Outdoor Advertising
Cinema Advertising
On-screen ads that reach engaged moviegoers before the show begins
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What We Do
What Is
Cinema Advertising?
Cinema advertising refers to any promotional content placed inside or around movie theaters that audiences encounter before, during, or after a film. The most common format is on-screen video ads shown before the trailers begin — but brands can also use lobby posters, digital displays, standees, and concession area placements.
On-screen cinema ads play before the trailers begin, when audiences are seated, focused, and not yet reaching for their phones. It’s one of the few advertising formats that commands undivided attention in a distraction-free environment.
Cinema advertising engages a focused audience right before the show begins — ensuring your brand is seen and remembered.
Beyond the screen, cinema advertising extends into the lobby with posters, standees, and digital displays near concessions. These placements reach moviegoers as they arrive, wait, and move through the theater — giving your brand multiple touchpoints in a single visit.
Cinema Advertising
Cinema Advertising
Cinema Advertising — Theater Lobby
How These Ads Can Help You
Captive Audience
Cinema ads play when the lights go down and phones go away. Moviegoers are seated, focused, and primed to absorb your message — delivering attention levels that no other ad format can match.
High Recall
Studies consistently show cinema advertising outperforms TV and digital for ad recall. The combination of a large screen, surround sound, and an engaged audience makes your brand impossible to ignore.
Emotional Impact
The cinematic environment amplifies emotional response. Brands that tell a story on the big screen leave a deeper impression than the same ad seen on a phone or laptop.
Precise Targeting
Target by film genre, rating, audience demographics, theater location, or specific titles. Cinema advertising lets you reach exactly the right audience in the right market.
Branding
A well-produced cinema ad reinforces your brand at scale — with full-screen visuals, high-quality audio, and an audience that chose to be there.
Cinema Advertising
Examples
DASH TWO has executed cinema advertising campaigns for national brands, entertainment companies, and local businesses across major U.S. markets. Here are some examples of the formats and placements we work with.
Typical Cost of
Cinema Advertising
Cinema advertising typically starts at around $2,500 for a four-week run in a single theater. Costs vary depending on the market, theater chain, screen count, and whether you’re buying a specific title or a broad run. Major markets like Los Angeles and New York command higher rates, while regional markets offer more affordable entry points. Buying across multiple theaters or cities often unlocks package pricing.
Cinema Advertising
Insider Knowledge
Cinema ad creative needs to work harder than a TV spot — the screen is bigger, the sound is louder, and the audience is more engaged. Avoid repurposing a standard 30-second TV ad without adjustments. The best cinema ads are designed specifically for the format, with bold visuals that fill the screen and audio that takes advantage of surround sound. Submit your materials at least 72 hours before your campaign start date to avoid scheduling delays.
Cinema Advertising
Cinema Advertising — Theater Lobby
What Locations Work Best for Cinema Advertising?
Cinema advertising is available nationwide, with options ranging from single-screen independent theaters to major chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark. Major markets like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Miami offer the highest volume, while regional and secondary markets provide more affordable rates with strong local targeting.
Cinema advertising works particularly well for:
- Blockbuster releases — high foot traffic justifies premium placement costs
- Genre targeting — action, family, and horror films each attract distinct audiences
- Local market campaigns — target specific cities, zip codes, or theater locations
- Regional brands — reach a concentrated local audience in a premium environment
- National campaigns — buy across multiple chains and markets simultaneously
Common Formats of Cinema Advertising
Cinema advertising comes in several formats, each suited to different campaign goals and budgets.
Cinema advertising comes in several formats, each suited to different campaign goals and budgets.
On-screen video ads are the most impactful format — typically 15 to 60 seconds, running before the trailers begin. Full-screen, high-resolution, with surround sound. Best for brand awareness and emotional storytelling.
Static slides are a lower-cost alternative that run in the pre-show sequence. Simple, effective, and easy to produce — ideal for local businesses and event promotions.
Who Cinema Advertising Is For
Cinema advertising works across a wide range of industries:
- Entertainment — film studios, streaming platforms, music releases, and live events
- Consumer brands — food, beverage, fashion, and lifestyle products
- Local businesses — restaurants, healthcare providers, and retailers targeting nearby audiences
- Automotive — high-impact visuals pair well with the cinematic environment
- Financial services — banks, insurance, and investment brands reaching affluent audiences
- Gaming — trailers and launches timed around blockbuster releases
Whether you’re a national advertiser or a local business, cinema advertising puts your brand in front of a captive, engaged audience at the moment they’re most receptive.
Cinema Advertising
How Cinema Advertising Works
Launching a cinema advertising campaign with DASH TWO is straightforward. We work with all major theater chains and independent venues to secure the right placements for your audience and budget.
Here’s how a typical campaign comes together:
- Brief & targeting — we identify the right markets, theater chains, and film titles based on your audience
- Creative specs — we provide format requirements so your team knows exactly what to deliver
- Media buying — we negotiate and secure placements across your target theaters
- Creative submission — materials submitted at least 72 hours before campaign start
- Campaign runs — ads play in the pre-show sequence before every screening during your flight
- Reporting — we provide performance data including screen count, impressions, and market breakdown
Most campaigns run for two to four weeks, timed around specific film releases or audience windows.
Cinema Advertising FAQ
How much does cinema advertising cost?
Cinema advertising typically starts at around $2,500 for a four-week run in a single theater. Costs vary by market, theater chain, screen count, and ad length. In major markets like Los Angeles and New York, rates are higher — expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $46,000+ per location depending on the theater and title. Regional and secondary markets offer more affordable entry points. DASH TWO can provide custom pricing based on your target markets and campaign goals.
What types of ads can run in movie theaters?
The most common formats are on-screen video ads (15–60 seconds) and static slides, both shown during the pre-show sequence before trailers begin. Beyond the screen, theaters also offer in-lobby digital displays, static poster placements, standees, and concession area signage. Each format serves a different purpose — on-screen video is best for brand awareness and storytelling, while lobby placements extend your reach to arriving and departing audiences.
How effective is cinema advertising?
Cinema advertising consistently outperforms TV and digital for ad recall. Audiences are seated, screens are off, and attention is undivided — making it one of the few ad environments where viewers are fully present. Studies show cinema ads deliver significantly higher emotional engagement and brand recall compared to the same ad seen on a phone or computer screen.
Can local businesses advertise in cinemas?
Yes. Many theater chains offer packages specifically designed for local businesses, allowing you to target audiences within a specific city, zip code, or even a single theater location. Local cinema advertising is particularly effective for restaurants, healthcare providers, law firms, real estate agents, and retailers looking to reach nearby customers in a premium environment.
When are cinema ads shown?
Cinema ads run during the pre-show sequence, before the trailers begin. This window typically starts 15–20 minutes before the listed showtime and runs until the first trailer. Audiences are already seated and settled — making it one of the highest-attention windows in any advertising format.
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(310) 439-2356 · 214 S. Locust St. #200, Inglewood CA 90301
Digital and Outdoor Advertising Agency. Expertise in the science of digital and the art of the outdoor.
214 S. Locust St. #200
Inglewood, CA 90301
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