Sometimes the best trailers don’t come from Hollywood studios. Fans with editing skills and a wild sense of imagination have been cutting their own trailers for years. The best fan-made trailers aren’t just patchworks but love letters to movies, like some of the ones here.
12
Green Lantern (2009)
Two years before Ryan Reynolds officially suited up as the Green Lantern, this fan trailer made the internet believe that a big-screen version could actually happen. The editing was slick for its time, combining footage from Halo 3, Serenity, and Star Trek with clever effects that sold the illusion. Who knew that the charismatic Nathan Fillion would finally wear the ring in the latest Superman flick.
11
The Shining Recut (2006)
It takes a serious buff to turn Stanley Kubrick’s terrifying The Shining into a heartwarming family comedy (called Shining). By dropping in Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill and using lighthearted narration, the horror classic is suddenly a feel-good drama. It’s a masterclass in how music and editing alone can change a film’s entire meaning.
10
Harry Potter as a Teen Comedy (2011)
As a Harry Potter fan, I couldn’t resist choosing two fan trailers from the franchise. Both are chalk and cheese. In this one, imagine Harry Potter like a cheesy early-2000s teen rom-com, complete with pop music and awkward high school tropes. The fan edits highlight the friendships, crushes, and goofy moments at Hogwarts rather than the darker magic.
9
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2016)
This one goes hard. Inspired by the dark comic storyline, the trailer cuts together Marvel footage to show Deadpool hunting down the entire superhero roster. The tone and brutal “kills” make it feel like an R-rated spin-off that Marvel would never actually release. Never mind that the actual Deadpool films are R-rated with lots of violence.
8
Solo, With the “I’m Han Solo” Soundtrack (2018)
Is it a fan trailer or is it a meme? I don’t mind either way. This fan edit replaces the soundtrack of the official trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Storywith the absurd “I’m Han Solo” dance track from the Star Wars Kinect video game. The song itself is a parody of Jason Derulo’s “Ridin’ Solo.” The clash between the serious visuals and the goofy music is perfect for a laugh.
7
The Last of Us (2020)
Before HBO’s official adaptation arrived, fans were already imagining The Last of Us as a live-action series. This concept trailer, stitched together from other shows and movies, nails the bleak atmosphere of the game. Seeing Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie seems perfect now. But the trailer’s reimagining with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Kaitlyn Dever isn’t too bad either.
6
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2025)
Rumors swirled about a movie version of The Cursed Child adapted from the play of the same name. Then, this concept trailer gave fans more hope. Using AI-generated legacy characters, it scratches the itch for Harry’s story as an adult.
5
Stargate Reimagined (2025)
This trailer uses AI to reimagine a modern blockbuster version of Stargate, complete with sweeping battle scenes. The pacing is what really stands out (and of course, the star-studded cast); it feels like a real studio teaser for a reboot that has never happened. As someone who grew up on Stargate SG-1, seeing this fan cut made me instantly wish for a proper reboot with today’s technology. It’s one show every sci-fi and tech lover should watch at least once.
4
Dexter’s Laboratory (2025)
What if Cartoon Network’s classic Dexter’s Laboratory was reimagined as a live-action Netflix thriller? That’s the question this fan trailer answers. The eerie vibe and shadowy lab shots turn the goofy cartoon into something straight out of Stranger Things. It’s ridiculous, but I’d absolutely binge this show on Netflix.
3
Rambo: First Blood (2025)
This fan-made “reboot” of First Blood imagines a modern version of Rambo’s story, and it’s surprisingly interesting. Tom Hardy as John Rambo doesn’t look as raw as Stallone, but I would still watch the film if it came out. The footage blends AI with Stallone’s classic moments and a new cast of characters. Considering Rambo hasn’t been rebooted, it makes one think.
