My thought exactly. I would hate to go see the film based on poster 2 and at some point put two and two together.
I liked poster number 7 the best for this reason. Also it’s beautiful
Eh I think three and five are fine, gotta remember while the rock hammer is important to the ending it isn’t only seen there, so someone could see these two covers without knowing the ending and when they are first introduced to the rock hammer just assume they made the cover include it because it’s essential for one of Stanley’s main hobbies, a hobby that shows us his patients which is an important character trait if his, or because asking for the hammer helped start his bond with Morgan Freeman’s character. The rock hammer is also Schrodinger's gun which these covers help hammer in, and the fact that it could be used to break out of prison is foreshadowed before he even gets his hands on it, so I really don’t see someone seeing covers three or five and it being the sole reason they pieced everything together and the covers alone don’t spoil anything before watching the film they just might work with the foreshadowing to clue you in faster. Cover two and eleven however do heavily spoil the film.
Well after the first one I'm pretty sure all of these are more recent and made by fans or made to be sold to fans and weren't actually hung up in cinemas at the time.
But any movie poster is basically meaningless if you haven't seen the movie already, yes?
But I like all these pretty much, but I always loved the look on Warden's face when he first pulled that poster down.....faintly similar to the look on Hans Gruber's face at the end of Die Hard.....
Yeah.. The whole point of a poster is to entice you you to want to see it, not to be some 2D Easter egg that validates your memory of having seen the movie
That's what I was thinking, these posters are spoilers! I dig the first one, the tried and true classic, and I dig posters that are actual artwork or paintings instead of photographs, especially some of those classic 70s movie posters.
I think [this poster](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNDE3ODcxYzMtY2YzZC00NmNlLWJiNDMtZDViZWM2MzIxZDYwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjAwNDUxODI@._V1_.jpg) is excellent
It’s a great example of movie advertising. It indicates joy and relief after trying circumstances, yet gives away no information about the story.
Basically “See this movie in order to feel this way.”
Struzan reigns supreme especially out of all of these.
I like the concept of 8, but it's too "digital art" looking. That and the layout & placement of the title of the film was clearly an afterthought and poorly done.
Love this post! I taught the novella to my senior English class (they LOVED it) and part of their project was to design either a soundtrack or a poster to go with it. I love the ones that looked at the symbols (like the bird) and this post reminded me of some of the stuff my students did.
I think 2 is the best when just judging the art, love the minimalist style and it reminds me of book cover art which is great since the prison library is important to the film, but while it looks great and would be great for fans it heavily spoils the film and is probably the worst offender on the list when it comes to that since it not only shows the tunnel but also the rock hammer.
#4. Many of the others were great except for the fact that they spoil the escape, especially the one that outright shows him tunneling out, though aside from the spoiler, that one is a damn good poster.
The 1st one is so iconic and I've never seen the others, so it is difficult to even judge the others when there is one that is cemented in your mind. Personally, I love the 2nd and 3rd ones though. I don't love the 1st one that much, but it is 100% the most recognizable and most iconic.
For the briefest of moments, I had a flare of WTF because any time I scroll past a movie poster I automatically assume it’s someone posting in r/underratedmovies .
I really like #3, just for the sake at it looks. But I agree with others here saying it, long with so many of the others, is a bit spoilery. So I think #8 which, while a bit spoilery, isn’t nearly as bad.
I would say either "Brooks Was Here" or either of the Rita Hayworth ones.
Brooks was here is minimal enough and would make people pay attention to Brooks and not Andy.
And either of the Rita Hayworth ones would harken back to the original title (which they had to edit out because too many agents were calling Darabont for their actress to take the role of Rita Hayworth). 🤣
Idk, most spoil the movie in one way or another, and not in small, inconsequential ways either.
But as for personal preference, I like 3, 4, and 8.
Literally my favorite movie of all time. It means so much more to me than just being a Stephen King adaptation. It brought my family together when we watched it, it gave me and my dad a quest to achieve when we were trying to find it on Blu-ray.
I hope I can make it across the border. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. *I hope.*
I will vote for 3. No spoiler given. Still manage to intrigued people to come near to the poster and make them read and spent one minute or two. Good job for a poster.
