Difference between Teaser and Trailer

Teaser and trailer are two different ways of advertising a film. Although both serve the same purpose, they are different from each other. Let us see how a teaser differs from a trailer!

Teaser:

A teaser is a way of advertising a film by releasing a teaser months before the release of a film. It contains little content from the film and is released to entice or tease the audience and increase the hype of the film prior to the release of its trailer. The length of a trailer is usually around 20-30 seconds. It is generally created during the shooting of the film and released before the completing the shooting and editing of the film.

A teaser arouses curiosity in the audience as it lasts less than a minute and does not provide details of the film. Teasers are generally created for big budget films that have a greater target audience. They are also used for the sequel of a hit film in order to create hype or buzz for the film that already has a large audience base with an existing knowledge. So, teasers are just a clue or hint at what is going to happen and do not confirm anything.

Trailer:

A trailer is a way of advertising a film that is going to be released in the near future or after few months. It is longer than a teaser and provides a brief idea about the plotline of the film. A trailer comprises a series of sequences from the film. It generally follows a non-linear structure so that audience is not able to figure out the story of the film and would like to watch the full movie.

Trailers usually contain the most exciting parts of the film in order to encourage the audience to watch the full film. The length of a trailer can be up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Based on the above information, some of the key differences between a teaser and a trailer are as follows:

Teaser	Trailer
It is a way of advertising a film by teasing the audience or stirring up anticipation by showing some part of the film.	It is a way of advertising a film by providing some information about the film, e.g. the cast, plot twists, and a better insight of what to expect in the film.
It is short in length than the trailer, e.g. 13 seconds to 1 minute.	It is longer than the teaser, its length ranges from one minute to 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
It does not provide details regarding the plotline of the film.	It gives a brief idea about the plotline of the film.
It just tries to excite the audience about the film.	It provides basic details such as cast, director, cinematographer of the film.
It is created much earlier than a trailer.	A trailer is created and released few months after the release of the teaser.
It is created during the filming of the film, i.e. before completing the movie.	It is created after completing the filming of the film and editing of the movie.
It comprises most exciting parts of the film which are not in sequence.	It comprises exciting parts of the film in a proper sequence: the beginning, the middle part and the climax.