DChasn’t managed the same level of cohesiveness as Marvel in bringing together a cinematic universe that creates hype on enough of a level to consistently create billion-dollar franchises. However, there have been some incredible DC movies over the years.
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For almost sixty years,Batmanmovies have been a notable piece of cinema, and while they were originally considered more of a comedic sideshow than blockbuster material, they have always been significant for massive audiences of people who love Superman, Batman, and more. With James Gunn taking over and creating the DCU,more of a coherent universemay be on the way, but there have already been hugely exciting trailers that ignited the passion of audiences.
6The Dark Knight
Considered one of the greatest comic book movies ever made,The Dark Knighthad some hype in the build-up to its release due toBatman Beginsbeing a direct predecessor. However, it was this look at Heath Ledger’s Joker and a version of Gotham City completely in chaos that sold it to the fan base who neededsomething more to believe in.
Adding in the fascinating performance of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, it was clear thatThe Dark Knightwas going all-out on an incredible redesign for a character known to mainstream audiences because of Jack Nicholson’s performance in the 1989Batmanmovie.The Dark Knightwas even more special than the trailer promised, but that doesn’t mean the trailer didn’t promise a lot.
5Superman II
It is difficult to see from the modern-day perspective, but some old trailers, with the exciting shots and classically blockbuster voiceover narration that was common to older movie trailers, did a huge amount to get fans excited. Christopher Reeves’Supermanmovie was a roaring success and warranted a sequel that managed to do even better, starting with an excellent marketing campaign.
This trailer may have massively spoiled the movie that followed, but an explanation of these new villains thathad the same powers as Supermanand a few explosive shots meant that this movie was going to produce a massive box-office hit that would keep Reeves and his version of Clark Kent rolling for years to come.
4Man Of Steel
Whatever audiences ended up thinking of Zack Snyder’s take on theSupermanmythos, there was aseriously impressive grandeurto the third trailer forMan of Steelthat gave Superman the same serious cinematic weighting thatThe Dark Knighttrilogy had just achieved for Batman prior to the release of this first DCEU movie.
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Henry Cavill was pitch-perfect for a seriously taken Clark Kent. The movie has been debated over by fans for years but this trailer had the well-known origin of Kal-El, a beautiful, tender score by Hans Zimmer, lines like “in time, they will join you in the sun,” and the feeling of something epic that fans were beginning to take seriously from the superhero genre due to the MCU.Man of Steelwas taken for what it could be, not necessarily what it ended up being, because of this trailer.
3Wonder Woman
The first big-screen adaption of this major DC Comics hero was something special. When Comic Con in San Diego was still the place to debut the biggest new comic-book blockbusters, theWonder Womantrailer that showcased Gal Gadot as a super-powered warrior entering World War I tofight a great evilwas one of the most beautifully cinematic experiences a fan could dream of.
Wonder Womanwas a landmark for female-led superhero movies which remains a beautiful DC movie that set audiences alight. The first shots of Gadot in costume in a tension-packed trailer were wonderful, and some of the slow-motion action shots in particular translated well from trailer to movie, which audiences don’t always say for Zack Snyder’s projects.
2The Dark Knight Rises
WhatThe Dark Knightmanaged to do was something that remains nearly unparalleled by allsuperhero and comic book movies. Following that and getting fans excited all over again for the conclusion of a trilogy featuring Christian Bale’s Batman was a job that few could accomplish, but by the timeThe Dark Knight Risesappeared in theatres, fans were very much ready for another adventure.
Hans Zimmer’s score was again the real hero, Tom Hardy’s terrifying Bane, and an exploding football stadium were both hugely influential in the second official trailer forThe Dark Knight Rises, and both ended up being memorable aspects of the movie as well. Characters like Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s future Robin and Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman were also introduced to great effect, hyping audiences for this new adventure despite what it was striding in the wake of.
1Batman vs Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Another Comic-Con trailer,Dawn of Justicewas supposed to ignite the world to how DC could be on the same level as the MCU, and whether fans or critics love it, the fact is that it didn’t do enough to inspire Warner Bros. on the success that Zack Snyder and his overarching vision could bring. Introducing Ben Affleck’s Batman and repackaging Henry Cavill’s Superman as part of a larger universe, this brooding trailer was an incredible experience.
Sparking terror around Batman, inspiring a god-like love for Superman from a world in fear,and clashing the two against each otheris something that gave fans something to root for as the DCEU looked to push against the success of Marvel across the aisle. Teasing Batman’s history, a future with Wonder Woman, and an even further future desolate in the wake of Superman taking over, the confusion around what this would lead to was paramount as fans desperately clamored for a cinematic outing that featured these two juggernauts of the superhero genre facing off.
