screen is part of the fun.

But let’s be honest, over the past decade, pre-shows have gotten longer, and the number of non-movie-related ads has skyrocketed. Plus, most movie fans catch the trailers online before they see it on the big screen.

The thing is, people have a choice. If they want to show up for the pre-show to watch the trailers on the big screen, they can. If they don’t they can skip it, just like a lot of people do now.

Regardless, Independent theaters, which already operate on razor-thin margins, could be hit the hardest. If advertisers pull back because audiences start skipping the pre-show, that financial cushion disappears. And for an industry that’s still struggling after losing over 3,000 screens since 2020, that could be devastating.

Here’s the thing, people are already sdkipping these pre-shows. When I go to a movie, I’m normally there on time and I have no problems sitting through the pre-show, but as I’m sitting there in a nearly empty theaters, the crowd doesn’t start to pile in until right before the movie starts.

But, maybe making these times manditory could change things. Beyond Connecticut, the bill could set a precedent for other states. If similar laws gain traction, it might force a broader shift in how theaters operate nationwide.

While transparency sounds great for consumers, if advertisements are pulled, theaters might respond by raising ticket prices or cutting back on staff to make up for lost ad revenue.

At the end of the day, this bill is about choice and it gives audiences more control over their time at the theater. I just think it’s a choice they’ve already had and are already excrcising it.

What do you think? Do you already skip the pre-show? Would listing the times of the both the pre-show and the movie affect when you show up at the theater?