Which Great Movies Had Bad Posters: A Surprising List

It is often said that a movie's poster can make or break its success. While some film posters are exquisite works of art, others can be so bad that they become a classic in their own right. This article highlights a few great movies that had notably subpar poster designs that surprisingly endured the test of time.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a great example of a high-quality film that had a mixed poster reception. The original poster, which features Spider-Man laying down on the train with NYC in the background, is a visually appealing and appropriately minimal design. It effectively communicates the film's theme of a fresh start and a different Spider-Man.

However, this success was short-lived as variants were created to cater to broader audiences. One of these variants significantly diluted the impact by adding all characters in front of a barely noticeable background of New York City. Critics overwhelmingly condemned this poster for its poor design. The crowded composition distracted from the primary subject: Spider-Man. Notably, some variants even included additional characters and Easter eggs, diluting the original poster's simplicity.

Despite the poor poster quality, the film itself received great reviews and was a commercial success.

American Werewolf in London

American Werewolf in London, a movie known for its cult classic status, also had poster designs that were, to say the least, controversial. One of the most notable posters, the Japanese version, was simply awful. Take, for example, the following poster:

The poster is marked by a dark and desaturated color scheme, significantly reducing its visual appeal. Another poster, which highlights the Rorschach test, also fails to capture the film's essence. The variants' failed attempts to emphasize the horror and adventure elements of the film instead diluted its impact.

While the original poster wasn't bad, the variations diverged so much from the original aesthetic that they lost their appeal entirely. These posters remind us of the importance of consistency and brand identity in marketing.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a well-loved film with a memorable plot. However, its poster isn't without its flaws. The poster itself is nostalgic and immersive, featuring a futuristic transporter device emitting a rainbow beam. Unfortunately, the readability of the text over the transporter is compromised, making it nearly impossible to read in a glance. Here's the problematic poster:

The text, which is crucial for marketing purposes, is barely legible due to the contrasting background. The rainbow hues, while visually pleasing, make it difficult to read the important information.

Such readability issues have serious consequences. In a world where potential viewers spend only a few seconds on a poster before making a decision, a poster with unreadable text can be catastrophic. In this case, the designer likely wanted to emphasize the futuristic aspect of the film. However, the overuse of color and underutilization of white space resulted in a poster that, while visually appealing, failed to communicate essential details.

While the movie itself is undoubtedly great, the poster's design missed the mark. A more legible and straightforward design would have enhanced the film's marketing and viewer engagement.

In conclusion, great films can sometimes suffer from terrible poster designs. This article has highlighted instances where the poster failed to do justice to the film's essence. Whether it's a case of distractions, readability issues, or lack of brand consistency, these examples serve as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful and well-executed marketing materials.