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#1 |
#2 |
#3 |
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The Sin of Nora Moran |
American Beauty |
Pulp Fiction |
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If I had to pick one poster as the
greatest of all time, it would have to be this gorgeous "Varga
Girl" image from an obscure 1934 film. This is a perfect
example of poster art. |
Perhaps the simplest and best
poster of the past decade, this delicate image combines innuendo
and beauty -- "Look Closer" is also one of the best taglines ever. |
Perhaps this could be considered
the best poster of all time. The classic film noir femme
fatale image. The 10¢ label adds a great touch. The
bold colors. Perfect! |
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#4 |
#5 |
#6 |
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The Gold Rush |
Die Another Day |
Lord of War |
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Gorgeously rendered, this 1925
Chaplin image is instantly recognizable. There aren't too
many posters one would rather have as wall art. |
This is one of the coolest teaser
images ever. The red hot smoking barrel of James Bond's gun
melting the ice. Superb shot! |
It may be hard to see in this
smaller version, but the bullets that make up the image of Nic
Cage are a sublime touch. This is a very inventive design. |
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#7 |
#8 |
#9 |
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Secretary |
Jaws |
Straw Dogs |
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One of the best teaser posters of
all time, this image smacks of kinky office sex. This is one
spectacularly sexy pose. |
This may be the most famous poster
of all time... and it isn't even a shot from the film itself.
This hand-drawn design is simply brilliant. |
The shattered glasses. The
emotionless stare. This image really conveys the
psychological trauma of the film's most infamous scenes. |
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#10 |
#11 |
#12 |
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Hard Candy |
The Cooler |
Casablanca |
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The inherent tension in this image
makes the film a must see! The reference to Little Red
Riding Hood in the clutches of sharp teeth makes this poster jump
off the page. |
It is quite amazing that neon
hadn't been used more often in movie posters over the years. Look
how magnificently the image pops! |
How can this poster not be included
on any list like this? The tantalizing red font splashed
across the black and white image of Rick, Ilsa and the legendary
supporting cast. |
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#13 |
#14 |
#15 |
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Lost in Translation |
Shawshank Redemption |
Romance & Cigarettes |
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Does it get any more bedraggled
than that? The iconic image of Bill Murray's hotel room
ennui makes this a poster gem. |
The iconic image of Tim Robbins
after emerging from his cell, coupled with one of the greatest
taglines ever, makes this a perfect movie poster. |
Kate Winslet makes any poster more
beautiful, and this image is about as sexy as you will
ever see. I also love the way the font is written, almost
like it was scribbled in lipstick. |
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#16 |
#17 |
#18 |
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Reservoir Dogs |
Metropolis |
Irreversible |
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There are dozens of Reservoir Dogs
poster out there. However, this one stands out because it
combines the classic black and white shot with the blood red
exterior. |
The gold poster with its sharp
angles and ominous sense of impending doom makes this a classic
pick. A cornerstone of cinema, this film deserves such a
distinctive design. |
The reversal of the letters
combined with the haunting image of Monica Bellucci alone in the
dark makes this a very disturbing poster. |
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#19 |
#20 |
#21 |
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The Seven Year Itch |
Chinatown |
Rear Window |
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Maybe the most infamous image in
pop-culture history is the one of Marilyn Monroe's dress blown
by the subway vent. |
The vivid colors make this poster such a
classic. It is beautifully designed. Frame this and
hang it in a museum. |
I love the red brick color and the
cinema screen shaped windows. This poster virtually demands that
you see the film. |
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#22 |
#23 |
#24 |
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Gilda |
City Lights |
Titanic |
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Silver-screen siren, Rita Hayworth
smoking in a slinky silk dress... it doesn't get more elegant than
this French version of the 1946 classic |
A gorgeous and romantic work of art
that truly captures the dreamy mood of this epic love story.
I love the film... I love the poster. Both are perfect. |
Without question, this poster must
be considered one of the most instantly recognizable in history.
Two gorgeous stars and the bow of the tragic ship. |
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#25 |
#26 |
#27 |
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Unfaithful |
2001: A Space Odyssey |
The End of the Affair |
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Combine the title and the
sexy-as-hell image of Diane Lane strewn across her lover's torso,
and you have sublime poster. |
Chilling -- an embryonic fetus with
wide eyes yearning for discovery. The ultimate trip is
certainly an accurate tag line. |
I love the faded silhouette of Big
Ben in the rain and the lonely man walking away in the background.
I want this poster framed and hung in my house. |
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#28 |
#29 |
#30 |
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Identity |
King Kong |
Breakfast at Tiffany's |
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Creepy and informative, this
handprint poster with five life-like fingers and a chilling
centerpiece is quite a visual. |
The 1933 poster bursts with color
and energy so very prevalent in film art back then. This
is one of the era's finest examples. |
There is a certain elegance and
stylish charm that exudes from this poster. I love the
modern use of color and framing. |
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#31 |
#32 |
#33 |
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Vertigo |
Angel-A |
Taxi Driver |
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There is something disturbing about
this off-balance poster. It gives the viewer's eyes a sense
of supreme awkwardness. |
Black and white is always a bold
choice. When coupled with fog and back-lighting, this image
of a towering Rie Rasmussen with extended shadows is a truly
memorable design. |
There is something very lonely
about this image. I love the colors and the mood here.
