The best movie posters in cinema history come from many different decades, different genres, and in different styles, meaning any film can use art and graphic design to leave a lasting impression on an audience before they even sit down in the theater or grab the remote. Movie posters have gone through iterations over the years, with some poster trends growing tiresome and others opening interesting new angles on a movie and the creative direction of a project. Sometimes styles fall out of favor only to return and shock everyone with their originality.
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While the worst movie posters tend to feel like they were cobbled together in a few hours with little input from anyone who actually made the movie, the best movie posters highlight why a viewer should watch a film. They can draw in viewers with an intriguing location, make them curious with a mysterious hint at what’s in store, or get them excited by the characters and stories suggested on the poster. While many artists and graphic designers are recognizable for their works, some have been lost to time, but their incredible movie posters certainly haven’t been.
50 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Poster By Robert McCall
The classic space art of Robert McCall helps to make audiences understand just what they are about to see in Stanley Kubrick’s seminal and epic 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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8.2/10 2001: A Space Odyssey GAdventureMysterySci-Fi
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of Stanley Kubrick’s most well-known films. A science-fiction epic, the film tells the story of the journey of Discovery One, a spacecraft operated by a group of scientists, astronauts, and a sentient computer, on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious monolith. Considered one of the greatest films ever made, Kubrick combines sparse dialogue with the heavy use of scoring and ambiguous imagery to create something that eschews conventional filmmaking.
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*Availability in US Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date April 3, 1968 Cast Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter , Leonard Rossiter , Margaret Tyzack Runtime 149 minutes Budget $12 million
49 Brazil (1985)
Poster By Bill Garland
Garland’s fascinating and theatrical depiction of an angelic woman flying out of an infinite cabinet in the poster for Brazil suggests the absurd and menacing nature of Brazil.
Brazil (1985) RComedySci-Fi
In a dystopian future, a low-level government employee becomes entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare after encountering the woman of his dreams. As he navigates an oppressive system marked by inefficiency and surveillance, his quest for freedom and love spirals into chaos, highlighting the absurdity of totalitarian regimes and the human desire for individuality.
Director Terry Gilliam Release Date December 18, 1985 Cast Jonathan Pryce , Robert De Niro , Katherine Helmond , Ian Holm , Bob Hoskins , Michael Palin , Ian Richardson , Peter Vaughan , Kim Greist Runtime 142 Minutes Budget $15 Million
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48 Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Poster By Richard Amsel
Richard Amsel’s poster for Raiders of the Lost Ark is the exact type of yellow, old-looking art found in the serial films the Indian Jones franchise has been riffing on.
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9.3/10 Raiders of the Lost Ark PGAdventureAction
The most popular and well-received film in the Indiana Jones movie franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in a race against Nazi forces to recover the famed Ark of the Covenant. Aided by his former lover, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must work to keep the Nazis, led by Dr. Rene Belloq, from obtaining the Ark and thus becoming recipients of its power. The film is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest movies ever made.
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*Availability in US Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 12, 1981 Cast Harrison Ford , Karen Allen , Alfred Molina , Paul Freeman , Ronald Lacey , John Rhys-Davies , Denholm Elliott Runtime 115 Minutes Budget $20 Million
47 Manhattan (1979)
Poster By Bert Kleeger
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Bert Kleeger’s nostalgic depiction of a couple looking at the Manhattan Bridge in black-and-white in the same-titled Woody Allen movie is romantic and sad all the same time.
Manhattan RComedyDramaRomance
Manhattan, directed by Woody Allen, is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of New York City. Starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, and Mariel Hemingway, the film delves into themes of love, infidelity, and the search for happiness in urban life. Shot in black and white, it’s noted for its iconic imagery and a score featuring Gershwin’s music.
Director Woody Allen Release Date April 25, 1979 Cast Woody Allen , Diane Keaton , Mariel Hemingway , Michael Murphy , Meryl Streep , Anne Byrne Hoffman , Karen Ludwig , Michael O’Donoghue Runtime 96 Minutes
46 Godzilla Vs Biollante (1989)
Poster By Noriyoshi Ohrai
The Japanese Godzilla posters are all worthy of celebration, but Godzilla vs Biollante takes the cake for its incredible glowing colors and fearsome size of Godzilla’s latest foe.
