I've posted in some threads recently about movies I've had the opportunity to test screen. In the past month I've seen PTA's newest film and F1. I've seen Barbie early, Top Gun, A Complete Unknown, Deadpool, among others. So I thought I would share that knowledge with the community on how to come across these opportunities.

Step 1: How to get invited to test screenings

The first thing you need is to live in a major market. Studios are only testing movies in large cities so if you live somewhere without an NFL team, unfortunately you're likely out of luck.

The second thing you need is a bit of luck. Even if you live in a major city the studio still has to decide to screen there for whatever reason. Apparently One Battle After Another has only screened in Vegas, New Jersey, and Dallas so far. Why did they choose those cities? I have no idea. Superman is apparently screening currently but hasn't had one in my city.

But let's say you do live in a major market, how do you get notified of test screenings happening in the area?

There are a few different services that organize the screenings, the most prominent one being PreviewFreeMovies. You can register on their website previewfreemovies.com. Once registered, they'll start to send you invitations for screenings happening near you.

Another service you can sign up for is screeningsquad.com. They just held the OBAA screening I attended so they're legit as well. Another service you can try is Gofobo, but I've found them to be the least reliable. It also helps if you follow these accounts on Instagram. For the OBAA screening I was served an ad on Instagram rather than receiving an email.

Step 2: Attending the screening

So you've signed up for the services and you received an email inviting you to a screening. Once you click the link you're going to give them your name, age, some demographic info, whether you'll be bringing a guest, and most likely a short survey about movies you've seen in the past. You'll then be confirmed for the screening.

But just because you're confirmed doesn't guarantee you a seat. These screenings are first come, first serve and they overbook to ensure a packed theater. If you really want to make sure you see the film and aren't sitting in the first three rows, the screening is going to take up most of your day or evening.

I'd recommend getting to the theater two hours before the scheduled showtime. Once there you're going to wait in line for about an hour. The screening organizers will check you in, sometimes with a confirmation QR code, sometimes with just your ID.

About an hour before the scheduled showtime they'll start letting people into the theater. They'll most likely take your phone and any other electronics you have on you, as well as waving you down with a metal detector wand before letting you enter the theater. That means you'll be sitting in the theater with no phone or anything to do for upwards of an hour. So I'd recommend bringing a guest to talk to, a book to read, or attempting to make friends with the people around you.

After the movie ends you'll be given a cheap Android phone to fill out a short survey on what you thought of the movie. They'll ask questions about how you felt about certain characters, what were some standout scenes, what you thought about the pacing, and whether you'd be likely to recommend the film to others. Sometimes before the movie begins they'll go around recruiting people to stay afterwards for a small focus group. They usually give out like $20 gift cards to people that do that.

All in all, the entire process can take 4-5 hours. But as someone that really enjoys film and unearned feelings of superiority, I think it's worth it. The only major downside is seeing an amazing movie and then having to wait another 3-6 months before being able to see it again. That wait is sometimes worse than just waiting for the movie to release without having already seen it.

Anyways, I hope someone finds the information valuable or useful and we can get more users taking advantage of these free screenings.

Also, once users sign up for the screening services and start receiving invites, feel free to use this thread to post any upcoming screenings for visibility.

this is cool sucks I don't live in the US

jk you couldn't force me to live in the US rn lol

How do they prevent spoilers leaking? Etc

They make you sign an NDA before watching the movie but it’s impossible to prevent. Superman has had like one public test screening and spoilers are already leaking about cameos. It’s just the cost of doing business. It’s why Marvel typically never does public screenings.

I’ve done this once for Megamind

Tbh @op sounds pretty similar to going to a film festival, more so the whole “get there 2 hours early, first come first serve, wait in line for an hour plus”. That’s dope tho.

Man I would love to attend a big festival like Cannes or Venice or Sundance one day. You been to a festival before?

Yessir been hitting up Sundance the past few years now. Dope experience for sure. Cannes and Venice is on my bucket list to have my films premiere at

Can you drop a tutorial how to fake credentials to get tv and movie screeners

Lmaooooooo

Does that contain review embargo even logging on Letterboxd

Damn I’m actually signing up for this. Thanks op

I heard after one of the screenings One Battle After Another started to have a bunch of 4.5 and 5 star ratings on Letterboxd and they ended up all getting removed

This dope af

I got invited to a screening of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F by PreviewFreeMovies two years ago. Fun little experience.

This is the first time I’ve heard of Netflix doing screenings. Interesting. Probably the only people to ever see that movie in an actual theater