Posters have long been the primary source of advertising for films, and the success of the new release would rest on their shoulders. Because of this, the artistry put into posters had to be unique, eye-catching, and aesthetically pleasing.
Some posters have become iconic and have gone down in history, fetched thousands at auctions, found themselves at the center of a mystery, or become pop-culture symbols in their own right. Let’s take a look at some great movie posters of the past and consider what made them so successful.
Jaws
Arguably the most iconic poster of all time, the classic image of the great white shark baring its sharp teeth is enough to end a shiver down anyone’s spine. The famous artwork was used both for Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster and the Peter Benchley book that the film was based on. The artist, Roger Kastel, first envisioned this design after flicking through the first few passages of the novel. As soon as the idea came to him, he needed to make it a reality. He started by photographing stuffed sharks at the American Museum of Natural History and then hiring 24-year-old model Allison Maher to play the part of the innocent swimmer, just inches away from the shark’s looming bite. The painting was created using oil on Masonite.
What makes this poster so good?
The simplicity of this poster is one of its finest features. The red lettering is striking against the white background — signalling the danger and excitement that the movie promises. It illustrates the thrilling theme of the film without overcomplicating things, creating an iconic design that has been reimagined over the years. To add even more interest to the poster’s back story, the whereabouts of the original Jaws painting remains a mystery to this day.