5. The Dark Knight Rises
This may seem a bit hasty with the trailer only coming out this year, but I know too many people who have watched this trailer over and over again, feeling their anticipation for this film heighten each time. The Dark Knight Rises was already one of the most anticipated films of the decade, but when The Avengers absolutely blew away audiences, there was some thought that The Dark Knight Rises just wouldn’t be able to compete. For many observers, this superb trailer eased those fears.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
David Fincher’s marketing team let Trent Reznor’s cover of “Immigrant Song” do all the talking, and the results were incredible. The trailer psyches up fans of the books and intrigues potential newcomers by flashing brief glimpses of scenes from the book in rapid-fire succession, slowly building in intensity as the song builds in intensity, before delivering the title with iconic flare. Brilliant.
3. Quantum of Solace
In case you’re one of those people who’s wondering why people think the Skyfall trailer is disappointing… this would be why. Using the exchange between Bond and M as the centerpiece of the trailer before that adrenaline-pumping series of action shots was an amazing creative decision.
2. Iron Man
I was among the many casual fans who first heard they were doing an Iron Man film and said something along the lines of, “Oh, that’s cool I guess. I remember watching a few episodes of the cartoon.” That was pretty much the extent of my reaction. Then I, along with the rest of America, was thoroughly blown away by this teaser and decided that I had to see this movie. Highlighting Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as an entertaining asshole was about the smartest thing the makers of this trailer possibly could’ve done.
1. Watchmen
You remember seeing this trailer for the first time. You just do. It was one of those seminal movements where fans of the graphic novel wet themselves with excitement, and those who hadn’t read it yet immediately went out and picked up a copy. This trailer adequately conveyed that the film it was previewing was an event.