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6/10 Godzilla vs. Biollante PGActionDramaFantasy
Godzilla vs. Biollante is a 1989 Japanese kaiju film directed by Kazuki Omori. The film follows Godzilla’s battle against Biollante, a genetically engineered rose monster infused with human and Godzilla’s DNA. As the two monsters clash, humanity faces the devastating impact of their confrontation. This installment explores themes of biotechnology and environmental consequences.
Director Kazuki Ômori , Koji Hashimoto , Kenjirô Ohmori Release Date December 16, 1989 Cast Kunihiko Mitamura , Yoshiko Tanaka , Masanobu Takashima , Kôji Takahashi , Tôru Minegishi , Megumi Odaka , Toshiyuki Nagashima , Ryûnosuke Kaneda Runtime 104 Minutes
45 Cloverfield (2008)
Directed By Matt Reeves
The marketing for Cloverfield was a genius campaign and that extends to its intriguing poster of a headless Statue of Liberty overlooking the burning city of New York, with a monster-sized hole in the middle of it.
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6.6/10 Cloverfield PG-13MysteryHorrorThrillerAdventureActionSci-Fi
Directed by Matt Reeves, Cloverfield is a found-footage disaster movie that follows a group of people seeking safety during a state of emergency. When New York City is attacked by an unknown monstrous entity, chaos ensues. A group of friends document their attempts to flee the city and find sanctuary from an onslaught of monsters on a handheld camcorder – footage which is designated as an account of the “Cloverfield” incident.
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*Availability in US Director Matt Reeves Release Date January 15, 2008 Cast Lizzy Caplan , Jessica Lucas , T.J. Miller , Michael Stahl-David , Mike Vogel , Odette Annable Runtime 85 minutes Budget $25 million
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44 Metropolis (1927)
Poster By Heinz Schulz-Neudamm
The poster for the 1927 Metropolis, designed by German graphic designer Heinz Schulz-Neudamm, is modern, sleek, and unsettling, influencing everything from Blade Runner to The Dark Knight.
Metropolis DramaDocumentarySci-Fi Where to Watch
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*Availability in US Director Fritz Lang Release Date February 6, 1927 Cast Alfred Abel , Gustav Fröhlich , Rudolf Klein-Rogge , Fritz Rasp , Theodor Loos , Erwin Biswanger
43 Dead Alive (1992)
Directed By Peter Jackson
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One of the most terrifying VHS covers to stumble upon in a Blockbuster, Dead Alive is nightmare-inducing with the woman’s bulging eyes and the disgusting thought of a rotten skull pushing out of her throat.
Dead Alive RComedyHorrorFantasy
Dead Alive follows the story of a young man, Lionel Cosgrove, as he contends with his overbearing mother who becomes a zombie after being bitten by a rare Sumatran rat-monkey. Set in a suburban neighborhood, Dead Alive offers a unique take on the traditional zombie narrative.
Director Peter Jackson Release Date August 13, 1992 Cast Timothy Balme , Diana Peñalver , Elizabeth Moody , Ian Watkin , Brenda Kendall , Stuart Devenie Runtime 104 Minutes
42 Scream (1996)
Directed By Wes Craven
As iconic as the Ghostface mask the movie spawned, the Scream poster is stylish, cool, and ensures there’s no doubt that Craven’s film is as much a horror movie as it is a response to horror films of the era.
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9.6/10 Scream RCrimeHorrorMystery
Wes Craven flips the horror-slasher genre on its head with the 1996 release of Scream, the first in the long-running franchise. The residents of Woodsboro discover a series of murders are being committed by a dangerous ghost mask-wearing killer with an obsession for classic horror movies. To survive, a group of high school students, a reporter, and a town deputy will have to subvert horror expectations and stay one step ahead of the killer.
