Each week brings a collection of new trailers for upcoming movies and TV shows. It's never easy to find the right balance between properly introducing a new film and giving away too much. Some trailers find that sweet spot and excite you in a way that even seeing the movie itself can't. You may never forget the feeling you had the first time you saw the trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi and realized how major a role Luke Skywalker would play in the film.
Then again, other times they miss the mark by a mile. After all, you can't always make a terrible movie look good. Isn't that right, The Mummy?
GameSpot revisited the year in trailers and found the best and worst from the worlds of film and TV. Did your favorite make the cut or merit a place in the honorable mentions? Read on to find out and let us know what your most loved and hated trailers of the year were in the comments below!
Best trailers
10. Annihilation
Annihilation's trailer is one that everyone should see. It sets up the plot of the movie, while giving away almost nothing. After watching, you know Natalie Portman leads a team of armed women into an environmental disaster and runs into all kinds of bizarre creatures and dangers. Without spoiling anything, the Annihilation trailer has tempted audiences into its bizarre world.
9. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
How can you not include the first trailer for The Last Jedi? This early look at Episode VIII set the stage for a massive battle between the light and dark sides of the Force and reintroduced fans to Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Plus, it gave the world Porgs! What's not to love? Unless you hate Porgs, in which case you may not have a soul.
8. The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro's other-worldly fairy tale captivated us right from the first shot. Opening the door to this underwater tale reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. This trailer showed the director going back to his dark fantasy roots with a narrator guiding us along with expertly cut visuals through a monotonous day in the life of our protagonist Elisa--this is up until the moment we're hit with the reveal of a strange aquatic creature. This trailer lured us in with its mysterious story and wonderful cast, and never let us go.
7. Avengers: Infinity War
Fans have been waiting for the Infinity War trailer since Marvel first announced the movie in 2014, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Infinity War will bring together the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and almost every other major Marvel hero in the MCU in order to take down Thanos. This film is an epic undertaking, and the trailer manages to hit all the right parts without giving too much away. And we hope Marvel keeps it that way in the future trailers for this monumental film.
6. Crisis on Earth-X
Nazis, evil doppelgangers, superheroes, and a wedding. The trailer for Crisis on Earth-X--the 2017 crossover event featuring Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl--was the superhero team-up everyone needed in 2017. When Justice League let fans down, the CW superheroes picked up the slack with a trailer and event that was more than good enough for the big screen.
5. The Disaster Artist
The first trailer for The Disaster Artist was the perfect tease. It introduced the world to director Tommy Wiseau--and James Franco's portrayal of him--with the creation of one of the most iconic scenes in all of The Room. Oh hi, Disaster Artist!
4. Dunkirk
The Dunkirk teaser didn't show much, but it certainly left its mark. At this point of his career, Nolan doesn't need to show much to get us to buy a ticket. Keeping the teaser at about one minute, Dunkirk produces a bit of intensity, while giving slight callbacks to Saving Private Ryan. This teaser hit all the right buttons; it offered little plot details, epic visuals, and a stunning conclusion.
3. Thor: Ragnarok
After Thor: The Dark World, there wasn't much excitement for a third installment. But Marvel was determined to fix its Asgardian hero. Adding Taika Waititi to helm was the perfect move to change the tone and give a fresh face to the franchise. This trailer delivers on all the right notes--Including the perfect use of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." We've seen this film a dozen times now, but this trailer still gives us chills.
2. Stranger Things 2
Stranger Things 2 was already one of the most anticipated shows of the year, which is why it has two trailers worthy of a spotlight. When its first trailer was built around Michael Jackson's "Thriller," though, it became truly iconic. Nothing sets the tone for Halloween in the '80s more than Michael Jackson and Ghostbusters costumes. The final trailer, though, removed the fun and silly feel of the "Thriller" teaser, instead replacing it with the dread and terror all too common to the Upside Down.
1. The Crown Season 2
Watching a period drama about the political rivalries, romance, and the rise of Queen Elizabeth may not sound too appealing to you. But trust us, this trailer for Season 2 of The Crown is exceptional. This trailer is epic because of its crisp visuals, but I=it's unforgettable due to its seamless bond to the music and score. This succeeds as both an advertisement and a piece of art; after watching the trailer, you want to watch this season, without having watched the first!
Honorable mentions:
Logan
The first look at Logan set the appropriate tone for the R-rated extension of the X-Men universe. With Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" providing the soundtrack, fans were introduced to a much older Logan as he and Xavier prepared for one final mission.
Marvel's The Punisher
The trailer for Marvel's The Punisher did more for developing the character of Frank Castle than the entire second season of Daredevil. In just two minutes, the first look at Punisher's standalone series dug deep into Castle's tortured past as it set the table for the carnage that was to come.
Red Sparrow
The trailer for Red Sparrow works so well because it gives fans who have been dying for a Black Widow spin-off in the Marvel Cinematic Universe exactly what they want--except with Jennifer Lawrence instead of Scarlett Johansson. The movie has yet to release, but first impressions are everything and Red Sparrow's was great.
Black Panther
The visuals, music, and action take the best pieces of the MCU and make it feel new again. This is a trailer that prepares audiences to enter a very different piece of a well-known world and makes it feel like a truly unique adventure. Bonus points for including The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
Worst trailers:
The Avengers: Infinity War Fan Reaction Teaser
Throw a rock at YouTube, and you'll hit a trailer reaction video. Still, Marvel piecing them together as a teaser for Avengers: Infinity War was not only an incredibly unoriginal thing to do but a grating choice as well.
The Mummy
While the first trailer for The Mummy made it clear this was a Tom Cruise movie, it didn't explain how it was a Mummy movie other than a brief look at the antagonist. Given that this was meant to kick off a new franchise of Universal monster films, perhaps it should have made that a bit more clear.
CHiPs
The trailer for CHiPs, like the movie itself, leaves much to be desired. It shows that the film has little to do with the TV series it's based on and, instead, is a collection of dirty jokes and explosions wrapped up in a cops on motorcycles story. While in the hands of some, that could be fun to watch, this first look promises nothing worth waiting for.
Monster Trucks
The trailer for Monster Trucks was about what you'd expect from a movie where a friendly alien becomes one with a pickup truck. However, it did the film no favors in getting anyone excited. Whether it was introducing 27-year-old actor Lucas Till as a high school student, how cartoony the creature looked, or the main character taking selfies with the alien, nothing about this trailer works.
