15. “The Post”
Let’s face it, a Steven Spielberg film is a Steven Spielberg film and we’re all going to see it no matter what the marketing looks like. Thankfully, though, “The Post” has looked fantastic since its first poster dropped. Based on a complicated, dense true story, “The Post” has all the makings of a tough to sell film: At its core, it’s a film about a bunch of white journalists scurrying around a newsroom and debating whether to print a story. And while there is obviously a lot more to it (at least according to the early buzz), the poster from BLT Communications chose to look less at the plot and more at the tone at the film’s heart, not to mention the literal (and obvious but acceptable) uphill battle before our stars. Designed by the folks behind a handful of other posters on this list (and also the extremely dull “Avengers: Infinity War” poster), it’s a nuanced, Oscar-friendly poster that knows exactly what “The Post” has got going for it: Streep and Hanks in a December drama from Steven Spielberg. – Gary Garrison
14. The Bad Batch
Lots of critics and fans were excited for Ana Lily Amirpour’s “The Bad Batch,” her directorial follow-up to 2014 underground hit A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. This cheeky poster by Canyon Design Group only increased that fan frenzy. CDG, who also brought us the innovative posters for “Detroit,” “It,” and “Ingrid Goes West,” produced this wry image in homage to protagonist Arlen’s unique costuming. Arlen’s playful fashion sets the tone for this lovely oddball of a feature. She’s stranded in a wasteland and she’s lost a leg to cannibals, but she’s still rocking some great short shorts. It’s the kind of idiosyncratic detail that only Amirpour would highlight, making this poster an apt reflection of the director’s singular vision. The poster’s font choice and focus on Arlen’s gun underline the film’s unique take on Westerns, perfectly preparing viewers for its themes of isolation and adventure. “The Bad Batch” winks at the typical “hero’s journey” narrative, and this poster sets that up to a tee. – Lena Wilson
13. “Logan”
Modern superhero film posters are horrible. Outside of the very rare, stylized poster, most feature float heads of the cast and some sort of energy explosion, all Photoshopped to death. These posters are perfect examples of advertising meant to appeal to all people in all places. But then, out of nowhere, a superhero poster comes out that makes you stop dead in your tracks to marvel at its beauty. That’s the case for this incredible “Logan” one-sheet. The most important part of selling a film like “Logan” is tone. This film isn’t your typical big-screen X-Men spectacle film. No, this is a hard-R, dark, and frankly, depressing film about an old man protecting a young girl. With the dark backdrop, your eyes immediately focus on the small, child’s hand clutching the old, weathered clawed hand of a man that is just too damn tired to even make a fist or grab the child’s hand back. This is the type of artistic risk that made “Logan” one of the best films of the year, and miles ahead of the rest of the superhero genre. – CD
12. “Proud Mary”
For film history fanatics and cinephiles alike, we present the memorable poster for “Proud Mary.”Reminiscent of the blaxploitation films of the early 70s, which made Pam Grier a star, the poster for the actioner (due early in 2018) features Taraji P. Henson with a glorious collage afro that will inevitably give you “Coffy” feels.A slight departure from LA Agency’s previous work on films like “Coco” and “mother!,” designers were undoubtedly influenced by this film genre which is considered by many to be an integral part of American popular culture. Having also created the poster art for “Atomic Blonde,” LA Agency knows the future is female.This poster which comes in three colors should also come complete with a soundtrack that includes heavy bass and blasts of soul grooves.Pull those bell bottoms out, looks like Taraji P. Henson is going to give Pam Grier a run for her money with “Proud Mary.” – Martine Olivier
11. “The Shape of Water”
This exquisite teaser poster for “The Shape of Water” began as a mere gleam in director Guillermo del Toro’s eye. About five years ago, del Toro came up with the image and, after some initial imaginings by artists Guy Davis and Natalie Hall (the latter of which you can see in the trailer), arrived at this most recent iteration by James Jean. Del Toro sought out Jean because of his cover illustrations for DC Comics’ “Fables” series, citing his “beautiful line work” as a key draw. This wistfulsketch perfectly captures the surreal romance at the center of “The Shape of Water,” where a mute woman and an anthropomorphic sea monster fall in love. The poster evokes the sensation of floating, drawing viewers into del Toro’s underwater dreamscape via the female protagonist’s dreamy expression. While “The Shape of Water” is a true del Toro opus, filled with monsters, government intrigue, and violence, it is a love story at its core. This poster expertly conveys that romantic pathos with a semi-realistic style that blurs the line between the fantastic and the mundane. – LW
