Super Bowl 2026 Trailers: A Cinematic Showcase Without Marvel
Super Bowl 2026 marked a significant shift as Marvel Studios broke its 16-year tradition of premiering a new trailer during the event. Despite this absence, the spectacle was far from dull, with major studios and filmmakers stepping up to unveil highly anticipated trailers. The lineup included original stories and exciting spin-offs, captivating audiences worldwide. From Los Angeles, the event showcased trailers for films such as The Adventures of Cliff Booth, Project Hail Mary, Supergirl, Disclosure Day, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Here, we rank the top five trailers from Super Bowl 2026, highlighting their unique appeal and cinematic promise.
1. The Adventures of Cliff Booth
Netflix released the first teaser for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a much-anticipated spin-off from Quentin Tarantino's 2019 period drama, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Directed by David Fincher, this film focuses on Brad Pitt's character, the laid-back and charming stunt double Cliff Booth, originally seen alongside Leonardo DiCaprio's fading Hollywood star Rick Dalton. While DiCaprio will not appear in the spin-off, Fincher reunites with Pitt after 18 years, following collaborations on classics like Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). The teaser features Booth on various adventures, joined by new cast members Elizabeth Debicki and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. It concludes with a poignant moment where Booth places an Academy Award statuette on his desk, a tribute to Pitt's 2020 Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor in the original film.
2. Project Hail Mary
The final trailer for Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, was unveiled at Super Bowl 2026. This sci-fi adventure fantasy stars Ryan Reynolds as a schoolteacher-turned-astronaut who befriends an alien named Rocky, navigating the challenges of communication in English. Adapted by Drew Goddard from Andy Weir's 2021 novel, the film evokes nostalgia for Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, blending worldbuilding science fiction with the intimacy of an unlikely friendship. Lord and Miller return to direction after 12 years since 22 Jump Street (2014), with the film set for a theatrical release on March 20.
3. Disclosure Day
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg returns to the sci-fi genre with Disclosure Day, a new trailer for which was dropped during Super Bowl 2026. The trailer remains cryptic, building intrigue around Josh O'Connor's character as he attempts to uncover confidential government documents confirming the existence of aliens. Co-starring Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth, the film marks Spielberg's reunion with Jurassic Park (1993) screenwriter David Koepp and 94-year-old music composer John Williams. Scheduled for release on June 12, Disclosure Day promises a thrilling exploration of secrecy and extraterrestrial life.
4. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Disney opted to showcase Jon Favreau's action fantasy spin-off movie, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, over Marvel trailers at Super Bowl 2026. Pedro Pascal reprises his role as the Mandalorian in this big-screen outing, three years after season 3 of the series. The film also features Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White of The Bear fame, with a release date set for May 22. This move highlights Disney's strategic focus on expanding the Star Wars universe, offering fans a cinematic experience beyond the small screen.
5. Supergirl
The most disappointing trailer of Super Bowl 2026 was for Craig Gillespie's superhero film Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock as the younger Kryptonian cousin of Superman. Introduced in a post-credits scene of James Gunn's Superman, Alcock's Supergirl meets her puppy Krypto on the endangered planet Krypton. Developed by Gunn and Peter Safran, the film includes Jason Momoa as Lobo, but the trailer failed to generate the same anticipation as the surprise scene in Superman. Scheduled for release on October 23, Supergirl aims to carve its niche in the DC Extended Universe, though initial reactions suggest it may struggle to stand out.
In summary, Super Bowl 2026 delivered a diverse array of trailers, from nostalgic spin-offs to ambitious sci-fi projects, proving that the absence of Marvel did not dampen the cinematic excitement. As these films approach their release dates, audiences can look forward to a year filled with blockbuster entertainment.
