As another year of incredible posters comes to an end, it’s time for me to (try!) and pick some of my favourites from across the year. I always say I could have picked plenty more, and that’s as true this year as any other! Let’s get going shall we?
Ash by GrandSon
I have a soft spot for sci-fi, and the striking and unusual (for the genre) colour palette in this one really stood out to me. It conveys a sense of intriguing mystery, with the crew being minor, shadowy figures against the surreal vastness behind them. It’s also a film blessed with a short title that lends itself really well to the vertical treatment that’s been used here.
Poster by GrandSon
Avowed by Skylight Collective
Normally I just focus on film and TV but this poster for the game Avowed had to be included as it’s such a stunning piece. Detailed and striking, it’s deeply morbid while also being colourful and vibrant and quite beautiful. I love it!
Poster by Skylight Collective
Bring Her Back by Empire Design
Horror always throws up some great posters, and I really enjoy the creepiness of this one. With only a narrow area of clear focus centred around the intense stare of the character, and the rest of the image blurred and indistinct, the image leaves us with lots of uneasy questions.
Poster by Empire Design
Fantastic Four by WC+A
There was a lot of great retro Sixties inspired design around this film, and I loved the simplicity of this one in particular. The graphics are minimal and iconic and speaks to the heritage of the IP too.
Poster by WC+A
Frankenstein by James Jean
Here’s a beautifully maximalist design that is intricate and abstract. It’s macabre and appealing at the same time, evoking surgery and dissection but also giving a classical art vibe. For fans of easter eggs – it’s scattered with little details from the story – which keeps you wanting to look for a long time.
Poster by James Jean
H is for Hawk by Intermission Film
Using a sunset or magic hour colour palette in a poster is a great way to instantly convey a strong mood. Here, it creates a calm and contemplative backdrop to the blurred drama in the foreground, drawing us straight into the heart of this striking poster.
Poster by Intermission Film
Mickey 17 by MOCEAN
This is one those examples where a technique is perfectly suited to the subject matter of a story (in this case, a character who dies and is ‘reprinted’ endlessly) through multiple duplicate images of the same character. Hiding the rest of the cast in the composition is a fun touch too, and makes me wonder if the initial composition was originally just lots of Mickeys!
Poster by MOCEAN
Superman by WORKS ADV
Leaning into simplicity and nostalgia, this poster is all about selling the legend of Superman with a clear nod to the classic Seventies movies and their marketing. This one is very much more about the character rather than the actor who is playing him, something that’s perhaps a bit easier to get away with with a superhero movie.
Poster design by Works ADV
Wake Up Dead Man by Empire Design
This poster is a great example of a creative way of dealing with the problem of a large cast of characters, all who need to feature as it’s a talent-stacked ensemble. Sometimes this can limit creative options but here it’s been used as an integral feature of the design. The concept has also been executed (no pun intended) fantastically well – in this case the viewpoint of the composition, with everyone looking down into the grave (and, consequently, at the audience).
Poster by Empire Design
The Actor by The Refinery
This has a wonderful, moody and quite surreal feel to it, more like a painting than a poster. Again, this is really in keeping with the dreamlike quality of the film itself so sells that from the start – very atmospheric and not your typical movie poster look.
Poster by The Refinery
That’s it for this year!
What do you think? Any you disagree with? Any I missed? Let me know in the comments.
For poster and graphic design services for your latest TV or film project, drop me a line at adam@strelka.co.uk.
