New Star Wars movie trailers are some of the most neck-hair-raising things to watch in the world. Sometimes the trailers are even better than the actual movies! Hype is a powerful thing and whoever made these masterful previews know how to rile up the fans. The historical ones are a bit aged but very charming. The newest trailers are their own masterfully crafted mini-films. Here are the top 25 Star Wars trailers since the very first movie in 1977.
(Note: Spoiler Alert!)
25. Star Wars (1977)
"Star Wars (1977)" Teaser Trailer
Wow, if you saw this in theaters in 1976, would you think it was going to be any good? Did you know that many actors didn’t take the film seriously and James Earl Jones - the voice of Darth Vader - asked to not be included in the official credits, fearing it would tarnish his reputation? If only they used The Force!
24. Star Wars (1977)
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Trailer
The primary trailer for the original Star Wars movie highlighted the characters and actors and promised it would be the most extraordinary motion picture of all time. It’s described as a “romance of the future” and this was way before we knew that Luke was Leia’s sister - oops. Also, it didn’t say A New Hope until the sequel was released a little while later - in theaters it simply said “Star Wars”. The name and “Episode IV” addition was one of the first retro-edits of many.
23. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back: Teaser Trailer
Star Wars blew people’s minds, so we got a sequel pretty soon after. The title seems straightforward - the bad guys are gonna get some revenge on the good guys. Tons of hype!
22. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
21. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back: Theatrical Trailer #2
This is the 2nd trailer released for The Empire Strikes Back, the 2nd Star Wars film ever made and the 5th episode in the chronology. It is now considered one of the greatest films of all time.
20. Star Wars (theatrical re-release) (1981)
Star Wars: Theatrical Re-Release Trailer (1981)
For two weeks this movie was re-released. It was after The Empire Strikes Back came out and some genius figured out they could make an extra quadrillion dollars if they put the first one out again, because after the brilliant sequel was released people started to take Star Wars much more seriously.
19. Revenge of the Jedi (1982)
Revenge of the Jedi: Teaser Trailer
Did you know that Revenge of the Jedi was the original name for Return of the Jedi? Jedis probably wouldn’t take revenge on anything, it’s against their code, so it was a good move to change the name.
18. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Return of the Jedi: Original Teaser Trailer (1982)
Fans were completely blown away by 2nd installation in 1980 and were screaming for more. Return of the Jedi would actually be the 6th episode in the chronology although it is the 3rd Star Wars film ever made.
17. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Return of the Jedi: Theatrical Trailer 1982
Return to the galaxy far, far away! Cool looking stormtroopers on speeder bikes in the jungle! Fun fact: Luke’s lightsaber is blue in the trailer, but it’s green in the finished version.
16. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi: Trailer - Star Wars
Short and sweet, this trailer promises an epic conclusion to the Star Wars saga. Of course we know it didn’t end there - in a way, this was really only the beginning.
15. Star Wars: Special Edition (1997)
"Star Wars Trilogy (1997)" Special Edition Trailer
Perhaps one of the most-hyped cinematic moments of all time, the 20th anniversary of the release of Star Wars was digitally remastered and re-edited using the latest technology at the time. Most fans have since cried out at a few of the cringe-worthy edits but the film proved to be extremely successful and re-launched Star Wars to a whole new generation, which also set up the stage (and the market!) for the official prequels a few years later.
14. The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition (1997)
The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition Trailer
This trailer broadcasts the return of the beloved sequel to the original Star Wars, now digitally remastered and with new CGI. It is also a trailer for the third installment, Return of the Jedi: Special Edition.
13. Return of The Jedi: Special Edition (1997)
Return of the Jedi Special Edition Trailer
Return of the Jedi: Special Edition concluded the tale of the original trilogy to a whole new generation of people and re-sparked interest from old fans. This led to such an overdrive of hype and Star Wars mania that people would camp outside the theatre to wait for the prequel film’s release in 1999, a few years later.
