The app, which works in partnership with ticket-buying websites like Fandango.com, lets users pre-order tickets for the show and then invite others to join them. Users can also post what showing they are going to on their Facebook news feed.
This is the type of campaign that is a perfect fit for social media. Not only does the ability to buy tickets without leaving Facebook make impulse ticket buys more likely, but the social aspect makes group planning that much easier.
The nice thing about the Facebook app is that you can view what types of theaters are showing the film in your area (meaning 3D, stadium seating, IMAX 3D, etc.) and you can also invite along non-Facebook friends by entering in their e-mail address.
Tickets aren't available for pre-order at all theaters but many more will be added next week.
As we noted yesterday, movie studios are increasingly using social media -- and especially Facebook -- in the promotional campaigns for feature films.
Toy Story 3 has already used social media, setting up a college tour using Facebook and uploading faux-vintage toy commercials to YouTube. What is different about this campaign is that it has a direct monetary link. This is a way that the studios can use social media to directly increase and promote ticket sales.
We hope that Disney employs this app for more of its films and that other studios take notice. What do you think about how Disney is using Facebook to sell movie tickets? Let us know!