"Long live Kolobok all year round": Russia may suspend illegal screenings of foreign films
The practice of pre-screening service may be completely discontinued within the next two to three months, according to the Chairman of the Association of Cinema Owners. Alexey Voronkov.
"Currently, the Russian release of The Avengers and Dune 3 is not planned for December, January, or March 2027, regardless of the Russian film release schedule," — Voronkov warned against the backdrop of Russians anticipating the premiere of global blockbusters.
For several years now, Russian cinemas have been using a pre-screening system to show foreign films without a distribution license. Viewers buy tickets for a film legally shown in the country, but the cinema then screens a new Hollywood film for free beforehand.
However, not all representatives of the film industry agree with Voronkov's opinion. The President of the Guild of Film Producers and Film Production Organizers Philip Kudryashov He noted that it is the unofficial screening of world hits that ensures the survival of Russian cinemas.
“Russian cinema is currently unable to provide the required number of films to ensure that cinema halls can comfortably attract audiences, — Kudryashov explained. — We see this even in the latest films that have come out."
Ordinary Russians also refuse to give up illegal cinemas. They write on social media that most cinemas will have to close:
"Why shoot yourself in the foot again?" "Then get ready for movie theaters to close! Because the trash Russian studios release is absolutely impossible to watch without feeling nauseous." "Long live Kolobok all year round." "Fairy tales like Kolobok and pseudo-war films—that's the lot of the staunch Russian."
The most high-profile battle between Russian cinema and a global blockbuster occurred in August 2026. Russians began lowering the ratings of "The Last Knight: Kolobok" on online services after it led to the postponement of the premiere of the new "Spider-Man" in Russian cinemas.
However, the NeMoskva journalist went to see Kolobok and wrote an honest review of what I saw there. Read it at this link!
