We live in an electronic world where there is an online digital version of almost everything. There are virtual stores, virtual offices, online libraries with virtual books and newspapers, virtual social meeting areas (chat rooms), online travel and insurance agents and even virtual pets.

Many will argue that the digital can never replace the actual. This is true to an extent—playing with a virtual dog just isn’t the same. However, the digital version surpasses the tangible in some instances; such is the case with virtual box offices that sell online movie tickets.

Have you ever waited in line to see the opening show of a movie and as soon as you get to the box office window the person inside flips the sign to read “Sold Out?” Or, have you been really excited to see a movie and then at the end of the show your only response is to look at your date and shrug your shoulders with a quiet, “hmmm?”

Online movie ticket services prevent these situations and add expediency to a night out at the movies so you can enjoy the show.

Virtual box offices offer kiosk tickets, will-call tickets and printable tickets. With a kiosk ticket you can avoid long lines and go directly to a self-serve kiosk within the theater to retrieve your ticket. You can pick up will-call tickets at the will-call desk, again avoiding the long lines. In addition, you are able to print tickets in your home or office and go directly to the screen and find your seat.

One of the biggest advantages to using a virtual box office is that you can purchase tickets in advance, without ever traveling to the traditional box office, so you’ll never experience another “sold out” show.

If you are not a movie buff, but you know someone who is, purchase a gift certificate and your friend can use the online movie ticket site to go to a movie of their choice, when they want to go.

Today’s virtual box offices, like Fandango and MovieTickets.com, are much more than the traditional box offices. If you want some insight to a movie before you buy your ticket, traditional box offices provide a poster, a rating and the opinion of the person behind the desk.

However, a good virtual box office on the Internet provides access to movie trailers and clips, numerous professional reviews, consumer reviews, in-depth reviews of the movie’s contents, movie synopses and even streaming video with critic and actor/actress interviews. With so much information, you can become the expert and make an informed decision as to which movie you want to see, take your kids to or would recommend to a friend.

For movie-lovers on the go, some online movie ticket services offer downloadable podcasts. You can enjoy your favorite critic’s review, movie synopses or celebrity interviews wherever you are, at anytime.

When it comes to box offices, you’ll find convenience and tons of movie-related information with the virtual type. Use an online movie ticket service and you’re sure to have a reel good time.

It’s impossible to deny the popularity of movies in America and worldwide. Whether you rent, borrow, or go to a theater to see them, there is nothing like watching a flick with a friend or family member. The Internet is transforming the very methods in which we watch movies, so why not how we buy movie tickets? It’s a breeze to find movie tickets online, but it can be confusing to know where to go.

6Star Reviews.com reports that Fandango is one of the top movie ticket services, as they offer direct ticket purchasing right on their site. You can also view high definition movie trailers, rate your favorite flicks and check out behind the scenes tours of the hottest new Hollywood films.

Another movie-saturated website, Moviefone, really amps up their multimedia by providing visitors with interactive celebrity news and gossip clips, cast interviews and customized theater listings for your zip code. You can even get advanced screenings and exclusive video clips through Moviefone, another benefit of Net movie listings.

In an industry where millions are grossed in sales each day, it’s vital for the Web to stay on top of current trends and provide features for all the film buffs out there. Fandango’s audience and customer base grew about 16% last year, totaling out around 4 million visitors. More people are recognizing the convenience of online movie tickets and are looking past a minimal $1 surcharge to avoid long lines and disappointing sell-outs.

Free movie tickets are among the most popular freebies on the market. Studios and advertisement agencies free movie tickets as enticements for increasing sales and profits.

Movie Studios often offer free movie tickets or a free screening of their new movies. The premise is that it will build up word of mouth hype around the movie and attract droves of more theatergoers to watch the movie. For example, when the movie Erin Brockovich was to be released in Bangalore, India, free tickets were distributed to women on a first come- first serve basis to organize an all woman screening on the first day.

Sometimes studios or theatres make arrangements with companies, offices, or educational institutions to distribute free tickets to their members. Children in particular are treated to free movie screenings. Some companies offer free movie tickets as incentives added to their compensation.

Very often, free movie tickets are offered as freebies when using the services or products of certain companies. The Internet is swarming with advertisements for free movie tickets that are given out to surfers who play particular games, order goods, buying products, or opt for free trials. For example, the famous chocolate maker Hershey’s advertises an offer in which one must collect 16 points from specially marked packages of Milk Duds Candy, Whoppers Malted Milk Balls, or Hershey’s Bites Candies to exchange for one free movie ticket.

There’ s also a site called FreeMoviePremiereTickets.com. One can get a pack of 2 movie premier tickets after completing one free offer by the company. The tickets are paid for by the sponsors of the site who benefit by the increase in traffic you generate for them. The tickets are usually shipped in less than three days.

Many offers for free movie tickets end up being scams, but they are often genuine. Consumers usually have nothing to lose but time by looking into these offers.