When it comes to generating hype for the release of upcoming movies, the film industry and movie studios rely on several tactics to drum up audience excitement. However, over the decades, it has become clear that movie trailers are one of the most effective ways to spread anticipation for film releases.
Because movie culture is so mainstream, audiences all over the world flock to view these movie trailers as soon as they are released, often within the first day of being available to the public.
And with the added power of social media and movie stars to promote such trailers, the reach of movie trailers is even greater. For example, franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe rely not only on the popularity of their titles, but also on the viral status of major stars who promote trailers for their movies.
With these aspects in mind, let’s uncover what makes movie trailers so popular, and discover the most-watched movie trailers within 24 hours of their release.
The Minutiae of Movie Trailers
Before delving into the top-ranking movie trailers in terms of viewing averages, it is beneficial to discuss the specificities of trailers and what makes them so well-liked and marketable.
Starting at the early beginnings of movie trailers in the film industry, and then examining what makes them so very effective at promoting new movies.
A Brief History of Movie Trailers
Movie trailers have always been a commercial advertisement for an upcoming film release, but the first idea of a truly scripted movie snapshot for the express purpose of showing the public dates back to the earliest days of the film industry. As films were being shot on reels and shown in moving picture palaces, a common practice of tacking promotional images onto the end of the reel became popular.
While the just-watched film reel was preparing to be rewound onto the spool, audiences could see images of other titles from studios’ upcoming repertoires. And because movie studios tended to make vast batches of films at a time during this period, there was no shortage of clips.
The first true movie theater trailer was shown in 1913 for the film The Pleasure Seekers, when an advertising manager for a theater chain showed staged footage of rehearsals on a musical number after a feature film. Heralded as a new form of promotion, it was soon adopted into mainstream moviemaking, using slide techniques to preview upcoming films.
These movie trailers would continue in much the same vein until a change occurred in the 1960s—they were a series of key scenes from the advertised film, interspersed with solid slides that featured large, blocky text describing the story. Most trailers featured a monotonous narrative that highlighted parts of the film’s plot, sounding much like stentorian newsreel speakers.
describe key aspects of the plot,
Directors like Stanley Kubrick pioneered a movie trailer format still used today—textless, montage-heavy clips that showcased action, drama, and left a good amount of the narrative up to the viewer’s imagination, banking on audience curiosity and speculation.
And this proved to be incredibly effective, as Kubrick’s montage trailers for Lolita and 2001: A Space Odyssey both went on to garner a large viewership. Since then, movie trailers have become an inexplicable part of movie viewing and the film industry.
As home video became prevalent, trailers were added to the beginning of VHS tapes and DVDs. And similarly, as movie theaters became more technologically adept, trailers became an integral part of the entire film run time, with audiences encouraged to arrive in time to view the trailers as well as the movie itself.
Movie trailers tend to be split into two different kinds—theatrical and teaser. And while they are very similar in composition and intent, they do serve distinct purposes.
Theatrical Trailers
These trailers function as comprehensive previews of the entire movie to come, with details, characters, and some reveal of the narrative to hint at the story arc.
Trailers typically follow a miniature
three-act structure,
composed of clips from the film’s initial setup, the middle climax or conflict, and just enough of the finale to be an intriguing cliffhanger. Trailers must also fall within two and a half minutes, as approved by the MPAA.
Trailers generally include the emotional touchstones of a particular film and the tone it is trying to convey. This is crucial to reinforce the emotional context of the film sufficiently within the short constraint of the trailer.
This is crucial to reinforce the emotional context of the film sufficiently within the short constraint of the trailer.
For example, a romantic comedy’s trailer will likely include flirtatious scenes, social obstacles, and reinforce the feeling of “will they/won’t they”. Whereas an action movie will have car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and explosions to heighten the sense of adventure and tension.
Teaser Trailers
Much shorter in length, teaser trailers are in essence short promotional videos that have clips of the most intriguing parts of a film.
With minimal narrative details and images that highlight the action of the movie, teasers do just that—whet the audience’s appetite for the upcoming title without giving away too much of its content.
Teasers are also released quite far in advance not only to the release of the full movie, but even well before the official theatrical trailer is showcased. Teaser trailers have been released months or years before, drumming up plenty of anticipation and excitement to know more about the movie.
What Makes a
Good Movie Trailer?
While the criteria of what composes a “good” trailer can vary depending on the promotional film’s content and tone, audiences tend to be drawn to a certain array of trailer features. The following aspects are what some of the best movie trailers have in common:
Control the Pace
By using specific editing techniques, the pace of a trailer can be slowed or sped up to match the content being shown. Quick cuts showcase action, lingering shots denote emotional climaxes, and a variety of sound cues and visual fades can be applied to accentuate specific moments.
