For as long as films have existed, the poster has been one of the most effective marketing tools. This is an item that not only teases what to expect from the film, but also can be a work of art in its own right. Nowadays, however, we see quite a few shitty attempts at movie posters. Can it be blamed on laziness, the corporatization of studios, or simply poor artists? Probably a bit of all three. So, with that in mind, it’s essential to take time every year to highlight some of the very best film posters we’ve seen.
READ MORE: The 150 Most Anticipated Films Of 2026
What makes a good poster? As mentioned above, it’s important to tease the film, as a poster is just a marketing tool at the end of the day. However, that doesn’t mean an artist has just to use Photoshop to piece together a poster in five minutes. There can actually be true art in a one sheet. Below, you’ll find 15 top-notch posters that blur the lines between marketing and art in the best possible way.
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“Bugonia”
The poster for “Bugonia” is the perfect blend of eye-catching imagery and WTF. Why is there honey dripping from the top? What is going on with Emma Stone’s facial expression? And while we’re at it, where is her hair? The confusing nature of the poster only amplifies the sense of craziness you experience while watching the film. This is a Yorgos Lanthimos film, so you know a unique style will be present, but the poster never reveals anything about it. In fact, it teases just enough that you will likely want to watch the film just to put the pieces together. And honestly, after you watch the movie, you’ll still have questions, but the poster will definitely make more sense. Also, let’s not forget that this is a beautiful piece of art, as well, fit for a prime location on your wall.
“Caught Stealing”
“Caught Stealing” didn’t have a massive impact on 2025, as we might have hoped it would. It’s a messy film, for sure. It’s clear director Darren Aronofsky was going for something a bit out of his wheelhouse, and that should be commended. Unfortunately, the film received mixed reviews and underwhelming box office. But you can’t blame it on this poster. Often, there’s a big complaint with modern posters that they are chaotic and attempt to cram too much on one sheet. That can be said about this poster for “Caught Stealing,” sure, but in this case, it beautifully fits the film. This poster is chaotic. It’s wild. It’s pulpy. And it fits Aronofsky’s vision of the film perfectly. Every section of this one sheet is filled with imagery from the film, but it’s all done in a comic-book-y way. In a world filled with ugly Photoshop posters for mainstream cinema, this one could have fallen into that trap. But it doesn’t. Not at all.
“The Chronology of Water”
2025 saw the feature directorial debut of indie darling Kristen Stewart. “The Chronology of Water” is a passion project from the actor-turned-filmmaker, and you can feel the love in the film. You can also see the care and attention that went into the marketing of the film, specifically this poster. At first glance, the poster for “The Chronology of Water” is simply a lot of red above an image of the film’s star, Imogen Poots. However, when you take a moment to examine the image closely, you’ll see its depth and beauty. The contrast of the red and blue is immediately eye-catching. The blurry image of Poots in the water is the focus of the piece, and in it, there is no real way to know what’s going on. Is she laughing, screaming, or crying? Maybe none of those options. Perhaps all of them. It’s a stunning image that is wonderfully suited for Stewart’s film.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites”
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” is supposed to mark the end of the ‘Conjuring’ film series. However, with a record-breaking box office, it’s likely the horror franchise will continue, even if the quality seems to be declining. Perhaps that shows the power of a good film poster. While ‘Last Rites’ is far from the strongest entry in the horror film series, it has what might be the best poster. It’s a deceptively simple image, as it appears to be a straightforward black and red depiction of a devil-like creature at first glance. Then you look a bit closer, and you see the devil’s outline is composed of two screaming faces. No, this isn’t such a great image that you’ll find it on a museum wall. However, it’s clever and highly striking. It’s better than the actual film it’s selling. For a film series that feels like it’s on its last legs, this poster is better than it has any right to be.
“Die My Love”
When it comes to film posters, often less is more. You don’t need a poster to fill its space with floating heads of every major star in the cast. It doesn’t have to feature bright, bold colors. Simplicity is incredibly underrated. Perhaps the simplest poster, in terms of content, on this list is this one for Lynne Ramsay’s “Die My Love.” The poster features an image of actress Jennifer Lawrence, with her head leaning back and eyes closed. Confetti is seen falling around her. And that’s it. The film also stars Robert Pattinson, who you would think the studio would plaster a picture of on the poster, but he’s nowhere to be found, except with just his name at the bottom. It’s a beguiling image that barely hints at what you might find in the film itself. However, its simplicity is so eye-catching that you can’t help but soak it all in.
