The 26th Golden Trailer Awards took place on May 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, honoring the creators behind Hollywood movie trailers in more than 100 categories [1]. Known as the "Oscars" of movie previews, the awards celebrate the often uncredited work of trailer editors who craft memorable promotional experiences for films [2, 1].
Founded in 1999 by Monica Brady and Evelyn Watters, the awards began with a ceremony in New York featuring 19 categories. Brady said, "Trailer editors, the people creating some of the most memorable moments of the moviegoing experience, were completely unrecognised" before the awards' inception [2, 1]. The event later moved to Los Angeles, where it continues annually [2, 1].
Since its founding, the number of award categories has expanded from 19 to over 100, reflecting the growing complexity and creativity involved in trailer production [2, 1]. A key factor in crafting a great trailer is a strong "hook" that combines fresh storylines, compelling characters, and emotional resonance, Evelyn Watters explained: "What makes a great trailer, first and foremost, is a great hook" and "a winning trailer is a tempting appetiser, it is not the whole meal" [2, 1].
Trailer editing is likened to assembling a puzzle, melding diverse elements like movie scenes and dailies with creative use of audio, video, and effects [2, 1]. Despite advances in AI technology in Hollywood, trailer creation remains highly reliant on human intuition and creativity. Taylor Engel noted, "Every cut is very specific and creative, and AI, while good at mimicking past styles, cannot yet replace the human intuition behind trailers" [2].
Among the highlights of the 2026 ceremony was the Golden Fleece category, which awards trailers considered better than the movies themselves. Nominees this year include the horror films Shell, starring Elisabeth Moss, and The Strangers: Chapter 3 [2, 1].
The advertising agency Create Advertising Group received 16 nominations across multiple categories, marking a significant presence in this year's awards [1].