Highlight the Talent
Inevitably, a good deal of a film’s initial appeal is the star-power behind it. That is why theatrical release posters put so much effort into highlighting the actors who feature in the movie—the more famous or beloved by fans, the better.
Similarly, a good trailer must showcase the big names that drive the movie forward, including actors, directors, or producers whose involvement in the project will draw crowds.
Showcase Unforgettable Scenes
Movie trailers are meant to leave the audience thinking about the upcoming film and plant the seeds of speculation in viewers’ minds. Therefore, the best movie trailers will showcase the most visually appealing or emotionally memorable scenes from the film, in a way that does not spoil the plot or any major reveals.
This can be a tenuous balance, but when done right, the trailer will stick with viewers for a long time and give them the impetus to see it as soon as it comes out, to gain resolution of their curiosity.
Three-Act Organization
From the origin of communal storytelling, the three-act structure has been the natural form of narratives. Great stories are similar to great trailers—by telling a riveting tale, the audience becomes deeply invested in the characters, and their challenges and emotions.
The three-act structure remains the best way to achieve this investment, revealing the film’s setting, premise, and characters in a miniature story arc.
Tone-Setting Music
From the first chord of the movie trailer, the music will set the entire tone and balance the audience’s emotions. Matching the music to the attitude of the film is key.
For example, lighthearted lilts tend to accompany romantic comedies, whereas thrumming electronic tunes can run alongside tense action sequences. Using music to correctly set the mood throughout the trailer is very important for cohesiveness and intrigue.
Voice Over or Text Narration
Instead of relying on the audience to piece together a storyline from visuals alone, the most effective movie trailers use voice-overs or on-screen text to give the necessary exposition. However, this is also a delicate balance, as too much narration will give away the plot entirely.
The three-act structure remains the best way to achieve this investment, revealing the film’s setting, premise, and characters in a miniature story arc.
The Massive Impact of Movie Trailers
After reviewing what aspects make movie trailers so effective for audiences around the world, it is also important to uncover what impact movie trailers have on film culture and the film industry.
Since their invention, and especially their reinvigoration during the initiation of CGI into the industry, movie trailers are a crucial part of business for filmmakers, producers, and actors alike.
And with the wide variety of digital platforms to release trailers onto, advertising a film no longer relies on just a theatrical audience’s interest. Social media, AI analysis, and viewer metrics all play an important part in the impact of movie trailers on both audiences and the world of film.
How Do Movie Trailers Contribute
to the Film Industry?
Not only do movie trailers work to muster excitement for an upcoming film with prospective audiences, but they are also an important part of a movie’s marketing campaign. Advertisements for upcoming movies work to inform a target audience about future titles, and more specifically when they will be released at the box office.
For example, the newest trailer for a Star Wars film might premiere ahead of a DC comics movie, banking on the assumption that those audience metrics will intersect.
of Movies
from Movies
Though movie trailers can cost a good deal of the entire film’s budget to create and distribute, the fiscal returns inevitably make it a winning practice. It might seem like a gamble to release key aspects of a film’s storyline ahead of time, but time and time again it pays off, thanks to a delicate balance between reveal and teasing.
Movie Trailers, Media, and Millions
Another way that movie trailers benefit the film industry as a whole is through their ability to go viral. This is a term that we have all become increasingly familiar with, as the internet takes over more of our daily interactions.
And thanks to the large social platforms of stars, directors, and promoters who are integral to the release of a new film, media has become a key player.
As movie trailers are shared to their extensive followings on Twitter, Facebook, and even Instagram, big names in the film industry are all but guaranteed to push a new movie into viral status.
With such massive outreaches, it’s difficult to not reach nearly every person on the globe. For example, when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared the latest trailer for The Fate of the Furious in 2016, the title trended worldwide.
Not only does the prevalence of social media make it easier to access, view, and share movie trailers, but movie studios actually use this data to better tailor their trailers to audiences. By using AI to analyze movie trailer footage, attendance predictions can be made quite accurately, and watcher metrics reveal content appeal by recording frame-by-frame viewing data.
Where to Watch Movie Trailers
We have touched on the importance of trailers and the aspects of what makes them so impactful, but where can you watch them? Here are some locations to watch the newest movie trailers for free:
The Top Ten Most-Watched Movie Trailers Watched within 24 Hours of Release
Now that we have discussed some of the metrics of what makes a “good” trailer, and why they are so important to the film industry, let’s take a look at the top ten movie trailers that were watched most within the first day of their release. From Disney remakes to action blockbusters, viewers around the world were fast to watch these trailers and share them widely.
Praised from the beginning for its faithfulness to the original film, this trailer was packed with references to the fairy tale classic many people grew up with. Including a sweeping musical score, vibrant colors, and incredible sets, this combination of CGI and live-action masterpiece was a hit with audiences immediately.
