The marketing for Pluribus has been infuriatingly vague, but in a way that makes me want to see the upcoming sci-fi show even more. When I saw that Apple TV+ had finally released a proper trailer for Pluribus, I watched it immediately. I don't quite know what I expected, but it wasn't what I saw in the promotional footage.
Three months ago, Apple TV+ started posting short clips, generally under a minute long, to promote Pluribus. The videos gave nothing away about the plot, but did start to establish a general vibe for the show. Rhea Seehorn, who is leading the Pluribus cast, didn't show up until the second teaser appeared online, and it took until the third teaser for her face to appear. She has since had far more screen time in later trailers, but that doesn't mean anyone knows what's really coming.
The latest Pluribus trailer still gives almost nothing away
There is a common trend among trailers to share far too many details about the plot, characters, and the world in which the story is set. I've always felt it's best going into a movie or a TV show with just enough detail to grab my interest. When the first proper Pluribus trailer dropped last week, I was worried that the mystery surrounding the show was about to dissipate. How wrong I was.
While I now understand a little more about what to expect from Pluribus when it debuts on November 7, 2025, the trailer is very coy in what it gives away. It adds a tiny bit more context to details that were already known, introducing new characters and pieces of worldbuilding without overstepping the mark on how much it's actually willing to reveal.
With any luck, Apple TV+ won't release any more Pluribus trailers before the show begins. I won't be able to resist watching it, but I also don't want any new information before experiencing the show firsthand. Going forward, I really hope other shows and movies follow the Pluribus trailer blueprint. A trailer should draw in audiences who want to learn more, not give almost everything away.
Pluribus has an uncommon marketing advantage that helps its trailers
Pluribus was created by Vince Gilligan, whose name you might recognize. Even in sci-fi circles, Breaking Bad has a reputation for its immense quality, as does its prequel spinoff show, Better Call Saul. Gilligan also created both of those shows, and his name was immortalized in the TV world. Since Better Call Saul ended in 2022, droves of fans have been waiting to find out what Gilligan's next project would be.
So, Apple TV+ has been very fortunate that pretty much all the platform has had to do when promoting Pluribus is say that it's a show from Vince Gilligan. As an extension of this marketing advantage, very little else about project has needed to be revealed. For many other movies and TV shows, this isn't a possibility.
With so many streaming platforms and movie studios working on countless productions, trailers are often the biggest tool when it comes to grabbing an audience's attention. If the trailer doesn't give enough away, then those watching it might not bother looking into it any further. So, many trailers tend to overshare to reduce the risk of this happening. Fortunately for Pluribus, Gilligan's involvement had pretty much carried the hype on its shoulders.
Pluribus' first two episodes will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on November 7, 2025.