This calculator adds a movie’s runtime and any trailers before it to your start time, converting the total into a readable clock time for exactly when the movie will end.
Movie End Time Calculator
What time a movie will end, from the start time, runtime, and any trailers before it.
What the Movie End Time Calculator Does
This calculator covers movie end time estimates, theater showtime planning, and runtime-plus-trailers math — the kind of quick calculation you need before booking a babysitter, planning a late-night showing, or figuring out whether you’ll make it home before a certain hour.
Movie theaters typically run several minutes of trailers and previews before the film itself starts, so the actual time you leave the theater is later than the listed showtime plus runtime alone would suggest. This calculator accounts for both.
How the End Time Is Calculated
Formula
End Time = Start Time + (Runtime + Trailers) ÷ 60
Where:
- Start Time = the listed showtime, in 24-hour decimal format
- Runtime = the movie’s own length in minutes
- Trailers = minutes of previews before the film starts, divided by 60 along with runtime to convert to hours
Worked Example
A showtime of 7:30 PM (19.5), a movie with a 130-minute runtime, and 15 minutes of trailers.
End Time = 19.5 + (130 + 15) ÷ 60 = 19.5 + 2.417 = 21.917, which is about 9:55 PM
So a movie listed for 7:30 PM with 15 minutes of previews and a 130-minute runtime actually lets out around 9:55 PM.
Why Trailers Matter for Planning
Many moviegoers plan around the listed showtime and runtime alone, arriving right on time and leaving unexpectedly later than expected. Accounting for the trailer buffer up front avoids that surprise, especially for late shows or when coordinating a ride home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many minutes of trailers should I expect at a typical theater?
This varies by theater chain and showing — some run a short trailer block, others run considerably longer pre-show content. Check your specific theater’s typical pre-show length, or use a conservative estimate if you don’t know it.
Does this account for a mid-movie intermission?
No — this calculator assumes continuous runtime with no intermission. For a film with a scheduled intermission, add the intermission length to the runtime before entering it.
Can I use this for a double feature?
Yes — run the calculation once for the first film to find its end time, then use that end time as the start time for the second film’s calculation, adding any changeover time between showings.
What if the theater’s actual start time runs late?
This calculator works from the scheduled start time you enter; if a screening starts later than scheduled, the actual end time will shift later by the same amount.
How do I plan a babysitter pickup time around a movie?
Calculate the end time as shown, then add your travel time home on top of that to figure out the actual time you need to tell a babysitter or coordinate a ride for.
Does this work for streaming instead of a theater showing?
Yes — enter 0 for trailers if you’re starting a stream with no pre-show content, or enter your streaming service’s typical pre-roll length if it shows previews before the film begins.