Animals were harmed in these films
The publicity for Stanley Kubrick's war drama is defined by this ambiguous image, with the statement "Born To Kill" set next to a peace button.
A smoking revolver becomes part of the urban landscape in this poster art for Martin Scorsese's take on what it's like to grow up in a gangster environment.
The tagline reads: "The man... The music... The madness... The murder... The motion picture." In other words, the life of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not always in tune.
Darling Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), effortlessly stylish and a picture of sophistication in pearls and a black gown, and a cat!
Michael J. Fox checks his watch in bewilderment as he steps out of his DeLorean time machine in an image that sums up the film's entire premise.
Otto Preminger's courtroom drama is one of the finest pure trial movies ever made. The artwork here cleverly interprets the careful dissection of the prosecution's case and defense cross-examination.
Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic is visually stunning. So, too, is the poster art publicizing this cult movie.
A superb example of how to characterize a movie on one palette, the poster for Indy's first cinema outing declares the "Return of the Great Adventure."
A masterpiece of minimalist art, the puppeteering logo used to illustrate 'The Godfather' mimics that found on the cover of Mario Puzo's novel.
Jack Nicholson's tobacco smoke becomes Faye Dunaway's hair. Genius.
The original 1927 German-language poster for Fritz Lang's seminal 'Metropolis' is the world's highest-valued movie poster. In 2005, a rare example sold for US$690,000. Graphic designer and illustrator German Heinz Schulz-Neudamm depicted the film's dystopian future with towering, faceless skyscrapers, the iconic machine-human, and jagged script.
Max von Sydow's Father Merrin—the "Exorcist"—stands under lamplight in front of the illuminated bedroom of Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). The simple image belies the horror waiting within.
Just gazing at this artwork for Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller induces a sense of giddiness.
The split personality of refugee-turned-gangster Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is brilliantly personified in this theatrical release poster for 'Scarface.'
Designed to resemble the cover of a cheap and tatty magazine of low-quality literature, the 'Pulp Fiction' poster artwork is so alluring that it makes you want to turn the page.
One of the most memorable taglines in movie history is set under an acid-filled pod: "In space no one can hear you scream."
'Jaws' gave sharks a bad name. And you can see why. Quite simply one of the most intimidating movie posters of all time.
Psychedelic pop art at its most dazzling, the original poster for 'Yellow Submarine' is one of the most sought-after items of Beatles' memorabilia.
Dirty Harry's unorthodox policing methods are questioned throughout this movie, to the point where the poster has to remind audiences that he's the one with the badge.
Fantastic artwork captures the action and excitement that one of the most successful war movies of the 1960s is famous for.
John Carpenter made the godfather of all slasher movies with 'Halloween,' and how else to advertise the fact than by showing a murderous pumpkin wielding a knife?
One of the defining movies of a generation, '2001: A Space Odyssey' was advertised by a number of different posters, but it's this one of the Pan Am clipper shooting out of the space wheel that's the most popular.
Robert De Niro stands in front of his checkered yellow cab on a dark New York street—and he's not even looking at us!
Bond movie posters are real collectibles, and this one particularly so, as it introduces Roger Moore as the new 007.
This tense political thriller is advertised using a poster depicting a man reeling backwards after being shot, the image of which is set on a series of hand-held placards. "As American as apple pie," reads the cryptic tagline.
Sources: (The New Yorker) (Biography) (Reuters)
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Penélope Cruz strikes a somewhat downcast but nonetheless sensual pose in this portrait poster for Pedro Almodóvar's comedy-drama. The dark eye shadow and lilac lips help set the tone.
Lightsabers, droids, and a moon-sized Death Star—all this plus an ensemble cast juxtaposed on one of the most familiar movie posters of the modern age. 'Star Wars' is a force that will always be with us.
'Moonlight' is a visual treat of a film, and the triple portrait of its central actors puzzles and intrigues in equal measure.
Never did a stockinged leg incite so much arousal and controversy than that belonging to Mrs. Robinson, who teases Benjamin in this memorable film poster artwork.
The movie poster works on several levels. It helps promote a film using artwork that can feature key scenes, the principal actors, or a conceptual image that peaks our interest without giving too much away. It also serves as an invitation to visit the cinema, which is why it's often referred to as a theatrical release poster. The artistic merit and visual impact of certain posters, however, have made them as familiar as the films they promote, and they stand alone as works of art in their own right.
Ready for a walk down memory lane? Click through and admire some of the most iconic movie posters ever produced.
The most iconic movie posters ever released
Admire the best film publicity artwork
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The movie poster works on several levels. It helps promote a film using artwork that can feature key scenes, the principal actors, or a conceptual image that peaks our interest without giving too much away. It also serves as an invitation to visit the cinema, which is why it's often referred to as a theatrical release poster. The artistic merit and visual impact of certain posters, however, have made them as familiar as the films they promote, and they stand alone as works of art in their own right.
Ready for a walk down memory lane? Click through and admire some of the most iconic movie posters ever produced.