Movie Trailers I Still Think About

Before audiences ever see a movie, they watch the trailer. A great trailer is a filmmaker's best chance at getting viewers excited about a film and in the theater on opening night. Here are seven unforgettable movie trailers that did their job and have stuck with me over time:

1. Argo (2012)

The trailer for Argo, a dramatized account of the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, immediately pulled me in and ensured that I'd watch the film. The incorporation of Aerosmith's "Dream On" was an especially nice touch that worked incredibly well with the tension of the subject matter. Starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman, the movie itself was pretty good; not the greatest, but definitely worth the watch.

2. White Boy Rick (2018)

The White Boy Rick trailer is one of my favorites on this list. Everything about it is perfection. Like Argo, this movie is based on a true story; it tells the tale of Richard Wershe Jr., who worked as an informant for the FBI from the ages of 14 to 16. This trailer artfully uses Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" to capture the nostalgic 1980s, showcasing Matthew McConaughey's raw acting talent and introducing audiences to Richie Merritt, who had never acted prior to landing the title role at the ripe age of 15.

3. Us (2019)

I just rewatched this trailer in broad daylight at 11:55 in the morning, and it still scared the ever-loving crap out of me. Between the eerie remix of Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It” and Lupita Nyong'o's terrifying tethered voice, this trailer is sure to keep you up at night, regardless of whether or not you watch the film in its entirety. Jordan Peele is a genius, and this trailer is in itself a masterpiece.

4. The Report (2019)

Another film based on true events, The Report exposes in horrifying detail the CIA's use of torture following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Adam Driver, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, delivers a powerful performance as Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, who is tasked by Senator Dianne Feinstein to lead an investigation into the 2005 destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes.

This trailer is gripping and powerful. And in the age of Trump, its final line—"TRUTH MATTERS"—was all the more jarring.

5. Black Panther (2018)

The action-packed Black Panther trailer was simply unforgettable. Featuring a mashup of Vince Staples' "BagBak" and Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," this video had it all: great music, stunning imagery, and an all-star cast. It hits even harder in the wake of Chadwick Boseman's tragic death of colon cancer in 2020.

6. The Big Short (2015)

Like The Report, The Big Short is one of my all-time favorite movies, and it all started with this trailer. Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt (with appearances from the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Selena Gomez, and Margot Robbie), The Big Short is a brilliant explanation of the housing bubble and financial crisis of 2007-2008.

(If you can't tell, I really love films that are based on real events.)

7. The Batman (2022)

I confess, I didn't have particularly high hopes for yet another Batman adaptation. But this trailer has ensured that I'll be first in line when this movie drops next year. Starring Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Kravitz, and Andy Serkis, The Batman follows Bruce Wayne as he tackles Gotham City's corruption in his second year of fighting crime.

Featuring Nirvana's "Something In The Way," this action-packed trailer is both exciting and intriguing. And I'm obsessed with the Riddler's haunting line: "If you are justice, please do not lie. What is the price for your blind eye?"

I truly never expected to enjoy this trailer, but I just watched it another 17 times.

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