Artist Drew Struzan, who was behind some of the best movie poster designs in Hollywood history, has passed away at the age of 78. Responsible for some of the most incredible and memorable Star Wars posters and beyond, his legacy will no doubt live on for years to come.
Known for over 150 iconic movie posters, Drew Struzan was famous for his airbrushed one-sheet technique, often depicting large ensembles of characters that became known as “circus-style”. Creating the iconic artwork for major blockbuster franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and more, here are our top 10 favorite posters designed by the late great Drew Struzan.
Star Wars (1977)
One of the first Star Wars posters Drew Struzan ever did for Lucasfilm was their very first movie in 1977. Done in collaboration with Charles White III, this Star Wars poster was almost a precursor to the future circus ensemble style, while also having a more unique design in order fit the poster’s full text.
The artwork is quite expansive, featuring Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the classic droids C-3PO and R2-D2, and more classic elements from the movie that would come to be known as A New Hope.
Revenge of the Jedi (1983)
George Lucas changed the name of his third Star Wars movie very late in the game, so late that promotions for Revenge of the Jedi had already begun before it was switched to Return of the Jedi prior to its release in 1983.
Early promotions for Revenge of the Jedi included Struzan’s dynamic movie poster featuring silhouettes of Luke and Darth Vader engaged in an epic lightsaber duel within a bigger depiction of Darth Vader’s iconic black mask amid a dark red background. One of Struzan’s more uncommon posters to not feature a full ensemble cast, it’s incredibly striking (and one of his best).
Back to the Future (1985)
Drew Struzan’s movie posters often make great use of light, specifically light beams, which really help his work feel alive and lived in. This was very much true with the movie poster for the very first Back to the Future in 1985, especially when considering the dark blue background for the sky contrasted with orange flames from the time-traveling DeLorean.
The Goonies (1985)
One of my personal favorite Drew Struzan posters was for 1985’s The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner and produced/written by Steven Spielberg.
Featuring the entire lead cast of kids, the whole group of Goonies is shown hanging onto each other as a young Josh Brolin hangs onto a stalactite from a rocky cave ceiling. It’s incredibly unique, while perfectly giving movie-goers a great sense of the movie’s tone and adventure.
Hook (1991)
In the same vein, Struzman’s artwork for Spielberg’s 1991 classic Hook is full of vibrant color and light, and the ripped edges on a white background to make the poster feel as though it’s an old pirate map was an excellent touch.
Robin Williams’ grown-up Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman’s Captain Hook naturally dominate the poster, though the rest of the main cast is also featured with Mister Smee, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and more (a full circus-style ensemble).
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye (1995)
While not a movie, Struzman’s work creating movie posters for the Indiana Jones franchise naturally made him the most logical choice to create the poster for Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye, the Disneyland ride which opened in 1995.
Featured at the park’s entryway alongside posters for The Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more, Forbidden Eye is easily one of the most striking and eye-catching.
The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition (1997)
Struzan also did posters for the special edition re-releases of the Star Wars original trilogy. By far, the best one was The Empire Strikes Back.
Rather than featuring a full ensemble of heroes and villains, this poster featured Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine alongside various TIE Fighters, AT-ATs, and more Imperial war machines, showcasing the full power of the Empire. You can basically hear John Williams’ Imperial March theme just by looking at this poster.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Struzan’s posters for the prequels followed the same style as the special edition posters for the original trilogy. The Phantom Menace is quite good, featuring key points of light illuminating young Anakin Skywalker as the central figure among the full cast. However, my personal favorite element is the close-up of Darth Maul’s red-and-black tatooed face in the background.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Struzan made the poster for the very first Harry Potter movie, featuring the full cast of characters surrounding The Boy Who Lived. Featuring the iconic Hogwarts castle in the background of the collection of “floating heads”, Struzan perfectly captured the movie’s tone and its magical world.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Last but not least is the poster for Revenge of the Sith in 2005. Almost a mash-up of Revenge of the Jedi and the previous black background Star Wars posters Struzan had done previously, Darth Vader is in the background while the poster’s central figures are Anakin and Obi-Wan locked in lightsaber combat.
At the same time, we also get larger floating heads of Anakin with Padmé Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi on either side. Yoda, Mace Windu, and Darth Sidious are featured as well, alongside the pair of Jedi Interceptors that open Revenge of the Sith with one of the best opening Star Wars sequences of all time.
- Cast
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Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Movie(s)
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Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
- Character(s)
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Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