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*Availability in US Director Wes Craven Release Date December 20, 1996 Cast Drew Barrymore , Kevin Patrick Walls , David Booth , Carla Hatley , Neve Campbell , Skeet Ulrich Runtime 111 minutes Budget $14 Million
41 Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)
Poster By Robert McGinnis
Even as a cartoon, Audrey Hepburn is incredibly beautiful and stylish with Robert McGinnis’ poppy art style, including an extra-long cigarette holder, perfectly capturing the tone of the film.
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8/10 Breakfast at Tiffany’s pg-13ComedyDocumentaryDramaRomance
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a romantic comedy film by director Blake Edwards and is based on Truman Capote’s 1958 novella. The 1961 film stars Buddy Ebsen, Audrey Hepburn, Patricia Neal, and George Peppard. The plot revolves around Holly Golightly as she falls in love and the trials and tribulations that come along with it.
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*Availability in US Director Blake Edwards Release Date October 6, 1961 Cast Audrey Hepburn , George Peppard , Patricia Neal , Buddy Ebsen , Martin Balsam , José Luis de Villalonga Runtime 115minutes
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40 Back To The Future (1985)
Poster By Drew Struzan
Back to the Future is an iconic sci-fi adventure film of the 1980s and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) staring at the glowing interior of the DeLorean invites viewers in for what will be the ride of their life.
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20 9/10 Back to the Future PGAdventureComedyFamilySci-Fi
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date July 3, 1985 Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Runtime 116 minutes Budget $19 million
39 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Poster By Annie Atkins
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Every frame of a Wes Anderson movie could be made into a poster, but Annie Atkins and The Grand Budapest Hotel do it the best with the gorgeous, inviting hotel taking up the picture with its trademark pink overpowering the grays and browns around it.
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9.3/10 The Grand Budapest Hotel RAdventureComedyDrama
From director Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the film’s titular hotel. Fiennes is joined by Tony Revolori as Zero, a newly hired bellhop who serves as Gustave’s partner-in-crime throughout the film. An older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, serves as the narrator for the story, which chronicles the adventures of Gustave and Zero after Gustave is framed for the murder of the wealthy Madame D., his patron and lover.
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*Availability in US Director Wes Anderson Release Date March 28, 2014 Cast Willem Dafoe , Jude Law , Edward Norton , Jeff Goldblum , Saoirse Ronan , Adrien Brody , Tilda Swinton , Ralph Fiennes , Tony Revolori Runtime 100 Minutes Budget 25 million
38 The Godfather (1972)
Directed By Francis Ford Coppola
Putting Marlon Brando on the poster is cheating a bit in a best movie poster competition, but his forlorn look and the marionette control are ominous hints at what the entire Godfather franchise would be about.
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13 9.8/10 The Godfather RDramaCrime
Francis Ford Coppola directed this 1978 classic that would go on to become one of the most iconic crime films ever made. Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Al Pacino, The Godfather gives a tense and introspective look into the Corleone crime family of New York City.
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*Availability in US Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date March 24, 1972 Cast Marlon Brando , Diane Keaton , James Caan , Al Pacino , Robert Duvall Runtime 175 minutes Budget $6 million
37 Jackass Forever (2022)
Directed By Jeff Tremaine
Rarely do posters feature stunts from the movie they are selling, but Jackass Forever shows Johnny Knoxville doing just that, flying off into the unknown out of a cannon in front of a cheery, blue sky.
Jackass Forever RComedyActionDocumentary
The fourth film in the Jackass series, Jackass Forever follows in the tradition of its predecessors with its irreverent humor and hilariously ridiculous stunts. Much of the original cast returns, along with newcomers and a few special guests.
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*Availability in US Director Jeff Tremaine Release Date February 4, 2022 Cast Jasper , Dave England , Zach Holmes , Preston Lacy , Chris Pontius , Sean “Poopies” McInerney , Danger Ehren , Steve-O , Rachel Wolfson , Johnny Knoxville , Wee Man , Eric Manaka Runtime 96 minutes
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36 Forbidden Planet (1956)
Directed By Fred M. Wilcox
Forbidden Planet is a landmark of science fiction movies and its cover art is the basis for the damsel in distress trope in many science fiction movies, and the evil robot the hero must overcome, despite that not being the case in the film.
