By Jon Donnis
A great movie poster is more than just a marketing tool. It can capture the essence of a film in a single image, becoming as recognisable as the film itself. Over the years, some posters have transcended their purpose, becoming cultural landmarks that continue to influence design and art. Here are ten of the most iconic movie posters of all time, each leaving an unforgettable mark on cinema history.
Jaws (1975)
Few posters have ever created such an immediate sense of dread. The image of a lone swimmer unknowingly drifting above a monstrous great white shark is simple but terrifying. Designed by Roger Kastel, it perfectly captures the horror lurking beneath the surface and sets the tone for Spielberg's groundbreaking thriller.
Few posters have ever created such an immediate sense of dread. The image of a lone swimmer unknowingly drifting above a monstrous great white shark is simple but terrifying. Designed by Roger Kastel, it perfectly captures the horror lurking beneath the surface and sets the tone for Spielberg's groundbreaking thriller.
.jpg "Star Wars")
Star Wars (1977)
Tom Jung's artwork for Star Wars is as legendary as the film itself. Luke Skywalker stands heroically with his lightsaber raised, Princess Leia by his side, as Darth Vader's looming face dominates the background. The dramatic composition, pulpy sci-fi feel and sense of adventure helped sell Star Wars as something larger than life.
Tom Jung's artwork for Star Wars is as legendary as the film itself. Luke Skywalker stands heroically with his lightsaber raised, Princess Leia by his side, as Darth Vader's looming face dominates the background. The dramatic composition, pulpy sci-fi feel and sense of adventure helped sell Star Wars as something larger than life.
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Pulp Fiction (1994)
A prime example of cool, the Pulp Fiction poster features Uma Thurman's Mia Wallace lying on a bed, cigarette in hand, next to a copy of a cheap pulp novel. The bold font, vintage design and noir aesthetic made it instantly recognisable and reflective of Tarantino's stylish crime film.
A prime example of cool, the Pulp Fiction poster features Uma Thurman's Mia Wallace lying on a bed, cigarette in hand, next to a copy of a cheap pulp novel. The bold font, vintage design and noir aesthetic made it instantly recognisable and reflective of Tarantino's stylish crime film.
.jpg "The Exorcist (1973)")
The Exorcist (1973)
Sometimes, simplicity is key. The Exorcist poster features a single eerie image of a silhouetted priest standing beneath a streetlamp, staring up at a house where evil awaits. The glow of the light and the shadowy figure create a haunting, unsettling feeling that perfectly encapsulates the film's terrifying atmosphere.
Sometimes, simplicity is key. The Exorcist poster features a single eerie image of a silhouetted priest standing beneath a streetlamp, staring up at a house where evil awaits. The glow of the light and the shadowy figure create a haunting, unsettling feeling that perfectly encapsulates the film's terrifying atmosphere.
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Jurassic Park (1993)
A masterclass in minimalism, Jurassic Park's poster doesn't rely on actors or dramatic imagery. Instead, it simply presents the now-iconic red and black dinosaur skeleton logo with the film's title. This straightforward yet striking approach helped establish the film's branding, making it instantly recognisable.
A masterclass in minimalism, Jurassic Park's poster doesn't rely on actors or dramatic imagery. Instead, it simply presents the now-iconic red and black dinosaur skeleton logo with the film's title. This straightforward yet striking approach helped establish the film's branding, making it instantly recognisable.
.jpg "The Silence of the Lambs (1991)")
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The unsettling close-up of Jodie Foster's face, with a death's-head hawk moth covering her mouth, is one of the most visually striking images in film marketing. The moth itself contains a hidden image, a formation of human skulls, adding an extra layer of unease that reflects the film's psychological horror.
The unsettling close-up of Jodie Foster's face, with a death's-head hawk moth covering her mouth, is one of the most visually striking images in film marketing. The moth itself contains a hidden image, a formation of human skulls, adding an extra layer of unease that reflects the film's psychological horror.
.jpg "Back to the Future (1985)")
Back to the Future (1985)
Drew Struzan's illustrated artwork for Back to the Future perfectly conveys the film's mix of adventure, sci-fi and comedy. Marty McFly stands in front of the DeLorean, pulling up his sunglasses in disbelief, as the car's flaming tyre tracks hint at the time-travelling chaos ahead. This is one of my personal favourites!
Drew Struzan's illustrated artwork for Back to the Future perfectly conveys the film's mix of adventure, sci-fi and comedy. Marty McFly stands in front of the DeLorean, pulling up his sunglasses in disbelief, as the car's flaming tyre tracks hint at the time-travelling chaos ahead. This is one of my personal favourites!
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Alien (1979)
"In space, no one can hear you scream." That tagline alone is enough to send chills down your spine, but the poster's haunting green glow emanating from a cracked alien egg adds to the mystery and suspense. It is a masterful example of horror and sci-fi marketing, teasing the terror to come without giving too much away.
"In space, no one can hear you scream." That tagline alone is enough to send chills down your spine, but the poster's haunting green glow emanating from a cracked alien egg adds to the mystery and suspense. It is a masterful example of horror and sci-fi marketing, teasing the terror to come without giving too much away.
.jpg "The Godfather (1972)")
The Godfather (1972)
Minimalist yet powerful, The Godfather poster features a puppet-hand logo above the film's title, a direct nod to the story's themes of control and manipulation. The stark black and white design is as refined and commanding as the film itself, embodying its tone and legacy.
Minimalist yet powerful, The Godfather poster features a puppet-hand logo above the film's title, a direct nod to the story's themes of control and manipulation. The stark black and white design is as refined and commanding as the film itself, embodying its tone and legacy.
.jpg "Scarface (1983)")
Scarface (1983)
The split black and white design, with Al Pacino's Tony Montana standing in the centre, is one of the most recognisable images in crime cinema. The bold typography and high-contrast aesthetic give it a striking presence, reflecting the film's themes of power, excess and violence.
The split black and white design, with Al Pacino's Tony Montana standing in the centre, is one of the most recognisable images in crime cinema. The bold typography and high-contrast aesthetic give it a striking presence, reflecting the film's themes of power, excess and violence.
These Famous Movie Posters did not just sell movies. They became part of popular culture, instantly recognisable even to those who have not seen the films. Whether through striking imagery, bold design or sheer simplicity, they remain timeless examples of how a single image can define an entire cinematic experience.
