Yesterday I reviewed Drew: The Man Behind The Poster, which is a documentary about legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan. Struzan has created some of the most well-known & iconic film posters and I love his work. I decided to do a separate post highlighting some of my favorite Struzan pieces of movie art.
At first I was going to focus just on his art that officially got used (whether originally or for anniversary editions). But in looking at his official website (HERE), I discovered a lot of art I like that I’d never seen before. So I figured I’d include all movie-related work (so, I’m excluding things like his super cool Black Sabbath album cover). I already KNOW I’ll be missing something & I’ll later kick myself for it. He’s done so much that it’s hard to narrow it down and, while there’s a long list on his site, I have no idea if it’s complete plus not all the images are shown.
So, after spending probably an hour looking up Struzan’s art, I’ve decided that these are my favorite. Probably. For now. I’m so indecisive! 😉 I’ll fully admit that I have a very hard time not letting how much I like the movie influence my opinion and, indeed, I like all of these movies. Remember I’m not an art expert in the slightest – I just really like the look of these. Especially number one.
Now here are My Top Ten Drew Struzan Movie Art Pieces:
Honorable Mentions:
Indiana Jones Quadrilogy, Squirm (I don’t know this movie but the poster makes it look awesome despite the 4.4 IMDB rating!), Star Wars Original Trilogy, Back To The Future
10. TIE: The Goonies & Adventures In Babysitting
9. Big Trouble In Little China
8. Ladyhawke
7. The Dark Tower as seen in The Mist
6. The Muppet Movie
5. Revenge Of The Jedi
4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
3. Back To The Future Trilogy
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
1. The Thing
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His work is incredible! It’s difficult to pick favorites it I think mine are the Star Wars and Indy posters. 😊
Yep – he’s created so many iconic posters! 🙂 I’ve not even touched on some of the biggest as these are the ones I like the most. The Indy & Star Wars ones are amazing – he’s painted Harrison Ford SO many times. 🙂
Drew Struzan–thanks so much for this excellent post. I hadn’t put the man to the artwork before. How many times have looked at the Indiana Jones posters? Great stuff.
Thanks, Cindy! I was hoping to introduce some people to his work – he really has created some of the most iconic film posters. 🙂 I’ve not even mentioned a lot of them as I just posted my own favorites. The documentary was really interesting – you should check it out sometime if you’re interested. 🙂
I had a feeling what was going to be your #1. 😉
Lol. Yeah…. It was always going to be The Thing whereas I changed the order around on the others a bit. 🙂
He’s awesome, isn’t he? I got a pretty comprehensive coffee table book of his work for Christmas a few years ago that’s fabulous to pour over. So tough to pick a favourite (I commend you on choosing just ten!), but I had the Raiders of the Lost Ark poster on my wall for most of my childhood, so obviously that has a special place for me.
Yeah – I was thinking I’d picked up a book of his work but I haven’t! I need to… I KNOW I’ll have missed a lot of stuff and there’ll still be ones I’ve never seen. You mean that funky Raiders of the Lost Ark one that’s a very different style from the others? I really liked that one too. 🙂
Just the regular Raiders one, like this: http://bigfanboy.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/raiderslostark-poster.jpg They’re all awesome though.
Ahh – I believe that one is Richard Amsel. 🙂 I love it, though! Struzan’s for that was very unlike the ones he did for the next three films: http://www.drewstruzan.com/illustrated/portfolio/?fa=medium&gid=1166&pri&gallerystart=1&pagestart=1&type=pri&gs=1
Well blow me down, you’re right! I’ve always thought it looks so of a piece with the main posters for the next two, especially Last Crusade (which I’ve just double checked was Struzan!), that I never even thought it might not be.
Yeah – I think he must have been doing them in the same style. Think Struzan took over after he died? Not sure – can’t remember if that was in the documentary. Saw it a very long time ago! Will buy that one. 🙂
Nice post –
#YouWanker
Just trying to make you more cultured & shit! 😉 Which one is your favorite??
I’m a classy fucker!!!
I’ll have to go back and look : )
Awesome. No arguments with your top choice either.
Thanks, Alex! Yep – The Thing is definitely my favorite. 🙂
He was good at drawing.