Trailer Highlights:
The first dance between Belle and the Beast, complete with her iconic yellow ball gown.
Release and Views:
After being made public on November 14th, 2016, this trailer garnered 127.6 million views within the first 24 hours.
Studio and Franchise:
Walt Disney Studios; a live-action remake of the 1991 original animated film of the same name.
Revenue:
This Disney remake grossed just over 1.26 billion USD in worldwide profits, becoming the highest-grossing live-action musical ever made.
The sequel to Marvel’s Spider-Man reboot starring Tom Holland as the titular hero, this trailer grabbed the hearts of audiences around the world with its bold, initial acknowledgment of Iron Man’s death. With sweeping fight scenes and web-slinging action, the trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home was an instant sensation.
Trailer Highlights:
Peter Parker’s impetus to step up and fill in his mentor’s shoes; the introduction of Mysterio and the idea of a multiverse.
Release and Views:
The official trailer was released on May 6th, 2019, and received 135.2 million views on the first day.
Studio and Franchise:
Co-produced by Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures and disturbed by Sony Pictures; the Spider-Man movie franchise, located within the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe (7 films, 2002 – present-day).
Revenue:
Spider-Man: Far From Home became the first Spider-Man movie to ever pass the billion-dollar point, earning $1.13 billion in worldwide revenue.
Delivering a mixture of comedy, drama, and action, this addition to the MCU was heralded as a new voice for the Asgardian superhero and his band of compatriots. Thanks to Marvel’s hefty online following, this trailer was shared and re-shared, reaching a wide audience in a short time.
Trailer Highlights:
The more humorous side of Thor, especially when reuniting with his “friend from work”—the Hulk.
Release and Views:
After release on April 10, 2017, the quirky new Thor trailer racked up 136 million views within 24 hours of being available to the public.
Studio and Franchise:
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; the Thor movie franchise, located within the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe (3 films, 2011 – present-day).
Revenue:
Becoming the highest-grossing film within the Thor trilogy, this film made just over 854 million USD in profits, and was among the highest-earning films in 2017 after its theatrical release.
As the eighth installment in the series, The Fate of the Furious thrilled audiences with just over 3 minutes of speedy cars, screeching wheels, and white-knuckle tension, this trailer took car chases and of the story arcs of familiar characters to a new level.
Trailer Highlights:
Dominic Toretto’s unexpected turn against his family and team for elusive reasons; a giant submarine bursting out of the ice during an Icelandic car chase.
Release and Views:
The trailer was released on December 11th, 2016, and racked up 139 million views within 24 hours.
Studio and Franchise:
Universal Pictures; The Fast and the Furious Saga (9 films, active 2001 – present-day).
Revenue:
Over 6.3 billion USD in total, with over 1.2 billion attributed to The Fate of the Furious.
The already present family element of these films was taken to the level with this installment of the Fast Saga. Thieves, assassins, and high-performance driving mingle into a cocktail of explosions and gravity-defying stunts, with plenty of twists along the way.
Trailer Highlights:
The reveal of John Cena as Dominic Toretto’s long-lost brother, and the ultimate showdown teased between them; Dominic driving the vehicle off the edge of a cliff with only a rope bridge support to anchor him.
Release and Views:
The F9 trailer was released on January 31, 2020, to a viewership of over 151 million.
Studio and Franchise:
Universal Pictures; The Fast and the Furious Saga (9 films, active 2001 – present-day).
Revenue:
Accumulating over $6.3 billion in franchise total, F9 was responsible for 591.3 million in profit.
Continuing the studio’s lucrative practice of remaking the original animated classics, Walt Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King hit a chord with audiences everywhere. From the masterful casting of voice actors to incredibly cutting-edge CGI creatures, this trailer was one of 2019’s most-viewed.
Trailer Highlights:
A first look at Disney’s next CGI animal technology; the reveal of Simba as an adult and his triumphant return to Pride Rock.
Release and Views:
Released on November 22, 2018, the official trailer for The Lion King saw 174 million viewers on the first day.
Studio and Franchise:
Walt Disney Studios; a remake of the original animated 1994 classic title of the same name.
Revenue:
The Lion King is the highest-grossing film in many categories, including animated films, remakes, musicals, and Walt Disney Pictures films. It earned over $1.65 billion worldwide.
Following the financial success and critical acclaim of remaking original animated titles, Walt Disney’s original teaser trailer of Mulan in 2019 created an immediate buzz. Between a promise to remain true to Asian traditions and the removal of beloved musical numbers, criticism and acclaim were rampant for this short, minute-and-a-half-long teaser trailer.