12. The Phantom Menace (1999)
"Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)" Theatrical Trailer
Perhaps the most hype-worthy trailer for Star Wars fans of all time - a full preview of the first new Star Wars movie in 16 years (not counting any remakes) and would finally answer some origin-story questions. People camped outside the cinema waiting for this one and cosplayers with lightsabers were abundant.
11. Attack of the Clones (2002)
"Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones (2002)" Teaser Trailer
People were left a bit dazed and confused after watching The Phantom Menace because it didn’t really live up to the hype. Surely, the sequel would be better…right?! This trailer has Darth Vader’s breath sounds throughout and it’s oh so ominous!
10. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith - Official® Teaser [HD]
Okay, so Attack of the Clones was even worse than expected, but surely Episode III will hit the spot! This teaser starts with some classic old school Obi-Wan Kenobi dialogue and we’re all amped up to finally see Anakin become Darth Vader.
9. The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser
Watching this trailer was an exciting time for Star Wars fans. The prequels were disappointing, but now Disney has the reigns and full creative control and fans could hardly wait to see how the legendary characters' stories play out.
8. The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2
Yes, give us more! This opens up with a sand planet and a classic John Williams score. So many questions! Are we back on Tatooine? We see Luke’s robotic hand touching R2-D2 next to some fiery destruction. Perhaps the most hyped movie of all time, at least since The Phantom Menace.
7. Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection (2015)
Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection
A full HD remake of the original Star Wars film lets us watch one of the best movies ever made in full shining sparkling wonder. If only they edited that Greedo scene back the way it was!
6. Return of the Jedi: The Digital Movie Collection (2015)
Return of the Jedi - Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection
The special re-re-release of Return of the Jedi, now in super HD quality! Fortunately, the trailer does not hint at what is arguably the worst re-edit in cinematic history - I won’t go into detail here.
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer (Official)
This movie was the first official Star Wars “spin off” ever made out with many more promised for release. It is another prequel film that takes place in the events immediately before A New Hope that explains how the Death Star plans were stolen.
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer #2 (Official)
Rogue One’s 2nd trailer shows some great promise. Finally they are making a Star Wars movie that has mostly totally new characters! Rogue One’s 2nd trailer hints at an epic journey from plan to execution for stealing the Death Star’s plans, giving hope to the galaxy against diabolical evil.
3. The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Official Teaser
Watching this was simply an exciting time for Star Wars fans. People were brimming with speculation and hopes were high for something amazing. After some controversial and questionable aspects from The Force Awakens, all bets were on this film to hold the franchise together.
2. The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer (Official)
This is the official trailer for the 2nd installation in the rebooted Disney Star Wars franchise, or the 8th Episode of the Star Wars franchise. Fans had so many questions after watching The Force Awakens, and we just couldn’t wait to see every question get totally and completely resolved in this sequel! So much potential! Wait, what is that stupid little chicken thing doing sitting in Han’s pilot seat next to Chewbacca? Oh well, surely the movie won’t be that bad!
***Also, don’t forget to check out The Last Jedi Extended Trailer which is basically just a director’s cut!
STAR WARS 8 The Last Jedi Trailer 2 (Extended) 2017
The extended trailer for The Last Jedi drops even more clues. Will Kylo Ren turn to the light side, or will Rey break bad? Who is Snoke? How much dark side ass is Luke Skywalker going to kick? Sometimes trailers are even better than the actual film - is this one of them?
1. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story Official Trailer
Everyone loves Han Solo, so let’s give him his own origin story! Is that a good idea? Well, at least we get to see Chewbacca in action! And rapper Childish Gambino as Lando seems fairly well-casted.
It’s amazing to see how the quality of trailers has improved throughout time. Seriously, you don’t even have to watch the movies now, the trailers will do them justice. Now for the real challenge - A full three day Star Wars movie marathon with all 10 films released so far! You can do it. Force your friends.
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