Sony Pictures calls on cinemas to reduce trailers

At CinemaCon 2026, Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Motion Picture Group, criticized the number of trailers shown before films. Rothman stressed the need for cinemas to spend less time on advertising, aiming to improve the experience for moviegoers.

What is CinemaCon 2026?

CinemaCon is an annual convention focused on the film industry, where studios and cinemas come together to discuss the latest trends, technologies, and movies. In 2026, the event took place in Las Vegas, where many major actors and business leaders, including Rothman, shared their views.

Tom Rothman's statement

In his speech, Rothman called on cinema owners to reduce the number of advertising trailers. He said more and more moviegoers are choosing to arrive halfway through a film to avoid the long pre-shows and trailers. Rothman said: "Get rid of the endless advertising and substantially shorten the long pre-shows." The comment reflects growing audience frustration with the current practice of extended ad blocks before movies.

Upcoming Sony Pictures films

Alongside his remarks about trailers, Rothman also gave an overview of Sony Pictures' upcoming releases. Among the most anticipated titles are 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse', both of which continue the storylines of well-known Marvel characters. There is also the adaptation of 'The Legend of Zelda', a project many fans of the iconic video game are looking forward to.

Helldivers film with Jason Momoa

Another exciting project Sony Pictures is working on is a live-action film based on the popular game 'Helldivers'. Jason Momoa will star in the adaptation, further raising expectations for the project. As Momoa is known for his roles in major blockbuster films, this looks like a promising prospect for game adaptations in cinema.