Trailer Highlights:
A first look at the aesthetic, costuming, and casting of the film; fast-paced fight scenes with daunting odds for Mulan and her fellow soldiers.
Release and Views:
In one day after being released on July 7, 2019, the Mulan teaser trailer achieved a staggering 175.1 million views, over a million more than Walt Disney’s previous most successful trailer.
Studio and Franchise:
Walt Disney Studios; a live-action, songless remake of the studio’s 1998 classic animated film, also called Mulan.
Revenue:
After being launched on Disney+ and for theatrical release, the film only made $70 million at the box office, primarily due to Covid-19’s disastrous impact on moviegoing.
A remake of the 1990 miniseries and based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel by the same title, It was received with fascination and fear around the world. This initial teaser trailer cashed in on the creepiness factor, showcasing Pennywise the clown in all his gory glory. Between the haunting music lilting throughout and the prominence of coulrophobia, the images of a paper boat and red balloon made this teaser go viral.
Trailer Highlights:
The classic visual of yellow raincoat and red balloon; Pennywise’s contorting features as jump scares throughout the teaser.
Release and Views:
After being made available for viewing on March 29, 2017, It quickly gained 197 million views within only 24 hours after its release.
Studio and Franchise:
Produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros.; the It franchise (2 films, 2017 – present-day).
Revenue:
Becoming the highest-grossing film within the Thor trilogy, this film made just over 854 million USD in profits, and was among the highest-earning films in 2017 after its theatrical release.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has long been a well-loved franchise, but it reached new heights of popularity with the greatly anticipated trailer for Avengers: Infinity War. In a culmination of what the entire franchise storyline has been setting up from the beginning, the trailer showcased the Avengers and Thanos going toe-to-toe over the fate of the entire universe.
Trailer Highlights:
The breadth of Infinity War’s narrative and the teased fate of its many beloved characters; the meeting of previously separate MCU franchises; the absolute cinematic sweep of the promised action.
Release and Views:
After the first official trailer was released on November 29, 2017, more than 230 million people viewed it within the first day, completely eradicating all previous Walt Disney records.
Studio and Franchise:
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; The Infinity Saga (24 films, 2008 – present-day).
Revenue:
As the first superhero film to ever break $2 billion, Avengers: Infinity War was a historic release for the genre, claiming a total of $2.048 billion in worldwide box office sales.
As the thunderous conclusion to what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been building over ten years, audiences everywhere watched and re-watched the final trailer of the MCU’s Phase Three, scrutinizing every detail for clues. A bleak-toned narration by Tony Stark sets up the epic conclusion, but there is still hope for the Avengers, and possibly, the entire world.
Trailer Highlights:
The reveal that Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, was still alive after the Snap; the remaining Avengers with a plan to once again save the day.
Release and Views:
After release on December 7, 2018, audiences around the world clambered to view it. This generated an incredible 289 million views within only the first 24 hours of the trailer’s public release, making Avengers: Endgame the most-watched trailer in the history of film franchises.
Studio and Franchise:
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; The Infinity Saga (24 films, 2008 – present-day).
Revenue:
The Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise itself has made over $22.8 billion, taking its place as the highest-grossing film franchise ever made. And Avengers: Endgame contributed a staggering $2.798 billion from worldwide viewers in just eleven days of its release.
The Most-Watched Movie Trailers within 24 Hours of Release
Given the passion that most avid moviegoers feel towards certain franchises they have become invested in, it’s no wonder that movie trailers are a popular form of advertising upcoming films and teasing some of their narrative content.
And with movie trailers specifically crafted to contain the most intriguing bits of an upcoming title, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
This easy-viewing phenomenon that whets audience appetites has led to the rise of movie trailer numbers, in the past few years alone. All these aspects lead to movie trailers from the most popular franchises amassing millions of views within only the first day of their release, and sparking viral debate and clue-hunting by the many people hungry to watch the film in its entirety.
Additional Information
Avengers: Endgame’ sets record as the most-watched trailer in 24 hours.
Updated list of the most-viewed movie trailers over the past two weeks.
Spotlight On: Film trailers.
How much does a movie need to be profitable?
How do movie theaters decide which trailers to show?
Meet the people who grind out the best movie trailers in the world.
“The Effectiveness of Film Trailers.”
- What were the first movie trailers?
- What was the first true movie theater trailer?
- What is the difference between theatrical traliers and teaser trailers?
- What makes a good movie trailer?
- What is three act organization?
- Why is music so important in movie trailers?
- How do movie trailers contribute to the film industry?
- How has social media changed the impact of movie trailers?
- What are the best websites to watch movie trailers?
- What are the top ten most-watched movie trailers within 24 hours?
- What is the most viewed movie trailer within 24 hours?
- Where can I find more information on movie trailers?
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