The 1980s were a golden age for over-the-top movie trailers. Studios were so eager to pack audiences into theaters that they often revealed far too much, leaving little mystery for moviegoers. These trailers weren’t just teasers—they were essentially cliff notes for the entire film, delivering major plot points, twists, and even the ending. Here are 12 outrageous examples of ’80s trailers that spoiled everything, proving that sometimes less is more.
1. Terminator (1984)
The trailer for The Terminator laid out nearly the entire storyline, from the futuristic war with machines to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s relentless pursuit of Sarah Connor. It even revealed the iconic line, “I’ll be back,” which would have been an incredible surprise in the theater.
While the action-packed trailer likely enticed audiences, it robbed them of the suspense that made the movie so gripping. By the time you saw it, you already knew the stakes, the villain, and most of the twists—though it didn’t take away from the film’s eventual legendary status.
2. Back to the Future (1985)
The trailer for Back to the Future was as entertaining as the movie itself but left almost nothing to the imagination. It detailed Marty’s accidental trip to 1955, his interaction with his teenage parents, and Doc Brown’s plan to get him back to the future using a lightning strike.
While the trailer’s energy and humor were a big draw, its blow-by-blow account of the plot took away some of the fun of discovering the story for the first time. It’s a classic case of the trailer working as a summary rather than a teaser.
3. The Karate Kid (1984)
This feel-good underdog story about Daniel LaRusso learning karate from Mr. Miyagi was fully laid out in its trailer. Viewers saw Daniel’s struggles, his training montages, and even glimpses of his climactic tournament victory using the iconic crane kick.
The trailer left little doubt about how the movie would end, but that didn’t stop audiences from rooting for Daniel. Still, watching the full movie felt like filling in details for a story you already knew.
4. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The trailer for E.T. spoiled much of the film’s heartwarming plot, including Elliott’s discovery of the alien, their bond, and E.T.’s eventual journey home. It even revealed major scenes, like E.T. levitating bicycles, which would have been magical surprises in the theater.
Although the film went on to become a timeless classic, the trailer left little room for discovery. The emotional weight of the movie was still impactful, but the wonder of its surprises was dulled by overzealous marketing.
5. Rocky III (1982)
The trailer for Rocky III summarized the entire film, from Rocky’s rise to fame, his initial defeat by Clubber Lang, and his triumphant comeback. It even showcased training sequences with Apollo Creed, spoiling the camaraderie that was one of the movie’s highlights.
By the time audiences got to the theater, they already knew the story beats. While it didn’t hurt the movie’s box office success, it certainly took away some of the tension from the fights.
6. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
This fantastical trailer gave away much of the magic and mystery of The NeverEnding Story. It revealed Atreyu’s journey, the loss of Artax in the Swamps of Sadness, and even the climactic scene involving Bastian’s naming of the Empress.
The trailer captured the film’s wonder, but its spoilers meant that audiences entered knowing most of the key plot points. It’s a shame, as the movie’s surprises were a big part of its charm.
7. Poltergeist (1982)
The Poltergeist trailer gave viewers a full rundown of the haunting of the Freeling family, from the creepy TV static to the iconic line, “They’re here.” It even showed the shocking reveal of the skeleton-filled swimming pool and the house’s ultimate destruction.
While the trailer effectively conveyed the movie’s terrifying tone, it gave away so much that audiences had little suspense left. The horror still worked, but the shock value was diminished.
8. WarGames (1983)
In its effort to explain the premise, the trailer for WarGames essentially summarized the entire plot. It showed David hacking into a government computer, accidentally starting a simulated World War III, and ultimately racing to stop global nuclear annihilation.
The trailer’s sense of urgency and high stakes worked well to draw in audiences, but it left little room for the film’s twists to feel surprising. The fun was in the journey, but the trailer didn’t leave much mystery about the destination.
9. Gremlins (1984)
The trailer for Gremlins showcased Gizmo’s adorable charm and the havoc caused by his mischievous offspring, the Gremlins. It even revealed key moments like the microwave incident and the iconic “Don’t feed them after midnight” rule being broken.
While it captured the film’s dark humor and chaos, the trailer gave away many of the surprises that made Gremlins so entertaining. The magic of discovery was somewhat lost for audiences who had seen the preview.
10. Crocodile Dundee (1986)
The trailer for Crocodile Dundee felt like a greatest hits reel of the movie’s most memorable scenes. It showed Mick’s culture shock in New York, his hilarious one-liners, and even the climactic subway scene.
Audiences loved the movie, but they had already seen most of its standout moments in the trailer. It’s a classic example of a preview doing too much heavy lifting.
11. Clash of the Titans (1981)
This mythological epic had a trailer that revealed nearly every major moment, from Perseus battling Medusa to his climactic showdown with the Kraken. It even showcased some of Ray Harryhausen’s most stunning visual effects, which would have been jaw-dropping if left for the theater.
The movie was still a spectacle, but the trailer’s spoilers meant there was little left to discover. It turned a potentially awe-inspiring experience into something more predictable.
12. Red Dawn (1984)
The trailer for Red Dawn laid out the entire plot, showing the Soviet invasion of America, the formation of the teenage resistance group, and their fight against overwhelming odds. It even hinted at key character deaths and the movie’s bittersweet conclusion.
While the trailer effectively conveyed the film’s intensity, it left little mystery for viewers. The emotional impact of the story remained strong, but the surprises were dulled by an overly generous preview.
The ’80s may have been a decade of cinematic innovation, but its trailers often left little to the imagination. While these previews got people excited for the films, they also robbed audiences of the joy of discovery. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less is more when it comes to marketing.