I love 3 (Bible page), but that is a bit spoiler-ish, so I will pick 4, Brooks was Here as my top choice. I think it really captures one of the main themes, to never give up hope.
I like 3 the best but it is absolutely spoilery. But I would absolutely hang it in my office, it’s been almost 3 decades since it’s been out. If you haven’t seen it by now sucks to suck.
1) Struzan’s work is immaculate. Many may not like the floating heads now but his illustrations and composition are the reason why others fail so hard. The lighting, the shadows, the beautiful detailing and textures. It’s so damn good. It’s my favorite.
2) the concept is interesting and could be dynamic but it spoils the movie. It’s also too clean for my tastes. I may like it more if it was more black than grey. The typeface is also kinda bland.
3) iIts striking and memorable. The fact that it’s Exodus makes me super happy. But again, a bit of a spoiler. And too clean. Maybe if the pages were yellowed or the cut out for the rock hammer wasn’t as precise?
4) Reminds me more of a book cover, and the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. I do love it, it has a grittiness that 2&3 lack. It’s artistic and the symbolism of the bird being behind bars is great. It’s something tangible and in the film but not too spoilery in my opinion. I love how the title matches the janky quality of Brooks’ writing as well.
5) Nice illustration, the light source is intriguing. It places significance on the chess pieces and hammer showing importance but not really a spoiler. I do wish Andy’s expression was different though. Not my fave but nice.
6) I like the actual picture, but the text placement feels weird, especially the credits being off to the side.
7) Reminds me of Lion King. Can’t unsee it.
8) Too glossy for my tastes, a little spoilery but I like the idea of freedom being in Andy’s mind with the prisonscape towards the foreground.
9) Change the typeface and I’d love it more. Simple but striking.This could easily be the cover for the novella. I’d buy this book from the cover. The use of the iconic image with it being slightly distorted is great. It’s as teasing as the original image of Hayworth. It still works for the film and does enlist some intrigue but I don’t know if it sells it as well as of it were the book.
10) I love the image of him standing. It suits his character so well to show him in this light. However, the contrast of the photo images with the illustrative prison fence doesn’t work for me. Take the fence away and the image feels more striking, however, the fence gives such important context. And while I do love the actual image Hayworth in his shadow I don’t know if it’s more intriguing or confusing in this instance, especially if you haven’t seen the film. Same could be said for 9 as well. But I think the simplicity creates more intrigue than confusion in 9 because of the lesser context.
11) I love the artwork, it’s so pulpy and comic like. I love the colors, the texture, the expressions are captured wonderfully. It’s a spoiler though. Better for a piece of art than promotional material.
[This one by Laurent Durieux is excellent](https://posterdrops.com/art/38288?album=main).
He is a Belgian artist who has been commissioned to make posters for many classic movies.
7 and 8 are amazing(even though 8 looks too digital). Beautiful and at the same time not spoiling anything. If you watch the movie you'll understand them but if you haven't, you won't have a clue. Love them.
I don’t know why but that “Brooks was here” poster looks amazing. The Bible with the rock hammer cut out is great and so is the one with Andy inside the white hammer digging 😍
Too many of them straight up spoil the movie.
My thought exactly. I would hate to go see the film based on poster 2 and at some point put two and two together. I liked poster number 7 the best for this reason. Also it’s beautiful
I mean #7 is spoilery too, with Andy’s letter to Red in the background.
Well if you can and do read a spoiler from that barely visible scribble, that’s on you
Seriously, all of the ones with the pick shouldn’t be here.
Eh I think three and five are fine, gotta remember while the rock hammer is important to the ending it isn’t only seen there, so someone could see these two covers without knowing the ending and when they are first introduced to the rock hammer just assume they made the cover include it because it’s essential for one of Stanley’s main hobbies, a hobby that shows us his patients which is an important character trait if his, or because asking for the hammer helped start his bond with Morgan Freeman’s character. The rock hammer is also Schrodinger's gun which these covers help hammer in, and the fact that it could be used to break out of prison is foreshadowed before he even gets his hands on it, so I really don’t see someone seeing covers three or five and it being the sole reason they pieced everything together and the covers alone don’t spoil anything before watching the film they just might work with the foreshadowing to clue you in faster. Cover two and eleven however do heavily spoil the film.
