Film fans in the capital are in for a treat: the BFI is rolling out free preview screenings of the new Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas comedy across nine cinemas in London. In a bid to drum up excitement ahead of the film’s wider release,the British Film Institute has teamed up with Shortlist to offer audiences an early look at the hotly tipped title without spending a penny. From autonomous neighbourhood picturehouses to flagship central venues, the one-off screenings aim to pack out seats, build buzz and put one of the year’s most talked-about comedies directly in front of the people most likely to champion it.
BFI launches free London-wide screenings of new Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas comedy
In a bid to get Londoners laughing in unison, the BFI has teamed up with a network of independent and chain venues to host a coordinated run of no-cost previews of the new buddy comedy starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Across nine handpicked cinemas, audiences will be treated to early access screenings that double as a soft launch for the film’s UK marketing campaign, with Q&As, cast video introductions and behind-the-scenes featurettes programmed around select showings. The initiative is aimed squarely at younger, streaming-first viewers who rarely pay full price at the box office, positioning the BFI as a champion of communal cinema experiences at a time when ticket sales remain volatile.
The screenings are spread strategically across the capital, from Zone 1 flagships to neighbourhood favourites, ensuring that most Londoners are no more than a short Tube ride away from catching the action.Each venue will host at least one free ticketed performance, bookable online on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority windows for BFI Members and local community groups. Expect:
- Surprise guest appearances at select evening shows
- Exclusive clips that won’t feature in the general release
- Early-bird concessions offers, including discounted snacks
- Post-screening discussions led by comedy critics and podcasters
| Cinema | Area | Screening Slot |
|---|---|---|
| BFI Southbank | Waterloo | Premiere night, 7:30pm |
| Picturehouse Central | Piccadilly | Weekend matinee |
| Genesis Cinema | Mile End | Late-night special |
| Ritzy Cinema | Brixton | Community preview |
| Curzon Soho | West End | Critics’ preview |
How to book tickets and which nine BFI partner cinemas are taking part
Securing a seat for these one-off previews is refreshingly simple: head to the BFI’s official website, navigate to the Events & Screenings section, and look for the dedicated page for the Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas comedy. From there you can filter by date, time and venue, then reserve up to a set number of complimentary tickets per person, which are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll need to create or log into a free BFI account, after which your e-tickets arrive by email; on the day, staff will scan the QR code from your phone or a printed copy. A limited allocation will also be held back for in-person collection at participating box offices on the day of screening, but these are expected to go quickly.
The BFI has spread the love across a mix of big-name multiplexes and cherished neighbourhood screens, giving Londoners plenty of options without straying too far from home. The nine partner cinemas confirmed for this special run are:
- BFI Southbank, Waterloo
- Picturehouse Central, Piccadilly
- Curzon Soho, Soho
- Barbican Cinema, Barbican
- Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley
- Rio Cinema, Dalston
- Greenwich Picturehouse, Greenwich
- Peckhamplex, Peckham
- Everyman Screen on the Green, Islington
| Cinema | Nearest Tube | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| BFI Southbank | Waterloo | Post-screen drinks |
| Curzon Soho | Piccadilly Circus | Late-night shows |
| Rio Cinema | Dalston Kingsland | Indie crowd vibes |
What to expect from the film and why comedy fans should not miss this preview
Expect a sharp, fast-paced romp that leans into the odd-couple chemistry between Paul Rudd’s seasoned deadpan and Nick Jonas’ surprisingly nimble comic timing. The film plays like a high-wire act of escalating misunderstandings, with a script that juggles slapstick, barbed one-liners and quietly absurd visual gags. Underneath the chaos sits a sly commentary on modern celebrity culture and the gig economy, giving the laughs a bit more bite than your average studio comedy. For those who like their funnies grounded in character rather than noise, this preview offers an early look at a potential crowd-pleaser before the spoiler-laden social buzz kicks in.
For comedy devotees, these BFI screenings amount to a rare chance to watch a major studio comedy in a setting usually reserved for arthouse fare, with an audience that’s ready to listen, react and actually let the jokes land.It’s also a useful litmus test: if the big set-pieces and smaller, throwaway jokes work in a room full of comedy fans, they’re likely to travel beyond London. Add to that the allure of seeing Rudd in full, unhurried riff mode and Jonas continuing his shift from pop star to credible comic actor, and you have a free event that feels like a must-catch. Look out in particular for:
- Inventive running gags that pay off in unexpected ways.
- Cameo appearances from British comedy favourites.
- Improvised exchanges that show off the leads’ rhythm.
- Audience-first pacing designed for big-screen laughs.
| Best for | Fans of character-driven, dialog-heavy comedy |
| Comic flavor | Dry wit, awkward situations, blink-and-miss-it jokes |
| Standout element | Rudd-Jonas double act with room to breathe |
| Why go now | Free big-screen preview before word-of-mouth explodes |
Insider tips for securing the best seats travel advice and making a night of it
Start by stalking the BFI site like it’s a limited-edition merch drop. Screenings are free, so allocation moves quickly; log in to your BFI account ahead of time, save your preferred cinema, and keep your card details stored even if there’s no charge (it speeds up the zero-£ checkout). Aim for middle rows, slightly off-center for the best sound mix and sightline, and don’t ignore accessibility notes – some of the nine venues have superior legroom or newly refurbed seats that make a two-hour comedy fly by. If you’re going in a group, split ticket duties: one person on desktop, another on mobile, and confirm on your group chat which screening is “mission critical” before tickets drop.
- Travel smart: use TfL’s Journey Planner and allow an extra 20 minutes for evening delays.
- Pre-game nearby: pick a bar or café within a 5-10 minute walk so you’re not sprinting through Zone 1.
- Pack light: the less you’re carrying, the easier it is to slide into those prime middle seats fast.
- Post-screen chatter: choose a spot with decent lighting and low music if you’re planning to dissect jokes and cameos.
| Cinema | Best Seats | Nearby Spot | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFI Southbank | Rows F-H, centre | Riverside bars | Post-film stroll |
| West End venue | Mid-stalls | Soho pubs | Loud, late, buzzy |
| East London site | Back third | Craft beer & pizza | Casual, indie |
Lock in your route home before the lights go down – check last Tube times or book a ride-share window to dodge surge pricing once the credits roll. If you’re making a full night of it, lean into the comedy: coordinate loosely themed outfits, line up a late kitchen for post-film food, and turn the screening into the opener of a mini “laughs and lagers” crawl. The film may be free, but the real win is stitching it into a low-cost London night out that feels planned, not improvised.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a die-hard Paul Rudd fan, a Nick Jonas devotee, or simply in the mood for a no-strings-attached night at the movies, the BFI’s free preview program offers a rare chance to catch a major studio comedy ahead of the crowd. With nine London cinemas taking part and no ticket price barrier, it’s as much a statement about audience access as it is a marketing push. If the screenings fill up fast-as they’re likely to-it will be a timely reminder that the big-screen experience still has pulling power, especially when the price of entry is nothing more than getting there on time.
