Why Movies Need to Think Like Startups (Not Events)

With everything happening around the film — the chaos, the overkill, the noise, the “exclusive” interviews on loop — bhool chuk maaf, but this made me write this.

Because somewhere in this entire circus, we forget that films aren’t just products to be pushed.They’re potential brands. Worlds. Movements.

And yet, the industry still treats them like one-night-stand events. Big splash. Massive buzz. Then... silence.

But what if films behaved like startups?

Trailers = MVPs

A trailer isn’t just a hype reel. It’s your minimum viable product — your beta test.

Startups iterate. Films... just drop a trailer and ghost the audience till release day.

Imagine:

• Using trailer reactions to fine-tune character arcs.

• Launching short digital spin-offs before the actual film.

• Building curiosity loops based on what’s not revealed.

Keep people in the story before they even buy the ticket.

Think in Seasons, Not Cycles

Startups don’t vanish post-launch. They build ecosystems.

Films can too:

• Drop character diaries, alternate endings, bloopers post-release.

• Keep the cast visible with podcasts, quirky BTS, fan Q&As.

• Fuel digital fandoms that live beyond the box office.

Treat your release like Version 1.0, not the full stop.

Sell Less. Story More.

Replace:

“Watch now in theatres!”

With:

“Here’s a Spotify playlist our villain listens to while journaling.”“This is the real story that inspired that one scene.”“POV: You’re the background dancer who fell in love with the lead.”

That’s storytelling. That builds real connection. That lasts longer than a weekend trend.

Let the Fans Co-Create

Let’s be honest — fans are the better marketers now.

The memes. The theories. The reels. The edits.Let go of control. Invite chaos. Build in public.

Reddit > press junketsMeme pages > PR firmsComment sections > critic reviews

It’s time movies stop shushing the internet and start vibing with it.

TL;DR?

If you're making a movie in 2025 and treating YouTube like a trailer dump, you're not just behind — you're invisible.

Treat your film like a startup. Like a living, breathing IP. Like a fandom waiting to happen.

Because theatres are temporary.Communities? They binge, they build, they remember.