From The 355 to Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, See This Week's Trailers and Posters

Winter is coming, as they say, and this week in entertainment marketing gave us plenty to start building our cold weather binge-watching plans.

Whether you’re looking to warm yourself up with some great music—you can have your pick of jazz or blues—or escape real life into fantasy lands filled with monsters or dragons, there’s something here for you. Perhaps watching a good murder mystery unfold will help the cold months pass. Or if you’d rather drink along with a famous Hollywood screenwriter, get your vodka ready. 

Cozy up and take a look at some of this week’s notable trailers and posters. 

The 355

Universal Pictures
Trailer Agency: AV Squad
Poster Agency: Iconarts Creative

Playing with a sharply manipulated version of Jay-Z and Rihanna’s “Run This Town” and percussive sound design, this trailer introduces us to the action that awaits us in The 355. The trailer does a great job of slowly revealing the stellar cast as we watch this new team of all-female secret agents assemble. Additionally, Rihanna’s vocals are the perfect backdrop for the serious girl power on display here. The poster artfully presents the characters’ diverse global backgrounds with a great mix of photography and illustration. See these ladies kick some ass when The 355 comes to theaters on Jan. 15.

Soul

Disney+
Trailer Agency: The Hive
Poster Agency: Legion Creative Group

Although Pixar’s Soul swapping from a theatrical to a streaming release is not great news for movie theaters, it is good news for us, because it means we get another trailer for this much-anticipated story of Joe the jazz musician. This piece uses that signature Pixar blend of humor and emotion to let us know that just because the screen size may have changed, the story’s heart, and you know, soul, have not. The poster showcases the film’s incredible animation, as Joe and his cat get ready to step off the page and into our living rooms when Soul comes to Disney+ on Christmas Day.

Monster Hunter

Sony Pictures Entertainment
Trailer Agency: Create Advertising
Poster Agency: BOND

This trailer builds the tension to get fans of the popular video game Monster Hunter ready to see the game’s villains and action come to life on the big screen for the first time. They shouldn’t be disappointed, as the monsters burst through the propulsive sound design and honed editing in this piece. The monster is also the center of attention as it roars across the height of the dramatic poster. Monster Hunter comes to theaters in December. 

His Dark Materials

HBO
Trailer Agency: BOND

His Dark Materials returns for Season 2, and if this trailer is any indication, it has all the cinematic beauty and imagination that captured fans’ hearts in Season 1. The vivid string score helps set the otherworldly tone and keeps the momentum going as we move between worlds and see what’s in store for main character Lyra this season. The throughline of the knife was a very sharp move with its cutting sound effects and the sliced title cards. His Dark Materials returns Nov. 16. 

Big Sky

ABC
Trailer Agency: Wild Card

The pop and country music cues contrast the eerie and mysterious plot in this trailer for ABC’s new drama Big Sky. This juxtaposition makes for a very compelling piece that keeps us on our toes—one moment we are singing along, and the next jumping from our seat. Looking forward to seeing what David E. Kelley has in store for us next when Big Sky comes to ABC on Nov. 17. 

Raya and the Last Dragon

Walt Disney Studios
Trailer Agency: N/A
Poster Agency: Legion Creative Group

This teaser is all about the new young warrior at the center of Raya and the Last Dragon, the latest from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The sound design and visuals carry this piece as we meet Raya, and you can’t help but marvel at the stunning animation as we experience both her limberness and fantastical surroundings. It’s a wonderful character portrait and introduction to her mission while still leaving plenty of mystery. Raya is also front and center on the rainy day poster, which similarly invokes intrigue with her obscured face and shining weapon. Raya and the Last Dragon will be in theaters on March 12.

Mank

Netflix
Trailer Agency: N/A
Poster Agency: N/A

The full trailer for Netflix’s Mank is here, and just like the teaser, we’re back in black and white and excellent vintage vibes for this tale of Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. This trailer expertly stitches together key film dialogue to craft a rhythmic narrative arc for the piece. The quick-cut “Mank” chorus is particularly effective. Mank’s boisterous nature is on full display with the illustrated poster, which also strikes that perfect 1930s Hollywood tone. Mank comes to Netflix on Dec. 4. 

The Flight Attendant

HBO Max
Trailer Agency: N/A
Poster Agency: Canyon Design Group

Based on the bestselling book of the same name by Chris Bohjalian, The Flight Attendant is a new dark comedy from HBO Max starring Kaley Cuoco. Using Britney Spears’ “Toxic” as a backdrop, we are introduced to the very toxic relationship that puts Kaley’s character at the center of a murder mystery. It’s a fast-moving piece that expertly juggles multiple tones while thoroughly setting up the show’s premise. The key art uses great cut-out images as Kaley perilously falls into this tantalizing new role. Buckle up, The Flight Attendant premieres Nov. 26. 

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Netflix
Trailer Agency: GrandSon
Poster Agency: Gravillis Inc.

What look to be incredible on-screen vocal performances by Viola Davis are the driving force in this piece for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which certainly leaves us wanting more from this film based on the August Wilson play. And although Ma reminds us she’s the boss, we can’t help but pay special attention to the late Chadwick Boseman in his last on-screen performance as her trumpet player. The quick cuts between these two indomitable forces with that roaring blues soundtrack prepare us for this powerhouse matchup of star power. The two are also featured on the distinctive poster, which plays cleverly with the copy to highlight the blue and purple hues of the image. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom comes to Netflix on Dec. 18.