Steven Spielberg Reveals His Formula for the Perfect Movie Trailer and What Inspired Him to Pursue Filmmaking

Published 06/09/2026, 2:19 AM EDT

via Imago

Modern movie trailers are struggling with a major issue that many believe strips away the heart and soul of a film. Acclaimed director Steven Spielberg believes the same. However, the director also knows a precise formula for brewing the perfect trailer that sparks curiosity without revealing too much about the plot of the movie. 

The director recently shared about what he believes a right trailer is and he further went on to add how it is connected to his motivation to step into the filmmaking industry.

Steven Spielberg revealed his trick for a perfect trailer

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One of the biggest issues plaguing modern movie trailers is that it reveals too much, often spoiling key moments. Steven Spielberg is not a fan of such trailers that condense almost an entire movie into a few minutes by giving away crucial scenes, plot points, or memorable dialogue. Instead, Spielberg believes that less is more when it comes to trailers. 

“The sign for me of a good trailer basically is less is more,” he said in conversation with ITV News.

The director believes that a trailer should offer just enough to draw viewers in while allowing them to discover the film for themselves when they finally watch it. He explained that overly revealing trailers take away the element of surprise for audiences. Interestingly, he added that this element of surprise is one of the main reasons he was drawn to the world of filmmaking.

“I think the element of surprise is the whole reason I got into movies to begin with, because the best needs to be saved for the experience,” he added.

The trailer for his latest film, Disclosure Day, which has stirred just the right amount of mystery, tension, and excitement about what lies ahead, may be a shining example of that approach. Now, while the trailer for Spielberg’s Disclosure Day may not have revealed much, the director has said enough to further fuel excitement for the film. Rather than offering clues, he posed intriguing questions that viewers may find themselves pondering while watching it.

Emily Blunt Surprised Steven Spielberg with Alien Voice For ‘Disclosure Day’

And one such doubt could be the viewers questioning their place in the universe.

Steven Spielberg says Disclosure Day would raise complicated questions

Disclosure Day explores the existence of extraterrestrial life, but there is more to this. As Steven Spielberg revealed, the film is also about the impact that such a discovery would have on humanity. During an interview with CBS's Sunday Morning, the director discussed what the existence of extraterrestrial life could mean for religious belief systems. 

"Is God our God only on this planet, or is God a God for every system where there's civilization?" she said.

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However, the movie does not aim to provide answers. Instead, it encourages curiosity and raises thought-provoking questions. Screenwriter David Koepp also spoke about how the film explores faith, truth, and humanity’s search for understanding. Much of the film’s mystery remains to be experienced in theaters.

Steven Spielberg Reveals Why He Returned to Alien Sci-Fi With ‘Disclosure Day’

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What do you think about Steven Spielberg's opinion on trailers? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

779 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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