Twitter Thread Shows There’s 20 Types Of Movie Posters And Now We Can’t Unsee Them
Do you feel like you’ve seen most movie posters somewhere before? You’re not wrong—there are some tried-and-true tropes that designers just keep going back to, and once you notice them, you won’t be able to stop seeing them everywhere you look.
People on Twitter can’t stop talking about these collages put together by French film blogger Christophe Courtois, whose lineups of film posters show color schemes and design trends that have become emblematic of certain genres, storylines and time periods. At the end of 2019, art and design news site Creative Bloq posited that a major contender for “movie poster trend of the decade” was text over a central character’s face, usually in low or desaturated lighting. Here are some more major trends and traditions that the internet has noticed.
People are talking about the most ubiquitous patterns in movie posters
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: leesteffen
The collages were made by French film blogger Christophe Courtois
Image credits: Christophe_Co
Tropes aren’t a bad thing. In a way, they show us what to expect. There’s comfort in choosing a product with qualities that we’ve had positive experiences with before, so you can’t blame advertisers for choosing them. Business Insider suggests that maybe the reason why they pop up so often is because of the astronomical price tag of advertising movies in the 21st century—it’s possible that with such a high cost, the marketing team is more inclined to put their money where they’re confident it will pay off, and order a product similar to what has already done well with consumers.
Alternatively, these tropes can be used to subvert our expectations for comic effect, like Puss in Boots, which positions its adorable, furry protagonist’s backlit silhouette facing away from the viewer like an edgy anti-hero. You can also see from Courtois’ collages how some trends, like the spread legs and red dresses, go many decades back and create a campy feel when used to advertise contemporary comedies.
People also commented with their favorite niche movie poster trends, such as the “foreshortened overhead 90s comedy” look of cult stoner movies, and suggested their favorite movie posters that they felt took much-needed creative risks and promised something fresh.
Commenters had some observations of their own and named their favorite posters
Image credits: damienyeah
Image credits: PrestonBromley
Image credits: stevedukenski
Image credits: TheClementW
Image credits: leesteffen
Image credits: brayden_love
Image credits: BobbyBernethy
Image credits: ninefor22
Image credits: G_Webster
Image credits: Ringwraith10
Image credits: Perriwinkle770
Image credits: bory_mir
Image credits: LudyChyntia
Image credits: LudyChyntia
Image credits: ItsAndyRyan
Image credits: fang_clawcomics
Image credits: Stultsified
Image credits: TaeringYT
Image credits: _mohamed_w
Image credits: lumber_jocks
370Kviews
Share on FacebookIs no one mentioning the whole OP-wasn't-the-real-OP-and-stole-it thing because I feel like they kinda glossed over that
That's the most interesting part of the article imo!
Load More Replies...How did they find 48 yellow movie posters and not one of them is The Full Monty or Kill Bill? I would have thought that those be the most famous examples of that category.
People dont realize that the head art people for posters are the same few people or the pupils of those same few people so because of that most film posters fall into those particular style. It is very simple. Plus studios know subconsciously people now associate certain styles with certain genre's and they want you to make that connection when you see the poster
Yes, you get hired specifically because of your style.
Load More Replies...In Poland, as the most recognizable type of poster, we have white surface and lots of popular actros' names which is use for romantic comedies
They forgot tiny people on the cover, such as: Ready Player One, Captain Marvel Movie, Clockwork Orange and Auntie Mame
I guess Dragon Ball poster made by a Reddit user and posted on the site months later the Infinity War movie released.
Load More Replies...What about all the kids movies such as trolls or abominable? And Disney classic movies? Those almost always look alike. Princesses? They missed a few.
Not erson who did the collages was a French film blogger.
Load More Replies...And this, my friends, is a sure way to ruin someone's life forever.
They missed my favourite: animes with a sky that looks too amazing. Your_Name_...f82bff.png
Also there's a lot more, but I can't be bothered to find the pictures.
