3 Years Ago, The MCU Released the Greatest Superhero Trailer of the 2020s (And Marvel Will Struggle to Beat It)

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As a huge movie fan, I’ve always thought a great superhero trailer is a real art form. These characters and worlds are so wild to begin with, that even a short trailer – around two and a half minutes – can instantly grab your attention. Think about trailers for movies like Spider-Man, Avengers: Endgame, and even Suicide Squad – they really knew how to hook you. Honestly, sometimes those trailers are way more exciting than the actual movies!

Superhero movies have flooded theaters in recent years. But creating a truly standout trailer for these films has proven difficult, as seen with trailers for movies like Morbius and The Flash. The first teaser for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever really stood out and set a high bar, especially compared to these others.

A Trailer Needle Drop Fit For a King

Before the promotion for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever started, everyone wondered how writer and director Ryan Coogler would continue the story after the sad loss of Chadwick Boseman in August 2020. How could a Black Panther movie even be made without him? The first teaser for Wakanda Forever quickly showed a more thoughtful approach, opening with Lupita Nyong’o’s character, Nakia, looking out at the ocean while a version of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” played. Unlike most superhero trailers that immediately focus on action, this teaser felt different.

The teaser handled emotions with care and precision, matching the mood of the music perfectly. It didn’t shy away from the pain of loss, but instead acknowledged it. As the teaser progressed, we started to see stunning, almost legendary visuals of Namor’s underwater world. This coincided with Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright” gradually becoming more prominent in the soundtrack, eventually taking over the final portion. The shift in music doesn’t invalidate the grieving process; instead, combined with scenes of Shuri and Riri Williams finding comfort in each other, it suggests that moments of happiness are still possible even after immense loss.

The teaser for Wakanda Forever is emotionally complex, and that complexity is beautifully reflected in its music. The two songs used aren’t just background noise; they interact with each other and cleverly match what’s happening on screen – for example, a beat might hit as a spear lands or an explosion occurs. Even the title card is unique, appearing with a woman softly saying “Wakanda Forever,” highlighting the teaser’s focus on small, powerful details. It’s remarkably effective at creating a strong emotional response, something you don’t often see in trailers for superhero movies.

Wakanda Forever’s Teaser Has Showmanship Other 2020s Superhero Movie Trailers Lack

The teaser trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is remarkably well-made, especially when compared to many other superhero movie trailers released recently. While many trailers rely on chaotic action, the Wakanda Forever teaser stands out with its precise editing. For example, the trailers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom were so full of effects that it was difficult to follow what was happening or connect with the characters’ feelings.

The trailers for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania felt overly cluttered and didn’t give much insight into what the characters were feeling. The Flash‘s trailers lacked a distinctive style with their music choices. Compared to these, the teaser for Wakanda Forever stood out as particularly well-done. It created a strong sense of atmosphere and suggested a story grounded in reality, unlike trailers for films like Black Adam, which felt disconnected from real-world complexities.

The first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was powerfully shaped by real-life tragedy. Because of this, it makes sense that later Marvel movies, like the fast-paced Deadpool & Wolverine, haven’t followed the same approach. However, other superhero movie trailers could benefit from the careful editing and emotional impact of the Wakanda Forever teaser. It was unusual—and welcome—that the teaser didn’t show the typical things audiences expect from superhero movie marketing.

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2025-12-25 00:10