Forbidden Planet GSci-Fi
Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox. The story follows Commander John J. Adams and his crew as they explore the distant planet Altair IV, where they encounter Dr. Morbius and his daughter. The film is notable for its early depiction of advanced technology and is often regarded as a milestone in the genre, featuring groundbreaking special effects and a unique electronic music score.
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*Availability in US Director Fred M. Wilcox Release Date March 15, 1956 Cast Walter Pidgeon , Anne Francis , Leslie Nielsen Runtime 98 Minutes
35 The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Directed By Judd Apatow
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The beginning of the Aptovian era of comedy and the introduction of Steve Carell as one of the biggest comedy stars of his time, The 40-Year-Old-Virgin poster is funny, charming, warm, and a perfect encapsulation of the groundbreaking movie.
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8/10 The 40 Year Old Virgin RRomanceComedy
Steve Carell takes on the titular 40-Year Old Virgin role in this romantic comedy from Judd Apatow. Andy, an electronics store employee, reveals to his co-workers that he’s still a virgin despite recently hitting forty years of age, setting them on a quest to help him adjust his ways to find him a date and end his virginity. With or without the help of his friends, a series of awkward and comedic dates may lead him to more than a one-night-stand, but instead, the future love of his life
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*Availability in US Director Judd Apatow Release Date August 19, 2005 Cast Seth Rogen , Jane Lynch , Steve Carell , Romany Malco , Catherine Keener , Paul Rudd , Leslie Mann , Elizabeth Banks Runtime 116 minutes Budget $26 million
34 Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Poster By Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan’s poster for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone perfectly captures the mystery, magic, and ominous aspects of the first film in the industry-changing Harry Potter movie franchise.
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7.7/10 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone PGAdventureFamilyFantasy
The beginning of the adaptations of one of the most-read fantasy novel series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was directed by Chris Columbus and follows the titular Harry Potter as he discovers he has magical powers. Living with his cruel aunt and uncle, the orphaned Harry lives a challenging life that is changed when he meets a gentle giant named Hagrid, who spirits him away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he soon learns his destiny.
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*Availability in US Director Chris Columbus Release Date November 16, 2001 Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , John Cleese , Robbie Coltrane , Warwick Davis , Richard Griffiths , Ian Hart , John Hurt , Alan Rickman , Fiona Shaw , Maggie Smith Runtime 152 Minutes Budget $125 Million
33 Nashville (1975)
Directed By Robert Altman
Nashville a satirical musical comedy, is perfectly depicted in this oddball, explosive poster that doesn’t make much sense but can’t help but grab a viewer’s attention.
32 The Shining (1980)
Poster By Saul Bass
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The Shining is filled with new ways to shock and unsettle and Saul Bass’ unnerving and glaring yellow is as mean and harsh as the grimacing face hiding in the “T”.
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15 9.4/10 The Shining RHorrorDrama
Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge.
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*Availability in US Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date June 13, 1980 Cast Danny Lloyd , Shelley Duvall , Jack Nicholson , Scatman Crothers Runtime 146 minutes Budget $19 Million
31 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Directed By Sam Raimi
The best Spider-Man movie also has the best poster. Spider-Man 2 utilizes the usually boring orange and blue color grade to excellent effect, Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) looks appropriately disheveled, and there’s an Easter egg waiting in Spider-Man’s eye for those who look.
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8/10 Spider-Man 2 PG-13 Sci-FiActionAdventure
After defeating the Green Goblin, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man struggles with self-doubt in both his superhero career and his personal life. But when Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus threatens Peter Parker’s loved ones, the web-crawler must stay true to his heroic purpose and don the mask once again in this second installment of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy.
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*Availability in US Director Sam Raimi Release Date June 30, 2004 Cast Donna Murphy , Alfred Molina , Tobey Maguire , James Franco , Rosemary Harris , Kirsten Dunst Runtime 127 minutes Budget $200 million