Top 10 Best Fan Made Movie Trailers of All Time
#10: “Batman vs. Superman” (2014)
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The long-awaited showdown between DC Comics icons Batman and Superman was greeted by a pretty mixed reaction among audiences. Two years before its release, a fan made a two-minute trailer that’s arguably more exciting than the actual movie. Using footage from other then-recent films starring its cast, such as “State of Play,” “Now You See Me,” and “Margin Call,” it creates a trailer that cares about characters, not just special effects. But there’s also plenty of thrilling action courtesy of both Batman and Superman, even if it’s taken from their previous adventures. Whoever made this trailer is our hero for life.
#9: “Metroid” (2007)
A big problem with movie adaptations of video games is that they underestimate their audience, resulting in lackluster movies. In the right hands, a “Metroid” movie could be the next great sci-fi tale. This fan trailer, from YouTuber bloodrunsclear, doesn’t go into a lot of depth, but it does establish an attack by an outside force and bounty hunter Samus Aran being commissioned to help fight against it, Power Suit and all. Plans for a potential “Metroid” movie go back to 2003, and while further word on one has been few and far between, this trailer has us holding out hope.
#8: “John Carter” (2012)
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Sometimes, a movie’s poor performance is more of a reflection of how it was marketed than its actual quality. Take “John Carter,” Disney’s film about the Edgar Rice Burroughs character which could’ve launched their next big franchise. This trailer, made by YouTube account JohnCarterFiles, weaves together footage from official “John Carter” trailers to establish who John Carter is, show what’s at stake, and present lots of exciting action. It’s not that the previous trailers were bad, but they just needed some reworking. We can’t say for certain how well “John Carter” would’ve performed with this as the final trailer, but it couldn’t have been much worse. Disney had the right ingredients, just maybe not the right recipe.
#7: “BioShock” (2008)
A movie version of the “BioShock” video game series was slated for release in 2010, only to end up shelved until Netflix's 2022 announcement of their own adaptation. This fan trailer, created by YouTuber Mark Marquis, dramatically raised expectations for any potential adaptations. A plane crashes into the Atlantic Ocean, and the survivors find themselves in Rapture, an underwater city, founded by the mysterious Andrew Ryan. With a heart-pounding score and striking visuals from films like “City of Lost Children” and “Dark City,” this trailer contains equal parts mystery and tension. It also honors the spirit of the original series while appealing to those unfamiliar with it.
#6: “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (2007)
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He-Man was one of the most popular toy and TV characters of the 1980s. With his incredible physique and foes like Skeletor, there are so many possibilities for a “He-Man” movie. While a modern big-screen adaptation of “Masters of the Universe” has been in the works for years - hopefully better than the 1987 version - none of them have gotten off the ground. This fan trailer gives us a good taste of the project’s potential. It establishes the divide between good and evil and gives us a glimpse at our hero and villain. The animation might be dated, but the editing and score help to hold our interest. YouTuber marzli, maker of this trailer, may have the power after all.
#5: “Justice League Retro Trailer” (2020)
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This “Justice League” trailer, from YouTuber AListProductions, is a wonderful homage to the superhero films and TV shows of decades past. Blending footage from the older “Superman” and “Batman” films, as well as the “Wonder Woman” and “Flash” TV series, it fills you with both excitement and nostalgia. This trailer shows the beloved superhero team fighting against iconic DC baddies Lex Luthor and the Joker, with standout moments for everyone. Superhero movies have come a long way since the ‘70s and ‘80s, but this trailer shows how much greatness has always existed in the genre.
#4: “The Warriors” (2014)
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“The Warriors” is one of the best action movies of the ‘70s, so there’s not much demand for a remake. However, if one were made, we hope it’d be like this trailer from YouTuber Ram. This trailer honors the original film with its many gangs running through the city, but gives it a modern gloss that doesn't distract from the tension. Plus, in true “Warriors” spirit, there's plenty of bottle clinking and Molotov cocktails. We’re more than satisfied with “The Warriors” we already have, but this trailer reminds us why some remakes are worth making.
#3: “The Legend of Zelda” (2009)
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Given how badly other beloved video game franchises have been butchered by their movie adaptations, it’s probably a blessing in disguise that there’s no “Zelda” movie. But this trailer is good enough to make us believe. It’s so good that many thought it was real. Website IGN posted it as an April Fool’s prank, much to the chagrin of fans. The trailer looks like a legitimate fantasy adventure, full of intriguing mythology, great action, and a compelling storyline. We’re still a little upset about being duped, but we can still appreciate this trailer as the great work of art it is.
#2: “ThunderCats” (2008)
Another ‘80s cartoon franchise that has yet to receive the movie treatment is “ThunderCats.” While an adaptation is in the works as of early 2022, we still think this fan trailer sets a pretty high bar. Made by YouTuber WormyT, this trailer cleverly puts Thundercat-style makeup on famous actors like Vin Diesel, Brad Pitt, and Hugh Jackman and integrates action from some of their previous films. There's no mistaking it for a real trailer, but it still manages to delight our inner child. There’s more than one way to make a “ThunderCats” movie, but this trailer gets it right.
#1: “Green Lantern” (2009)
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When it comes to superhero movies, the “Green Lantern” movie has a pretty poor reputation. How poor? Its star, Ryan Reynolds, made fun of it in the second “Deadpool” movie. A great “Green Lantern” movie is still possible, but this fan trailer makes us long for what could have been. Created by YouTuber jaronpitts, this trailer casts Nathan Fillion in the Green Lantern suit. We follow Hal Jordan as he finds a ring and learns of his awesome destiny in the Green Lantern Corps. This trailer is epic from beginning to end and makes great use of footage from films like “Serenity” and “Planet of the Apes.” Can someone get this creator a job at a movie studio?
