Movie marketing is a complicated process, especially when it comes to trailers. Sometimes, a trailer serves as a simple teaser, offering a glimpse of what the film might have to offer without revealing too much. At other times, a trailer might approach three minutes in length and provide a point-by-point breakdown of the plot, outlining what to expect, with the hope that revealing more information will attract people to the cineplex. All things considered, trailers can honestly make or break the entire marketing strategy. They are that important.
READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2026
So, when film fans see a great trailer, it sticks in their mind. A great trailer will provide just enough of the film to entice you, but without spoiling all the surprises. These trailers might exist on their own as a fun little short. And every year, we like to compile a list of trailers that not only help to sell a film, but also entertain in their own right.
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Here are our favorite trailers from 2025, in alphabetical order:
“The Bride”
In a year that gave us Guillermo del Toro’s excellent adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” we were also presented with a tease of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming “The Bride,” which clearly is going in a completely different direction with its story. The trailer for “The Bride” gives you a basic rundown of the film—a woman (played by Jessie Buckley) is brought back to life as a companion to Christian Bale’s monster—but it does so with incredible style. There’s almost a punk rock vibe seen in the film, which extends to the film’s now unforgettable tagline— “Here comes the motherfucking bride!” If you’re looking for a really unique take on a famous story, the trailer for “The Bride” delivers it in spades.
“Bugonia”
The folks who edited the trailer for “Bugonia” had an arduous task ahead of them. Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film has a truly wild plot that might scare off potential audiences. Not to mention that the film is essentially a two-hander between Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, set in a single location. However, the trailer for “Bugonia” focuses on what makes the film great—the performances and the steadily building tension throughout. While it doesn’t reveal the twists and turns, the trailer effectively replicates the tension thanks to the music, a deconstructed version of “Good Luck Babe” by Chappell Roan. The trailer also doesn’t hide the fact that this film features two of the best actors working today going head-to-head. A tough trailer to create, but it’s done exceptionally well.
“Friendship”
When you have a film headlined by comedic talents such as Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, you might expect the trailer for “Friendship” to be a laugh riot. While there are definitely laughs to be had, especially if you share Robinson’s unique brand of comedy, the trailer for “Friendship” presents the film almost as a psychological thriller. You see the beginnings of a beautiful relationship between the two leads and quickly watch as it deteriorates. You’re presented with a film that has a fairly simple plot, but it feels like there’s something greater under the surface. It’s slick. It’s strange. It’s genius. It is definitely a Tim Robinson experience.
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
One of the under-the-radar films that surprised quite a few film fans in 2025 is “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” It’s a great showcase of the underrated acting ability of Rose Byrne, and it’s a peek into the life of a woman on the edge of sanity. Thankfully, the trailer for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” gives the audience just enough of both of these aspects while also hiding the bulk of the revelations. It’s another example of a trailer that perfectly builds intensity throughout its runtime and clearly presents the film’s plot, without overdoing it. The trailer is edited spectacularly and offers viewers plenty to consider. If this doesn’t make you want to watch the film, nothing will.
“One Battle After Another”
“One Battle After Another” is a film that almost didn’t require extensive marketing. The hype surrounding the film has been steadily building since it was announced that Paul Thomas Anderson brought in Leonardo DiCaprio to star in it. However, the hype also caused some anxiety for PTA fans. How would he handle his first truly big-budget film? Is it a real action film? Will it retain a lot of the comedy that we’ve come to expect from the filmmaker? All of those questions were answered when the trailer dropped. Perhaps the most epic trailer on this list, this showcased the action and intensity of the film. Yes, there were hints at the comedy, which is much more prevalent in the movie itself, but the trailer also feels entirely different from anything PTA has shown audiences before. It’s a banger of a trailer for one of the best films of the year. Simple as that.
