The 10 Best Movie Trailers Of All Time
If you’ve ever said “Man, I love a great trailer,” then — congratulations — you’re a huge nerd.
Like me.
I had a conversation with some friends that inspired me to write this, and it was fun to go back and find these trailers, which were amazing to watch at the time of release, and which have withstood the test of time.
A pretty big asterisk on this blog is that these are trailers from the mid 90s onwards — basically, trailers that I personally remember seeing first hand in the theatre. I’m sure there are also many that I’m forgetting in general, so definitely comment some you like!
So sit back, the never-ending advertisements have just ended, and enjoy the show before the show:
1. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Such an epic trailer, this has to have the opening spot on this blog. While the movie itself got mixed reviews (I was actually and remain a huge fan of this movie), this was — objectively — just about as good as you could have done, trailer-wise. Morpheus’ speech narrated overtop of weird, epic sci-fi scenes (a Wachowski trademark) made this a trailer that everyone was talking about. “Isn’t that worth fighting for? Isn’t that worth… dying for?” Great lines.
2. Gladiator (2000)
The epitome of the 90s epic, but it really has it all. Before 300, before Troy, (both of which deserve honourable mentions for their trailers), this set the tone for the ancient civilization epic tale, along with Braveheart of course. The incredible score, the epic lines, the cast, the glory, the heroics. “Are you not entertained?” Right from the trailer, dude, no worries there.
3. Lord Of The Rings — The Two Towers (2002)
If you use Requiem For A Dream in your trailer and you don’t end up on a list like this… you really should be in another line of work. But this trailer not only lived up to the epic song-choice, it was one of the best trailers in the last 10 years (in this guy’s opinion). So many powerful lines that you remembered right up until seeing the movie: “A new power is rising. It’s victory is at hand.” “Do you know the way to Morder?” “There will be no dawn for men.” “The defenses have to hold.” “They will hold.” I mean, come on, you knew this trilogy was something special with trailers like this.
4. Cloud Atlas (2012) Extended Trailer
Another Wachowski classic. I remember seeing this in the theatre and thinking: “Wow. I’d buy tickets to see that tomorrow.” It was so mysterious, beautiful, strange, and most of all captivating. Like what is going on? What is covered in this movie? It was hard to put your finger on it, but it felt important. Like you just caught a glimpse of a story worth telling, and worth seeing. And in the end, it was.
5. Farenheight 9/11 ( 2004)
Talk about a trailer that made a huge splash, this had everybody talking, from your grandparents to your teachers to other kids in school. One of the first of its kind: masterful crafting of actual news footage into a blockbuster-style narrative, at the height of the Bush — Iraq mania. Great guitar too.
6. The Force Awakens (2015)
This movie definitely did not live up to the hype, but man, what a trailer. This had everybody talking, and hoping that Star Wars was headed in a new direction since the disappointing Episodes 1–3 (although they’d been getting progressively better in my opinion). But the actual movie aside, this trailer was a work of art. Beautiful visuals, perfect music choices, homages to past movies, new lightsabers, a bad-ass female lead, a black storm trooper (sure, why not), and of course, Han’s classic line: “Chewy. We’re home.” 10/10.
7. Avatar (2009)
If a trailer introduces the world to a new calibre of visuals and special effects, it deserves to make this list in my opinion. A fantastic, old-fashioned epic movie. Yes, it was essentially The Matrix meets Pocahontas but the visuals were something I’d never seen before, and the trailer captured that perfectly.
8. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1
This is an incredible trailer, and the first Harry Potter trailer (and film) to go dark (about 3 HP movies overdue, but better late then never as Ron would probably say). The propaganda-spin narration at the start sets the scene for the creepy, mysterious, and high-stakes final chapter that it is.
9. Dunkirk (2017)
Some people loved this movie, others were less than impressed (I’d be in that category), but just about everyone agreed that the trailers were incredible. This is actually longer than the trailer that I saw in theatres, which was just beautiful and haunting beach shots and plane footage with the clock. I had no idea what the plot of the movie was (I had some idea after having watched it), but I knew it was a movie I had to — again — see in IMAX… Man I’m a nerd.
10. Planet Earth II — Official Trailer (2016)
Planet Earth will always go down as making National Geographic style footage as appealing as Hollywood Blockbusters (for many). This teaser shows the four things Planet Earth fans love: the fun parts, the brutal parts, the mysterious parts, and the beautiful parts of life on earth, as seen through our animal neighbours. An amazing trailer for an amazing sequel.
Honourable Mention: Cloverfield (2008)
Have to give the final spot to Cloverfield. This was funny, creepy, realistic, creative, and scary as sh*t to see in theatres, all at the same time. The trailer is Blair Witch project on steroids, and while the movie itself had far less subtlety, the trailer was something everyone was excited to see.
Honourable Mention #2: Coca Cola’s Happiness Factory Movie Trailer
This was both hilarious and awesome to see in theatres, and worthy of not only a diet coke purchase by this guy, but also worthy of a spot in this list.
Honourable Mention #3: Medellin Trailer — Entourage
E: “What about a great trailer, Ari? Could you sell a great trailer?”
A: “…how great?” Enough said.
