AMC Theaters Tells Audiences: Expect a Long Wait Before the Movie Starts

If you’ve ever gone to the movies and found yourself sitting through what feels like half an hour of trailers and ads before the actual film starts, you’re definitely not alone. AMC Theaters has now decided to officially let people know that this delay is very much a part of the plan.

Now, when you check showtimes on AMC’s website or app, there’s a clear note letting you know what to expect. Right below the listed showtime, it says: “Movies start 25-30 minutes after showtime.” This message is hard to miss and is meant to give audiences a heads-up so they don’t feel the need to rush to their seats the second the listed time rolls around.

This move from AMC isn’t exactly surprising. Most regular moviegoers already know that previews, commercials, and theater promos usually run long before the main feature. But this is the first time AMC is being super open about it up front.

The reactions online have been very mixed. Some people didn’t understand why AMC is only just now stating what they already know. One person posted, “I’m sorry were people unaware of this previously?” Others were more annoyed by the whole thing. One comment read, “This will present the opposite effect of what they’re trying to accomplish. The percentage of ppl going to movie theaters will significantly decrease now.”

There are also some who are concerned about timing. One user wrote, “[I] need an exact time, if I arrive 30 minutes in expecting to catch the start and wind up missing 5 minutes of the actual film, there’s gonna be an issue.” Another person, who seems to enjoy the previews, simply said, “Best part of the movie.”

But not everyone is on board with the way AMC is handling things. Some movie fans think AMC should just change the posted showtime to reflect when the movie actually begins. One frustrated response said, “Here’s an idea… Don’t add a note about how the movies always start late. How about just make the time when the movie DOES start the actual published ‘showtime’!”

AMC hasn’t said anything about reducing the number of trailers or shortening the wait. For now, the company just wants to be more transparent, which might help some people plan better, especially those who like to get snacks or go to the restroom before the film begins.

Still, for many viewers, sitting through 25 to 30 minutes of ads feels like a lot. And while this new warning may clear up confusion, it probably won’t change how long the wait actually feels.

So next time you’re heading to an AMC theater, you can take your time getting to your seat, just don’t cut it too close in case you still want to catch a few of the trailers.

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