Top 10 Trailers of 2020 So Far

Like most of the big-budget movies on this list, “No Time to Die” had to delay its release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Back when “Bond 25” was still slated for an April 2020 release, we were treated to this heart-pounding Super Bowl trailer. While only about thirty seconds long, the preview nonetheless packs a powerful punch, promising that Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007 will change everything. With a mix of gadgets and gunplay, director Cary Joji Fukunaga should have a varied array of action sequences in store for us. The spot also offers a glimpse at every major player, including newcomers like Ana de Armas’ Paloma and Rami Malek’s Safin. Whatever Madeleine’s secret is, hopefully it’s as jaw-dropping as this ad.

We’ll admit that we had conflicted feelings when “Top Gun 2” was announced almost 30 years after the fact. We started coming around after the first trailer hit in 2019 and after watching this breathtaking game-day spot, we were officially ready to fly back into the Danger Zone. This preview puts us right back in the cockpit with Tom Cruise’s Maverick, as if no time has passed. That said, time has passed and this is reflected in the trailer, which creates a genuine sense of urgency with a clock ticking down. The intense aerial shots are perfectly complemented by the ominous voiceovers, as the mistakes of the past and uncertainty of the future close in on Maverick. By the end, you’re left gasping for air.

This Disney adventure’s voyage to the big screen is going to take about a year longer than anticipated. Judging from the latest preview, though, “The Jungle Cruise” should be well worth the wait. This trailer delves deeper into the film’s plot, which revolves around the legendary Tree of Life. The clips strike a balance between whimsy, humor, and excitement, hitting just the right note. While there are a few subtle nods to the riverboat attraction that inspired the movie, the filmmakers are clearly adding plenty of fresh material to the equation. If Disney is thinking about updating the classic theme park ride in the foreseeable future, there’s more than enough potential on display here. We’re ready to set sail with Mary Poppins and Maui!

The first two “Kingsman” movies possessed the sophistication of 007, the style of a comic book, and the bombastic action you’d expect from director Matthew Vaughn. That’s all taken up to eleven in the third trailer for “The King’s Man.” Set against a World War I backdrop, the preview for this prequel manages to be simultaneously retro and modern. It has the vibes of a classic spy thriller with dashing heroes and colorful villains, including historical figures like Rasputin. At the same time, it doesn’t feel out of place hearing more contemporary lyrics like “war, what is it good for.” It’s an ideal mix of old school and new school, which is precisely what this franchise has always done best.

With the Keanussance now in full swing, it was only a matter of time until Bill and Ted finally rounded out their trilogy. The first trailer for this long-awaited threequel is wall to wall with sweet, sweet nostalgia, right down to the Orion Pictures logo. Decades after their bogus journey, the dimwitted duo have yet to fulfill their destiny. Nevertheless, Bill and Ted are every bit as humorous as we remember with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter slipping back into their breakout roles with ease. They aren’t the only familiar faces, as this sequel is even bringing back William Sadler as the Grim Reaper. Whatever the future has in store for Bill and Ted, this preview ensures it’ll be excellent.

A trailer can only tell us so much, but it’s evident that Pixar’s “Soul” has a diverse cast and something life-affirming to say about the human experience. In a year as turbulent as 2020, it definitely looks like a movie that the world could use. While the teaser touched upon the film’s premise, this trailer provides even more insight into the Great Beyond and the Great Before. “Soul” appears to be in the tradition of Pixar’s other buddy movies, pairing Jamie Foxx’s Joe and a new soul voiced by Tina Fey. Pixar’s CG wizardly is on full display, although some of the characters have an almost hand-drawn aesthetic, combining the best of both worlds. Visually stunning and emotionally gripping, this trailer overflows with soul.

The first entry in the MCU’s fourth phase could very well be a final curtain for Natasha Romanoff. If that is indeed the case, it appears that Black Widow is going out with a bang and a few one-liners. This atmospheric trailer is draped in the color red, matching the titular character’s dark past, as well as her hair. While it has the grit of a Jason Bourne movie, the preview still remains faithful to the MCU’s light hearted spirit. As psyched as we are for the adrenaline-pumping action set pieces, it’s the character interactions that have us most excited. Honestly, we’d probably be satisfied if the whole movie was just Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour making banter around the table.

Is this a Disney movie or a “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” sequel? Either way, we’re loving what we’ve seen so far! As far as live-action Disney remakes go, “Mulan” seems more adult and ambitious than anything the studio has ever attempted. While echoes of the 1998 animated film are present, the trailer stresses that this isn’t going to be a shot-for-shot retelling of the story we all know. The most notable update is the remake’s main villain, a witch named Xian Lang. This trailer does a strong job of building up the rivalry between Mulan and her adversary, getting us fired up to charge into battle. Above all else, the epic trailer reminds us why Disney needs to release “Mulan” on the silver screen.

We may have to wait until 2021, but justice is coming for Han at long last. Of course, there’s much more to this trailer than a trendy tagline. In case he didn’t make it clear enough already, Dominic Toretto is all about family. So, it should be interesting to see him go up against his own blood in the latest “Fast and Furious” installment. From the trailer alone, we can tell that John Cena was born for this franchise, and casting him as Dom’s brother is simply a stroke of genius. With newcomers and the return of fan favorites, we can expect another impressive ensemble piece. Between the magnet plane and cars swinging from cables, though, the high-octane action is this trailer’s real star.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“A Quiet Place Part II” (2020)
Way to Leave Us Speechless

“Candyman” (2020)
Say Candyman 5 Times After Watching This... We Dare You!

“Respect” (2020)
Could Jennifer Hudson Be Looking at Another Oscar Nomination?

“Spiral” (2021)
We’re Really Digging the New, Hardboiled Chris Rock

“Da 5 Bloods” (2020)
Even This Movie’s Trailer Is Solid Gold

This sci-fi action thriller seemingly has all of Christopher Nolan’s calling cards: a mind-bending premise, groundbreaking action sequences, and an otherworldly musical score. What’s more, the film feels massive in every sense of the word, from its scale, to its ideas, to its sheer ambition. That said, “Tenet” was made for the big screen and this trailer is proof of that. It’s hard to say what the theatrical experience will look like going forward, but we know one thing for sure: if we only get to see one more movie in cinemas this year, it would definitely be “Tenet.” Until then, we’ll settle for watching this stimulating trailer time after time. Reading the words “Coming to Theaters” has never gotten us more pumped.