2d left
Adaptation.
May 23 · 12 PM · San Francisco
Movie Screenings & Film Events in San Francisco, California
77 upcoming·4 free
This Weekend in San Francisco, CA
All Events (77)
Screenings in San Francisco, CA(56)
Blood Incantation: All Gates Open: In Search of Absolute Elsewhere
May 20, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBS
By Design
May 20, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBS
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
May 21, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Tomorrow
Adaptation.
May 23, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
2d left
Bash- Bay Area and Sacramento Short Film Festival 2026- Part 1- Plus
May 23, 2026 · Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
2d left
Carrie
May 24, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
3d left
Pressure
May 25, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
EARLY
Spider-noir
May 25, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
FREE
Funeral Parade of Roses
May 25, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Terror Tuesday: The Rage: Carrie 2
May 26, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
The Game
May 27, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBS
Power Ballad
May 27, 2026 · AMC Metreon 16
EARLYFREE
Bay Area Indies Film Festival
May 30, 2026 · Delancey Street Screening Room
Frances Ha
May 30, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBS
The Handmaiden2 screenings
May 30, 2026 · San Francisco
CELEBS
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
May 31, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
The End of Isolation Film Premieres at Sf Doc Festival
May 31, 2026 · Vogue Theatre
EARLYCELEBS
Mystery Voyage
Jun 1, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Mission: Impossible
Jun 1, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Death Becomes Her
Jun 1, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Sony State of Play
Jun 2, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Office Romance
Jun 2, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
FREE
Masters of the Universe2 screenings
Jun 3, 2026 · San Francisco
EARLY
Trainspotting
Jun 4, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Scary Movie
Jun 4, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Matilda
Jun 5, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Sisters
Jun 6, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Showgirls
Jun 8, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Disclosure Day
Jun 8, 2026 · AMC Metreon 16
EARLYFREE
Morocco: 'top Hat and Tails' Film Screening at the Internet Archive
Jun 9, 2026 · Internet Archive
Chime + Serpent's Path Double Feature
Jun 9, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBS
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Jun 10, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Dressed to Kill
Jun 12, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Boogie Nights
Jun 13, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Persona
Jun 14, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Kpop Demon Hunters
Jun 15, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
But I'm a Cheerleader
Jun 16, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
The Devil Queen
Jun 17, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
I Am Not Your Negro
Jun 19, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Body Double
Jun 20, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jun 21, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Aftersun
Jun 21, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Johnny Guitar
Jun 21, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
CELEBSNEW
Tinsman Road
Jun 23, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
Jun 26, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Evil Dead
Jun 30, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Blow Out
Jul 1, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Carlito's Way
Jul 15, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Flow
Jul 17, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Arco
Jul 24, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Casualties of War
Jul 29, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Paddington 2
Aug 3, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
The Untouchables
Aug 5, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
Aug 7, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Where Is the Friend's House?
Aug 21, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
Moonrise Kingdom
Aug 28, 2026 · Alamo Drafthouse
NEW
See concerts, premieres, and other film events(15 in San Francisco, CA)
Screening Venues in San Francisco, CA
Top Screening Venues in San Francisco, CA
Alamo Drafthouse35 screenings
Alamo Drafthouse17 screenings
San Francisco Symphony15 screenings
AMC Metreon 162 screenings
Golden Gate Theatre2 screenings
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture1 screening
Delancey Street Screening Room1 screening
Vogue Theatre1 screening
About San Francisco, CA's Advance Screening Scene
Show full San Francisco, CA screening guide
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area occupy a unique position in the advance screening landscape. The city's highly educated, tech-savvy audience makes it a prime target for sci-fi, thriller, and tech-themed releases, while its deep independent film tradition keeps art-house and festival-circuit screenings flowing year-round. The Bay Area's cultural influence far exceeds its population size, and studios pay close attention to how films perform with San Francisco audiences as an indicator of reception in other progressive, urban markets.
