For many, the best Star Wars poster is one of the most memorable and evocative movie posters. From the original trilogy to the recent prequels, there have been plenty of great compositions to promote the series, from nifty minimalist teaser posters to gorgeous main poster designs for each film.
Below, we analyze and rank the best Star Wars posters selected by our team. For more ways to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th, check out our article on the best Star Wars fonts and how Star Wars logos can look very different.
11. Star Wars Episode 1 Poster by Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan is one of the artists most associated with Star Wars. He created one-sheets for the original Star Wars trilogy and later painted covers for Expanded Universe novels and more. He was the natural person to turn to for his long-awaited 1999 prequel, and his design captured all the potential the film had (whether you think it came to fruition or not) That’s another issue). I especially like the eyes that start out menacing from Darth Maul’s background.
10. Drew Struzan’s Revenge of the Jedi poster
This Star Wars poster, also by Drew Struzan, couldn’t be more different.An early teaser for Return of the Jedi before Lucas decided to revert to the original title.A true Jedi never takes revenge), Darth Vader looms in the background in a striking two-tone red and black color scheme, with a climatically intense battle scene in the foreground, making it both bold and impressive.
09. The first Star Wars poster by Howard Chaykin
This painterly poster is believed to be the first Star Wars poster produced. Printed in the summer of 1976, it was an early design for the first film. Luke doesn’t look much like Luke, but Chaykin only had a few still images and paintings by concept artist Ralph McQuarrie to base his illustrations on. I love the combination of manga and almost Japanese style, notice McCurry’s early Star Wars logo in the bottom right.
08. The Last Jedi Poster
Simplicity is the key to success in this Star Wars: The Last Jedi poster design featuring just Luke, Kylo Ren, and Rey. The minimalism and lightsaber flare evokes nostalgia, but the execution is modern and there’s a subtext of the idea that the baton is being passed to the next generation.
07. Acolyte Poster
The latest addition to my list, the Stars Wars: The Acolyte poster, is both an homage to previous designs and a major shift. The minimalistic use of lightsabers is reminiscent of the classic Return of the Jedi teaser poster (more on that below), but the new illustration takes this motif to a gritty, brutal, almost Tarantino style. A twist has been added. It’s a clever design that clearly connects Disney’s new series to the Star Wars universe, while also setting us up for something entirely different: a Star Wars-based thriller.
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06. Star Wars Episode 1 Teaser Poster
This clever, minimalist Star Wars poster designed by Ellen Lee is very different from what we typically expect from the series. It depicts a young Anakin Skywalker walking toward you with his head bowed through the desert, with no floating head, lens flare, or spaceship in sight. But a closer look reveals that he is already casting an ominous shadow of his future self. This has to be Star Wars’ deepest and most philosophical poster, making us question the effects of nature and nurture.
05. Noriyoshi Oyori “Star Wars” Poster
It’s hard to choose a favorite among the gorgeous, action-packed Star Wars posters created by the late Japanese illustrator Noriyoshi Oyori, but I’d say The Empire Strikes Back. He put a lot into his work. It can be overwhelming and annoying at times, but here it’s exciting and vibrant, and blends well with the film’s atmosphere. The Japanese type is even more interesting.
04. Roger Castel The Empire Strikes Back Poster
Gone with the wind in space? No, this is another poster for The Empire Strikes Back. Designed by Roger Castell for US release, it was eventually scrapped and replaced with a different design, although Billy Dee Williams reportedly played Lando Calrissian. Because we complained that we weren’t featured (contractual obligations are one of the main reasons we release the floating head design, which is mandatory on movie posters). However, I prefer the combination of fiery colors and soft airbrushed look of this original version.
03. Star Wars poster by Tom John
I may be biased here because I had a postcard of this on my wall at home when I was a kid.So for me this is of Star Warsimage. In a way, there’s nothing particularly clever about it, just that all the main characters are set against a cosmic backdrop. However, the balance and proportion of the composition is skillfully achieved.
02. Return of the Jedi Teaser Poster by Tim Reamer
We’ve already seen some minimalist Star Wars posters where lightsabers play all the roles. This is the original inspiration from Tim Riemer and is still influential today. By the time the third movie came out, lightsabers had become instantly recognizable among movie fans, so this poster would have worked without the logo, but it’s even better for the story it tells. It’s powerful. At the end of The Empire Strikes Back, Luke loses his lightsaber in a battle with Darth Vader, but the poster says he’s back and ready to continue the fight.
01. Star Wars poster by Tom John
Finally, at the top of the list is another classic Tom Jung poster for the original Star Wars movie. The one you’ve already seen may be better known, but I think this one has a more exciting design. The asymmetrical composition alone is interesting and quite unusual for a movie poster, but it works well.
I think this illustration perfectly sums up George Lucas’ vision for movies as a combination of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure. The insanely muscular Luke Skywalker and Princess Lear look like they stepped straight out of the cover of a sword-and-sorcery novel into space. You’ll wonder why Mark Richard Hamill wasn’t cast in Conan the Barbarian years later. When you look at the background, it’s like you’re in another movie, but with an equally epic scope.
For more inspiration, check out our selection of the best movie posters.