HA! I treasure these sort of comments from you. 😉 I think he’s probably STILL pretty good at drawing. Or painting. Or whatever art people call it. 🙂
I didn’t even know about Drew Struzan. He’s an incredible artist though! I love The Thing’s poster! And obviously, my all time favourite, Pan’s Labyrinth.
Yep! He’s amazing. I’ve been meaning to post about him to get him some more recognition – I think a lot of people don’t give any thought to film posters. The documentary was fascinating. 🙂
Yep! The Thing! Soooo good!
Hehe. YEP! Have always loved it. 😉
Great post! I had no idea he was responsible for the Squirm design! I have that image on the front of an old VHS copy I’ve had for years! Amazing work!
Thanks! I’ve managed to post something you didn’t know about? That’s awesome! Lol. 🙂 I don’t know the movie and it sounds terrible but I kind of want to see it because the artwork is so cool. 🙂
I’m glad you follwed up with this post because there’s a lot of great stuff here, it’s actually staggering how many iconic looks came from the same man!
The ET one stopped me in my tracks. Adventures in Babysitting and The Muppets are particular childhood favourites and instantly recognizable.
Great post!!
Thanks! 🙂 Yeah… I realized I wanted to share all my favorites so figured I’d do a separate post. I still haven’t even mentioned some really famous ones – he’s done so many that it’s hard to cover them all. And I know there are still ones I’ve not seen. An Adventures In Babysitting fan?? Yay! I love that movie. 😉 I adore that ET one! Hadn’t seen it before checking out his website when preparing this post. 🙂
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Excellent post. I’d like to see a series of Struzan articles continuing into the future.
Each poster here is memorable, a lot are just outright iconic. I’m so glad you included some alternate designs. My favourite here is that Back to the Future one, with Marty McFly in the old fashioned open face watch. Incredible. Thanks for highlighting these phenomenal pieces of art!
Thanks! And you’re welcome! 🙂 There are so many posters of his that I’ve not even mentioned as it would’ve been too much to post. For the most part he’s retired now I believe but does still do some things for people, like a Walking Dead poster for Darabont. I’d love to see him do posters for the new Star Wars films. 🙂
Wow, I must admit that I hadn’t even thought “who’s behind film posters?”, so that’s pretty ignorant of me. Thanks for posting, he’s got such a talent and I have seen most of the posters in the past 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m really glad I was able to introduce some people to Struzan’s work. There are loads I didn’t post (he did things like the first Harry Potter as well). Love his work. 🙂
Aww, the Muppet Movie poster makes my little muppet heart hurt looking at it now. Not sure if you’ve heard the news, but Miss Piggy and Kermit are no longer an item. It’s awful. 😦 😦
Lol! Aww… Poor Tom. Do you need a hug?! 😉 Yes, I did see that mentioned in the news. Dammit, I hate when these famous couples can’t stay together!!!! 😦 *sob*
These are awesome! I think Return of the Jedi is probably my favourite!
They are! Gotta love Struzan. 🙂 Return or Revenge of the Jedi? Revenge is the red one I’ve placed pretty high on the list – he did that poster before they changed the name to Return of the Jedi. That one is COOL. 🙂
I thought I misread it as Revenge but yes, that one!
Yeah – it’s because a Jedi wouldn’t ever engage in “revenge” as it would go against their beliefs. Or… something. I dunno – ask my hubby. 😉
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These are sooo coool!!!
The SW special edition posters deserve to be in the top ten.
cant believe AIB only tied for #10 for u..tsk, tsk u’r losing it Mutant! 🙂
With Star Wars, I have more affection for the original posters than Struzan’s anniversary editions but they’re very cool. I was choosing the actual art I liked most, not movie, so AIB is just right at ten. 😉
Great post! I recently watched his documentary and I recommend it highly. The Thing is probably my favourite but can’t overlook Back to the Future as a soft spot as that was probably the first time I was exposed to his work. Loved The Muppets poster but somehow can’t look at it in the same way after Ms Piggy and Kermit split up recently lol.
Thanks! Finally – someone else who has seen this! 🙂 His work is amazing – I was surprised so few people knew about it. Yep – Back To The Future is definitely special to me too. Hehe… Don’t remind me – I’m still upset about Kermit & Miss Piggy! 😉 lol
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There are so many cool posters here! WOW! ❤
I know! The guy is brilliant. 🙂 Am glad I did a separate post with my favorites – there were just too many to mention them all in the documentary review.
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