The Screening Scene
The Bay Area screening scene operates on two tracks: studio-backed advance screenings at commercial multiplexes and a vibrant independent cinema circuit that programs its own advance events. Studios regularly send free-pass screenings to San Francisco for wide releases, distributed through Gofobo and Advance Screenings. The independent track runs through organizations like SFFILM (formerly the San Francisco International Film Festival), which programs year-round screenings beyond its annual festival. Tech companies occasionally sponsor private screenings of films with technology themes, though these are typically invitation-only.
Top Screening Venues
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission in the Mission District is one of the city's top screening venues, combining a curated film program with food-and-drink service. The Castro Theatre, a gorgeous 1922 movie palace that recently reopened under new management, hosts special events and advance screenings in one of the most iconic auditoriums in America. AMC Metreon 16 downtown is the primary multiplex for studio advance screenings. Roxie Theater, one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the country, and the Balboa Theatre round out the independent screening circuit. In the East Bay, the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland is a beloved art-deco venue that hosts occasional advance events.
Where to Go
The Mission District is the heart of San Francisco's screening culture, anchored by the Alamo Drafthouse New Mission and the Roxie Theater. The Castro is home to the legendary Castro Theatre. Downtown and SoMa have AMC Metreon for commercial screenings. The Richmond District's Balboa Theatre serves the western neighborhoods. Across the bay, Oakland's Grand Lake Theatre and Berkeley's Pacific Film Archive offer additional screening options.
Tips for San Francisco Screenings
- The Mission District and downtown SF host the most advance screenings between Alamo Drafthouse and AMC Metreon.
- Bay Area film festivals (SFFILM, Mill Valley Film Festival) offer advance screening opportunities for Oscar contenders and international films.
- Check Eventbrite for indie screenings not listed on major pass platforms. Many Bay Area screenings are self-distributed.
- Tech-themed releases often get special San Francisco screenings with panel discussions or filmmaker Q&As.
- The Castro Theatre's programming calendar is worth following for unique repertory and advance screening events.
Best Times for Screenings
SFFILM Festival in April and the Mill Valley Film Festival in October are the two biggest screening events of the year. Summer blockbusters screen from May through August at commercial venues. The fall festival circuit (September through November) brings a wave of awards contenders. DocFest in June features documentary advance screenings.
San Francisco's historic Castro Theatre, built in 1922, is one of the last remaining grand movie palaces in the United States. Its Wurlitzer organ still plays before screenings, and the venue has hosted countless world premieres over its century-long history.
Nearby Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions: San Francisco, CA Screenings
How do I get free movie screening passes in San Francisco, CA?
SeeItEarly aggregates free advance screening passes from 30+ sources including Gofobo, Advance Screenings, and studio websites. Browse our San Francisco, CA listings, click "Get Passes," and follow the instructions on the source site. Most passes are first-come, first-served — so check back often.
What advance screenings are happening in San Francisco, CA?
We currently list 71 upcoming events in San Francisco, CA, including 19 film concerts. New events are added daily as studios announce promotional screenings in San Francisco, California.
Are advance movie screenings really free?
Yes — most advance screenings are completely free. Studios use them to generate buzz and gather audience feedback before a movie's official release. Some premium events or film festival screenings may charge admission, which we clearly label.
How early should I arrive to an advance screening?
Arrive at least 45-60 minutes early. Free screening passes are typically overbooked, so seating is first-come, first-served. Arriving early increases your chances of getting a seat. Some popular screenings fill up fast, so earlier is always better.
What theaters in San Francisco, CA host advance screenings?
Popular screening venues in San Francisco, CA include Alamo Drafthouse, Alamo Drafthouse, San Francisco Symphony. Studios rotate between venues, so new locations may appear as screenings are announced.
How often are advance screenings held in San Francisco, CA?
Screening frequency in San Francisco, CA depends on the season. Peak periods are May through August (summer blockbusters) and November through December (holiday releases). During peak season, San Francisco, CA may see multiple new screenings per week. SeeItEarly updates listings daily.
Screening Guides
Advertisement