Key facts
- Russian cinemas have been showing Hollywood blockbusters through "pre-screening entertainment" since 2022, circumventing international sanctions.
- This practice involves selling tickets for domestic films but showing foreign blockbusters beforehand, violating copyright laws.
- Alexey Voronkov, president of Russia's Association of Cinema Owners, predicts this practice will end in two to three months.
- New regulatory powers for Russia's Culture Ministry since March 2026 allow for stricter enforcement against cinemas.
- Theaters could face a 90-day closure for screening films without a license, a significant increase from previous symbolic fines.
- Small, independent cinemas may be disproportionately affected by the potential ban on "pre-screening entertainment."
Russians may soon be unable to watch Hollywood blockbusters in cinemas, as a practice known as "pre-screening entertainment" faces an imminent end. Since 2022, this method has allowed cinemas to show major foreign films, despite international sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, by technically offering them for free before a domestic film.
A Russian film industry specialist explained that "people buy tickets for a domestic film, but are shown an American blockbuster, technically for free, in violation of (international) copyright laws, before the start of the (Russian) film." This practice, also known as "gray" screenings, has operated on a legally dubious basis, with distributors often acquiring copies from neighboring countries like Kazakhstan from unauthorized sellers.
Alexey Voronkov, president of Russia's Association of Cinema Owners, stated on September 7 that this practice is unlikely to continue and may cease within the next two to three months. He indicated that upcoming installments of major Hollywood franchises like Dune and Avengers are unlikely to be screened in Russia anytime soon.
This announcement follows the significant box office failure of the Russian animated film "Kolobok," which was released in early August. Russian media reported that the premiere of the new Spider-Man sequel was delayed by government orders to give "Kolobok" a chance at box office sales. However, "Kolobok" received poor reviews and barely recouped its 250 million rubles ($3 million) in state subsidies, while the Spider-Man film reportedly grossed up to 900 million rubles ($10.7 million) in its opening days, despite restrictions.
Legally, U.S. blockbusters cannot be shown in Russia without a screening license from the Culture Ministry, which requires holding the copyright. Since Hollywood distributors left the Russian market in 2022, obtaining these licenses is technically impossible. The "gray" screenings also violate Russian laws, though authorities have largely overlooked them until now.
Recent regulatory changes, granting Russia's Culture Ministry more power since March 2026, are expected to make these "gray" screenings harder to maintain. Previously, the penalty for showing a film without a license was a fine of up to 50,000 rubles ($590). Under the new framework, cinemas could face more severe consequences, including a 90-day closure.
Voronkov suggested that cinemas might attempt to circumvent these restrictions by renting out screening rooms to shell companies, which would then theoretically bear responsibility for showing foreign films. However, he noted this scheme might also fail as cinemas would still be involved in the screening process.
The potential end of "pre-screening entertainment" raises concerns for Russian cinemas, particularly smaller, independent ones, about their ability to remain financially viable without access to popular international blockbusters.