One gets the sense of foreboding and pain from this simple shot. |
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#34 |
#35 |
#36 |
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Sullivan's Travels |
Papillon |
Hunt for Red October |
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The utter simplicity of this
eye-catching poster is its greatest strength. Veronica
Lake is clearly defined by unmistakable hair and striking
features. |
The two grizzled faces of McQueen
and Hoffman, visible through the prison door, make this an
alarming image. |
There may be no better face to put
on a poster than that of Sean Connery. His classic mug along
with the simple and bold color scheme makes this instantly
recognizable. |
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#37 |
#38 |
#39 |
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Dogville |
The Thin Red Line |
Anatomy of a Murder |
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Brown is a difficult color to work
with. Not many are willing to try it. But this bold color
scheme is a great choice here. |
Keeping with the tone of the film,
this poster foregoes its many stars and bravely focuses on the
aesthetic of war instead. |
Instantly recognizable, this poster
was Premiere Magazine's choice as the #1 poster of all time. |
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#40 |
#41 |
#42 |
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The English Patient |
Barry Lyndon |
Office Space |
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As romantic a kiss as you are ever
likely to see! This shot is a heavenly peek at this great
film. |
Again... Simplicity rules the day.
It is quite amazing how this basic design is so memorable. |
A man engulfed in post-it notes and
one of the most truthful taglines in history. This is a brilliant
poster that really conveys the tone of the film. |
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#43 |
#44 |
#45 |
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Last Tango in Paris |
La Dolce Vita |
The Descent |
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The steamy / blurry image conveys
the sexy and dreamlike quality of the legendarily erotic film. |
Glamorous Italian cool seeps
through every pore of this grand poster. The mystery... The
elegance. |
A very clever nod to the hidden
image on the moth in the "Silence of the Lambs" poster -
which, in turn, references the famous Salvador Dali image. |
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#46 |
#47 |
#48 |
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Attack of the 50ft Woman |
Magnolia |
42nd Street |
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One of the silliest films deserves
one of the silliest posters. However, despite that, this is one of
the iconic poster images ever. |
The subtle blend of the images in
and among the petals of the golden flower makes this a delicate
and haunting poster. Classic! |
The cascading image of legs has
been paid homage is tons of posters and films over the years. |
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#49 |
#50 |
#51 |
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Gerry |
Walk the Line |
The Graduate |
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The simple blocking references
cubism and the nature of the film itself. It also
foreshadows the schizophrenic nature of the title character(s). |
This is an instant classic. I
have never seen a poster that looks remotely like this one.
Superb. |
The colors may be a bit dull and
faded, but
the image may be the most famous one in film history. Anyone
with the foresight to add that shot to a poster deserves some
credit. |
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#52 |
#53 |
#54 |
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Collateral |
Perfume |
Brotherhood of the Wolf |
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The intensity of Tom Cruise's
heavily stubbled face is very memorable. |
Simultaneously romantic and
horrific. The woman's blood red hair spills out to create a
visceral and haunting image. Superb! |
Mystery and intrigue lie waiting
for you when you see this glorious image. |
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#55 |
#56 |
#57 |
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A Clockwork Orange |
Boogie Nights |
Rosemary's Baby |
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Another Kubrick film with a simple
and powerful poster design. That shape is instantly
recognizable. |
The star. The colors.
The fonts. All unique! You could remove all the text
and still know the film. |
A nightmare waiting to happen.
There has always been something eerie about the silhouette of a
baby carriage. |
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#58 |
#59 |
#60 |
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Nosferatu the Vampire |
1000 Convicts and a
Woman |
Paris, je t'aime |
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Perhaps not an original poster, but
still wonderful. This is definitely a work of art. |
You've got to love that tag line!
Wouldn't you love to see posters like that in theatres. |
A bright red heart bursting with
Eiffel Towers... a special design for a special film. |
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#61 |
#62 |
#63 |
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Le Mepris |
The Rules of the Game |
Lolita |
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An beautiful depiction of the
seductive Brigitte Bardot in Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt". |
There is a warmth to that red glow
in this poster. One of the great films with one of the great
poster. |
The taunting image captures the
taboo nature of the film's subject. A real Kubrick gem. |
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#64 |
#65 |
#66 |
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The Last Detail |
Duets |
The Truman Show |
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A hilarious and bold photo of the
main star... This is a great example of letting the picture do all
the work. |
Elegance and simplicity. This
is the definition of the phrase "Less is More". Love this
one! |
It is hard to see all the little
photos that make up the big one. This is a nice visual pun
for the film. |
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#67 |
#68 |
#69 |
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About Schmidt |
A Good Woman |
The 40 Year Old Virgin |
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Nicholson appears on yet another
poster in this list... Here looking as bedraggled as it gets. |
There is something very elegant
about this poster. It really conveys the 1930's feel with
wonderful artwork. |
It's that ridiculous look on Steve
Carell's face that makes this a classic poster image. |
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#70 |
#71 |
#72 |
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Tristana |
Artificial Intelligence |
Gangs of New York |
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Catherine Deneuve graces another
entry in this list with this startling profile shot.
