Most showtimes are posted and available for purchase on Tuesday or Wednesday evening for the following Friday.

But he also knew a secret. Even if the first wave sold out, theaters often add the Monday or Tuesday evening right before opening night once they see the demand.

Tickets often go on sale 2–4 weeks (and sometimes months) before the release date.

Leo checked his apps. Galactic Horizon wasn't listed yet, but he saw a few specialized theaters like Alamo Drafthouse already had "Coming Soon" placeholders.

True to his word, two weeks later at exactly 9:00 AM, Leo's phone chirped. He swiped, tapped, and secured four middle-row, center-aisle seats. The "planner" had struck again. Quick Guide: When to Buy

Leo was the designated "planner" of the friend group—a title that came with both honor and high-stakes pressure whenever a blockbuster season rolled around. This time, the movie was Galactic Horizon , a film so anticipated that the trailers alone had crashed three different fan sites.