The 10 Best Original Star Wars: A New Hope Movie Posters

When it comes to merchandising, Star Wars is the greatest franchise of them all. Star Wars toys, apparel, and decor have been ubiquitous since the film’s release in 1977. One of the most beloved aspects of the Star Wars merchandising and marketing tradition has been its posters.

Today, we are bombarded with one-sheets, teaser posters, official theatrical posters, exclusive IMAX and Dolby cinema posters, and The Force knows what else. But even the first film had a ton of posters upon release. Looking back to the release of the original Star Wars, here are the top 10 best original Star Wars: A New Hope movie posters.

10 Teaser One-Sheet

This is one of the most simple poster designs in the history of the franchise. Placed against a sheer black background in big white bulky letters read “Coming to your galaxy next summer.” Featured at the bottom of this bold statement lied the first look at an early Star Wars logo, with a much sharper interpretation of the letter “W”.

It might seem overly simple if not a bit boring to audiences today, but in the context of the era, this was unlike anything else in years. Space adventures were a rarity at the time of the release of the original film. This simple statement promised something mysterious, exciting, and possibly a bit forboding to an audience who didn’t even know what Star Wars was.

9 Igor Majstovsky Poster

International marketing for films nowadays is fairly tame. Sure, some designs offer some brand new looks at the film, but they rarely feel like a far-flung interpretation from domestic posters. The 70s was a whole different environment, with vast political barriers. Some international posters got really, really weird.

This Russian poster from artist Igor Majstovsky might not be recognizable as a Star Wars poster upon first glance. A cat-like Darth Vader takes center stage, with a rainbow crown of lightsabers adorning his head. Bordering him are strange abstract interpretations of aliens, perhaps meant to harken to the cantina sequence.

8 Andras Felvideki Tatooine Poster

If you thought the Russian poster was odd, just take a look at some of the Hungarian interpretations of your favorite characters. This poster by Hungarian artist Andra Felvideki takes landscapes and monsters from the desert planet of Tatooine and throws them in a psychedelic blender.

Some of the creatures are unrecognizable, with Chewbacca blending into the emissions from a strange would-be star destroyer. Though far-flung from the final product of the film, we can’t help but love how weird of a poster this is.

7 Tibor Helenyl Poster

If you want insane psychedelic reimaginings of Star Wars posters, Eastern Europe is the place to go. This poster by Hungarian artist Tibor Helenyl is a bit closer to the final product but still has tons of weird choices throughout.

Firstly, Darth Vader’s mask is completely different than the final version, not to mention his frightening human-like hand. Also, it seems R2-D2’s head dome has been utilized by the Sithlord as a shoulder pad. What on earth that alien in the back is beyond us, but even for all it’s incorrect choices, this poster is metal as hell. It would fit perfectly framed as a cooler alternative to more standard posters.

6 Drew Struzan Re-Release Poster

Upon the first re-release of the film, a new poster was commissioned, bringing in an artist that would define the quintessential Star Wars poster style. Artist Drew Struzan crafted this pulpy reimagining of the original Star Wars poster, embracing the art deco and Buck Rogers roots of the franchise.

The lettering, art direction, and torn edges give the poster the look of something you would see at your local theater. It feels like an artifact of its own. While the later Struzan posters for the full original and prequel series are superior, this is a great first addition to his long tenure with the franchise.

5 Star Wars’ First Birthday Poster

Before Star Wars, few films had an impact as long-lasting. People certainly remembered the films that were released decades before, but it wasn’t as if their release dates had become points of reverence. But Star Wars, as it is such a personally touching franchise, was the opposite.

Upon its first birthday, this poster was released, rocking the classic Kenner figures which had finally been released. The legacy of this franchise was already being revered only a year later, with the now-iconic merchandising and toys as the personal selling point.

4 Ralph McQuarrie’s Concept Poster

If anyone defined the looks and aesthetics of the Star Wars universe it was Ralph McQuarrie. The man behind most of the concept art of the original trilogy brought his own brand of science fiction visuals to the franchise.

Apart from his concept art for the films, McQuarrie also assisted in making conceptual teaser posters for the film. Utilizing his original designs for the characters, these designs have been quintessential pieces of Star Wars art. Though far enough away from the final look, these designs are just as Star Warsy as anything else in the franchise.

3 Brothers Hildebrandt Poster

Making the top three are posters that most audiences would identify as the ultimate poster designs for the saga. Coming up at number three is the Brothers Hildebrandt design. This was actually a redo of Tom Jung’s poster, which the marketing team thought was far too dark.

If darkness was the one note given on the Jung design, this poster took it to the extreme. The highly saturated colors are far off from the Jung design, feeling far more pulpy or comic booky than other designs. But, the placement of the figures and overall structure is still classic, and the colors are fun (as long as you don’t look for too long).

2 Tom Jung Poster

While the marketing team might have preferred the Brothers Hildebrandt poster, our money is on the Tom Jung original. This is one of the most iconic movie poster designs of all time, becoming a platform for nearly every homage and parody of the Star Wars films.

The galaxy-sized head of Vader, hoards of x-wings, and the iconic poses of Leia and Luke in the center are iconic. The poster alone harkens to the archetypes of this saga, with a sort of mythical energy surrounding it. It embodies the scope and intention that George Lucas had for these films arguably the best.

1 Tom Chantrell Poster

When it comes to advertising this movie, it has to be character first. nearly no other original poster really had a better interpretation of the cast of characters than the original Tim Chantrell poster. The main trio takes center stage, with all the colorful side characters scattered below.

The Vader in the background is far more threatening, rocking his saber in-hand. Everything about this poster embodies the fun pulpy side of this story, the epic scope of the action, and the likability of the actors involved. It encompasses the best parts of the film artfully, as the best movie posters should.

About The Author

Matt Berger
(214 Articles Published)

Matt Berger is a writer, comedian, actor, Paddington enthusiast, and Corgi dad. He currently writes for Screen Rant, has written for Bloody Disgusting, hosts the Film School Sucked podcast, and co-hosts the Macabre podcast. Matt is an alumni of Portland State University with a degree in English and Film Studies.

More From Matt Berger