Expect Far Fewer Super Bowl Movie Trailers This Year

Amidst the excitement of the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams going head-to-head at Super Bowl LIII this Sunday, movie fans be warned: much fewer movie trailers are expected to debut alongside the other buzzy commercials during the game.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, as few as three to four movie spots may premiere on Super Bowl Sunday, in comparison to the typical eight to ten from the major studios. Splurging on a 30-second game spot is a steep $5 million, a price the major studios seem to be treading lightly on this year.

As Disney approaches a jam-packed year of huge releases, a sneak peek at least one of the studio’s offerings is sure to make an appearance. But which one? The studio's line-up includes Captain Marvel, Dumbo, Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin, Toy Story 4, Artemis Fowl and Star Wars: Episode IX all coming this year.

Per the report, a Star Wars: Episode IX Super Bowl trailer isn’t likely to show since there are six big releases coming before it. However, since every Avengers film has made an appearance at the Super Bowl, bets are in favor of a new Endgame trailer. Of course, the upcoming Marvel film isn’t like the other before it: there’s a lot of secrecy and anticipation already surrounding it. Will the studio break this tradition?

At last year’s Super Bowl, a 30-second spot for Avengers: Infinity War premiered during the game and generated the most views and social conversation than any other spot that day. The studio may also use the big television event to raise up their other upcoming releases. In 2018, the studio premiered the trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story ahead of its May release alongside promoting Infinity War.

Universal is expected to release a first look at the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw coming this August, which will star Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham as the franchise’s unlikely pair, as they face-off against a villain played by Idris Elba. Similarly to the Avengers films, Fast installments have always had a place at the Super Bowl. In 2018, spots for Universal’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Skyscraper premiered.

Sony and Warner Bros are not investing in Super Bowl airtime for their upcoming releases, and 20th Century Fox’s standing at the game are unclear considering its merger with Disney. Fox might choose to promote Dark Phoenix heading to theaters in June. Paramount will be showcasing its March animated release Wonder Park during the pregame show, following the presence of Mission: Impossible – Fallout during the Super Bowl last year.

While there is said to be fewer trailer debuts during Super Bowl LIII, there are some exciting possible debuts coming our way this Sunday, February 3 during the 3:30 p.m. PST live broadcast from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.