Promotions and publicity become vital for a movie right before its release and movie posters play a big part in this process. In 80s and 90s, when we did not have the luxury of the internet at our homes and only a few homes had television sets, movie posters were the lone saviours for a movie. But even now, in the day and age of technology, a good or a bad poster carries a lot of worth.
First impression can proves lasting and sadly we’ve had way too many close encounters with terrible posters. With distasteful graphics, in-your-face closeups, ridiculous ‘symbolism’, these movie posters have scarred our psyche in a way that is not even funny. Without going into too much detail, we would like to let you have a look and enjoy some ‘brilliant’ works of art and masterpieces. They have become an inevitable part of our pop cultural heritage and we believe you too must admire and soak in their beauty because what is better than ‘not having to use your brain’, right?
1. Phool Aur Kaante
How many Ajay Devgns is too many Ajay Devgns?
2. Junoon
That’s literally the entire plot of the film on the movie poster.
3. Dil Ki Baazi
That broken heart, tho.
4. Prem
This one’s just here ’cause Amrish Puri looks stunning.
5. Jaani Dushman – 1979
Just like the film, this poster is pure gold.
Bonus GIF:
6. Deshdrohi
Why did they even make Matrix with Keanu Reeves? Look at that fine specimen.
7. The Messenger of God (MSG)
There’s a helicopter, a gigantic blue-yellow-green bike (?) and burning cars – and a pot-bellied man in mismatched clothes. What could possibly go wrong.
8. Khoon Ki Pyasi Dayan
What does she use for her teeth? Calcium tablets?
9. Tere Mere Beech Mein
Tell Rapunzel to pull her braid back. It’s literally getting in the way.
10. Purana Mandir
What fun times looked like before hipster ruined everything.
11. Khooni Panja
*speech bubbles*
12. Akhiri Ghulam
Wow, symbolism died a painful death.
(Also read: Stop what you’re doing and check out this artist’s comic series on Gurmeet Ram Rahim)
What were these graphic designers thinking while creating these posters? If there was an award for ‘Best Movie Posters’, these 12 would definitely be strong contenders. After all, these posters are so bad that they are actually good.
Think we missed some of them? Share in the comments section below.
