Posters, when done right, are an art form. Sure, they’re advertisements, but they’re also such a great artistic challenge. Representing the identity of a movie – and getting people in the door – with a single image? That’s tough. Rendering that image in a manner that resembles actual artwork (or something you’d hang on your wall)? Even tougher.
I get why it goes wrong sometimes. Whenever a sh*tty poster hits a lot of people blame the artist, but they’re not the only ones at fault. Studio marketing departments emphasize their perception of the film’s commercial assets – often sacrificing a compelling key art campaign in the process. Today we celebrate the posters that made it out alive, the ones with flair.
Some of them are for great films and and others are merely great posters for “okay” films. And some of these movies haven’t even come out yet, but their posters have – rendering them fair game. Head inside and click on their banners to check ’em out!
Posters (Best/Worst) | Trailers (Best/Worst)
THE EVIL DEAD
A poster that’s not afraid to go old-school and promise something ridiculous. Plus, that image of an exhausted woman implies that’s how you will feel after watching it.
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
A perfect, beautiful image that encapsulates the complexities of the film’s plot without giving a damn thing away.
PARANORMAN
This isn’t the key-art for the film (those were good posters too, actually) but it is part of a series of officially sanctioned designs that really worked. I didn’t love Paranorman, but its visual aesthetic was never anything but top notch. And that ethos spread to the marketing materials as well.
CHRONICLE
I really loved how this one-sheet suggested a brand new tone for superhero movies, something that director Josh Trank successfully lived up to in the finished product. Also, before the film had a trailer, this enigmatic image kept you guessing as to what the film was actually about.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER
I found that the actual movie alternated between being mildly entertaining and horribly tedious. But the one-sheet was incredibly self-assured. I wanted to see that movie.
PROMETHEUS
Whether or not the movie ultimately let you down, you have to admit that this poster had you foaming at the mouth for months.
EXCISION
An interestingly regal and bloody one-sheet. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but now I kind of want to. Marketing!