Honestly, if you go back and watch the Kings of Summer movie trailer right now, it feels like a time capsule of a very specific era in indie filmmaking. It was 2013. We were right in the middle of that "Sundance-core" aesthetic—think lens flares, coming-of-age angst, and a soundtrack that makes you want to go buy a flannel shirt and disappear into the woods.
It worked.
The trailer did exactly what a teaser is supposed to do: it sold a vibe rather than just a plot. It didn't just tell us about three kids building a house; it promised us the feeling of a summer that never ends. Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and a breakout Moises Arias looked like they were having the time of their lives, and the editing made sure we felt that envy.
The Anatomy of the Kings of Summer Movie Trailer
Most trailers for coming-of-age movies are pretty formulaic. You get the "I hate my parents" setup, the "we're going on an adventure" montage, and the "everything goes wrong" climax. The Kings of Summer movie trailer followed that beat, but it felt different because of the rhythm.
Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who eventually went on to do Kong: Skull Island, clearly had a vision for the percussion of the film. The trailer features these rhythmic, industrial sounds—clanging pipes, hammers hitting wood, feet stomping. It creates this tribal energy. You aren't just watching a movie about runaway teens; you're watching the birth of a tiny, makeshift civilization.
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There’s a specific shot in the trailer that everyone remembers. It's the boys standing on a pipe over a river, beating out a rhythm. That single moment probably sold more tickets than any line of dialogue in the entire two-minute clip. It captured the primal urge to just leave. No phones, no parents, no rules. Just wood and nails.
Why the Editing Style Changed Indie Marketing
Back in 2013, the Kings of Summer movie trailer was a masterclass in using sound design to drive interest. If you compare it to other trailers from that year, like The Way Way Back or The Spectacular Now, The Kings of Summer felt more aggressive. It wasn't just a "dramedy." It felt like a call to arms for bored suburban kids.
The trailer also leaned heavily into the comedy of Nick Offerman. Fresh off the peak of Parks and Recreation, Offerman’s dry, deadpan delivery was a huge selling point. The trailer smartly used his character to ground the whimsical elements of the woods with some harsh, hilarious reality from the "adult" world. It showed that while the kids were playing at being men, the actual men were just as confused and frustrated.
What the Trailer Got Right (and What it Hid)
It's funny looking back at how trailers can be a bit deceptive. The Kings of Summer movie trailer makes the film look like a joyous, non-stop romp through the forest. It highlights Biaggio’s (Moises Arias) weirdness as the primary comedic engine.
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While the movie is definitely funny, it’s also way darker than the trailer suggests.
The trailer brushes over the deep-seated resentment between Joe and his father. It skips the inevitable breakdown of the friendship when a girl enters the mix. But that’s the job of the trailer, right? It’s the highlight reel. It’s the "best version" of the summer. It’s the dream. The movie is the reality.
The Power of the Soundtrack
You can't talk about the Kings of Summer movie trailer without talking about the music. It used "17" by Youth Lagoon. That song is basically the anthem of 2013 indie cinema. It starts slow and builds into this shimmering, lo-fi explosion of sound. It fits the visuals of the Ohio wilderness perfectly.
Using that track was a strategic move. It signaled to the audience exactly who this movie was for. It was for the people who spent their time on Tumblr and Pitchfork. It was for the people who wanted their life to feel like an A24 movie before A24 was even a household name.
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The Lasting Legacy of the First Look
Even now, people search for the Kings of Summer movie trailer because it triggers a very specific nostalgia. It represents a transition point in cinema. We were moving away from the polished, big-studio teen movies and into something a bit more raw and experimental.
The trailer also served as a launchpad. Look at where those actors are now. Nick Robinson became a mainstream lead in Love, Simon and Jurassic World. Moises Arias proved he could shed the Disney Channel image and do something truly bizarre and compelling.
How to Find the Best Version
If you’re looking to rewatch it, don’t just settle for a low-res upload on a random fan channel. The official CBS Films high-definition version is the only way to appreciate the cinematography by Ross Gioulakis. He’s the same DP who did It Follows, so he knows how to make a suburban setting look both beautiful and slightly eerie.
The color grading in the trailer is particularly notable. It’s got those warm, golden hour hues that make the woods look like a sanctuary. It makes you want to go outside and build something, even if you don't know how to use a hammer.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Lovers
If you're revisiting the Kings of Summer movie trailer or the film itself, here’s how to get the most out of that experience:
- Watch for the Sound Cues: Notice how the editing is synced to the "found" sounds of the woods. It’s a great lesson in rhythmic film editing.
- Compare the Teaser vs. the Full Trailer: The teaser is much more atmospheric and focuses on the "vibe," while the full trailer lays out the conflict with the parents. It's a great study in marketing.
- Listen to the Full Score: Ryan Miller (from the band Guster) did the music for the film. If you liked the music in the trailer, the full score is a fantastic blend of synthesizers and organic sounds.
- Check Out the Director’s Other Work: If you liked the visual style of the trailer, watch Kong: Skull Island or his episodes of Kevin Can F**k Himself. You can see the same DNA in the way he frames shots.
The Kings of Summer movie trailer remains a high-water mark for indie film promotion because it understood its audience’s desire for escape. It wasn't just selling a story about three kids in the woods; it was selling the idea that you could leave your life behind and build something better, even if only for a few months. It captured the fleeting nature of youth in a way that still feels authentic, gritty, and incredibly beautiful. Rewatching it today doesn't just make you want to see the movie; it makes you want to go back to a time when a summer felt like a lifetime.