Like every year, 2017 had a deluge of trailers with most blockbusters requiring at least three major trailers to rope in audiences in addition to countless TV spots and clips. However, when you consider the amount of movies coming out every week, studios need to fight to break through, and a catchy trailer is the best way to do that. Some trailers will hook people due to the profile of the property (aStar Warstrailer is going to rack up millions upon millions views no matter what), but there’s still an art to crafting a solid trailer.
Below you’ll find my picks for the 15 best trailers of 2017. Just to put some parameters around the choices, I only went with movie trailers (so no trailers for TV shows or video games), only one trailer per film, and the trailer had to be released in 2017 (it’s okay if the film itself doesn’t come out until 2018). I’m sure you’ll disagree with at least some choices on this list, so sound off with your picks in the comments.
15) Love, Simon
A good trailer is going to get you interested in a movie you know nothing about, and the trailer forLove, Simondid just that for me.
14) Isle of Dogs
They could have just said, “It’s a new stop-motion animated film fromWes Anderson, so you’ll be there opening day,” but this is good too.
13) Ocean’s 8
This trailer grew on me the more times I watched it, but I’ve also been excited for this movie ever since it was announced.
12) Star Wars: The Last Jedi
All of theLast Jeditrailers were pretty great, but the first one was definitely my favorite. It helped sell the sequel as a different beast thanThe Force Awakens, but still firmly in theStar Warsuniverse.
11) Incredibles 2
It’s the briefest of trailers and doesn’t really feature any footage from the sequel, and yet I don’t care because it’s just so adorable while instantly reminding me how much I love the original.
10) The Shape of Water
I love how this trailer kind of sinks you back intoGuillermo del Toro’s universe without hiding the unique romantic aspects of the story.
9) A Wrinkle in Time
Rather than attempt to pitch a softball kids fantasy, the trailer forA Wrinkle in Timeis unafraid to look weird and daring. I’m here for it.
8) Avengers: Infinity War
This trailer probably shouldn’t work as well as it does since it doesn’t tell you anything about the plot, but that’s irrelevant (especially for a teaser). You feel like you’re going to get a payoff ten years and 18 movies in the making.
7) Deadpool 2
I don’t even care that it barely shows any footage; Deadpool as Bob Ross is about as on-brand as it gets.
I really liked that this trailer played up the kids’ fears rather than going all in on Pennywise. It showsITas a character-driven film rather than a standard monster movie.
