List compiled by Eddie on 02/05/2014
The movie poster – before trailers became the go to piece of the marketing department the poster was what drew the audiences in, as someone walked by the movie theatre how was the film poster going to stop them in their tracks and get them to make a mental note of “I’ve got to see that one?!”. Is it something terrifying? Something suggestive? Something strange and intriguing? Many elements combine to make a movie poster truly memorable, and with thousands upon thousands to choose from it’s not easy picking just 10 great examples of the art form.
Below are 10 of my personal favourites that act as both great individual works of both art and advertisement:
For Jordan’s list click here
10. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Foreboding and ominous, this is a clever use of Daniel Day Lewis’s character.
9. Psycho (1960)
Risqué for the 1960’s, this poster is also a fine example of colour use and a clever marketing ploy to advertise Janet Leigh to the men of the day.
8. Children of Men (2006)
With catchy wording and an image that creates emotion within all of us, this particular poster is eye catching and darkly beautiful.
7. The Tree of Life (2011)
Using Malik’s marvellously captured images to great effect, this is a wonderful poster full of love, hope and life.
6. Gravity (2013)
Minimalistic in all the right ways, this is one of the modern ages best posters.
5. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
A now iconic poster that manages to get your attention with bold letters and a bold image.
4. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
A true work of art that helped sell what would become the biggest franchise the world has ever seen.
3. The Thing (1982)
Saying so much about the film in such a clever way, this is a wonderful example of selling a movie without letting out its secrets.
2. The Godfather (1972)
Using the image of Brando along with the original books title work was a great move by the heads of Paramount in what would become one of the most popular posters ever made.
1. Jaws (1975)
Arguably the most recognizable poster ever made, this Jaws poster is also a truly grand design that manages to sell the movie in so many different ways. Just the perfect example of what can be achieved with the right poster.
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Great post on the relevance of the movie poster!
Cheers Bill, it really is an important part of the business.
Eddie
It’s a good list, Jaws would probably be my #1 too, I also like the Uma smoking poster for Pulp Fiction, My wife and I were hoping to start a collection, so far we only have an original poster for Labyrinth
Nothing like a poster collection, I use to take them liberally from my movie shop days.
Eddie
A theatre I frequent in Brisbane sells their older posters for a fiver each. Double sided, and darn big. Picked up quite a few there, and it only costs 30 bucks to get them mounted on a wooden board. Looks great!
Man that’s an awesome idea, great idea with the wooden boards.
Eddie
Yeah. Most framing shops do it for not too big a price. Definitely worth it!
Great choices. I have that Star Wars one, love it
It’s so good dude, hope they can work some magic on the new film posters.
Eddie
Great list of posters. Love the Jaws one. That Gravity poster is so scary – really captures the loneliness of space that the film conveys so well.
Glad you like that one to Writer 🙂
Eddie
Jaws is definitely an amazing poster. Nice idea for a post.
I don’t know if counts as classic or not as it was released in 1999, but I really like the poster for Gamera 3, where Gamera is over the streets of Shibuya with a bit of fire in the mouth.
Il have to look that one up dude sounds pretty cool though 🙂
Eddie
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Some classics there guys. They don’t seem to make movie posters like they used to though.
I reckon our right my man, they use to really make some works of art and it seemed to of mean more to them to create really unique pieces.
Eddie
Awesome posters. I love the Psycho one.
It’s a great one Abbi, most of Hitchcocks films were accompanied by some awesome posters.
Eddie
Love, love, love movie posters. Great post. My favorites are probably Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
I would fill my whole house up with movie posters if I could mate ha. 2 awesome choices there, a giant Killer Tomatoes poster up in a house would be all types of sweet.
Eddie
I have a couple 11×17 posters from Killer Tomatoes. It’ll probably be the first poster up when I decorate my movie/writing room.
That sounds ace mate, nothing like getting all the things organised for the movie watching room!
Eddie
Great choices. Before I clicked the link, I knew it had to be Star Wars and Jaws but other choices I didn’t see too.
Almost can’t go past those two posters mate, ey don’t make em like they use to that is for sure.
Eddie
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