Abstract: A method for movie (or other content) distribution that relies on a pre-paid “film card” and/or download certificate distributed by studios to retailers for purchase by consumers. A customer buys a generic film card from a retailer (or downloads a certificate at home), emblazoned with the graphics of an upcoming release. At purchase the customer specifies their viewing preference and pays accordingly, the film card price reflecting the options that the card will provide (one or more of the following): 1) Buy DVD; 2) Buy Theater ticket; 3) Buy Cable TV (PPV); 4) Rent DVD; 5) Purchase Merchandise. Distribution commences in accordance with a curtailed schedule of release windows range from a five to thirty day release in theaters, followed by release the next Monday at 6 pm to cable/pay-per-view, then the next day to DVD, and from there to TV, etc. This method gives consumers buying simplicity, and gives the studios greater control over releases, reducing bootlegging, pirating and fake ticket sales at theatres.