Who Does the Voice Over for Trailers? (TV, Branding, Ads & More)

When you watch or hear a trailer, it’s often the voice that draws you in first. Whether it’s the dramatic delivery of an action blockbuster, the persuasive grasp of a TV commercial, or the captivating narration of a brand campaign, the voice over in a trailer should grab attention.

But who actually does these voice overs for trailers? 

Is it always the same voice actor? Are they hired through agencies or studios? And how do producers choose the right voice?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know – from the iconic voices that shaped the industry, to the process of casting a voice artist today.

Whether you’re an independent filmmaker, a creative agency, or just curious about the people behind the microphone, this article will give you insight into how it all works, and how you can find the perfect voice for your next trailer.

Movie trailer narrations are not as popular as they once were, however. Almost every major film during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s had dramatic trailer narrations. However, in modern cinema, many trailers instead rely on character dialogue and music. 

Movie voice overs are still hugely important in audio-only trailers, such as for radio or podcasts.

But trailers aren’t just used to promote movies; they’re also essential in advertising, brand storytelling, streaming platforms, and commercial campaigns. Whether it’s a film launch or a product teaser, the right voice over helps build anticipation and emotional connection.

Examples of Famous Trailer Voice Artists 

Over the years, there have been many iconic movie trailer voices who have captured the hearts and imaginations of movie buffs, as well as instantly recognisable advert voices that we associate with certain brands.

Whether it’s one you’ve heard over the radio or in a cinema, we’re sure you’ll recognise some of these legendary voices…

Don LaFontaine

Arguably the most iconic movie trailer voice actor, Don LaFontaine had an impressive career voicing over 5,000 movie trailers in his lifetime.

He’s worked on some of the biggest blockbusters, including Happy Gilmore, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Godfather Part II and Part III, various instalments of the Scream movies, and Terminator 2.

Bob Mortimer

Remember the Churchill Insurance dog? Well, the voice behind the famous catchphrase “Oh yes!” was none other than British comedian Bob Mortimer (followed by Stephen Yorke between 2011-2019).

Redd Pepper

You may recognise Redd Pepper’s voice across various UK movie trailers, like Men In Black, Space Jam, The Blair Witch Project, and even The X Factor series.

His voice over style and tone are familiar to Don LaFontaine’s.

Zoe Lister

We’re sure this one has been stuck in your head a fair few times!

The iconic Jet2 adverts have been voiced by none other than Zoe Lister, a British actress and voice over artist. Her bubbly and upbeat delivery of the phrase “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday!” perfectly captures the excitement of a summer getaway.

Hal Douglas

Hal Douglas was known for his iconic narration style in movie trailers, which earned him the nickname “King of Voiceovers”. He worked on over 1000 film trailers, including beloved movies like Forrest Gump and Up, as well as cinematic masterpieces like GoodFellas, The Silence Of The Lambs, and Die Hard.

How Trailer Voice Artists Are Hired (& How We Can Help) 

Trailer voice overs are typically performed by professional voice artists hired through specialist voice over agencies. Studios or marketing teams provide a project brief, usually outlining the tone, genre, pacing, and target audience.

At Matinée, we make this process seamless. Our account managers work with our talent team to hand-pick a shortlist of voice actors based on your brief. 

You’ll then receive demos from our roster of experienced talent, and once you’ve chosen a voice, we’ll manage the recording and revisions from start to finish.

How to Choose the Right Voice Over for Your Trailer

Once you’ve received a shortlist of voice talent, the next step is choosing the voice that will define your trailer. Here’s what to consider when making that final decision…

1. Understand the Tone of Your Movie

The first step in choosing the right voice artist is to understand the tone of your content, whether it’s a film, a product launch, or a commercial teaser.

The voice chosen should match the genre of the content to help set viewer expectations and create the desired emotional response.

This way, you can narrow down your options for voice over artists.

2. Consider Experience & Expertise

Some voice artists will have a healthy portfolio that includes past trailer projects and may even have experience in a particular genre or style.

You may wish to look for artists who have specifically worked in radio movie trailers if that’s the format you’re producing. Or, you can search more widely for ‘movie trailer voice artists’ who have experience in a variety of projects.

Listening to their demo reels will give you a sense of their range and versatility as a voice actor.

When working with a voice over agency, they can assist you in finding the perfect voice artist fit.

3. Deadlines & Budgets

While we always say you shouldn’t let budget limit creativity, we know that costs are an important factor in any project. We advise communicating your deadlines and budget expectations upfront.

It’s important to have a realistic timeline for your project and allow enough time for recording and revisions if needed. Rushing the process can result in a lower quality final product.

In terms of budget, it’s helpful to have an understanding of industry standards for voice over rates. This can vary depending on experience level, type of project, and usage rights. It’s important to be transparent with your budget so that the voice over artist can accurately quote their rate and negotiate if needed.

Summary: The Role of Voice Overs for Trailers

From official movie trailers and teasers to commercial spots, voice overs are a major factor in selling your vision and creating a buzz.

Head over to our blog for all things voice over-related, including the latest industry news, movie voice actor breakdowns, and more.

FAQs

Do All Trailers Use Voice Overs? + –

Not all trailers use voice overs as some trailers are more effective when snippets of the film are used to convey the plot and tone without narration. However, for movies of a certain style or for audio-only mediums like podcasts, voice overs are used.

How Much Does Trailer Voice Over Cost? + –

The figure will vary depending on the typical factors like chosen artist, length of script, and complexity. Movie trailers will also be subject to usage fees in addition to the actual voice over costs.

Our voice over rates start from as little as £425 per hour, which are some of the most competitive and best value in the industry. More information can be found on our Voice Over Rates Card.

How Do You Create a Movie Trailer Voice? + –

The first step is to write a movie trailer script for the voice over. Writing this before piecing together the video can help to structure the visual elements, for which the narration can be overlayed.

Once the script is written, it’s time to find the voice over artist for the job. This can be done through an agency, which will save time and provide a professional sound. Consider the genre, audience, storyline, and tone of the movie when deciding on your artist.

Then, the recording of the script will take place, followed by cleaning and editing of the sound files, as well as any other post-production, like audio mixing and video encoding.

Where Can I Hire a Voice Over for My Trailer? + –

You can hire professional voice artists through voice over agencies like Matinée, which offer a curated roster of experienced talent. You can also commission voice overs via freelancer platforms, but working with an agency ensures quality, direction, and fast turnaround.