When did movie theaters previews really become PRODUCT previews?!

[Stepharoonie!]

MAN! I was just thinking yesterday while at the theater for Mean Girls that it's been ages since I've seen a movie where it was just straight movie previews and then the movie. Now it seems like 15-20 minutes of previews for soda, cars, video games, Maxim magazine (OH MY GOSH this one shocked me!), clothing, food, etc....THEN an additional 20 minutes of movie previews. When did they really start adding so many product previews to movies anyways?? They're really annoying.

 

[grinningghost]

I know what you mean. It's not even worth it to make it to a movie on time anymore - you can easily come in 15 minutes late and still see the whole thing.

 

[MosMom]

Makes me wonder why I have to pay $9 to see a movie when there is so much advertising. I thought advertising was supposed to lift the burden from paying. However, the ads keep growing and so do theater costs.

 

[Sandy51]

We went to see The Day After Tomorrow yesterday, and there were 25 minutes worth of previews and commercials. Way too much.

Sandy

 

[Mimi Q]

ITA. The advertising is ridiculous.

 

[Meriweather]

The theater we go to (a Regal) has the "20"....20 minutes of ads, etc....we know it and it is our choice whether to go watch that or not.
The previews start at the time listed in the movie guide.
It's better than sitting in an quiet theater for all that time ....MHO

 

[princesstommi]

I hate the commercials! I started noticing them about a year and a half ago (I think), but now they are out of control.