Variety reports that a select group of cities will get a chance to view This Is It on October 27, one day before the movie's scheduled wide release.
Sony confirmed that things will start with a premiere at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, followed three hours later by screenings in six other cities around the world. The event at the Nokia theater will also be broadcast via satellite.
The movie is being directed by High School Musical helmer Kenny Ortega. It draws on more than 80 hours of footage from Michael Jackson's rehearsals for his This Is It tour, which he was preparing for when he died in late June. The movie will have a two-week run, including the advance screenings, and tickets go on sale this coming Sunday.