Load More Replies...Bored Panda showing an uncensored female nipple? I'm impressed. Happy searching :)
This explains why "there is never anything to watch" on Netflix. Its because "I have already seen that one".
Saul Bass: iconic graphic designer who died in 1996, and was known for his movie posters (one of them was for "The Shining", featured in the "Yellow" section here), film trailers, and logos. Look him up. He was the best. I don't understand why no one today has bothered to try like he did. I would, but I can't draw for s**t, much less come up with ideas like his, but surely someone out there can.
I thought the point was the other way around. It was Infinity War that felt like DBZ. That's probably why the fan art was created in the first place. But maybe you're right. Maybe the one who posted that comparison didn't know.
Load More Replies...I've always been partial to the "Art-Deco-but-not-from-the-early-20th-century" 95e0463559...c11aa3.jpg
Same is also true of books (I work in a book shop), you can tell at a glance whether a book is a crime, or a romance or a humorous chic lit/summer read etc. I'm not gonna dig out loads of examples, just have a look next time you go into a book shop
Bored Panda, I'm getting concerned about your grammar, so I'm going to start giving you trivial little comments. :-). Your title: "Twitter Thread Shows There’s 20 Types..." It shouldn't be "There's" ... Should be "There are." There are 20; not there is 20.
FFS English is unlikely to be their first language. You go get the grammar right in Lithuanian. Stop with the grammar nazi c**p. It is rude and so boring. We aren't here to learn how to speak or to teach anyone else.
Load More Replies...Geez I've seen so many orange and blues! And pretty much all the ensemble sci-fi/fantasy, because I'm that kind of nerd. I love the shout-out to John Wick, too.
Great information!!! Thanks for your wonderful informative blog. Village Talkies a top-quality professional corporate video production company in Bangalore and also best explainer video company in Bangalore & animation video makers in Bangalore, Chennai, India & Maryland, Baltimore, USA provides Corporate & Brand films, Promotional, Marketing videos & Training videos, Product demo videos, Employee videos, Product video explainers, eLearning videos, 2d Animation, 3d Animation, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard Explainer videos Client Testimonial Videos, Video Presentation and more for all start-ups, industries, and corporate companies. From scripting to corporate video production services, explainer & 3d, 2d animation video production , our solutions are customized to your budget, timeline, and to meet the company goals and objectives. As a best video production company in Bangalore, we produce quality and creative videos to our clients.
I mean, what's to unsee? Are you telling me you DON'T see there's a logic to poster design? You need a Graphic Design Degree to get into the field in the first place! It's like saying "Twitter thread shows most buildings are rectangular and now we can't unsee it!"
I can't remember the last time I actually saw a movie poster. Where are the posted?
I think the "ensemble" Posters are the most popular. Also, DON'T PUT FINN AS THE BEST FRIEND! HIM AND REY BELONG TOGETHER! KYLO REN IS BAD AND UGLY!!!! COME ON PEOPLE!
Fin had his eyes first on that Asian chick, then the black chick in the new one. I don't think he's into vanilla.
Load More Replies...Why put "Mass Effect" in the list ? It's not even a movie ! Credibility lost at first image smh
I don't think Mass Effect qualifies as an "Orange and Blue Action MOVIE"...
Is no one mentioning the whole OP-wasn't-the-real-OP-and-stole-it thing because I feel like they kinda glossed over that
That's the most interesting part of the article imo!
Load More Replies...How did they find 48 yellow movie posters and not one of them is The Full Monty or Kill Bill? I would have thought that those be the most famous examples of that category.
People dont realize that the head art people for posters are the same few people or the pupils of those same few people so because of that most film posters fall into those particular style. It is very simple. Plus studios know subconsciously people now associate certain styles with certain genre's and they want you to make that connection when you see the poster
Yes, you get hired specifically because of your style.
