One of the reasons I’m so excited to see movies in theaters again is getting to watch trailers on a big screen. You may think that there are too many trailers before movies nowadays, but you can’t deny that special moment right after a really good trailer plays. You can feel the excitement of the other people in the theater, a collective sense of, “Wow, we should go see that.”
That’s because trailers are an art form in themselves. They have to tease the most exciting parts of a movie without giving too much away, which is a hard balance to pay off. When done well, they get us invested and leave us with key images and dialogue that stick with us until the film’s release. Sometimes a good trailer can be even better than the film it’s promoting.
Whether they’re giving us an adrenaline rush or making us cry, the following trailers are all absolute winners that you’ll want to watch again and again. Take a look at the 15 best movie trailers of 2021.
15. Marry Me
Is the trailer for Marry Me as tightly edited or well-scored as other trailers higher up on this list? No. Does it feature one of the most memorable and unhinged moments out of any trailer this year? Absolutely.
The sneak peek starts out simply enough: pop superstars Kat (Jennifer Lopez) and Bastian (Maluma) are getting married at a massive concert event, and single math teacher Charlie (Owen Wilson) is wrangled into going. Things quickly go off the rails for both Kat and Charlie, resulting in a brilliantly bonkers rom-com set up that’ll have you asking, “What?” I don’t want to spoil anything, so just watch the trailer and bask in the insanity. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Fellow
How to watch: Marry Me is in theaters Feb. 11.
14. The Suicide Squad
From the trailer alone, James Gunn’s take on DC Comics’ misfit team of day-saving anti-heroes is a massive step up from the 2016 abomination that introduced the world to LetoJoker. The April 2021 trailer for The Suicide Squad set up the movie’s dizzyingly impressive ensemble cast, with standout moments for John Cena, Idris Elba, David Dastmalchian, and, obviously, returning star Margot Robbie. And it’s all set to a haunting rendition of Steam’s classic, forever-hummable one-hit wonder, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.” — Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: The Suicide Squad is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and more.
13. Shiva Baby
Here’s the thing: Shiva Baby is a comedy, but its trailer makes it feel like straight-up horror. Thanks to an unsettling score that would be right at home in any horror movie, close-ups on Danielle’s (Rachel Sennott) increasingly unnerved face, and invasive dialogue that cuts to the bone, this trailer nails Shiva Baby‘s sense of claustrophobia and anxiety. There are still plenty of laughs throughout, with a final punchline that firmly sticks the landing, but the brilliance of this trailer lies in its ability to play with genre conventions without giving too much away. — B.E.
How to watch: Shiva Baby is now streaming on HBO Max.
12. Turning Red
And the award for best use of *NSYNC in a trailer goes to…Turning Red!
The boy band’s hit “It’s Gonna Be Me” takes on a whole new meaning when paired with the protagonist of Pixar’s upcoming film, 13 year-old Mei (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). Get it? Because when *NYSNC sings “me” it sounds like “Mei”? Brilliant!
Aside from the inspired song choice, the trailer for Turning Red introduces Mei’s biggest secret: When she experiences intense emotions, she turns into a giant red panda. Mei’s panda form is extra adorable, as are her interactions with her friends and family. Every joke and emotional beat in the trailer lands, but would we really expect anything less from Pixar? — B.E.
How to watch: Turning Red is in theaters March 4.
11. In the Heights
Life works differently in musicals: Everything’s heightened, from the drama to the visuals to the emotions, and set to the beat of a song. That intensity is what comes across most of all in the stunning second trailer for In the Heights, which plays up the irresistible rhythm, the joy and heartbreak of the characters, and the awesome dazzle of the dance numbers. Though you can watch In the Heights on HBO Max, this trailer makes clear this film was meant to be seen on the big screen, with a big crowd to weep and laugh and cheer along with you. — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor
How to watch: In the Heights is now streaming on HBO Max.
10. The Batman
When we watched the first trailer for The Batman in 2020, the movie hadn’t even finished filming. The film’s second trailer, released after shooting wrapped, gives us a fuller idea of what Robert Pattinson’s version of Bruce Wayne will be up against. Feast your eyes on the film’s cast of villains, including the Riddler (Paul Dano), Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), and the Penguin (Colin Farrell); seriously brutal action sequences; and some fascinating latte art.
While the plot is still very much under wraps, the trailer establishes that this iteration of the Caped Crusader will be darker and moodier than any of its predecessors — good news for superhero fans who like a lot of edge in their movies. — B.E.
How to watch: The Batman is in theaters March 4.
9. Last Night in Soho
Less is more in the trailer for Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho. Equal parts thrilling, mysterious, and stylish, the trailer only features one line of dialogue and leaves much of the movie’s story up to the imagination. However, what we do see is more than enough to pique our curiosity: hands bursting out of floorboards, lavish musical performances, and an eerie scene where Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy mirror each other flawlessly, all set to Taylor-Joy’s haunting rendition of Petula Clark’s “Downtown.” — B.E.
How to watch: Last Night in Soho is in theaters and available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and more.
8. Army of the Dead
There’s no denying Zack Snyder knows how to sell a movie. Set to an edgier take on Kenny Rogers’ country tune “The Gambler,” the explosive trailer for Army of the Dead starts syrupy and slow, but builds to the high-octane action Snyder fans love. In just three minutes, this preview introduces us to all the key facts we need about this zombie-heist hybrid, setting up an impossible burglary plan undertaken against a backdrop of Las Vegas-borne living dead.
