Original Movie Posters
Printed by a film studio in limited quantity, for display in movie theaters to promote the film. These posters can become highly valued, prized art and collector items.
View GlossaryPrinted by a film studio in limited quantity, for display in movie theaters to promote the film. These posters can become highly valued, prized art and collector items.
View GlossaryBecome a collector
If you have a passion for a film, an actor, actress, director, or graphic arist. you can savor the passion by having the original movie poster on your wall. In some cases, a movie poster will strike such a chord among movie-goers that the original movie poster becomes highly valued by collectors.
Shop Originals
A great investment
Original movie posters can become highly valued, prized collector items.
This can take years or sometimes days. Movies are universal, and the entire world loves classic movies like The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Jaws, and many others will continue to grow in value. Qualities of a good investment include: great artwork, a notable star or director, and a movie you can watch over and over again.
Approximate Appreciation Values per Year
$10 Per Year
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$25 Per Year
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$15 Per Year
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$25 Per Year
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$15 Per Year
Discover MoreState of the art
Many movie posters have been designed by famous graphic artists and illustrators.
Saul Bass
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Robert McGinnis
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Drew Struzan
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Bob Peak
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Richard Amsel
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Framing & Storage
We recommend using high grade plexi-glass and a frame to protect your poster. It’s best to hang your poster in a dry, cool environment not in direct sunlight. For storage, we recommend rolling your poster in an acid free tube and/or plastics sleeve.
Shop FinishesCommon Formats
There have been many kinds of print materials used to promote the film in the theaters.
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3 Sheet
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One sheet – before 1985
Half Sheet
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One Sheet
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Stills
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Insert
Original Sizes
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One Sheet
27 × 40in
The standard movie poster, rolled
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One Sheet
(before 1985)27 × 41in
The standard movie poster, folded
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Still
10 × 8in
Glossy photographs of film scenes
Usually in sets of 8 -
Insert
14 × 36in
Posters printed on card stock
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Window Card
14 × 22in
Posters printed on card stock
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Half Sheet
14 × 36in
Posters printed on normal stock
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30 × 40in
30 × 40in
Posters printed on heavy stock Same artwork as on the One Sheet
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40 × 60in
40 × 60in
Posters printed on heavy stock Same artwork as on the One Sheet
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Three Sheets
41 × 81in
Extra-large posters printed on normal stock
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Six Sheets
81 × 81in
Super-large posters printed on normal stock
Original Poster Glossary
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One sheet
Standard theatrical size posters; typically 27x40 or 41”.
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6 sheet
Oversize - consists of 4 smaller pieces that create 1 large poster.
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3 sheet
Usually consists of 2 smaller pieces to make 1 large poster.
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British quad
Released theatrically in the UK; Typically 40x30”.
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Lobby cards
Scenes from movie printed on card stock - for display in theater lobby.
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Stills
Color or Black and White photos from movie- used in press packages.
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Half sheet
Horizontal theater display; No longer in use.
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Insert
Narrow vertical theater display; No longer in use.
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Presskit
Press promotional information with stills.
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Pressbook
Promotional material released to media.
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Double Sided
Printed on both sides, mirror image on back.
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Single Sided
Printed on one side, white on back.
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Rolled
Stored and shipped rolled up, usually near mint condition.
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Folded
3 horizontal and 1 vertical fold.
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Giclee
Specialized printing/ink process results in superior quality, has the tonalities/hues of original print.
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Crease(s) (slight/minor/edge)
Paper has been dinged on the edge or in the middle and small creases are shown.
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Damage (water/slight/minor)
Poster has creases/tears/tape/ripples usually from being used in the past.
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Pin holes
Displayed at movie theaters; very small holes in the corners (made by push pins or staples).
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Tear(s) (small/large/edge)
Paper has ripped.
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Tape repair
Tape on back/front - usually to repair tears.
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Glued to lobby card(s)
Still or card is glued onto the back of another lobby card for a different film.
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Edge wear
Damage occurs from handling or storage, edge becomes slightly crinkled or torn.
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Sticker over rating
Rating system (R, PG, G)is different, so a sticker is placed over original countries rating.
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Paper loss
Paper has been torn off and/or a surface tear has the ink/paint removed.
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Fold line(s)
Poster has been folded in the past and will have a crease line.
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Print flaw/burn
Ink has bled or smudged.
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Stain(s)
Dirt or other substances have touched the paper leaving marks behind.
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Residue
Adhesive (sticker/tape/glue) has been removed from poster leaving sticky/tacky substance or paper remnants behind.
