Key Takeaways
- The trailers reveal too much about the plot, characters, and even surprises, spoiling the movie for you.
- Trailers are made to sell the movie, they don’t actually enhance the movie experience.
- Try watching a movie without knowing anything about it. Seeing a movie for the first time will be a special experience you will never forget.
Once a movie studio decides they want people to know about an upcoming movie, it’s hard to escape the media onslaught. From posters to commercials, brand integrations, and sponsored social posts, there are countless creative ways for a movie to increase awareness. One of the oldest and simplest ways to promote a movie is through trailer and I’m here to tell you why you should avoid them at all costs.
Blockbuster movies now come with two or three trailers several months before their release date. trailer We have release dates and we find the best spots for big TV events. Some are 15-second, some are 30-second TV spots, some are extended. trailer Movies are deeply ingrained in our culture and are big business, but most of the time, it’s not good for avid movie fans.
This is why I avoid movie trailers.
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The trailer spoils the movie
Please open your mind and see
Marvel
The biggest reason I avoid watching trailers is because they contain way too many spoilers: They give away the main plot of the movie, reveal most of the characters, leave out dramatic dialogue and little jokes, and sometimes give away major plot twists.
Whether you’ve decided to see a movie or not, watching a trailer carries the risk of knowing too much. And if you have a decent memory, you might find yourself waiting for a specific scene or sequence to appear on screen before you watch the movie. This is especially true for action blockbusters, where you’ll likely guess which set piece will close the movie, even though it was in the trailer but you haven’t seen it on screen yet.
Will the jokes in the trailer still be funny the second (or third or fourth) time you hear them in the movie?
It reminds me of the recent Deadpool and Wolverine trailers, which had a ton of jokes, full action scenes, and even some character reveals. In particular, the final version, released a week before release, revealed a surprise character that we all assumed would show up but weren’t sure about. The character even has a line in the trailer, and is meant to be a bit of a laugh riot in an overall ridiculous movie.
Are the jokes in the trailer still funny the second (or third or fourth) time you hear them in the movie? Are the action scenes just as thrilling if you’ve seen them before? We think the answer is no to both.
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Trailers are a marketing element
Don’t give in
Universal Pictures
There is a big difference between making a movie and promoting a movie. Trailers are made to excite the audience and sell tickets. They don’t have much impact on the movie-watching experience after you buy your seat. In other words, movie promotion can ruin the storytelling elements of the movie. What is revealed in the trailer depends on the promotion strategy, and sometimes they show too much to convince you that the movie is fun and exciting.
The trailer may be misleading or simply inaccurate.
It’s also possible that a trailer is misleading or simply inaccurate. It’s not uncommon for trailers to include scenes that were cut from the film or re-shots. In some cases, trailers may change footage from the film to hide certain characters or obscure the setting in order to keep important information a secret.
Trailers are made with purpose and precision. They generate a lot of excitement and bring in a lot of revenue. They are also designed to get viewers to scrutinize, analyze, and share what they see. Remember, trailers aren’t meant to help you.
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The movie experience is special.
Don’t waste a moment
If possible, try to watch a movie knowing absolutely everything about it, or at least knowing as little as possible about it. Why ruin the moviegoing experience by knowing what’s going to happen? Filmmakers and creators have worked hard to tell a compelling story in a certain way, so let them take you on that journey. I know there are a lot of scary and unpredictable things in the world, but when it comes to movies, it’s worth taking the plunge.
Worst case scenario, if you don’t like it you can just switch to something else.
Trailers tend to reveal the main problem or conflict of the movie. It’s something that’s expected and everyone understands before seeing the movie. But what happens if you start watching a movie without knowing what’s going to happen in the first act? You should be hooked right from the start and ready to change direction no matter what direction the story takes.
It may be a pain to spend time and money to watch a movie at an unfamiliar theater, but it’s much easier to prepare it at home. Take a chance. Worst case scenario, you can always switch to another movie if you don’t like it. You only get to see a movie once, so make it an unforgettable experience.
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I can’t learn anything
what are you looking for?
Trailers often feature familiar emotions and storylines — this is true for sequels and spinoffs and just about every blockbuster movie — so it’s important to think about why you’re watching a trailer — because, chances are, you already know everything you need to know.
Why do I need trailers for Deadpool & Wolverine or Captain America: Brave New World when I’ve already seen every movie and TV show in the MCU? I’m going to watch them anyway, so it doesn’t make sense to ruin the experience by seeing snippets beforehand. There are 10 Fast & Furious movies, so why do I need a trailer for the next one?
If there’s an actor or director you really like and there’s a film they’re in, that alone is reason enough to check it out.
Look at it another way: If there’s an actor or director you really like and you know they have a film in which they’re in, that’s reason enough to check it out. For example, if you liked Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, or Emerald Fennell’s previous work, there’s a good chance you’ll want to see what they do next. They all have their own unique style and personality, and I’m not sure you really need a trailer to make you want to see something. So before you press “play,” think about what you want to get out of the film.
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There are lots of teasers
Just an atmosphere
20th Century Studio
It’s important to distinguish between trailers and teasers: trailers are full-length features of an upcoming film that often reveal characters, setting, and plot, while teasers are short snippets that are simply intended to set the tone and generate curiosity. I’m all for teasers.
Teasers tend to be released well before a film’s release, sometimes six months or more, or even before the film is completely finished. Teasers are less than a minute long and may contain very few scenes from the actual film. As the name suggests, teasers are previews and give away very little about what’s to come.
It reminds me of the trailer for Alien: Romulus, released months before its planned August release. It does a great job of setting the tone without giving anything away. As the camera slowly moves through a bloody spaceship, we hear screams of panic and pain while the music adds to the horror and tension. There are a lot of shadows and explosions, but they’re all only a second long and don’t inform the story or characters. It sets the tone for a dark, creepy, gory movie. And that’s all you need, because there were a lot of aliens before it. Aliens are scary and dark.
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Before you watch a trailer, think about why you want to watch it, what you really want to know, and whether watching the trailer will change your mind about wanting to see the movie. Watching a movie without worrying about spoilers and with an open mind is a special and unique experience, so try to savor that experience while you can.
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