The Most Collectible Movie Poster Eras: 1960s–1980s

Why Era Matters in Movie Poster Collecting

Not all vintage movie posters are created equal. The decade in which a poster was produced has a profound effect on its artwork, printing quality, rarity, and collectibility. While posters from every era have their devotees, the period from the 1960s through the 1980s is widely regarded as the golden age of movie poster art — and it's no coincidence that this period aligns with some of the most significant decades in cinema history.

Here's a decade-by-decade guide to what makes each era distinctive, and why collectors continue to seek out these posters above all others.

The 1960s: Transition and Experimentation

The 1960s were a decade of profound change in both cinema and poster design. The old Hollywood studio system was breaking down, European art cinema was gaining international audiences, and graphic design was being transformed by the influence of pop art, psychedelia, and modernism.

What to look for

• Bold graphic design: The influence of Saul Bass — whose work for Hitchcock, Preminger, and others defined a new visual language for cinema — can be felt across the decade. Clean lines, strong typography, and symbolic imagery replaced the painted glamour of the studio era.
• European cinema: Italian, French, and British posters from this period are among the most visually striking ever produced. The Italian locandinas for Fellini, Antonioni, and Leone films are particularly prized.
• The British New Wave: UK quads for films like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, and early Bond films represent a high point of British poster design.
• Psychedelic variants: Late 1960s counterculture produced some extraordinary poster art, particularly for American independent and exploitation films.

Investment perspective

Original 1960s posters in fine condition are increasingly scarce. Print runs were smaller than in later decades, and survival rates are lower due to the fragility of period paper stocks. Strong examples of key titles from this era have appreciated significantly over the past decade.

The 1970s: New Hollywood's Golden Age

The 1970s are, for many collectors, the single most important decade in movie poster history. The New Hollywood movement produced a generation of films — The Godfather, Chinatown, Jaws, Star Wars, Apocalypse Now — whose posters have become cultural icons in their own right.

What to look for

• Painted illustration at its peak: Artists like Robert McGinnis, Richard Amsel, John Alvin, and Bob Peak produced extraordinary painted one sheets during this decade. The combination of technical mastery and genuine artistic ambition produced posters that stand as works of art independent of the films they advertise.
• Blockbuster originals: The era of the modern blockbuster began in 1975 with Jaws. Original advance and style A/B one sheets for the major releases of this period — Star Wars, Close Encounters, Superman — are among the most sought-after posters in the market.
• Exploitation and genre cinema: Blaxploitation, Italian horror (giallo), and American drive-in cinema produced some of the most visually arresting poster art of the decade. These remain undervalued relative to mainstream titles.
• International variants: Japanese B2 posters, Polish posters, and Yugoslav posters for 1970s Hollywood films often feature entirely different — and frequently superior — artwork to the American originals.

Investment perspective

The 1970s market is mature and well-researched. Major titles are well-documented and prices for top examples are firmly established. The opportunity lies in lesser-known titles, international variants, and genre cinema — areas where knowledge still confers a significant advantage.

The 1980s: The Last Great Era of Painted Posters

The 1980s represent both the commercial peak of the movie poster industry and the beginning of its artistic decline. The decade opened with a continuation of the painted illustration tradition and closed with the photographic montage style that would dominate the 1990s and beyond.

What to look for

• Early decade painted posters: The first half of the 1980s produced some outstanding painted one sheets, particularly for the fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure films that dominated the era. Drew Struzan's iconic work for the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises represents the apex of the form.
• Advance posters: The 1980s saw the widespread adoption of "advance" or "teaser" posters — released months before a film's opening, often with minimal imagery and maximum intrigue. These are frequently more collectible than the main release poster.
• Horror and cult cinema: The 1980s horror boom produced a wealth of striking poster art. Original one sheets for key slasher, supernatural, and cult films from this period are increasingly collectible as the generation that grew up with these films enters the collector market.
• UK quads: British quad design remained strong through the 1980s, with artists like Graham Humphreys producing iconic work for horror releases. These are significantly undervalued relative to their American equivalents.

Investment perspective

The 1980s market is in an interesting transitional phase. Posters from this decade are old enough to be genuinely vintage but young enough that many collectors have personal connections to the films. Prices for top titles are rising, but there remains significant opportunity in cult and genre cinema where the market is less efficient.

A Note on Condition Across Eras

Condition standards vary by era. A C7 one sheet from 1962 is a very different proposition from a C7 one sheet from 1982 — the earlier poster has survived 60+ years and its wear is expected and accepted; the later poster has had less time to accumulate damage and a C7 grade may indicate more significant issues. Always assess condition in the context of the poster's age.

Explore Our Collection

At MoviesMoviesMovies, our catalogue spans all three of these golden decades, with particular depth in 1960s European cinema, 1970s New Hollywood, and 1980s genre and cult films. Browse by decade to find the era that speaks to you — or get in touch if you're looking for something specific. We source new stock constantly and are always happy to help collectors find what they're looking for.