Well after the first one I'm pretty sure all of these are more recent and made by fans or made to be sold to fans and weren't actually hung up in cinemas at the time.
I hate fan-made movie posters that are basically meaningless if you havent seen the movie already
But any movie poster is basically meaningless if you haven't seen the movie already, yes? But I like all these pretty much, but I always loved the look on Warden's face when he first pulled that poster down.....faintly similar to the look on Hans Gruber's face at the end of Die Hard.....
Came here to say the same thing.
Yeah.. The whole point of a poster is to entice you you to want to see it, not to be some 2D Easter egg that validates your memory of having seen the movie
Moste of them are not official. So it's a moot question.
*Moot not mute.
Thanks! Edited
>Thanks! Edited You're welcome!
Don't worry, the trailer people already did.
I hate spoilery posters, so definitely not the last one
That's what I was thinking, these posters are spoilers! I dig the first one, the tried and true classic, and I dig posters that are actual artwork or paintings instead of photographs, especially some of those classic 70s movie posters.
My dr during a colonoscopy
I think [this poster](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNDE3ODcxYzMtY2YzZC00NmNlLWJiNDMtZDViZWM2MzIxZDYwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjAwNDUxODI@._V1_.jpg) is excellent
It’s a great example of movie advertising. It indicates joy and relief after trying circumstances, yet gives away no information about the story. Basically “See this movie in order to feel this way.”
Had this framed on my wall for years
100% agree with this
This is the poster that I have framed on the wall in my office.
I laughed at the choices given because this hadn't been included.
Best one definitely
I have that framed on my wall.
1. No question about it.
I've always just liked this one https://images.app.goo.gl/xP77afdXaceC7xn98
This is the first poster that comes to mind, strange that it wasn't included here.
I like the Rita Hayworth poster. I wouldn’t pick one with any kind of tunnel or rock hammer depicted.
1,7,8
I love the idea in 8 that Andy dreams of Red's freedom as much as his own.
1 and 7 absolutely
Struzan reigns supreme especially out of all of these. I like the concept of 8, but it's too "digital art" looking. That and the layout & placement of the title of the film was clearly an afterthought and poorly done.
Jesus Christ. The last one is horrific. What was the artist thinking? Don’t spoil the goddamned movie.
4 or 7 are the best that aren't completely spoilerific.
My vote as well.
#1 and #10
high five!
Laurent Durieux's is the best one by a mile.
I like nr1, but also the one with the tree. But I only like that because I read the story and seen the film, so 1 would serve best as a poster.
Love this post! I taught the novella to my senior English class (they LOVED it) and part of their project was to design either a soundtrack or a poster to go with it. I love the ones that looked at the symbols (like the bird) and this post reminded me of some of the stuff my students did.
The tree
Drew Struzan all the way.
Worst? The VHS video release with Serious Andy and Sweetface Red.
Just the plain tree is the most impressive imo. That picture speaks volumes.
The one with the Bird, it's perfect!
2 or 11
So close, it's 1 + 10 :D
1,7, then 8. The rest relatively spoil the movie.
look more like style-swaps, or book covers. even that struzan poster is kind of overcooked. i prefer the original poster
#1. Anything by Drew Struzan belongs in a museum.
I think 2 is the best when just judging the art, love the minimalist style and it reminds me of book cover art which is great since the prison library is important to the film, but while it looks great and would be great for fans it heavily spoils the film and is probably the worst offender on the list when it comes to that since it not only shows the tunnel but also the rock hammer.
Nine or eleven
I like 1,7,8,11
One and eight are great. A whole bunch of these spoil the movie, but are great pictures about the film.
The first one because it dosen't give away the whole damn plot! That being said, they're all pretty cool.
It will always be 1. Such an iconic poster.
The first, but I dig the third one too. But like another commenter said, way too spoilery. It'll do as fan art though.
