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'Pulp Fiction' (1994) -

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.

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'Alien' (1979) -

One of the most memorable taglines in movie history is set under an acid-filled pod: "In space no one can hear you scream."

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'Full Metal Jacket' (1987) -

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.

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'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' (1977) -

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.

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'Jaws' (1975) -

'Jaws' gave sharks a bad name. And you can see why. Quite simply one of the most intimidating movie posters of all time.

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'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981) -

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."

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'Moonlight' (2016) -

'Moonlight' is a visual treat of a film, and the triple portrait of its central actors puzzles and intrigues in equal measure.

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'The Godfather' (1972) -

A masterpiece of minimalist art, the puppeteering logo used to illustrate 'The Godfather' mimics that found on the cover of Mario Puzo's novel.

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'Chinatown' (1974) -

Jack Nicholson's tobacco smoke becomes Faye Dunaway's hair. Genius.

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'Mean Streets' (1973) -

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.

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'2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968) -

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.

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'Yellow Submarine' (1968) -

Psychedelic pop art at its most dazzling, the original poster for 'Yellow Submarine' is one of the most sought-after items of Beatles' memorabilia.

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'Amadeus' (1984) -

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.

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'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961) -

Darling Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), effortlessly stylish and a picture of sophistication in pearls and a black gown, and a cat!

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'The Exorcist' (1973) -

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.

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'Live and Let Die' (1973) -

Bond movie posters are real collectibles, and this one particularly so, as it introduces Roger Moore as the new 007.

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'Back to the Future' (1985) -

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.

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'Anatomy of a Murder' (1959) -

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.

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'Blade Runner' (1982) -

Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic is visually stunning. So, too, is the poster art publicizing this cult movie.

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'Halloween' (1978) -

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?

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'Taxi Driver' (1976) -

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!

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'The Graduate' (1967) -

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.

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'Scarface' (1983) -

The split personality of refugee-turned-gangster Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is brilliantly personified in this theatrical release poster for 'Scarface.'

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'Dirty Harry' (1971) -

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.

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'The Dirty Dozen' (1967) -

Fantastic artwork captures the action and excitement that one of the most successful war movies of the 1960s is famous for.

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'Metropolis' (1927) -

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.

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'Volver' (2009) -

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.

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'Vertigo' (1958) -

Just gazing at this artwork for Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller induces a sense of giddiness.

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'The Parallax View' (1974) -

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)

See also: The best AI and robot movies of all time

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