13 Movie Teasers That Used Original Footage

Trailers are like the secret sauce of a film’s promotion, giving fans that first thrilling taste of what’s to come. But sometimes the magic of moviemaking means those juicy previews are crafted from footage shot purely for teasing! Forget spoilers—these teasers are the cinematic equivalent of an “amuse-bouche,” serving up just enough intrigue to whet your appetite. So, grab your popcorn and join us as we dive into these tantalising appetizers of horror, each offering a first bite of fear with footage that never made it to the big screen.  Each of the films on this list brought fans a first taste of the terror to come, using footage never meant for the final cut. 

Back to the Future (1985)

Buckle up, because we’re kicking off our list with a blast from the past! Back to the Future (1985) revved up excitement with a teaser that was more mysterious than a flux capacitor. Forget the usual clips from the film; this trailer zoomed in on the DeLorean’s flashy lights and whirring switches. Just when you’re wondering what’s up, a voice pops in, asking Michael J. Fox, “how far are you going?” His cheeky answer? “About 30 years.”. Throw in those iconic flaming tire tracks and a snippet of the film’s unforgettable score, and you’ve got a tantalising taste of what was to come, without spilling the beans on the plot. Now that’s how you tease a ride through time!

Alien (1979)

Alongside the poster, which features a painted chicken egg with a green light coming from a crack in the shell, the trailer also included it’s very own take on the Alien egg cracking open. Before Alien (1979) even began filming, this mysterious poster was released, teasing something sinister but looking nothing like the iconic egg we now recognise. When the trailer finally dropped, it kept up the enigma with its own version of the egg cracking open—still not the one we’ve come to know and fear.

The trailer was a masterclass in suspense, offering eerie sounds and quick flashes of the film, without giving away a single clue. Sweeping shots of alien landscapes and unsettling corridors left audiences scratching their heads back in spring 1979, trying to piece together what this odd film was about. The only thing we knew for sure? Something nasty was lurking inside that creepy, glowing egg. What a way to hatch some suspense!

War of the Worlds (2005)

When Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise teamed up for War of the Worlds (2005), they brought H.G. Wells’ classic tale crashing into the modern day with apocalyptic style. Yet, a whole year before the film hit cinemas, the trailer delivered something entirely different. Instead of showcasing the infamous Martians and their fearsome machines, the teaser gave us a classic Spielbergian suburban scene—calm, until chaos erupts over a distant hill. Cue explosions, eerie green lights, and a giant fireball engulfing the screen before cutting abruptly to the title. The voiceover? Not Morgan Freeman, who narrates the film, but an unknown voice adding an extra layer of mystery. This teaser felt like a standalone spectacle, disconnected from the final film but perfectly crafted to stir up excitement and curiosity!

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

The 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre gave us a teaser that was, well, rough around the edges. Before production even kicked off, this half-baked preview hit the screens with an entire minute of pitch-black video. Just when you thought your screen might be broken, it cut to a crude shot of a Leatherface-masked maniac hacking away at some wooden structure with his trusty chainsaw. The darkness was filled with unsettling sound effects and screams—perfect for unnerving viewers. While it definitely teased the chaotic return of the Sawyers, it felt like they could have revved up the excitement a notch higher. Still, it whetted appetites for more grisly mayhem!

Jurassic Park (1993)

Let’s rewind to Steven Spielberg‘s early teaser for Jurassic Park (1993)—a masterclass in subtlety. Instead of spoiling the dinosaur-sized surprise, this teaser focused its efforts on amber miners unearthing a fossilised mosquito. The voiceover took the reins, explaining how these long-extinct giants could walk the Earth again, all thanks to the tiny, ancient bloodsucker trapped in amber. It’s not flashy or adrenaline-pumping, but it sets the scene for something truly extraordinary. This understated approach left audiences intrigued and eager to see what prehistoric wonders awaited them on the big screen.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

James Cameron sets the stage for a master class in trailers. For Terminator 2: Judgment Day, he and the studio needed a teaser that contained no actual footage from the film, becuase T2 was still only in pre-production, and not one inch of film had been captured. They set aside a whopping $150,000, an eye-watering sum for a trailer back then, to create an early promo. With the film still in pre-production and Arnold Schwarzenegger busy on Kindergarten Cop, special effects maestro Stan Winston conjured up a brilliant concept. Since Arnold’s Terminator met its end in the crusher during the first film, the teaser would show a brand-new Terminator model rolling fresh off the assembly line. A day was arranged for Schwarzenegger to step away from his other commitments and deliver his iconic line, “I’ll be back!” This clever teaser promised fans that the Terminator franchise was returning bigger and better than ever.

Psycho (1960)

The 1960s weren’t exactly known for flashy, heart-pounding trailers—after all, the whole concept was still finding its footing. But then came Alfred Hitchcock with his own teaser for Psycho, forever changing the game. In a stroke of genius, Hitchcock himself guided audiences through the eerie Bates Motel, recounting the dreadful crimes that unfolded within its walls and even hinting at the identity of the killer. It was a masterclass in deception, especially for those who knew the film’s shocking twists. This playful yet unsettling introduction laid the groundwork for what would become a psychological horror masterpiece. While it may not have been explosive, it was undeniably effective, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and eager to dive into the chilling tale!