The first one. Drew Struzan is the GOAT poster artist.
I like three but it is spoilery. I like nine, its intriguing but reveals the least.
Anything except 2, 3, 5 and 11. Those are straight up spoilers.
Any one that doesn't give the plot away so yeah the first I guess
I’m split between 4 and 7.
#4. Many of the others were great except for the fact that they spoil the escape, especially the one that outright shows him tunneling out, though aside from the spoiler, that one is a damn good poster.
1st one
The 1st one is so iconic and I've never seen the others, so it is difficult to even judge the others when there is one that is cemented in your mind. Personally, I love the 2nd and 3rd ones though. I don't love the 1st one that much, but it is 100% the most recognizable and most iconic.
2
All the ones that aren’t spoilers.
I like 6. It’s moody, intriguing, suggestive of incarceration and loss. And it doesn’t spoil the movie.
1 is good for movie promo & 11 would be cool to have framed
Brooks Was Here (4) or The Tree (7)
The one with the tree.
I like 3 or 8 the best
I like the one of the tree silhouette.
Rita Hayworth's one. /s
Brookes was here! Gives a eerie vibe but doesn’t give away any movie parts
For the briefest of moments, I had a flare of WTF because any time I scroll past a movie poster I automatically assume it’s someone posting in r/underratedmovies .
Uk VHS cover. Red background, rain, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in top half, bottom half, a figure standing in sheeting rain, arms wide.
Drew Struzan, every time. He gives a certain quality to.his poster thag makes them *feel* like movies. So, Poster 1
9 is so fucking good
I honestly like the first one the best. The others are good too however
i like three tbh
You can’t beat the awesome power of a good pencil artist, don’t even try.
I like number 4.
The first cover as that's the one on my 3 disc special dvd edition.
I really like #3, just for the sake at it looks. But I agree with others here saying it, long with so many of the others, is a bit spoilery. So I think #8 which, while a bit spoilery, isn’t nearly as bad.
I really like the second and third movie, other movies one have just too many things to look at.
I would say either "Brooks Was Here" or either of the Rita Hayworth ones. Brooks was here is minimal enough and would make people pay attention to Brooks and not Andy. And either of the Rita Hayworth ones would harken back to the original title (which they had to edit out because too many agents were calling Darabont for their actress to take the role of Rita Hayworth). 🤣
I love this movie
Plus I love the ending
Number one and it's not even close. Way too many spoilers in a lot of those posters.
One, five and ten are all sweet
Idk, most spoil the movie in one way or another, and not in small, inconsequential ways either. But as for personal preference, I like 3, 4, and 8. Literally my favorite movie of all time. It means so much more to me than just being a Stephen King adaptation. It brought my family together when we watched it, it gave me and my dad a quest to achieve when we were trying to find it on Blu-ray. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. *I hope.*
I'm quite partial to one and four.
I will vote for 3. No spoiler given. Still manage to intrigued people to come near to the poster and make them read and spent one minute or two. Good job for a poster.
10, it pays homage to the books actual title
The bird
1 or 7. Personally, I prefer 7 - just has an edge to it
I like the tree one
Kinda upset since my favorite movie experience is going in blind. Seeing Requiem For a Dream absolutely blind was a fucking experience for example
7. . is actually one of the only ones I even recall maybe the one with lightning(?) and arms outstretched.. I had no idea there were so many
I really like 3 and 7
Number 1!
#7, but would recommend the letter in the sky be removed.
i love the black and white with the crow personally.
Definitely the first two though the first and actual is the best no spoilers.
1 or 10 easy.
#4
I like the first one and the 3rd one
Number 4
Either the Theatrical poster where Andy is in the rain, or the painting collage #1. The rest are awful because they spoil the movie.
I like 2 the best
4 & 7
You just posted it. I love Drew Struzan.
I like 10! Stylish, evocative, no spoilers. 4 and 7 are also good. And I don’t have a problem with the classic style 1.
I like 1 and 10. I dislike the ones that spoil the twist.
I wouldn’t want any spoilers on the poster, but that’s just me.
I think I only like the first and maybe the tree. The rest contain spoilers, are too busy, or just don't speak to me.
