The 28 Best Movie Posters of 2017
Even though it seems like the art of the movie poster is dead, and studios are happy to churn out poorly Photoshop'd floating heads, some movies still keep the fires burning. Here are the posters in 2017 that reminded us how much a single image can do to sell an entire movie.
'Alien: Covenant' (Main Poster)
The latest "Alien" spinoff was once known as "Alien: Paradise Lost," and you get a real sense of the dark, Biblical grandeur of Ridley Scott's vision with this montage of writhing, transforming bodies. If only that vision carried over to the final product a little better...
'Alien: Covenant' (Teaser)
Compared to the main theatrical poster, the teaser for "Alien: Covenant" is far more simple and focused. One quick look tells you exactly what you're in for, even if you've never seen an "Alien" film in your life.
'Baby Driver'
This sleeper hit is a movie all about shoot-outs and car chases fueled by music. That idea is instantly conveyed through this clever bit of graphic design. We're always glad when movie posters don't need to rely on the actors' faces.
'Baywatch'
As lowbrow as this image may be, it's certainly an attention-grabber. And we have to give Paramount credit for not relying on the most obvious marketing hook with this big-budget reboot -- the gorgeous cast.
'Blade Runner 2049'
When you picture "Blade Runner," you probably imagine neon lights and towering buildings. This poster threw fans for a loop by cutting out those elements entirely, and instead offering a mysterious, murky view of this grungy sci-fi universe. It's an approach that speaks to WB's generally close-lipped approach to marketing the film.
'Colossal'
"Colossal" is a bizarre sci-fi comedy about a troubled woman who inadvertently causes a kaiju attack halfway across the world. How do you get both plot and tone across in a poster? This one succeeded pretty darned well.
'A Cure for Wellness' (Teaser)
"A Cure for Wellness" is a visually stunning film, and it's only fitting that its poster would follow suit. Even though it offers little hint of what the film is actually about, this striking image invites you to explore its mysteries.
'The Diasaster Artist' (Teaser)
"The Room" is among the most meme-worthy films ever created. It's inevitable that one of those memes would find its way into the marketing of "The Disaster Artist," the story of how that cult classic came to be. This poster instantly captures the awkward hilarity that is Tommy Wiseau's magnum opus.
'Dunkirk'
"Dunkirk" is a film all about the sheer, sensory horror that is war. That idea is expertly captured in the poster, which features a single soldier dwarfed by the carnage at Dunkirk Beach. Another marketing win for Christopher Nolan.
'Get Out'
Nothing sums up "Get Out" quite as aptly as that iconic shot of star Daniel Kaluuya staring in open, wide-eyed horror. That image also dominated the posters, proving that sometimes the simplest, most stark images are the ones that do the best job of selling a movie. This minimalistic international poster is as unsettling with its tagline as the movie's tense second act.
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' (Teaser)
You never quite know what to expect when it comes to Marvel's marketing of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films. The teaser poster for "Vol. 2" made a strong impression by mimicking the cover to The Ramones' "Rocket to Russia" and flashing a simple but very effective tagline.
'Good Time'
It makes sense that one of the most interesting crime films of 2017 would also have one of the most interesting movie posters of the year. This image does a lot to sum up "Good Time," both in terms of the film's quirky tone and its mesmerizing sense of style.
'John Wick: Chapter 2'
The odds are really stacked against master assassin John Wick in this sequel, a fact that's perfectly conveyed by this poster. You didn't need to see a trailer to know exactly what to expect from Mr. Wick's darker, more violent second outing.
'Kong: Skull Island' (IMAX)
If you're going to riff off a classic movie poster, you'd better do it well. "Kong: Skull Island" delivered a pitch-perfect homage to the iconic "Apocalypse Now" poster for its IMAX one-sheet.
'Logan' (Teaser)
Fox went in a very different direction when it came time to market this Wolverine sequel. This poster captures the tone of the film perfectly, showcasing both the tender bond between Logan and Laura and the terrible physical toll age has taken on a once mighty superhero.
'Logan' (IMAX)
"Logan" is more Western than traditional superhero movie. This IMAX-exclusive poster captured that aspect very well, with its 1970s-inspire aesthetic. The fact that these posters were freebies given away with IMAX tickets meant that fans had that much more incentive to see this film on the big, big screen.
'mother!'
Most people had no idea what to expect from Darren Aronofsky's "mother!" when they headed to the theater (which is perhaps why so few bothered in the first place). That marketing tactic didn't pay off for Paramount at the box office, but we can't fault them for this gorgeously rendered (yet gruesome) painting of star Jennifer Lawrence.
'The Post'
"The Post" is a movie about a handful of intrepid journalists going up against an almost impossible enemy and preparing to fight the most difficult battle of their careers. That much is perfectly captured here, which features stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks dwarfed by the steps they have to climb.
'Professor Marston and the Wonder Women'
This biopic of Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston was clearly banking on the popularity of the DCEU film, right down to the similarities between the posters. This one did just enough to change up the formula, luckily, adding a mysterious, sexy allure as it invited viewers to learn more about how a superhero icon came to be.
'The Shape of Water'
Like 'mother!' before it, this poster for "The Shape of Water" proves that lavishly illustrated movie posters aren't quite gone from cineplexes. This image truly captures the ethereal, passionate nature of this fairy tale romance.
'Spider-Man: Hoemcoming'
Moviegoers have seen plenty of posters of Spider-Man at this point, and "Homecoming" really needed to do something new to shake up the formula. That's just what is happening here, as the teaser poster captures the film's playful tone and the clash between Peter Parker's private and superhero lives.
'Split'
"Split" was a surprise hit in Jan. 2017, and we like to think the various posters had something to do with that success. We're especially fond of this minimalist take, which does a great job of conveying the dangerous psychological state of James McAvoy's character.
'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
The latest "Star Wars" sequel is continuing the example of "The Force Awakens" by featuring a whole series of character-specific posters with a common visual theme. And nowhere is that approach more hauntingly effective than with this rendition of the late, great Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.
'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (Dolby Exclusive)
The design harkens back to the classic Drew Struzan art from the original trilogy, while also promising high emotional stakes in between all the "Pew! Pew!" action scenes.
'Thor: Ragnarok'
"Thor Ragnarok" boasts a unique, psychedelic visual style unlike any Marvel movie that's come before. That's reflected in this eye-popping montage image, which crams the entire main cast into one epic, colorful montage.
'Wonder Woman' (Teaser)
Among other things, the early DCEU films were sorely lacking in color. This teaser poster made it immediately clear that would be changing with "Wonder Woman," showcasing Gal Gadot's heroine against a haunting gorgeous background.
'Wonder Woman' (Main)
This "Wonder Woman" poster stuck to the same basic formula as the teaser, emphasizing the color and hopeful tone of the movie. At the same time, it also gave us a very Rosie the Riveter-worthy glimpse of Diana Prince in action.
'Wonderstruck'
This poster may not offer a clear idea of what the film is about, but it doesn't have to. It promises the reward of a good mystery and an adventure worth following as it invites viewers into this cabinet of wonders.