Load More Replies...In Poland, as the most recognizable type of poster, we have white surface and lots of popular actros' names which is use for romantic comedies
They forgot tiny people on the cover, such as: Ready Player One, Captain Marvel Movie, Clockwork Orange and Auntie Mame
I guess Dragon Ball poster made by a Reddit user and posted on the site months later the Infinity War movie released.
Load More Replies...What about all the kids movies such as trolls or abominable? And Disney classic movies? Those almost always look alike. Princesses? They missed a few.
Not erson who did the collages was a French film blogger.
Load More Replies...And this, my friends, is a sure way to ruin someone's life forever.
They missed my favourite: animes with a sky that looks too amazing. Your_Name_...f82bff.png
Also there's a lot more, but I can't be bothered to find the pictures.
Load More Replies...Bored Panda showing an uncensored female nipple? I'm impressed. Happy searching :)
This explains why "there is never anything to watch" on Netflix. Its because "I have already seen that one".
Saul Bass: iconic graphic designer who died in 1996, and was known for his movie posters (one of them was for "The Shining", featured in the "Yellow" section here), film trailers, and logos. Look him up. He was the best. I don't understand why no one today has bothered to try like he did. I would, but I can't draw for s**t, much less come up with ideas like his, but surely someone out there can.
I thought the point was the other way around. It was Infinity War that felt like DBZ. That's probably why the fan art was created in the first place. But maybe you're right. Maybe the one who posted that comparison didn't know.
Load More Replies...I've always been partial to the "Art-Deco-but-not-from-the-early-20th-century" 95e0463559...c11aa3.jpg
Same is also true of books (I work in a book shop), you can tell at a glance whether a book is a crime, or a romance or a humorous chic lit/summer read etc. I'm not gonna dig out loads of examples, just have a look next time you go into a book shop
Bored Panda, I'm getting concerned about your grammar, so I'm going to start giving you trivial little comments. :-). Your title: "Twitter Thread Shows There’s 20 Types..." It shouldn't be "There's" ... Should be "There are." There are 20; not there is 20.
FFS English is unlikely to be their first language. You go get the grammar right in Lithuanian. Stop with the grammar nazi c**p. It is rude and so boring. We aren't here to learn how to speak or to teach anyone else.
Load More Replies...Geez I've seen so many orange and blues! And pretty much all the ensemble sci-fi/fantasy, because I'm that kind of nerd. I love the shout-out to John Wick, too.
Great information!!! Thanks for your wonderful informative blog. Village Talkies a top-quality professional corporate video production company in Bangalore and also best explainer video company in Bangalore & animation video makers in Bangalore, Chennai, India & Maryland, Baltimore, USA provides Corporate & Brand films, Promotional, Marketing videos & Training videos, Product demo videos, Employee videos, Product video explainers, eLearning videos, 2d Animation, 3d Animation, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard Explainer videos Client Testimonial Videos, Video Presentation and more for all start-ups, industries, and corporate companies. From scripting to corporate video production services, explainer & 3d, 2d animation video production , our solutions are customized to your budget, timeline, and to meet the company goals and objectives. As a best video production company in Bangalore, we produce quality and creative videos to our clients.
I mean, what's to unsee? Are you telling me you DON'T see there's a logic to poster design? You need a Graphic Design Degree to get into the field in the first place! It's like saying "Twitter thread shows most buildings are rectangular and now we can't unsee it!"
I can't remember the last time I actually saw a movie poster. Where are the posted?
I think the "ensemble" Posters are the most popular. Also, DON'T PUT FINN AS THE BEST FRIEND! HIM AND REY BELONG TOGETHER! KYLO REN IS BAD AND UGLY!!!! COME ON PEOPLE!
Fin had his eyes first on that Asian chick, then the black chick in the new one. I don't think he's into vanilla.
Load More Replies...Why put "Mass Effect" in the list ? It's not even a movie ! Credibility lost at first image smh
I don't think Mass Effect qualifies as an "Orange and Blue Action MOVIE"...
332
59