Godzilla (1998)

When it comes to screen monsters, few are bigger than Godzilla, so it was only fitting that the world’s first look at this colossal reptile would come in a big-budget teaser. Before principal photography even kicked off, Roland Emmerich splurged a staggering $600,000 on a teaser that featured Godzilla’s massive foot crushing the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in a museum. An obvious nod and wink to the mega success of Jurassic Park! This original footage made quite the splash, being attached to the major 1997 release of Men in Black. Not many films had the guts to invest so much in a teaser trailer, but with Godzilla’s marketing machine in full swing, it certainly paid off—raking in over $379 million at the global box office. That’s a jaw-dropping figure for 1998!

Cloverfield (2008)

Cloverfield has become a phenomenon, spawning two sequels and igniting endless theories and discussions. But when it first burst onto the scene, it felt like a secret we all stumbled upon together—something fresh and exhilarating.

The teaser threw viewers into chaos at a wild party, with the haunting image of a headless Statue of Liberty setting the stage for found-footage terror. The mystery surrounding what lurked in the shadows kept fans guessing, and when those trailers hit cinemas, the excitement was electric! Remarkably, the first teaser didn’t even reveal the film’s title, leaving audiences in suspense about the creature wreaking havoc in New York. Directed by Matt Reeves, this footage was shot before filming even began on the movie.

The marketing campaign stirred up imaginations, leading fans to speculate wildly about its connections to H.P. Lovecraft, Voltron, and Godzilla. But when it turned out to be just a found-footage giant monster flick, many who had invested their energy in theories felt a bit sheepish, having been swept up in a brilliant viral marketing scheme. The secrecy and buzz surrounding Cloverfield mirrored the hype of The Blair Witch Project, making its release somethign special, even if the film was just O.K.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

The first teaser for Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) pulled off a masterful bait-and-switch that had viewers on the edge of their seats. It kicked off with what looked like a glamorous makeup commercial, luring audiences in with promises of beauty. But in a shocking twist, the model’s skin starts peeling away, revealing her transformation into a terrifying zombie! While it wasn’t the most in-your-face teaser out there, it certainly did its job of whetting the appetites of fans worldwide. With this chilling glimpse, it was clear that the Umbrella Corporation’s nightmare was just beginning, setting the stage for another wild ride in the zombie-infested universe!

Birthday to Me (1981)

The slasher horror Happy Birthday to Me (1981), capitalized on the films premise with a chilling scene that perfectly captured the film’s dark essence. Featuring a birthday cake brutally butchered by an axe, it set the stage for the gruesome mayhem to come. This clever use of original footage not only teased the horror lurking within the film but also left audiences with a haunting image that lingered long after the trailer ended. It was a fitting appetizer for a film that masterfully blended slasher thrills with psychological twists, ensuring that fans were both intrigued and unsettled. And I giess it didn’t coset much to shoot either, apart from some flour, eggs and frosting.. oh and an axe.

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

The teaser for Child’s Play 2 continued the franchise’s playful yet sinister charm, kicking off with a whimsical jack-in-the-box adorned in Good Guy colors. As it slowly winds down, the classic tune fills the air, building anticipation. Just moments before the jack pops up, Chucky—aka the Lakeshore Strangler, Charles Lee Ray—crushes the box beneath his foot, shattering any innocence left in that childhood toy. This clever twist set the stage for another round of horror, reminding fans that Chucky was back and more bloodthirsty than ever.

In an era when horror trailers still held back on spoilers, this teaser cleverly teased the chaos to come without revealing too much. With the tagline “Sorry Jack, Chucky’s back,” it was impossible not to get excited and rush to the theater for this delightful dose of terror.

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

The teaser for Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI is a masterclass in suspense and creativity. Directed by Tom McLoughlin, this trailer stands out by featuring no actual footage from the film. Instead, it opens with a slow zoom through a rain-soaked iron fence into a Gothic graveyard, leading viewers to Jason Voorhees’ tombstone. The atmosphere is chilling, amplified by the eerie ringing of a bell and the haunting voices of a children’s choir, paired with Harry Manfredini’s iconic “ki ki ki ma ma ma” echo.

As the camera lingers on Jason’s grave, a bolt of lightning strikes, causing the stone to explode and revealing a sullied coffin bursting from the ground. Just as audiences anticipate the rotting corpse of Jason adorned with his signature hockey mask, they are met with a shocking twist—the coffin is empty! The trailer fades to black, leaving viewers with the tantalizing text: “THE NIGHTMARE RETURNS THIS SUMMER.” This clever teaser not only builds excitement but also perfectly encapsulates the suspense that has kept fans coming back for more, setting the stage for another thrilling chapter in the Friday the 13th saga.