ScreenHeads’ Top 21 Movie Trailers
How to sell a movie in two and a half minutes
Movie trailers are the best part of the build up to a film. A couple of minutes of footage to dissect and watch over and over and over again. A film lover’s delight!
Being 21 years into the century, we at ScreenHeads have put together our 21 favourite movie trailers – let’s see if you’d rank them the same…
21. Red Eye (2005) – Official Trailer
A plot twist in the space of one trailer is quite a feat. Wes Craven’s film starring Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams starts out with the impression that it’s a romantic-drama before quickly switching to it’s true nature as a thriller. The trailer has you looking forward to the cat and mouse dynamic between the two.
20. Gone Girl (2014) – Official Trailer
David Fincher’s mystery thriller cuts straight into the disappearance of Rosamund Pike’s Amy Dunne and the prime suspect that is Ben Affleck’s Nick Dunne. A lot of details piled into one chilling trailer but one question lingers throughout – what happened to Amy Dunne?
Related Article: Top 10 Emotional Movie Scenes
19. Now You See Me (2014) – Trailer #2
Thrilling tracklist. Eye popping cast. Magic tricks left, right and centre. The second trailer for Now You See Me spares no expense in making it abundantly clear that this is magicians pulling off heists, and makes you love the idea of it from start to finish!
18. Spectre (2015) – Teaser Trailer
Promised as an expansion on 007’s background first addressed in 2012’s Skyfall, it was important that our first look delivered in some way…and boy did it. The eerie, slow teaser reels us into the idea of us getting more information on James Bond’s origins whilst still showing us that we can expect the usual feel and action of the previous films. We also get our first listen to Christoph Waltz’s Franz Oberhauser/Ernst Stavro Blofeld which is as pleasing as anything.
17. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Teaser Trailer
Before 2014, heroes such as Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon were pretty much unknown, so it’s no wonder that the teaser for the first Guardians outing gave us a fitting, quick dossier for each main character. Heading straight into Blue Suede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” and quick shots of action, fun and emotions, you know that it could be a welcome addition to the MCU.
16. Judy (2019) – Teaser Trailer
Set to the backdrop of Renée Zellweger’s own, sombre version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, Judy’s debut trailer gave us a lot to be excited about. Zellweger’s transformation into Garland. Her body language. The ups and downs of the performer’s final months in London. It’s a teaser that can bring a tear to your eye and also tell you that you’re in for an Oscar worthy performance.
15. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – Teaser Trailer
Thor’s first two outing’s had not been as well received as other Avenger-solo films. With Ragnarok said to include the likes of Jeff Goldblum, an interpretation of the Planet Hulk comic book storyline and the MCU’s first female lead villain…surely third times the charm?
The teaser didn’t hold anything back and assured us that this time round Chris Hemsworth would get to stretch The God of Thunder’s character more and the story/setting would be less *ahem* wooden.
14. Inception (2010) – Trailer #1
It’s safe to say that the first trailer for Christopher Nolan’s twisting “mind heist” is extremely Nolan-esque. Thankfully, it isn’t as difficult to follow as…well…any promotional material, but it gives an electrifying entrance to the story of DiCaprio’s Dom Cobb and co.
13. Man of Steel (2013) – Trailer #3
Though Henry Cavill’s first go at playing Superman wasn’t received all that well, the trailer gave us everything we wanted. Superman soaring. Fisticuffs. One hell of a theme tune. You can’t say this isn’t three minutes of umph.
12. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – Trailer #1
The first fully fledged trailer for a Star Wars film in 10 years. Not only does this brim with nostalgia, but the fresh look at Lucasfilm’s galaxy far, far away is fun and thrilling.
Nods to the events of the original trilogy. Old aged Han Solo. The Skywalker theme tune. LIGHTSABERS. This was the trailer long-waiting fans of the franchise deserved.
11. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – Teaser Trailer
For the final instalment in the Skywalker Saga, Disney needed to land the first trailer well, and it’s safe to say they didn’t disappoint. The teaser is filled with excitement, emotion and surprises to say the least, and though the film wasn’t largely loved by fans, this trailer definitely gave the impression of a worthwhile finale. You can see our breakdown of the teaser here.
10. A Star is Born (2018) – Trailer #1
A retelling of a classic story, stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga needed to win movie goers over with the first taste of the romantic drama. It is fair to say that the trailer gives you a lot of what A Star is Born recites and that song plays really well over the footage.
