Welcome to the horror movie posters hall of fame. A great scary movie needs an unforgettable poster to match, one that sends a chill down your spine before you even hit play. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bring together 10 of the most iconic horror movie posters — ever.
From vintage horror movie posters to chilling contemporary ones, the best horror posters don’t just advertise — they’re a work of art in their own right (trust us, we know a thing or two about posters).
So, whether you’re a seasoned scare fan or just appreciate good design, grab your popcorn and get ready to relive the terror through these legendary pieces of horror history!
10. The Exorcist (1973)
We start our list with an absolute classic from over half a decade ago: The Exorcist. Regarded by many as one of the foundations of the horror movie genre, this is the blueprint for scary movie buffs.
For us, it’s the simplicity of The Exorcist poster that makes it so impressive. The stark contrast between light and dark, the clear threat of a lurking stranger, and the ominous beam of light coming from the window — all the ingredients for an unsettling scene are there. There’s no need for action or violence. Sometimes, less is more, and this poster proves it in spades.
What makes this even more significant is that The Exorcist’s poster is from the early 70s, a time when physical, printed posters were one of the only advertising materials for movies (not like today’s social media ads and our snazzy metal posters), so this poster had its work cut out for it!
9. Scream (1996)
Up next we have a poster that’s a little more on the nose. By that we mean Scream’s poster does what it says on the tin — it depicts a woman in shock, covering her mouth to hold back (you guessed it) a scream.
The Scream poster is an excellent example of the changing face of horror movies. By this point in the mid-nineties, there was a new era of horror taking over marked by thrilling plots, self-awareness, metatheatrical references, and fun. Horror movies began to reference themselves as such (and poke fun at themselves too).
With Drew Barrymore’s face front and centre, eyes wide with terror, the poster builds tension with just one glance. But, it’s not just about horror — it’s about redefining it for a new generation.
8. Chucky, Child’s Play (1989)
Yet another classic horror movie poster that’s made its way into pop culture history, Chucky was one we simply could not leave off our list.
Don’t let that innocent face fool you. The Chucky poster perfectly captures the twisted nature of everyone’s favorite possessed doll with vivid, primary colors and imagery that eerily resembles a children’s toybox.
That maniacal grin paired with the whimsical font betrays the very essence of the movie — that is: a horrifying, yet oddly hilarious, ride into the horror genre from a new angle. Playtime is officially over, and this poster makes sure you know it.
7. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
We have to admit, the poster doesn’t have to do much heavy lifting with this movie since the title already instills fear into people’s hearts. What’s more, with a name like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there really is only so much the designers could have put on the poster.
Even so, the blurry black-and-white outline of Leatherface brandishing his chainsaw and rushing towards the camera is still unparalleled in its terror and deserving of a mention. While our posters are all top quality, we can’t help but love the grainy, raw look of the original poster in a clever mirroring of the movie itself and its gritty, documentary-like style. This is raw horror at its finest.
6. Alien (1979)
”In space, no one can hear you scream”... and no one can forget the haunting glow of the Alien poster. Alien was a monumental movie for its time, bridging the gap between sci-fi and horror while also taking pioneering steps in visual effects. As for the poster, it really is one of a kind and almost impossible to mistake for anything else.
You may be thinking that the poster doesn’t give much away, and you’d be right. But that’s entirely the point. The mystery, the menace — it’s all encapsulated in one curious haunting, cryptic image: a glowing, oozing egg.
5. The Conjuring (2013)
So far on our list, we haven’t had a single movie from the 2000s — but The Conjuring is here to change that. Striding a few decades ahead, the horror movies of the 2010s were a complete game changer. This poster is an excellent example of the transition from abstract, cryptic images (like in Alien) to unrelenting realism. In The Conjuring, the threat is very real and very close to home.
There is a timeless, universal chill to the image of a noose hanging from a tree, and the poster itself taps into multiple symbols associated with the horror genre, from the creepy house in the background to the swirling fog. As we found with The Exorcist, sometimes, it’s the quiet, unsettling imagery that sticks with you the longest, and this poster nails that vibe.
4. The Shining (1980)
Perhaps the most visually intense of all the posters on this list, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining poster packs in as much movement and violence into one still image as possible.
Perfectly conveying the force and aggression that emanates from the main character, the poster is as visually intrusive as Jack Torrence’s sweaty face appearing through the door in the movie.
On a more symbolic level, though, the iconic poster is also a bit of a visual puzzle, it’s unclear (if you’ve not watched the movie) exactly what’s happening, leaving viewers both intrigued and deeply uneasy — a perfect match for the plot’s gradual descent into madness.
3. Get Out (2017)
Finally arriving at the movies for modern horror fans, we bring you the Get Out poster. There are so many different versions of this poster available, each with similar imagery and themes, but one thing is for sure: this movie has become the poster child for psychological horror in recent years, leading the way for hundreds of releases to come.
In most designs, the infamous teacup is featured front and center. However, in this version, we have Daniel Kaluuya’s character falling through a hole into complete nothingness.
As seen elsewhere, with the likes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the contrast between black and white is central to the poster’s dynamism. However, unlike the movies on our list so far, this contrast is also pivotal to the movie’s plot. Here, the bold, eye-catching design mirrors the movie’s sharp social commentary, making it as unforgettable as the movie itself.
2. IT (2017)
Up next, we come to one of the most visually iconic horror movies of our generation — IT. A modern retelling of Stephen King’s IT from 1990, the 2017 version reimagines Pennywise and co with even more sinister details.
Daring to add color to the light-and-dark chiaroscuro so typical of the horror genre, Georgie’s yellow raincoat and, of course, the red balloon are hauntingly effective. Playing into so many people’s childhood fear — clowns — the poster, like the movie, unlocks newfound terror in its viewers, taking household items out of context. Who knew balloons could be so terrifying?
1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Last — but by no means least — we come to The Silence of the Lambs. It was difficult to pick a top spot, but this poster takes the cake; though, not for the reason you might think. Unlike other entries on this list, this poster isn’t celebrated for its gore or eye-catching colors. With The Silence of the Lambs, it’s all about symbolism.
We know what you’re thinking: a moth on a face may not seem horrifying at first glance, but look closer. The skull embedded on the moth’s body? That’s no accident. The Silence of the Lambs poster is iconic because it’s as enigmatic as the movie itself — quiet, unassuming, and without a doubt unnerving. Sometimes the devil is in the detail and, with its stark white and red background and bold moth-red lips, this poster is an image that’s burned into the minds of horror fans everywhere.
Your very own slice of horror
We hope you’re not feeling too on edge after all that horror. In fact, we hope you’re feeling inspired by the list above. If you’re keen to add a splash of horror to your living room, office, movie room, or elsewhere, Displate can help.
Our metal posters are nearly as iconic as the movies we’ve discussed today, giving people a chance to level up their decor no matter what they’re interested in.
If you’d like to add a little slice of horror to your walls — be it spooky Scooby Doo fan art or an amusable close-up of Jigsaw, we’ve got you covered. Browse our complete horror movie poster collection today to find your perfect poster.