Mesmerizing. |
I love the quiet way in which it
appears that the little boy has stepped out from the A. |
This poster would be higher on the
list if they hadn't resorted to floating heads above the skyline. |
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#73 |
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Breathless |
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Along with one of the most famous
images in the history of film, this quad poster gorgeously uses
two distinct colors and bold simplicity to create a title banner
that is virtually impossible to forget. This should be a
lesson to all the insanely busy posters out there that try to cram
in as much information as possible. |
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#74 |
#75 |
#76 |
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Lawrence of Arabia |
Crash |
Minority Report |
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This is an iconic hand-drawn
rendition of the legendary character. This is a stunning
poster. |
The emotion on that face is
powerful enough to make you want to see the film. |
It was such a nice touch to have
the eye, not only be visible, but to be in color rather than the
tinted blue. |
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#77 |
#78 |
#79 |
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Munich |
Captivity |
Silence of the Lambs |
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This is a somber image that carries
an emotional weight with such simplicity. Brilliant! |
Being buried alive is one of my
worst nightmares... This shot is a desperate visualisation of my
fear. |
I'll admit it... the poster makes
me uncomfortable. It is not pleasant to look at, but it is
effective. |
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#80 |
#81 |
#82 |
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Requiem for a Dream |
The Exorcist |
M.A.S.H. |
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This is an oddly designed poster...
very rare to see such different images split by a title banner.
I love the iconic image of Jennifer Connelly on a pier, also used
in "Dark City". |
You can just about hear that
infamous music merely by looking at the poster. A desperate
and moody image, a great use of light and B&W. |
A surreal image that has been
copied many times. I find the blend of hand and legs very
unsettling. Is it just me? |
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#83 |
#84 |
#85 |
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Fargo |
Showgirls |
Premonition |
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The textured knitting motif is used
brilliantly in this off-beat poster for a classically off-beat
film. |
A dreadful film... A classic poster
design. That silhouette is instantly recognizable to all. |
Fabulously inventive and creepy, a
face made from branches and birds makes this the best of 2007 so
far. |
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#86 |
#87 |
#88 |
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Eternal Sunshine... |
Adaptation |
Manhattan |
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Joel & Clementine break the ice in
this memorable shot from the film. |
The trippy and eccentric nature of
the film is evident in the poster art. |
Woody Allen boils down this NYC
relationship film to a sublime B&W still. |
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#89 |
#90 |
#91 |
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Alien |
Star Wars: Episode 1 |
All About Eve |
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The image is recognizable, but it
is the fabulous tagline that makes this poster so great. "In
Space, No One Can Hear You Scream!" |
The foreshadowing teaser image is
just about the only good thing to come from this truly
disappointing George Lucas sequel/prequel. |
There is something energetic and
vibrant about the inertia of this design. It feels very
tied to the decade. |
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#92 |
#93 |
#94 |
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Belle de Jour |
Notorious Bettie Page |
Stalker |
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This poster hints at the
wonderfully erotic nature of Bunuel's masterpiece with Catherine
Deneuve. What a perfect tease! |
Bold and distinctive colors frame
the iconic image of Gretchen Mol as Bettie Page. This is a
great example of simplicity. |
Thanks to Stanley M. for this
wonderful suggestion. This obscure Tarkovski film poster is eerie
beyond belief. Love the colors! |
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#95 |
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The Rocketeer |
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The only real reason to see the
film is to catch a glimpse of Jennifer Connelly in one of her
most resplendent roles. However, the UK Quad poster has a
spectacular art-deco with tremendous kinetic power. It is
simply gorgeous. |
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#96 |
#97 |
#98 |
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Jules et Jim |
Gun Crazy |
Le Divorce |
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This immortal image of Jeanne
Moreau has been paid homage in Cameron Crowe's "Vanilla Sky". |
More humorous than anything else,
this is a perfect example of pulp art poster design. |
At first, you may not notice the
silhouette of the Eiffel Tower in the cleavage. Nice touch! |
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#99 |
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L'Ammaliatrice (The Flame of New Orleans) |
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Marlene Dietrich extended in her
full glory in a sensual artistic rendition. This is the kind
of classy quad-poster that you could hang as art in your home.
This reader suggestion definitely flew under my radar.
Thanks to Jim S. for the tip! |
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#100 |
ANY IDEAS? |
Did We Miss One? --
Send Us Your Suggestions!
|
