Movie Screenings are the advance showings of a film to a select group of people and the general public is not allowed to attend. These screenings are for research and promotional purposes. These advanced screenings are FREE and usually targeted towards specific people and areas. Usually, only larger cities are targeted for the free screenings. Besides a free movie, many times you will get cool swag, for example a copy of the movie or t-shirt.
Because these tickets go very, very fast and are restricted to certain cities in some cases, I will just list the companies that provide the free movie screenings passes.
Before we get to that, I’ll let you in on something. Screenings are ALWAYS overbooked, so arrive early, and I don’t mean 15 minutes early, I’d shoot for an hour early if the film has a lot of pre-release hype. Take an ID, especially, if you look even remotely around 18 years of age and the film is rated R. You must pay for everything else: popcorn, drink, etc. ( Don’t forget your reward card! )
I’ve never had to pay a penny to get obtain a free screening ticket, so neither should you.
Some screening tickets are first come, some are contests, some are just random luck. The sites I am listing are ALL FREE to search and use.
UPDATE: – I’ve received some feedback that some of the sites are hard to navigate, so I will give an overview of each site and where to look for the free screenings.
GoFoBO
GoFobo is the largest PR company that gives away free movie screening passes. Which is good, because of the selection yet bad, because the free movies pass go QUICK. This site is the most complicated I’ve seen by far. There are a few different ways to receive free movie passes.1. Go directly to Gofobo and search by zip code or see which free screenings are available. Usually though, you must first obtain a RSVP code.
2. Gofobo movie screening passes are typically only accessible with an RSVP Code that out by radio stations, TV stations, newspapers, retail stores and online partner sites. The partners often give away RSVP Codes in the form of contests or giveaways for their members.
Known Gofobo partners:
- Official Twitter @gofoborsvpcodes
- CinemitYou can also find movie related sweepstakes at Gofobo.
FilmMetro
At Film Metro, the first step is creating an account, if you just want to “browse” you may use a login I created just for my readers!
ID: “admin@webfloss.com”
PASS: “password”After logging in, head over to the latest free screenings. If you are interested in attending, please create your own account at Film Metro or the tickets will be sent to me…
CampusCircle
Campus Circle has free browsing of the latest screenings, but you must register to request a free movie screening ticket. You may also get the latest on the CampusCircle Facebook page or @campuscircle.
Confirm4Movies
Confirm4Movies is nice because you can simply join their database and you’ll receive an invite to a free screening when there is one available in your area. You’ll then enter the invite password, most likely asked a few questions and then hopefully get your passes. This company seems to do more direct audience targeting.
MyCinemaAccess
MyCinemaAccess is another site where you must register to access the free movie screening passes. The site is a tad unorganized, so I strongly suggest you quickly register and then just follow MyCinemaAccess on Facebook.
Cinemit
First step with Cinemit is to register. They are pretty clear about the need to register on their site. Cinemit is ONLY offering screenings in the Boston, Washington, New York and Philadelphia areas.
Enter to win free movie screening passes:
- CHUD
- Movie Insider
- SalsaTV
- Scene Stealers
- MovieJungle
- VillageVoice ( NY ONLY )
- Fangoria ( Horror Movies )
- Black Curtain ( MySpace page )
- SetMovieClub has printable passes and contests
Smart phone Applications:
Fox Searchlight Screenings ( FREE ) 
Don’t forget that Fandango offers a chance to score movie tickets for $1 for members that signup for their FREE newsletter!
There is also an iPhone Fandango Application!
Hit or Miss:
Sometimes you can find free movies screenings on these sites:
- Entertainment Weekly
- Poptimal
- Fox Searchlight
- ScriptMag
More:
Check you local AMC page for information on local screenings.
You can also search Free Movie Screening Events on Facebook.
Rare, but worth a look:
- Yelp.com ( you’ll have to do some searching )
- Metro US ( you’ll have to do some searching )
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice! You should also mention aggregate site like getscreening.com that share movie screening links and RSVP codes. Just do a google search to find more.
gofobo and cinemit is the way to go
I used to get lucking and get free tickets to screening when I lived in Rochester, NY, my home town. Rochester is by no means a big city but big enough I guess. No one gives a flying flute about people in SC. I live here now and there is NOTHING for this state. Yet another reason to be miserable living in this state. Wish I could move back to northern Va.
this is amazing you are giving me a really good information
thank you
Updated as requested 4/27/11
:D
love your web site thanks.
R.Walter was right………..all those sites and not one free pass in CT. I went to some sites and there was no clear link/tab for movie tickets. A lot of searching for nothing.
I am going to go through this list and clean it up. This post is quite outdated and I apologize for that.
All these websites—and I couldn’t get O N E free screening in Buffalo, New York! I wasted my time! You need RSVP Codes and they are impossible to find for Buffalo!
I always thought of screenings as for celebrities only and I certainly never thought of being able to attend one. This would be an interesting thing to take part in.
I’ve gone to a few pre-screenings and I agree; arrive very early. I remember going to the “Ali” pre-screening and the line-up was wrapped around the concessions. :)
Thanks for research. Cant wait to try to see some of the screenings
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Thanks for the info. I was looking for places for movie screenings. I dont even care if they are free or not.
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