Comparisons between theatrical and teaser trailers

Typically, teaser trailers are released long before normal trailers. They advertise the film or show far earlier than the film's release date (Sometimes up to and over a year before) is announced to tease the audience "hence the name". In some instances, one in particular is The Da Vinci Code, the trailer was actually made before the film was even shot!

Often teaser trailers may include scenes or sequences that are removed from the final cut of a film for whatever reason. They are also generally shorter than the theatrical trailer (Teasers are often around 30 - 60 seconds, whilst theatrical trailers may last around 2 minutes), which sparks the audience's interest. Possibly also because much of the teaser shots may be removed from the final film.

One significant difference between the teaser and theatrical trailer is that the teaser may most likely focus on the theme or genre of the film, whilst the theatrical trailer will focus on the story or characters.