Pump the hate brakes, Thanos! A ranking of the best ‘Deadpool 2’ trailer moments
The merc with a mouth returned in 2018 and the final trailer for Deadpool 2 delivered exactly the mix of R-rated mayhem and pop-culture snark that fans expected. Ryan Reynolds once again played Wade Wilson with fourth-wall demolition and nonstop one-liners, while the film went on to gross $785.9 million worldwide and hold an 83 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie may have arrived during the final years of Fox’s X-Men era, but its characters and soundtrack choices kept showing up years later. Here is the original ranking of the fifteen best moments from that final trailer, now updated with what actually happened once the film hit theaters and later crossed into the MCU.
15. The first fourth wall break
It’s not officially ass-kicking season until the merc with a mouth stares straight at the camera and gives us the official signal that it is.
14. LL Cool J knocking the soundtrack out the park
Okay, so we know this song was also used on the previous trailer, but it’s still an absolute knockout. LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” is this movie’s “X Gon Give It To Ya” and we’re living for it. The track appeared in multiple trailers and stayed the defining promo anthem long after release.
13. “Pump the hate brakes, Thanos”
We really don’t need to explain that Josh Brolin also plays Thanos within the MCU, do we? Good, didn’t think so. Tight reference, D!
12. Dopinder looking dope
We’re glad to see that everyone’s favorite taxi driver Dopinder (Karan Soni) might be given a little extra screen time in this sequel. Will he be given the chance to get a little badass with his most disturbed customer? Judging from this “I mean business” slow motion spit, the dude could be bringing it this movie!
11. Shatterstar looking slick
Lewis Tan’s X-Force hero is killing us with that getup…
10. Bedlam looking badass
The trailer offers a wonderful reminder that Terry Crews (The Expendables) is a brutish, hulking heavyweight as well as a heavenly honey who is too pure for this world.
9. Domino proving why luck totally is a superpower
Zazie Beetz’s hero is shown at multiple times throughout the trailer, pulling off incredible feats for someone whose superpower is undermined by Deadpool. “It isn’t very cinematic,” he gripes, to which she confidently disagrees. “Let’s meet in the middle and say no it isn’t,” he concludes. Perfect.
8. “We’re going to make a super-duper fucking group”
Look, we all know about T.J. Miller’s recent troubles and his alleged fake bomb threat and all the rest. But as Weasel, he’s still knocking those one-liners out of the park. “It’s time to get back on LinkedIn,” the barman suggests to Wade as they strive to put together their own superhero task force. Of course! Where else would they find such talent? Miller did not return in Deadpool & Wolverine, though he later said he remained open to future roles.
7. Domino kicking some serious ass (again!)
Have we mentioned how excited we are to see Beetz in this movie? Because we are. She looks beyond awesome.
6. This ultimate zinger
After Cable (Josh Brolin) sneers, “You ain’t no fucking hero, you’re just a clown dressed up as a sex toy,” Deadpool drops the searing retort, “So dark, are you sure you’re not from the DC universe?” Damn, son! Shots fired!
5. This gratuitous crotch shot
It wouldn’t be a Deadpool movie without a villain getting teabagged, would it?
4. “Bring it on One-Eyed Willy”
We’re so completely here for this sly Goonies reference, which is nice as a standalone throwback to the classic 80s movie. But it’s even greater once you remember Brolin starred in it.
3. This familiar looking moment
Is everyone else getting some serious X-Men Origins: Wolverine vibes from this moment?
2. Peter with no powers
The end of the trailer hits a home run with the superb introduction of Peter (Rob Delaney) – a man who “just saw the ad” and wanted in on the X-Force even though he has no superpowers. Naturally, they bring him into the fold. This is what happens when you recruit a hero taskforce on Linkedin, ladies and gentlemen. Rob Delaney later reprised the role in Deadpool & Wolverine and the character remained a fan favorite for his total lack of powers and total lack of chill.
1. Peter is actually living the dream though
Best final image of a trailer ever.
X-Force Team Fate in the Final Cut
Trailer hype painted the full X-Force squad as a major new addition, yet most members lasted only minutes on screen. After a quick comedic recruitment sequence, the team was promptly decimated in an explosive sequence that left only Domino and Cable with substantial arcs. Peter, the sole non-powered recruit, survived the carnage and became the unexpected standout.
From Fox to MCU: Deadpool 2's Long-Term Impact
Deadpool 2 arrived as the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time and later saw its rights move to Marvel Studios after Disney acquired Fox. Elements like Peter carried over into the 2024 MCU entry Deadpool & Wolverine, proving the sequel’s fingerprints lasted well beyond its original release window.
Peter: The Everyman Hero Who Stuck Around
Peter has no powers but joins after seeing the ad. The character became a fan favorite for relatability and meme potential, and Rob Delaney returned to the role in Deadpool & Wolverine, extending the joke across studio eras.
Soundtrack Standouts Beyond the Trailer
“Mama Said Knock You Out” defined trailer energy and remained iconic in fan discussions. The finished film mixed additional licensed tracks with an original score that kept the same irreverent tone the trailer promised.
Years later the ranking still holds because the trailer captured the exact blend of meta gags, soundtrack energy, and unlikely heroes that made Deadpool 2 a commercial hit and a bridge between two eras of superhero cinema. The moments that felt fresh in 2018 simply aged into lasting franchise touchstones.
