Sci-Fi Film Poster Highlights are Out of This World

Thunderbirds Are Go, 1967, British.
Estimate £2,400–3,500.

This 1966 sci-fi film was based on the original Thunderbirds television series so popular in the 1960s. Like the television series, the film featured marionette puppets and extravagant model work. The film was written by the original creators, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and directed by David Lane.

Share

Batman, 1966, British.
Estimate £5,000–7,000.

This film was based on the Batman television series, and was the first full-length feature film adaptation of the DC Comics character Batman. The film stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin.

Share

King Kong, 1933, French.
Estimate £20,000–30,000.

A perfect blend of adventure, science fiction and horror, King Kong is the ultimate monster movie. Rene Peron's poster for King Kong beautifully captures the Art Deco era. All original release posters for this iconic film are highly sought after.

Share

Fantastic Voyage, 1966, British.
Estimate £600–900.

This cool 60s sci-fi film about miniaturisation was directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, Edmond O'Brien, and Donald Pleasence.

Share

Back to the Future, 1985, British.
Estimate £500–700.

Back to the Future came out in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as high school student Marty McFly, and an eccentric scientist, Dr. Emmett L. Brown played by Christopher Lloyd.

Share

Back to the Future Part 1, 2 & 3, 1985, US, Limited Edition.
Estimate £1,000–1,500.

This poster was designed for a special screening of Back to the Future 1, 2 & 3 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Share

Forbidden Planet, 1956, US. Estimate £5,000–8,000.

Forbidden Planet is one of the most cherished sci-fi classic films of all time and this poster is one of the key science fiction pieces from the 1950s, as well as one of the most desirable.

Share

Star Wars, 1977, US.
Estimate £1,200–1,800.

This was where it all begun back in 1977, when George Lucas bought us the beginning of the Star Wars empire. This piece was originally designed by Tom William Chantrell as a landscape British poster. When George Lucas saw the design he liked it so much that he chose to use it as the American release poster.

Share

The Empire Strikes Back, 1980, US.
Estimate £600–900.

The hugely respected poster artist, Roger Kastel, was asked by George Lucas to design this poster for The Empire Strikes Back. This was the second film in the original Star Wars trilogy, known now as the fifth film in the series, owing to the prequel trilogy.

Share

Revenge of the Jedi, 1982, US.
Estimate £1,000–1,500.

George Lucas originally named the film Revenge of the Jedi. Advance posters were created to advertise the film's forthcoming release. However, before the film was actually released, Lucas changed the title to Return of the Jedi, as he felt that the word 'revenge' was not an aspiration of a Jedi Knight.

Share

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956, US.
Estimate £1,000–1,500.

This film projected a sophistication and subtlety missing in more gung-ho gore science fiction films of the decade. The Invasion of the Body Snatchers can be seen not only as a metaphor for the threat of communism, but also as a commentary of the bland conformity of American suburbia during the time of McCarthyism.

Share

Dr. Who and the Daleks, 1965, British.
Estimate £2,600–3,500.

This highly sought after poster was the first feature film of this extremely popular science fiction television series, which is today one of the longest running shows on television.

Share

2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968, US.
Estimate £3,000–5,000.

2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the most iconic pieces of cinema to-date. This poster , one of the most evocative of the decade, was printed in a hurry and was used for wild pasting on New York City walls, subway stations and any other available temporary hoardings. Mike Kaplan's tagline 'the ultimate trip' and the image of the star child, captured the experimental mood of the time, and struck a chord with audiences.

Share

2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968, US.
Estimate £3,000–5,000.

This poster, which was printed in Italy, was used as part of the US advertising campaign for the film's international release. No title was printed on the poster, which made it easy to use in all parts of the world.

Share

The Day of the Triffids, 1963, US.
Estimate £700–1,000.

This British science fiction film was an adaptation of John Wyndham's novel of the same name. The picture was directed by Steve Sekely, and stars Howard Keel as the leading actor.

Share

I Married A Monster from Outer Space, 1958, US.
Estimate £700–1,000.

In the mid-50s Samuel Zarkoff and James H. Nicholson formed American International Pictures and begun churning 'B' movies that were a massive success on the drive-in circuit. The shocking and thrilling elements were emphasised to pull in the crowds, and the poster often promised more than the film delivered!

Share

The Terminator, 1984, Czech.
Estimate £500–700.

By the time Terminator was released in Czechoslovakia in 1990, the second film was already in the making. The film had been a huge success on its release in the rest of the world. Most of the posters produced to advertise the film were photographic. However, for the Czech release the distributors commissioned an artist who designed this powerful poster, using the airbrush technique.

Share

Invasion of the Saucer Men, 1957, US.
Estimate £3,000–5,000.

The creatures that populated 50s science fiction films were state of the art at the time but now appear strangely dated, often quite humorous, and far from terrifying. The poster artists, free from technical limitations, were able to present the full splendour of the script. This poster is one of the best examples of the genre.

Share

Godzilla, 1956, Japanese.
Estimate £3,000–5,000.

The original Godzilla film was released in Japan in 1954. Two years later this film was released in the US and worldwide, titled Gorilla King of the Monsters. To make it more attractive to an American audience, extra scenes were added starring Raymond Burr. This 1956 re-worked release of the film had a lukewarm reception in Japan, owing to the popularity of the 1954 version.

Share

Creature from the Black Lagoon, 1954, US.
Estimate £8,000–12,000.

Reynold Brown designed magazine and book covers, and was then commissioned by Universal Pictures to design various science fiction and horror B film posters. Creature from the Black Lagoon is amongst his most famous and collected posters.

Share