I love 3 (Bible page), but that is a bit spoiler-ish, so I will pick 4, Brooks was Here as my top choice. I think it really captures one of the main themes, to never give up hope.
The first one.
I like 3 the best but it is absolutely spoilery. But I would absolutely hang it in my office, it’s been almost 3 decades since it’s been out. If you haven’t seen it by now sucks to suck.
1) Struzan’s work is immaculate. Many may not like the floating heads now but his illustrations and composition are the reason why others fail so hard. The lighting, the shadows, the beautiful detailing and textures. It’s so damn good. It’s my favorite. 2) the concept is interesting and could be dynamic but it spoils the movie. It’s also too clean for my tastes. I may like it more if it was more black than grey. The typeface is also kinda bland. 3) iIts striking and memorable. The fact that it’s Exodus makes me super happy. But again, a bit of a spoiler. And too clean. Maybe if the pages were yellowed or the cut out for the rock hammer wasn’t as precise? 4) Reminds me more of a book cover, and the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. I do love it, it has a grittiness that 2&3 lack. It’s artistic and the symbolism of the bird being behind bars is great. It’s something tangible and in the film but not too spoilery in my opinion. I love how the title matches the janky quality of Brooks’ writing as well. 5) Nice illustration, the light source is intriguing. It places significance on the chess pieces and hammer showing importance but not really a spoiler. I do wish Andy’s expression was different though. Not my fave but nice. 6) I like the actual picture, but the text placement feels weird, especially the credits being off to the side. 7) Reminds me of Lion King. Can’t unsee it. 8) Too glossy for my tastes, a little spoilery but I like the idea of freedom being in Andy’s mind with the prisonscape towards the foreground. 9) Change the typeface and I’d love it more. Simple but striking.This could easily be the cover for the novella. I’d buy this book from the cover. The use of the iconic image with it being slightly distorted is great. It’s as teasing as the original image of Hayworth. It still works for the film and does enlist some intrigue but I don’t know if it sells it as well as of it were the book. 10) I love the image of him standing. It suits his character so well to show him in this light. However, the contrast of the photo images with the illustrative prison fence doesn’t work for me. Take the fence away and the image feels more striking, however, the fence gives such important context. And while I do love the actual image Hayworth in his shadow I don’t know if it’s more intriguing or confusing in this instance, especially if you haven’t seen the film. Same could be said for 9 as well. But I think the simplicity creates more intrigue than confusion in 9 because of the lesser context. 11) I love the artwork, it’s so pulpy and comic like. I love the colors, the texture, the expressions are captured wonderfully. It’s a spoiler though. Better for a piece of art than promotional material.
5 imo
I’m going with #7
The one with Rita hayworrh
The tree is the most meaningful with out any spoilers
definitely not the last one because it spoils the movie
2
The first one
The first one.
[This one by Laurent Durieux is excellent](https://posterdrops.com/art/38288?album=main). He is a Belgian artist who has been commissioned to make posters for many classic movies.
Number 5 should have a Brazzers logo on it 😂😂
The second one is quite cool.
1st one. Iconic.
Number 9
#2
4 and 8 because they don’t give anything away and look awesome
Not many. They all tell too much of the story.
2, 7 and 8 are the only ones i really dislike. 10 is my favourite.
The first, but I also like the one with Jake on a purely artistic basis.
The first one, its the OG
Half of these are spoilers so not great.
Number 8 is a good one.
4
Either 1, 4, or 11
From a strictly artistic point of view, they're all great.
I like the one with the tree. Simple, elegant, and doesn’t give anything away
7 and 8 are amazing(even though 8 looks too digital). Beautiful and at the same time not spoiling anything. If you watch the movie you'll understand them but if you haven't, you won't have a clue. Love them.
I don’t know why but that “Brooks was here” poster looks amazing. The Bible with the rock hammer cut out is great and so is the one with Andy inside the white hammer digging 😍
1. Drew Struzan is a genius. He knows how to take something as simple as a movie poster and turn it into beautiful, timeless art.
4 is the best. Shawshank as a whole is best understood through Brooks.