Coolest Movie Posters of All Time

The first movie poster was made in 1890 for a short French film called “Projections Artistiques.” Ever since then, movie posters have been used to give would-be viewers a hint of what to expect from a film and make them consider forking over some cash (or streaming clicks) for a new movie.

When done right, movie posters become almost as famous as the movie they represent. We’re suckers for a good movie poster. And these are the coolest and most iconic movie posters of all time. Any of them would look great hanging on a wall, too, so we included links to buy them if you feel like adorning some empty space with some incredible artwork. 

Year: 1993

Production company: Amblin Entertainment

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Worldwide box office: $1.03 billion

Bottom line: This poster hails from the cover of Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” novel, which was designed by Chip Kidd. He was a designer who was just starting his career. After several conceptions, Kidd happened upon a picture of a T-Rex skeleton from a museum.

Kidd just copied the skeleton and gave it a silhouette. It worked. For the movie poster, they put the art in a yellow and black circle and added a red background. 

Buy it on Amazon: “Jurassic Park” movie poster, $12.99

Year: 1983

Production company: Universal Pictures

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Worldwide box office: $66 million

Bottom line: Tony Montana sees the world in black and white. It either benefits him or it doesn’t. This poster of the famous movie drug lord encapsulates his menacing persona.

It also provides some backstory for why we should be interested. Other than it starring Al Pacino. 

Buy it on Amazon: “Scarface” movie poster, $10.49

Year: 1954

Production company: Warner Bros.

Distributor: Warner Bros. 

Worldwide box office: N/A

Bottom line: “Them!” is a campy movie about a giant ant invasion, which means most of the movie is ants superimposed over reels of people screaming and running.

It’s also notable as being the first movie to feature giant insects in a creature feature. 

The poster for “Them!” is pure B-movie joy in a frame. 

Buy it on Amazon: “Them!” movie poster, $10.45

Year: 1950

Production company: Paramount Pictures

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Worldwide box office: $2.5 million-$5 million

Bottom line: A struggling screenwriter moves into the home of an aging, demented Hollywood silent film star in order to get the actress’ career back off the ground. Madness and insanity follow in “Sunset Boulevard,” which is considered one of the greatest movies ever made.

The poster for this classic flick shows Gloria Swanson glowering at William Holden and Nancy OIson, with a knotted reel of black tape juxtaposed on a bright red background. 

Buy it on Amazon: “Sunset Boulevard” movie poster, $19.99