If you’re like us, then the best part of going to see a movie — aside from the excuse to eat as much calorie-laden butter topping as you want — is watching the trailers. Sure, your friends may think it’s OK to skip out on them, but you know better than that. Trailers are how we know what movies to get excited for next, and when those great expectations aren’t met, we get upset. Here, a look back at the trailers for what appeared to be some of the best movies of the year, but turned out to be some of the worst.

Rule #1 A long list of A-list stars all on one bill is rarely a good sign. In fact, unless you’re watching a Robert Altman movie, it may be the single biggest kiss of death.

He’s Just Not That Into You

The Informers

Rule #2: Beware quirky indie comedies starring character actors and/or actors from SNL. Just because Dave Eggers wrote the script does not — we repeat — does not mean that these will be heartbreaking works of staggering genius.

Away We Go

Gigantic

Paper Heart

Sunshine Cleaning

Rule #3: Large-scale blockbusters put all of their most hair-raising, visually-dazzling, and sexually-stimulating scenes up front, and will probably only disappoint you in the end. It’s like my mother always said: “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”

Where the Wild Things Are

Nine

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Watchmen