The 50 Best (& Most Iconic) Movie Posters Of All Time Ranked (2024)

2001: A Space Odyssey is one of Stanley Kubrick's most well-known films. A science-fiction epic, the film tells the story of the journey of Discovery One, a spacecraft operated by a group of scientists, astronauts, and a sentient computer, on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious monolith. Considered one of the greatest films ever made, Kubrick combines sparse dialogue with the heavy use of scoring and ambiguous imagery to create something that eschews conventional filmmaking.

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In a dystopian future, a low-level government employee becomes entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare after encountering the woman of his dreams. As he navigates an oppressive system marked by inefficiency and surveillance, his quest for freedom and love spirals into chaos, highlighting the absurdity of totalitarian regimes and the human desire for individuality.

The most popular and well-received film in the Indiana Jones movie franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones in a race against Nazi forces to recover the famed Ark of the Covenant. Aided by his former lover, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must work to keep the Nazis, led by Dr. Rene Belloq, from obtaining the Ark and thus becoming recipients of its power. The film is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest movies ever made.

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Manhattan, directed by Woody Allen, is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of New York City. Starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, and Mariel Hemingway, the film delves into themes of love, infidelity, and the search for happiness in urban life. Shot in black and white, it's noted for its iconic imagery and a score featuring Gershwin's music.

Godzilla vs. Biollante is a 1989 Japanese kaiju film directed by Kazuki Omori. The film follows Godzilla's battle against Biollante, a genetically engineered rose monster infused with human and Godzilla's DNA. As the two monsters clash, humanity faces the devastating impact of their confrontation. This installment explores themes of biotechnology and environmental consequences.

Directed by Matt Reeves, Cloverfield is a found-footage disaster movie that follows a group of people seeking safety during a state of emergency. When New York City is attacked by an unknown monstrous entity, chaos ensues. A group of friends document their attempts to flee the city and find sanctuary from an onslaught of monsters on a handheld camcorder - footage which is designated as an account of the "Cloverfield" incident.

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In a divided futuristic city, a powerful leader’s son learns from a prophet about a coming savior meant to unite the rich and poor.

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Dead Alive follows the story of a young man, Lionel Cosgrove, as he contends with his overbearing mother who becomes a zombie after being bitten by a rare Sumatran rat-monkey. Set in a suburban neighborhood, Dead Alive offers a unique take on the traditional zombie narrative.

Wes Craven flips the horror-slasher genre on its head with the 1996 release of Scream, the first in the long-running franchise. The residents of Woodsboro discover a series of murders are being committed by a dangerous ghost mask-wearing killer with an obsession for classic horror movies. To survive, a group of high school students, a reporter, and a town deputy will have to subvert horror expectations and stay one step ahead of the killer.

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Breakfast at Tiffany's is a romantic comedy film by director Blake Edwards and is based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella. The 1961 film stars Buddy Ebsen, Audrey Hepburn, Patricia Neal, and George Peppard. The plot revolves around Holly Golightly as she falls in love and the trials and tribulations that come along with it.

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Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.

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From director Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the film's titular hotel. Fiennes is joined by Tony Revolori as Zero, a newly hired bellhop who serves as Gustave's partner-in-crime throughout the film. An older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, serves as the narrator for the story, which chronicles the adventures of Gustave and Zero after Gustave is framed for the murder of the wealthy Madame D., his patron and lover.

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Francis Ford Coppola directed this 1978 classic that would go on to become one of the most iconic crime films ever made. Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Al Pacino, The Godfather gives a tense and introspective look into the Corleone crime family of New York City.

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The fourth film in the Jackass series, Jackass Forever follows in the tradition of its predecessors with its irreverent humor and hilariously ridiculous stunts. Much of the original cast returns, along with newcomers and a few special guests.

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Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox. The story follows Commander John J. Adams and his crew as they explore the distant planet Altair IV, where they encounter Dr. Morbius and his daughter. The film is notable for its early depiction of advanced technology and is often regarded as a milestone in the genre, featuring groundbreaking special effects and a unique electronic music score.

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Steve Carell takes on the titular 40-Year Old Virgin role in this romantic comedy from Judd Apatow. Andy, an electronics store employee, reveals to his co-workers that he's still a virgin despite recently hitting forty years of age, setting them on a quest to help him adjust his ways to find him a date and end his virginity. With or without the help of his friends, a series of awkward and comedic dates may lead him to more than a one-night-stand, but instead, the future love of his life

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The beginning of the adaptations of one of the most-read fantasy novel series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was directed by Chris Columbus and follows the titular Harry Potter as he discovers he has magical powers. Living with his cruel aunt and uncle, the orphaned Harry lives a challenging life that is changed when he meets a gentle giant named Hagrid, who spirits him away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he soon learns his destiny.

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Stanley Kubrick's horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge.

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After defeating the Green Goblin, Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man struggles with self-doubt in both his superhero career and his personal life. But when Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus threatens Peter Parker's loved ones, the web-crawler must stay true to his heroic purpose and don the mask once again in this second installment of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy.

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