Movie previews in a US theater usually run about 15 to 30 minutes before the film starts. Each trailer lasts roughly 2 to 2.5 minutes, but ads and theater messages fill the rest. As of 2025, AMC told ticket buyers its movies begin 25 to 30 minutes after the listed showtime.
How Long Movie Previews Last Before the Film
The showtime on your ticket is not when the movie begins. Instead, it is when the pre-show begins. That block mixes trailers, local and national ads, and reminders to silence your phone. As a result, the total length depends on the chain, the film and the week.
In July 2025, for example, AMC added a notice at checkout saying films start 25 to 30 minutes after showtime, according to Entrepreneur’s report. A month later, however, AMC’s CEO said the chain would trim four to five minutes by cutting one trailer and shortening its own reels, as TheWrap reported. The same report says about six minutes of ads from the National CineMedia deal stay in place, and that Regal and Cinemark have similar ad deals.
Convert Pre-Show Minutes to Hours
Enter the pre-show length in minutes. Then add it to the film’s runtime to see when you will actually leave.
| Minutes | Hours | Seconds |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0.25 | 900 |
| 20 | 0.333 | 1,200 |
| 25 | 0.417 | 1,500 |
| 30 | 0.5 | 1,800 |
How Long Is Each Movie Trailer?
A single theatrical trailer is short. For decades, a voluntary industry rule capped trailers at 2 minutes 30 seconds. Then, in 2014, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) issued voluntary guidelines asking for 2 minutes instead, with two exceptions per studio each year, according to coverage of the guidelines. Because the rules are voluntary, some trailers still run longer.
| Part of the pre-show | Typical length (approximate) |
|---|---|
| One theatrical trailer | about 2 to 2.5 minutes |
| Teaser trailer | often about 1 minute or less |
| Five trailers back to back | about 10 to 12.5 minutes |
| Ads (NCM deal, 2025 reporting) | about 6 minutes |
| Whole pre-show at AMC (2025 notice) | 25 to 30 minutes |
So most of the wait is not one long trailer. Rather, it is several short ones plus ads.
Why Movie Previews Feel So Long
Trailers are free marketing for studios, and ads pay theaters. Therefore, chains have a reason to fill the time. Also, the pre-show gives late arrivals time to find seats and buy snacks. Interestingly, trailers were once shown after the feature, which is how they got the name “trailer.”
The length also changes with the film. For instance, big family and action releases often carry more trailers for similar movies. Meanwhile, a late show on a weekday may run the same reel as a Saturday matinee.
When to Arrive So You Miss the Movie Previews
- Reserved seats: arriving 15 to 20 minutes after showtime usually still beats the film, but this is a guess, not a promise.
- Open seating: come early instead, because good seats go during the ads.
- Premium formats: next, check the notice at checkout; IMAX and similar shows may run a different reel.
- Planning your night: finally, add about 25 minutes to the runtime. A 90-minute film then takes close to two hours. See how long 90 minutes is for more ways to picture that span.
Movie Previews FAQ
How long are movie previews at AMC?
As of 2025, AMC told ticket buyers that films start 25 to 30 minutes after showtime. The chain then said it would cut about four to five minutes.
How long are movie previews at Regal?
Regal does not publish a fixed length. Reports say it runs a similar NCM ad package, so expect a pre-show close to other big chains.
How long is one movie trailer?
Most theatrical trailers run about 2 to 2.5 minutes. Teasers are often a minute or less.
Is there a rule on trailer length?
Yes, but it is voluntary. Theater owners asked for 2 minutes in 2014, down from an older 2 minute 30 second cap.
Are movie previews the same length everywhere?
No. The length varies by chain, film, format and week, so treat any figure as approximate.
Can I skip movie previews?
Yes. With a reserved seat, you can arrive a little late. However, you risk missing the opening if the pre-show is short.
Why are they called trailers?
Early trailers played after the main feature, so they trailed it. Later, theaters moved them before the film.
How many trailers play before a movie?
It varies. AMC said in 2025 that it shows one more trailer than its rivals and planned to cut one.
Do movie previews count toward the runtime?
No. A film’s listed runtime covers only the movie, so add the pre-show to plan your evening.
How long is 25 minutes in hours?
25 minutes is about 0.42 hours, or 1,500 seconds. For an even shorter span, read how long a moment is.
Movie Previews: The Bottom Line
To sum up, expect about 15 to 30 minutes of trailers and ads after the listed showtime. Each trailer is short; the ads and extra reels make the wait. Finally, because chains keep changing the reel, treat these 2025 figures as a guide and check your ticket notice.