Drew Struzan’s Most Iconic Movie Posters

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With the recent passing of celebrated artist Drew Struzan, we’re remembering and honoring his incredible work. Though many may not recognize his name, Struzan’s movie posters are instantly recognizable and have delighted film fans for almost half a century. He wasn’t just creating advertisements; he crafted true works of art that revolutionized movie poster design and shaped the look of an era.

Drew Struzan has created posters for more than 150 films. Here are ten of his most famous and memorable designs.

‘The Thing’ (1982)


Drew Struzan

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a brilliantly suspenseful and often gruesome horror film. Though it wasn’t initially successful in theaters, it’s now considered a landmark achievement in science fiction and horror. Critics especially admire its intensely unsettling and confined atmosphere, its impressive use of physical effects rather than computer graphics, and its stunning visuals.

Struzan Defied All Expectations

As a huge movie poster fan, I always loved the artwork for John Carpenter’s The Thing. It’s incredible to think how it came about! Back in the spring of 1982, Drew Struzan got a super last-minute call from Universal – they needed a poster, and he had less than a day to deliver. The craziest part? He didn’t have anything to go on – no photos of the actors, no monster designs, just a quick plot summary. He basically had to invent the whole thing! He even used a snapshot his wife took of him as a reference and painted all night. That’s how he created that iconic, glowing figure in the parka against the icy blue background – a truly amazing piece of movie history.

Despite a challenging process and low expectations, the poster’s strange and intriguing design brilliantly reflected the film’s ideas about fear and who we are. It was quickly delivered to Universal, still wet from the paint, and went on to become one of the most iconic movie posters of all time.

‘Big Trouble in Little China’ (1986)


Drew Struzan

Following his success bringing the eerie, otherworldly creature from John Carpenter’s The Thing to life on the movie poster, Struzan was again hired by Carpenter to create artwork for the action-comedy Big Trouble in Little China.

Suitably Chaotic

This poster is likely Drew Struzan’s most visually busy work, overflowing with elements from the film and surrounding Kurt Russell as Jack Burton. But it’s precisely this energetic chaos that makes it so fitting and unforgettable. John Carpenter’s movie is fun, over-the-top, and full of action, and the poster’s wild design captures that spirit perfectly.

‘Blade Runner’ (1982)


Drew Struzan

I still can’t believe Blade Runner came out way back in 1982! Even though it was set in 2019, it totally blew my mind with its vision of Los Angeles – a huge, rainy city full of flying cars and these incredibly realistic androids called replicants. It didn’t do so well in theaters when it first came out, which is crazy, because now everyone agrees it’s one of the best and most important sci-fi films ever made.

A Dazzling Display of Dystopia

Drew Struzan’s poster for Blade Runner is famous for its striking depiction of Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, alongside the other actors, all set within a moody, futuristic city. The poster uses dramatic lighting to capture the film’s mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere, becoming a defining image of Ridley Scott’s science fiction masterpiece.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)


Drew Struzan

The Shawshank Redemption, a powerful story about an unexpected friendship formed in prison, was a surprise success that’s now considered a cinematic masterpiece.

One of Struzan’s Most Powerful Pieces

The movie poster features Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, standing in the rain with his hands on his hips. Around him are illustrated portraits of other important characters. It’s a striking and moody image that captures the film’s bittersweet but ultimately hopeful story.

‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)


Drew Struzan

Many consider the most charming version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to be the one featuring Jim Henson’s Muppets. Released in 1992, The Muppet Christmas Carol stars Sir Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, who is haunted by ghostly Muppets. Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit, Fozzie Bear appears as Fozziwig, and the story is narrated by The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat.

The movie strikes a perfect balance between funny and heartfelt, mixing the silly, unpredictable energy of The Muppets with a surprisingly serious story. Michael Caine’s dry, understated performance as Ebenezer Scrooge keeps the film grounded, making the humor even funnier and the emotional moments more powerful. The result is a movie that’s both delightfully goofy and genuinely touching.

A Beautiful Juxtaposition of Styles

Struzan’s movie posters cleverly combine contrasting styles. In this one, we see Scrooge walking through a dark, snowy London of the Victorian era. Above him are bright, cheerful portraits of the main Muppet characters. This playful contrast perfectly balances the lighthearted fun of Jim Henson’s Muppets with the serious, often grim, tone of Charles Dickens’ story.

‘First Blood’ (1982)


Drew Struzan

Released in 1982, First Blood introduced audiences to Rambo, a character who quickly became one of the most famous action heroes in movie history. Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of the strong, silent war veteran—known for his incredible fighting ability, muscular physique, and signature bandana—has made Rambo a cultural icon, starring in five films and capturing the imagination of fans worldwide.

Struzan’s Imagery has Been Lovingly Imitated and Parodied Over the Years

Struzan’s illustration of Rambo is incredibly realistic and powerfully captures his fierce energy. The poster is iconic and remains one of the most impactful action movie posters ever created. The image – Rambo in a white tank top, powerfully holding a large rifle and ammo belt – has been widely copied and satirized, essentially defining the ‘tough hero with a gun’ archetype we often see in films.

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)


Drew Struzan

The hugely popular Harry Potter films are based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling books and have become one of the most successful movie series ever made. The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), is a great example of how effective Drew Struzan’s artwork can be.

The Poster Captures the Movie’s Wonder and Magic

The movie poster shows a young Harry Potter with important characters and scenes from the film, all created in artist Drew Struzan’s detailed, painted style. It beautifully captures the film’s sense of wonder and magic, and has become iconic for the Harry Potter series. While later posters used a combination of photos and digital art, Struzan’s style is still noticeable. He did design a poster for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, but it wasn’t used in the final marketing and has instead been displayed in art shows featuring his work.

‘Star Wars’: Special Edition Trilogy (1997)


Drew Struzan

Drew Struzan is probably best known for his artwork on the Star Wars films. However, he didn’t create the very first Star Wars poster; that was done by Tom Jung. Struzan did later design the poster for the 1978 re-release, collaborating with Charles White III on what’s often called the “circus” poster.

Struzan Unified the Original Three Movies

He’s best known for his three posters created for the 1997 re-release of the original Star Wars trilogy. Fans particularly love these posters because they showcase the three films as a single, cohesive work of art. Released alongside a resurgence in popularity, they’ve become the defining images for A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)


Drew Struzan

Working with only a brief summary and a few example pictures, Struzan created one of the most famous movie posters ever made. His artwork for Raiders of the Lost Ark features the well-known adventurer in a powerful pose.

Struzan Established the Franchise’s Iconic Promotional Look

Initially, Drew Struzan’s artwork was only meant for international versions of the movie posters, as Richard Amsel created the main US poster. However, Steven Spielberg loved Struzan’s style so much that he commissioned him to create all the posters for the rest of the Indiana Jones films, defining the franchise’s now-famous visual style.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)


Drew Struzan

Facing a quick turnaround and limited information, the famous pose of Marty McFly on the Back to the Future poster actually started with the artist, Struzan. His wife photographed him striking poses he thought would suit the character, based on a description. Struzan then painted Michael J. Fox’s face onto the body, placing him next to the DeLorean, all before ever seeing the film.

Struzan Designed the Posters for the Entire Trilogy

Drew Struzan’s posters for Back to the Future are among his most famous creations, known for their vibrant, realistic characters and compelling imagery. He also designed the artwork for the two sequels, solidifying the franchise’s place in pop culture with a consistent and memorable look.

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2025-10-23 00:36