So, who was Drew Struzan? Think about your favorite movie poster – really think about it. Is it the iconic image of a fedora-wearing archaeologist cracking his whip? Or maybe it’s a boy on a flying bicycle, silhouetted against a huge, bright moon? If so, then you’re picturing the work of a legend: Drew Struzan. He created true movie poster magic.
Why is Drew Struzan a Legend in Poster Art?
So, what makes a Drew Struzan poster so special? It’s his incredible ability to tell a story and also capture its soul in a single frame. He would easily layer characters, moments, and emotions into a composition that felt both grand and deeply personal. You don’t just see the heroes; you feel their determination, their fear, and their hope.
He was the trusted go-to artist for cinematic titans like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who knew that only Struzan could bottle the wild lightning of their blockbusters. He was, (and still is), a complete master of his craft. Picking just five of his best works is a nearly impossible task, but hey, someone’s gotta do it.
Drew Struzan’s Top 5 Movie Posters
Here are five posters that prove why Drew Struzan is the undisputed king of the movie poster. These posters are not just amazingly intricate works of art, they are thoughtful representations of the characters and the elements of the movies.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
In one of Struzan’s most challenging projects, he was a wizard in creating a time-tested poster for the first installment of the Harry Potter series. Struzan was able to capture the whole ensemble in the wizardry world – and make a beautiful poster which conveyed the mood of the movie. Soon, the Potter series got edgier and darker, and as time went on, the later movies’ posters weren’t comparable to Drew Struzan’s magical and his masterful work of art.
“Back to the Future” (1985)
This one is pure, distilled 80s movie magic. Marty McFly, looking impossibly cool in his life vest and sunglasses, checks his watch while stepping out of the DeLorean. The fiery tire tracks burn beside him, hinting at the time-bending chaos that awaits. Struzan completely captures the film’s blend of sci-fi fun, adventure and comedy. It is vibrant, exciting, and practically screams “This is the movie you’ve been waiting for!”
“Blade Runner” (1982)
For Ridley Scott’s neo-noir classic, Drew Struzan delivered a poster that feels as textured and moody as the film itself. Harrison Ford‘s Rick Deckard is front and center. However, he’s surrounded by the rain-soaked, neon-lit world of 2019 Los Angeles. The portraits of Rachael and Roy Batty float in the background like “ghosts in the machine.” It’s a stunningly complex piece which captures the film’s dystopian beauty and existential themes.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
This isn’t just a poster; it’s an event. Indiana Jones, whip at the ready, stands as the quintessential action hero. Behind him, Struzan weaves a tapestry of the film’s adventure: Marion Ravenwood, the Ark of the Covenant, and the sinister Nazis. It’s a dynamic, pulpy, and thrilling composition that’s rolled into one. It promises a two-hour rollercoaster ride. This poster defined both the look and the feel of adventure for an entire generation.
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977 – Style ‘D’ reissue)
While Tom Jung’s original Style ‘A’ poster is iconic, it’s Struzan’s 1978 “circus” style reissue that arguably captures the heart of Star Wars best. It’s a gorgeous, sweeping collage of heroes and villains. Luke Skywalker raises his lightsaber in triumph, Princess Leia looks resolute, and Han Solo (of course) smirks with his blaster. Above them all looms the menacing black helmet of Darth Vader. This poster is pure cinematic mythology, perfectly encapsulating the grand scale of a galaxy far, far away. It’s not just the best Drew Struzan poster – it might be the greatest movie poster of all time.
A Few Final Touches
A couple of honorable mentions would be the movie poster from “The Thing.” It was both haunting and chillingly simple. Another memorable poster was a very ripped Kurt Russell from “Big Trouble in Little China.” The movie was crazy and adventurous, and the poster completely conveyed that.
While the age of the illustrated movie poster has largely given way to yucky photoshopped heads floating in a sea of digital noise, the legacy of Drew Struzan truly endures. His work reminds us of a time when movie art was just as epic as the films themselves.
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