Best movie trailers of 2016: La La Land, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2, 10 Cloverfield Lane and more

It's certainly been a tempestuous year for cinema, with some epic highs and real lows (here's looking at you, summer blockbusters). But while so many outings on the big screen let us down, one thing that has been consistently impressive this year is how many great trailers have been released from a whole host of movie studios.

So as we near the end of the year, IBTimes UK have taken a look back at – and ranked – all the best movie promos we've seen over the last 12 months from Suicide Squad to 10 Cloverfield Lane...

12. Logan

Logan is set to be 20th Century Fox's first R-rated movies based on Marvel Comics and the film's first trailer certainly showcased that its going to be refreshingly different. Enter Dafne Keen's Laura Kinney aka X-23, Patrick Stewart's frail Professor X and Hugh Jackman's deeply-troubled Wolverine, complete with greying, bloody beard and superhero weariness.

11. Moonlight

It was evident just from the trailer that Barry Jenkins' coming-of-age drama Moonlight was destined to be recognised during awards season. It manages to tell the audience that the film takes place over several significant periods in a man's life yet somehow, still keeps the detailed story line under wraps. It also showcases the acting talents of stars Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris and relative newcomer Ashton Sanders.

10. Free Fire

One word: fun. Ben Wheatley's shoot 'em up comedy drama Free Fire was undoubtedly his lightest outing yet and the first trailer reflected this brilliantly. With Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley and Armie Hammer on top form with the gags and the Quentin Tarantino-esque visuals, it was clear from the get-go that cinema-goers were in for a treat with this one.

9. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Ben Mendelsohn's villainous smirks, hyperspace, Mads Mikkelsen being fatherly, the cloudy image of the dreaded Death Star, Felicity Jones' determined heroine Jyn and Darth Vader? There's almost too much to list about what's great about this Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer. But then any footage from 2016's most eagerly-anticipated film was always going to be exciting, wasn't it?

8. Ghost In The Shell

Paramount Pictures' Ghost In The Shell had a lot of pressure on its shoulders when it came to satisfying hardcore anime fans with its first sneak peek. Fortunately, its debut trailer managed to convince even the harshest doubters with its geisha-inspired robots, futuristic cityscapes and truly stunning set designs. It also saw Scarlett Johansson don the Major's iconic thermoptic suit which allows her to become invisible – something that fans are understandably excited about.

7. Kong: Skull Island

While the second trailer for Kong: Skull Island boasted a little too comedy for most people's liking, the first look presented a genuinely scary-looking film. One of the best things about the video was that it never offered up a full-shot of Kong, making him seem all the more terrifying. He's constantly lurking though... behind mountains, deep in dense forest... his growl rumbling in the distance and his bloodstained hand-print seen on the side of a cliff.

6. Silence

If Free Fire's trailer could be described in one word as 'fun' then the first look at Martin Scorsese's drama Silence would simply be called 'intense'. "The moment you set foot in that country, you step into high danger," Ciarán Hinds tells fellow priests Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield before they make their way to Japan to 'rescue' their mentor, as intense violins and Japanese drums start up. The screeching music establishes the film's tone, only stopping once to depict a shot of several men hanging on crosses over harsh rocks while the sea laps over. Harrowing.

5. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2

Let's face it, Marvel Studios could just release a two-minute clip of Baby Groot running around or dancing and fans would absolute adore it but the second trailer for upcoming superhero movie Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 really nailed it. Crazy aliens, a retro soundtrack, battles in space, Rocket's sarcasm and hints at a Peter Quill and Gamora romance, what more could comic book fans want?

4. 10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane's trailer creeped up on all of us, which undoubtedly added to the excitement surrounding the film but the teaser itself was brilliant in its own right. Knowing full-well that its viewers knew nothing about its plot, it begins with shots of a jukebox, board games, a trio making a puzzle while I Think We're Alone Now by Tommy James & The Shondells plays in the background.

But as the music builds, you eerily start to realise things aren't as dandy as they seem and it all gets a little violent and scary. Talk about creating intrigue...

3. Nocturnal Animals

Evoking films such as The Neon Demon, Gone Girl and Nightcrawler, Focus Features' first trailer for thriller Nocturnal Animals' showed off its stylish aesthetic. But then we wouldn't have expected anything less, it was helmed by fashion designer-turned-filmmaker Tom Ford after all. Much more than that though, the clip is suspenseful without giving anything away, set to that haunting track by Ludovico Einaudi... stunning.

2. Suicide Squad

While the film may have received lukewarm reviews when it was released back in August, Suicide Squad's trailers were all surefire hits... and let's face it, better than the actual movie itself. This one, frantically set to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, the clip was non-stop action. Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang undeniably being the stand-outs... that beer can opening in the gap of the music? Nice.

1. La La Land

If trailers could win awards, La La Land's third trailer 'Dreamers' would clean up. Not only does it showcase Justin Hurwitz' truly magical soundtrack, Linus Sandgren's gorgeous cinematography and the wonderful performances by leads Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, it also establishes the understated yet joyous tone of the film. It manages to give almost nothing too juicy away in terms of plot, which is a real rarity these days.