This was an excellent year in one-sheets. There are some amazing artists in the field transcending the bullshit “Photoshop layout” we’ve seen plague the craft of key art. Many independent filmmakers and smart production companies and distributors are tapping this talent for truly eye-catching posters. I like to think the tide is turning from “floating heads” to art that is a bit more thoughtful thanks to companies like Mondo and the various art galleries who are putting the spotlight on these artists.
Now, more than ever, there is a demand for something better. Something worthy to hang in our office or living room.
That said, here’s my selection of the 20 best one-sheets. This batch was culled from posters released in 2013 (even though some of the films they promote won’t come out until 2014) and were actually used in the promotional campaigns.
The Best Horror Posters of 2013
20 of the best horror movie posters of the year.
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Almost Human
Perfectly retro, urgent and effective. I love the flow and color scheme - the latter of which is refreshing in this era of stark white horror posters.
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Bad Milo!
So weird, so...cute. And I love the look on Ken Marino's face. This horror-comedy could have adapted to something so generic in its poster campaign and we, instead, got this unsettling snapshot of cuddling.
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The Battery
A zombie movie without a single zombie on it. Perfect.
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Berberian Sound Studio
I didn't care for the film, but the design - using a bit of the ol' reflection symmetry - makes for a trippy visual experience when you stare at it long enough.
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Birth of the Living Dead
I love the scope of this one and where it takes you. Vietnam. Hippies. Zombies. A film crew. George Romero himself. Perfect representation of a time and place.
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The Conjuring
Nothing irks me more than a publicity photo with a title slapped over it, but this works.
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Escape from Tomorrow
Daring and just screwed up. It's an admittedly simple design, but, how did they get away with this?
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Frankenstein Created Bikers
Bikers riding out from between a pair of spread legs with explosions, flipping cop cars, a stick of dynamite and a mad doctor? SOLD.
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Girls Against Boys
"Sex sells," part 1. A little too "Sin City," still, it works for the movie and is one of the classier designs to be used.
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Godzilla
This one is smart: Don't offer a straight-forward depiction of the monster, but interpret him in the legacy of destruction he leaves behind. Maybe too smart for the mainstream, but perfect for the Comic-Con crowd.
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Hemlock Grove
A reverse take on The Company of Wolves. It definitely catches the eye.
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Here Comes the Devil
A late entry 2013's poster offerings, this one is fittingly retro as well. In fact, it reminds me of the hellish conclusion of The Black Hole. No relation to anything that happens in this wild, far-out film, of course.
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Kiss of the Damned
A poster fitting for a film that's a European vampire film throwback. Quite beautiful.
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Megafoot
A poster that looks like it was conceived on a really talented 4th grader's Trapper Keeper. I'm obsessed.
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Nurse 3D
"Sex sells," part 2. The campaign for this film has been consistently racy. I love it. Because I'm easy like that.
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The Sacrament
A poster that carries an intimidation factor and anonymity. It's lurid and pulpy.
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Stoker
Trace the branches - the devil is in the details here. The artist offers plenty of negative space, but a lot to look at as well.
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Texas Chainsaw 3D
Gritty, clever and apropos. The first in a series of posters for this shitty film, but this was the best of the lot.
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Willow Creek
This one goes against what you expect from a poster about Bigfoot. The screaming faces, the skull visage...all very eerie.
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You're Next
Lionsgate knocked out a number of one-sheets to promote You're Next, but this one is my favorite. It begs you to take some time with it. To explore.
