advance screening

Meaning

An advance screening is a special showing of a movie before its official public release date. These exclusive events are often held for film critics, journalists, influencers, or lucky fans to generate early reviews and buzz.

Examples

• We managed to get free tickets to an advance screening of the new sci-fi blockbuster.

  We managed to get free tickets to an advance screening of the new sci-fi blockbuster.

• The director answered questions from the audience right after the advance screening.

  The director answered questions from the audience right after the advance screening.

• Critics who attended the advance screening are already calling the film a masterpiece.

  Critics who attended the advance screening are already calling the film a masterpiece.

• You have to sign a strict non-disclosure agreement before entering the advance screening.

  You have to sign a strict non-disclosure agreement before entering the advance screening.

• Our local cinema is hosting an exclusive advance screening for loyalty card members.

  Our local cinema is hosting an exclusive advance screening for loyalty card members.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I went to the advance screen of the movie last night.

  ✓ I went to the advance screening of the movie last night.

  'Screen' is the physical object or the verb. The actual event of showing a film is called a 'screening'.

• ✗ They showed an early screening of the film before it was finished.

  ✓ They showed an advance screening of the completed film before its release.

  'Advance screening' means it is shown before the general public release date, but the film itself is fully finished and polished.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I was lucky enough to win passes to an ___ of the new superhero movie.

  💡 A showing of a film before its official public release.

  Show answer

  advance screening

• Security was very tight at the ___ to prevent any online leaks.

  💡 An early film viewing event.

  Show answer

  advance screening