From minimalist teaser posters to lavish main designs, Star Wars movie posters have captured hearts and sparked imaginations for decades. But what makes these designs so iconic? Picture it: bold color contrasts, a glowing lightsaber slicing through the dark, a menacing villain lurking in the background, and your favorite characters standing tall in front. Much like Horror Tattoos, these posters combine intricate art and storytelling.
If you’re a fan of poster designs, you might enjoy testing your knowledge with Posterdle, where you can guess movie posters like a pro.
For the last 47 years, from the original trilogy to the latest prequels, Star Wars has given fans not just epic stories, but visual masterpieces. It’s more than just art; it’s a powerful blend of emotion and storytelling that keeps fans coming back for more. So, what makes these posters so irresistible to graphic designers and fans alike? Let’s dive into the magic!
The Star Wars logo has become a cultural symbol, instantly recognizable by fans worldwide. Similar to how Loki’s logo embraces an atypical design approach to communicate its shifting narrative, Star Wars logos have also evolved over time, balancing modernity with nostalgia.
In this article, we will rank the Star Wars posters based on their designs and presentations, based on fans’ opinion and viewer’s choices. Herein, the top 10 Star Wars poster designs are elaborated with their perfections and flaws as per fans’ point of views. So, without wasting much time, let’s begin.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Starting with the recent release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019, the Star Wars poster design was dominated by a blue and red color scheme. These two colors depict the good and evil side of the forces, a design concept often seen in horror movie posters, where contrasting colors heighten suspense and tension. However, the character representation didn’t fit well with the storyline. Some critics believe this Star Wars poster to be cartoonish.
In addition, the characters of flagbearer and opponent seem to be narrowly highlighted, drawn by huge space magic. Looking at the poster, it appears more likely to be painted, not filmed.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Saying “Solo: A Star Wars Story” poster a goofy attempt won’t be wrong. Watching the poster, you will see a strange combination of colors with no villain representation in the background. However, it’s kind of a Star Wars poster mandate to show villains mysteriously in the poster’s background. So, why not here? Strange.
On the other hand, the Lando with bright yellow outfit on this Star Wars poster seems a bit wacky on the prominent point of the poster. Followed by the Star Wars poster design, the film sequel underperformed too, for some fans.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
A modern yet minimalist execution of the idea to keep everything simple yet elegant. That’s the key to the success of Star Wars. In the poster of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, you can clearly see the message delivered; passing the baton to the next generation.
With lead characters, no suspicious background, just red color with a spark coming out of the lightsaber. These Star Wars poster designs tell the whole agenda in a vicious way, all done. What an iconographical style to present the storyline in the poster!
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
One of the best Star Wars posters till date; Rogue One: a Star War Story. This movie’s storyline is quite the same as that of the Last Jedi. Meanwhile, the poster presentation captivates the fans’ hearts. With muted colors at the top and colorful contrast of blue at the bottom seems a classic old-new combination, all Star Wars fans wish for.
However, the Death Star at the center of the post depicts it being the center of the whole storyline with nothing happening in space. With this, the balanced appearance of all characters on the poster, makes it fans’ choice.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
A true example of an overstuffed cheese burger; Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The movie was undoubtedly full of suspense and the poster designer tended to indulge all the suspense in the poster as well. This created a mess here. Not a Star Wars thing.
Overall, looking at the poster, color contrasts, enough space for old characters, villain’s appearance in the background. Everything fits well but has covered much space in the poster than needed. However, every character and color in this poster justifies its presence quite well.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
One of the best posters for any prequel of Star Wars franchise; Revenge of the Sith. With a balanced blend of emotions and state of affairs presented with marvelous expressions in the poster, this Star Wars poster made fan’s hearts drenched.
However, the blue light striking with other light rather than red light with a circle inside it. A bit off. Isn’t it so? Maybe it is showing the appearance of the death star which is highlighted at the end of the movie.
Apart from Emperor Palpatine’s rare appearance on the Star Wars poster with Mace Windu’s cringe expressions which makes it a bit cringe. Rest of the poster worked really well.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Presenting you the least likable poster of the prequel trilogy of the Star Wars franchise directed by George Lucas. Released in 2002, the poster of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones didn’t make a memorable place in their fans’ hearts. The color contrast in the poster was a complete mess.
In addition, the attack of the clones was highlighted to such an extent in the poster that even Yoda’s presence was barely seen. While Obi-Wan seems like shooting for a modeling campaign not for a movie poster.
In this Star Wars poster, you will find a bunch of clones at the bottom of the attack of the clones with a spicy addition of romance in it. Overall, an overblown situation in this Star Wars poster.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
More balanced, more prominent, and overall appropriate. The poster design of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace took the prestigious place in the Star Wars posters ranking. A balance of light flare with characters placement and prominence of the villain. What an exceptional presentation of the whole storyline in a small context?
Well, fans called the Star Wars: the Phantom Menace poster quite better than the aforementioned Star Wars: the Attack of Clones poster. Moreover, the villain seems looming all over the poster behind the main characters. The best villain’s appearance in the Star Wars franchise yet.
However, there’s a confusion about two light flares in the poster. One might be the sun but what about the other flare? Is it the binary sun? If you’re sure about these flares as binary suns, then this Star Wars poster could win the spot in top list.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Another best Star Wars poster creating hype and suspense in the audience of last decade like the way Avengers: Endgame did in this decade. A simple, minimalist yet suspicious Star Wars poster which created a giant hype in the Star Wars fans. Could you believe that this movie sequel was released 41 years ago?
As a critic, in this Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the top and the bottom of the poster work well. But the middle of the poster with placement of main characters couldn’t justify them well. The villain’s appearance was quite appreciable at the back with a bouncy cover on main characters. But the appearance of main characters on the side bars with a little emptiness in the whole Star Wars poster.
Also, the color contrast in this Star Wars poster was quite dull with no sparkling cider. Overall, this Star Wars poster couldn’t justify the classical conclusion to the original Star Wars Trilogy.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Last but not the least, the phenomenal masterpiece of the Star Wars franchise. Neither overcrowded nor emptied. A balanced equation of colors and contrasts. Main characters squeezed at the center while the rest of the poster depicts the situations presented in the movie.
Best of the best, the Empire Strikes Back poster and movie, both were superhit in 1980. The giant appearance of Darth Vader in the poster with a romantic sensation between Chewbacca and Han Solo. It feels like a complete spice of emotions and situations in the Star Wars poster ever.
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Conclusion
Summing up the whole article with Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back as the best Star Wars poster and Star Wars: Attack of Clones the least likable poster of Star Wars franchise to date.
Well, fans have different opinions and point of views for different teaser, promotion and main posters of Star Wars series. We hope that you have read and might agree with the rankings and poster design reviews discussed here. If you have a different opinion, you can let us know. For sure, we will look into it.
People May Ask
| Which Star Wars Trilogy has the best posters? Well, according to fans, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in the trilogy was the best of the best posters in the all time Star Wars franchise till date. |
| Are all the Star Wars posters genuine? No, not all the Star Wars posters are genuine and true. Some posters are fake while others are fans-made. In addition, some posters are for theatrical versions and promotions, too. |
| Which is the most artistic poster in the Star Wars franchise? According to the viewers, the most artistic poster with a minimalist yet sophisticated version is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story released in 2016. |
Melissa is a dynamic creative professional at the intersection of design, art, and entertainment. As the visionary behind The Brand Mash, She expertly blends strategic insights with artistic innovation. With a rich background in fine arts and digital media, She brings originality, purpose, and a keen understanding of audience engagement to every project.