It’s an appropriately flashy first glimpse at what turned out to be a pretty fun movie. Sure, they didn’t really deliver on that whole “They’re smarter, they’re faster, they’re organized” tease — as it turned out, Army of the Dead’s zombies weren’t all that different from what we’ve seen on screen before — but Dave Bautista and that zombie tiger definitely lived up to the hype. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Army of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.
7. Zola
Zola, based on the epic 148-tweet Twitter thread by A’Ziah “Zola” King, pulls much of its aesthetic from social media. So does the trailer, which features onscreen likes, screenshots, and the buzzing of notifications. These details prime us for director Janicza Bravo’s slick and stylized approach to adapting a piece of internet history. On top of that, the trailer is full of brilliant line deliveries by the cast (Taylour Paige’s deadpan “word” is perfection), and its clips of escalating insanity come to life with Mykki Blanco’s song “My Nene.” When Zola (Paige) asks the instantly iconic question, “You wanna hear a story about how me and this bitch fell out?” you’ll have no choice but to answer, “yes, 100%.” — B.E.
How to watch: Zola is streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime with a Showtime subscription.
6. Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon‘s trailer covers so much ground in such a short amount of time: It serves as an introduction to the world of Kumandra, establishes Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) and Sisu’s (Awkwafina) relationship, and even manages to throw in an epic action sequence involving a mischievous con baby. It’s engaging from the very first second, and a perfect showcase for the film’s gorgeous animation.
The trailer kicks into high gear in its last minute, with the use of Tamara Bubble’s song “I’m That Good” lifting it from good to absolutely great. Suddenly, we’re treated to snippets of high-intensity fight scenes, mostly between Raya and Namaari (Gemma Chan), setting up their rivalry and raising the bar for the film’s action. It’s epic, adrenaline rush-worthy, and absolutely makes you want to see what comes next. — B.E.
How to watch: Raya and the Last Dragon is now streaming on Disney+.
5. House of Gucci
The trailer for Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci could have just been Lady Gaga strutting around in Gucci clothing and it still would have made this list. What we got is even better. Set to Blondie’s “Heart of Glass,” this trailer invites us into a world of decadence, greed, and great outfits. In between the dubious Italian accents and snippets of Gaga romancing Adam Driver, we get juicy soundbites like the instantly iconic “Father, son, and House of Gucci.”
The trailer’s finest moment comes wrapped in a red ski suit and fur hat: Gaga stirs the absolute hell out of a teeny-tiny espresso cup while declaring: “I don’t consider myself to be a particularly ethical person, but I am fair.” What a line. What a performance. What a trailer. — B.E.
How to watch: House of Gucci is now in theaters.
4. West Side Story
The trailer for Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story could only ever open with drowsy Manhattan and the telling whistle tag of this musical — but it invokes full-body chills nonetheless. The whistles build, adding drums and bits of fanfare until we see the Jets’ and Sharks’ shadows confront each other, then cut to black.
The teaser’s final 40 seconds are a dizzying blur of color and movement, from the iconic dance at the gym to fights between the gangs and intoxicating shots of dancing Anita. But whoever cut this trailer spared no emotion, setting that second half to a pared-down version of “Somewhere” sung by none other than the original Anita, Rita Moreno. Reader, I just sobbed upon a rewatch. Give this trailer an Oscar. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: West Side Story is in theaters Dec. 10.
3. Licorice Pizza
You know you’re in for a treat when the first look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza kicks off with David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” The classic tune perfectly accompanies this trailer, which manages to give as few details as possible while still evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. We see flashes of young actor Gary’s (Cooper Hoffman) life in the San Fernando Valley, the beginnings of his relationship with Alana (Alana Haim), and a tense encounter with film producer Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper). The trailer manages to be funny, tender, and sad all at once, and it establishes Hoffman and Haim as actors to watch. — B.E.
How to watch: Licorice Pizza is in select theaters now, with a wide release Dec. 25.
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2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Possibly the most anticipated movie of 2021, Spider-Man: No Way Home needed a trailer that would deliver on the astronomical hype. Luckily, this trailer did that with just two words: “Hello, Peter.”
Sure, we see the repercussions of Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s ending, but that’s all blown out of the water by the trailer’s final seconds. An appearance by Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock and a hint of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin? The MCU spider-verse is open for business, and we couldn’t be more excited. — B.E.
How to watch: Spider-Man: No Way Home is in theaters Dec. 17.
1. The Green Knight
The trailer for David Lowery’s The Green Knight — based on the Arthurian tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight — is nothing short of a fantasy masterpiece. Edited to perfection, it strikes the perfect balance between dreamy and epic, all while showcasing Dev Patel’s commanding lead performance.
The Green Knight‘s trailer spoils us with stunning imagery: giants roaming through stark landscapes, stars blurring as they move across the sky, the Green Knight in all his forest-y glory, Patel in a variety of medieval outfits. Accompanying these visuals is Black Math’s “Lapse,” a song that ended up on my Spotify Wrapped because of my obsession with this trailer. Separately, the music and visuals are good. Together, they’re great, creating a trailer that is gorgeous, entrancing, and atmospheric. — B.E.
How to watch: The Green Knight is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and more.
