Imagine a single image that could transport you to a world of wonder, adventure, and imagination. That's the power of Drew Struzan's art, and it's why his passing feels like the loss of a cinematic titan. But here's where it gets personal: as a lifelong admirer of fan art, I've always believed that a picture truly is worth a thousand words. My passion project, 'Awesome Art,' is dedicated to celebrating the incredible talent of artists who, like Struzan, have the ability to captivate and inspire. This week, we're taking a different approach—a tribute to the man whose posters didn't just promote movies; they defined them.
I still vividly remember the first time I encountered Struzan's work. I was seven years old, on a school field trip to The Grandview Cinema in Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland. There, on the theater wall, was the poster for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It wasn’t just a poster; it was a portal. In that moment, I was introduced to a world of art that would shape my appreciation for cinema forever. Little did I know, the artist behind that poster would become my all-time favorite.
But here's where it gets controversial: In today’s world of trailers, teasers, and behind-the-scenes footage, do movie posters still hold the same power? Drew Struzan’s work proves they do. His posters were often the first glimpse audiences had of a film, and they had to sell the movie in a single image. Struzan’s art didn’t just pique curiosity—it created it. Whether it was Star Wars, Back to the Future, or The Shawshank Redemption, his posters were as iconic as the films themselves. And this is the part most people miss: even if a movie fell short, Struzan’s art never did.
His influence extends far beyond his own work. Nearly every artist I’ve interviewed for Awesome Art has cited Struzan as their greatest inspiration. As one artist put it, ‘Drew could take you on an epic journey in one painted image.’ That’s the mark of a true master.
In this tribute, I’m letting Struzan’s work speak for itself. Below is a curated list of his iconic posters, each a testament to his genius. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry that defined generations of cinema:
- Adventures in Babysitting
- Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare
- Back to the Future
- Big Trouble in Little China
- Blade Runner
- Coming to America
- Cutthroat Island
- D.C. Cab
- Duck Tales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp
- First Blood
- The Flintstones
- The Goonies
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Hellboy
- Hocus Pocus
- Hook
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Masters of the Universe
- The Muppets Movie
- Return to Oz
- The Shawshank Redemption
- A Small Town in Texas
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- The Thing
Now, I want to hear from you: Do you think modern movie marketing has diminished the impact of poster art? Or does Struzan’s legacy prove that a single image can still captivate audiences? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate the timeless artistry of Drew Struzan.
