From a green-skinned witch to tiny yellow monsters: Every trailer dropped during the 2024 Super Bowl

JOHANNESBURG - Ah, the Super Bowl – a time for families in the United States (US) to come together and watch what I presume to be American football.

Over the years, it’s become one of the few remaining symbols of American patriotism that’s often watched by over 100 million TV screens across the country. Yet, I could not tell you one single thing about it.

According to a quick Google search, apparently the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl LVIII, so go them!

However, what I can tell you is because of how widely viewed it is and its accompanying halftime show, headlined by Usher in 2024, the Super Bowl, for many around the globe, is one of the biggest pop culture events of the year.

Each year, the half-time show is headlined by some of the world’s biggest musicians – from Beyoncé to Prince to Michael Jackson – and companies pay millions to promote their products during the ad breaks. As a film buff at heart, other than the halftime show, what I tend to be excited for the most are the trailer or teaser drops for some of the year’s upcoming movies.

Despite them being surrounded by a myriad of other products vying for the viewer’s attention, trailer drops during the Super Bowl is an almost fool-proof plan on the promotional side alone and because of social media, this reach is enhanced even further.

And 2024 certainly did not disappoint, with trailers being dropped for some of the year’s biggest cinematic releases, including Deadpool 3 (now Deadpool & Wolverine), Wicked Part 1, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Fall Guy, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Monkey Man (the one I am personally looking forward to the most in a very long line-up of sequels and adaptations).

Here's a list of all the trailers that were dropped during Superbowl LVIII:

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

IMDb synopsis: The irresponsible hero Deadpool will change the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Wolverine!?

WICKED PART 1

IMDb synopsis: The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.

THE FALL GUY

IMDb synopsis: Colt Seavers is a stuntman who left the business a year earlier to focus on both his physical and mental health. He's drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie, which is being directed by his ex, goes missing.

MONKEY MAN

IMDb synopsis: An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimise the poor and powerless.

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

IMDb synopsis: Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he's been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

KUNG FU PANDA 4

IMDb synopsis: After Po is tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior, while a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.

IMDb synopsis: A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up.

TWISTERS

IMDb synopsis: An update to the 1996 film Twister, which centred on a pair of storm chasers who risk their lives in an attempt to test an experimental weather alert system.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE

IMDb synopsis: The story of how reggae icon Bob Marley overcame adversity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music.

DESPICABLE ME 4

IMDb synopsis: Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run.