10 Movie Marketing Campaigns That Completely Misled the Audience

Movie marketing can make or break a film’s success, drawing crowds with promises of thrills or laughs. But sometimes, campaigns sell a version of the movie that doesn’t match what’s on-screen, leaving audiences confused or let down.

Here is a list of 10 films where the marketing painted a misleading picture, from wrong genres to overhyped plots. These campaigns, whether intentional or not, set up expectations that the movies couldn’t meet, and I’ll break down how they went off track.

It Comes at Night (2017)

The trailers for ‘It Comes at Night’ suggested a creepy monster horror flick. Ads focused on eerie visuals and a vague threat, hinting at a supernatural creature stalking a family.

The film is actually a slow-burn psychological drama about paranoia and survival. Fans expecting jump scares were disappointed by the lack of a monster, making the marketing feel like a bait-and-switch.

Kangaroo Jack (2003)

‘Kangaroo Jack’ was marketed as a fun, family-friendly comedy about a talking kangaroo. Trailers played up goofy animal antics to draw in kids and parents.

The movie is a crude crime caper with adult humor, where the kangaroo barely talks and appears mostly in a dream sequence. The kid-friendly ads led to backlash from families who felt misled.

Drive (2011)

The marketing for ‘Drive’ pitched it as a fast-paced action thriller. Trailers showed Ryan Gosling speeding through streets, suggesting a ‘Fast and Furious’-style ride.

In reality, it’s a slow, moody crime drama with minimal action. Fans expecting high-octane chases were thrown by the artsy tone, despite the film’s critical acclaim.

The Village (2004)

‘The Village’ was sold as a chilling horror about monsters lurking in the woods. M. Night Shyamalan’s name and spooky trailers fueled expectations of a scary creature feature.

The film leans more into drama and romance, with a twist that redefines the threat. Horror fans felt cheated by the lack of real monsters and slower pace.

Ad Astra (2019)

‘Ad Astra’ was marketed as a sci-fi action epic with Brad Pitt on a thrilling space mission. Trailers highlighted explosions and high-stakes adventure.

The movie is a quiet, introspective drama about isolation and family. Action fans were frustrated by the slow pace and lack of blockbuster thrills.

Mother! (2017)

The campaign for ‘Mother!’ framed it as a straightforward horror movie. Trailers emphasized creepy visuals and Jennifer Lawrence facing unsettling events in a haunted house.

Darren Aronofsky’s film is an abstract allegory about creation and destruction. Audiences expecting traditional scares were confused by the symbolic, gruesome narrative.

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

‘Jennifer’s Body’ was sold as a sexy horror-comedy aimed at young men. Ads leaned heavily on Megan Fox’s star power, promising a steamy, lighthearted scarefest.

The film is a feminist horror tale about trauma, with dark humor and deeper themes. The male-focused marketing alienated its true audience and confused viewers.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

‘Edge of Tomorrow’ was marketed as a generic sci-fi action flick. Trailers focused on Tom Cruise fighting aliens in a futuristic war, emphasizing explosions.

The film’s clever time-loop concept and dark humor were barely hinted at. Audiences expecting a standard action movie were surprised, and the vague title didn’t help.

Sausage Party (2016)

‘Sausage Party’ trailers played up a silly animated comedy about talking food. The kid-friendly vibe suggested a fun adventure for all ages.

The movie is a raunchy, adult-only comedy with explicit humor and dark themes. Parents who brought kids based on the cheery ads were shocked and angry.

Annihilation (2018)

‘Annihilation’ was pitched as a monster-filled sci-fi thriller. Trailers showed Natalie Portman’s team facing giant creatures, suggesting a ‘Godzilla’-like spectacle.

The film is a cerebral sci-fi horror with mutated animals and psychological depth. Monster movie fans felt misled by the lack of traditional creature chaos.

Which movie’s marketing fooled you the most, or is there another campaign that sold you a different film? Share your thoughts in the comments!