For years, CinemaCon has been one of those “you had to be there” industry events—the kind of thing where journalists, theater owners, and studio heads gather in Las Vegas to get early looks at the movies that’ll define the year in film. It’s the event where trailers debut in packed theaters and we scramble to describe what we saw to folks back home who wish they were in the room. But now? The room is coming to you.
For the first time ever, The Cinema Foundation is opening the gates—sort of. Introducing the Sneak Peek Showcase, a curated, nearly 70-minute presentation of exclusive trailers, extended scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage from upcoming studio films. And instead of catching it through someone’s live tweet or grainy footage, you can watch it all unfold on the big screen in a theater near you.
The event runs for two nights only—Tuesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 24—in thousands of theaters nationwide, and tickets are only $3. Even better? That money goes to charity. All proceeds benefit organizations like Variety – The Children’s Charity, The Cinema Foundation, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation, and Canadian Picture Pioneers.
So what exactly are you getting for your $3?
A big-screen preview of some of the most anticipated releases of the year. And while the specific lineup is still under wraps (gotta keep some mystery), if it’s anything like what was screened at CinemaCon a few weeks back, expect first looks at titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wicked: For Good, Deliver Me From Nowhere (the Bruce Springsteen biopic), The Naked Gun remake, Roofman starring Channing Tatum, The Bride directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, and The Running Man with Colman Domingo and Glen Powell.
The footage spans genres and MPAA ratings (PG, PG-13, R), so it’s got a little something for every kind of moviegoer—whether you’re in it for the musicals, thrillers, comedies, or fall festival bait.
“Sneak Peek Showcase helps bring a little taste of the famed industry-insider event CinemaCon to movie lovers with a fun look at the upcoming theatrical slate,” said Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “For the first time, cinemagoers will get a glimpse of the most anticipated movies coming soon to their neighborhood theatres all in one program.”
The event is part of The Cinema Foundation’s @TheMovies initiative, which aims to bring energy and engagement back to the moviegoing experience. You may remember they kicked off the year with National Popcorn Day back in January (yes, unlimited refills were involved). Coming up, they’ve got Date Night @ The Movies (August 15) and Family Day @ The Movies (November 9), all designed to pull us off our couches and back into the theaters.
And in a nice touch of uplift for the next generation, the Sneak Peek Showcase will also include the winning short from the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program, an annual contest for up-and-coming student filmmakers. So it’s not just about the blockbusters—it’s about spotlighting fresh voices, too.
If you’ve ever felt like CinemaCon is one big insiders-only party you weren’t invited to, this is your chance to pull up a seat. No press pass, no studio badge, no flight to Vegas necessary. Just show up, sit back, and soak in what’s coming soon to a screen near you—before everyone else.
Tickets are on sale now through atthemovies.co, participating theater websites, and Fandango.
Let’s be real—this is the kind of $3 ticket you won’t regret. It’s not a full movie, sure, but it is a full-circle moment: the people who fill the seats finally getting the first look.