A beautifully soft yet gripping first trailer that makes you excited for a story that has been told various times already. For a masterclass in how to make a drama exhilarating, this is what you want to watch!
9. The Dark Knight (2008) – Trailer #2
One of the most famous Superhero films in history and arguably the best live-action portrayal of The Joker to date. This trailer gave us our first look at Heath Ledger in action, his famous “why so serious?” line and the first signs that the clown prince of crime was a real threat as that incredible score by Hans Zimmer plays over the whole thing. Exactly what you wanted to see having not seen a live-action Joker in almost 20 years.
8. The Martian (2014) – Trailer #2
The one line pitch sounds slightly boring; an astronaut is stuck on Mars and needs to survive. But then, you get a trailer like this and you know Matt Damon is bringing his A-game to entertain us. Perfect music choices. The right amount of humour, science and dramatic stakes is given to us in this gripping second trailer that makes 2013’s Gravity look like a footnote thanks to just minutes of footage.
7. Rocketman (2019) – Official Trailer
This trailer makes you fall in love with Elton John’s music all over again. Moments in, you know that you’re getting a biopic unlike any other and you know you’re in for a killer performance from Taron Egerton. The use of John’s music throughout could bring a tear to your eye as we get a sneak peek at the highs and lows of his life.
6. Logan (2017) – Official Trailer
Easily the most emotional trailer on the list. Logan was highly publicised as Hugh Jackman’s final outing as our favourite mutant and the trailer tells you that without saying anything. Johnny Cash’s ‘Hurt’. The shots of Logan’s decaying body. The constant dialogue relating to loss and time. For all comic book fans, this is a trailer that makes it hard to let go of the characters we love.
5. The Batman (2022) – Teaser Trailer
Unique. Exciting. Intriguing more than anything. Matt Reeves’ yet-to-be-released Batman outing’s first trailer at last year’s DC Fandome became a sensation instantly. It was noted for it’s raw take on the hero, the aesthetic of the new Gotham City and it’s unconventional story idea. To say you’re not excited to see Robert Pattinson and co. in action would just be a massive LIE.
4. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – Trailer #3
Rises marked the end of Christian Bale’s trilogy as the caped crusader. With another zinger of a score from Hans Zimmer, you’re on the edge of your seat for this final trailer that holds no punches in throwing out the idea that ANYTHING could happen regarding the ending of the Dark Knight trilogy.
Want to know how to round off a grounded, genius take on a superhero storyline? Take note of this thrilling epic of a trailer which feels as big in scope as it’s actual film.
3. Avengers: Endgame (2019) – Official Trailer
Avengers: Endgame rounded off a saga of almost two dozen films that are tied together in one massive universe. This full length trailer does what no filmmaker thought possible – gave absolutely NOTHING away about the story but dosed up anticipation ten fold at the same time. The MCU (so far) paid off well with this film, and the trailer was perfect for fans who wanted a sneak peek but wanted nothing of spoilt.
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Comic-Con Trailer
The BIGGEST trailer on the list. Dawn of Justice was drummed up very much, and this trailer was a key component in that. Though the film…well I’m saying no more about the film, but this trailer from 2015’s Comic-Con was more or less a masterpiece. The music. The action. The deeper look into Ben Affleck’s jaded take on Batman. It has all the components to get you pre-ordering tickets. Everything from 2:13 gives you chills, but THAT moment at 2:49 takes the cake. I salute the editor of this trailer.
1. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
For us at ScreenHeads, an easy choice for the top spot. As if Rami Malek’s interpretation of Freddie Mercury wasn’t enough to give you goosebumps, music once again gives the trailer the power it needs to make you pick your draw back up off the floor. The medley of Queen’s biggest hits allows the most appropriate songs to hit in the most appropriate moments seen of Mercury’s life. We get hints to his love life, his illness and most of all his effect on the industry. Everything we see feels incredibly real and it is rounded off by the crowning jewel that is the crane shot across the audience at Live Aid as they are all putty in Mr Mercury’s hands. A perfect trailer for an amazing film with an Oscar winning performance. Funny, poignant and legendary wrapped into one.
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What do you think of our top 21 movie trailer choices? Make sure to let us know in the comment section below!