Back To The Future Movie Posters Collection | MPA
This collection groups all Back To The Future Movie Posters and ephemera together for easy search, sort, and filtering, offering a gripping archive of cinematic suspense. This dedicated space at Movie Posters Australia celebrates the beloved Back to the Future franchise, a quintessential sci-fi adventure that captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide with its innovative storytelling, memorable characters, and iconic DeLorean time machine. From the electrifying original to its thrilling sequels, this collection offers a nostalgic journey through the iconic marketing that cemented the series' enduring appeal, enchanting generations of film buffs in Australia and beyond.
At the heart of the collection lies Back to the Future (1985), the film that propelled Michael J. Fox to superstardom as Marty McFly and cemented Christopher Lloyd's legendary portrayal of Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, this seemingly simple time-travel adventure became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its perfect blend of comedy, sci-fi, and heartwarming narrative. The original movie posters for this groundbreaking film are instantly recognisable, largely thanks to the masterful artwork of Drew Struzan, and are now rare and hard to find.
Drew Struzan, a legendary name in movie poster art, worked closely with the filmmakers, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, to conceptualise the artwork for the Back to the Future posters. They discussed key elements of the films and the themes they wanted to convey visually, ensuring the posters captured the essence of the cinematic experience. Struzan's artwork is renowned for its distinctive hand-painted style, which gives his illustrations a unique and timeless quality, setting them apart from purely photographic designs. He meticulously painted each detail by hand, employing various techniques to achieve the desired effects, from the gleam of the DeLorean to the expressions on the characters' faces.
Struzan carefully considered the composition and design of the posters to create visually striking and dynamic images. He would arrange the characters, vehicles, and other elements in a way that would draw the viewer's eye and convey the excitement of the films' time-travelling escapades. For the first film, his poster often featured Marty McFly in his iconic pose, poised to accelerate the DeLorean, with a blurred background suggesting motion through time. The vibrant, almost luminous blue and purple hues used in many of these posters perfectly captured the film's energetic and fantastical spirit, hinting at the thrilling journey within.
The success of the first film paved the way for two ambitious sequels, filmed back-to-back to expand on Marty and Doc's time-bending escapades. Back to the Future Part II (1989) plunged audiences into a futuristic 2015 before revisiting an alternate 1985 and then jumping back to 1955. Struzan's movie posters for Part II often played with the concept of multiple timelines and the film's vision of the future. His designs frequently showed fragmented images of Marty and Doc across different eras or highlighted futuristic gadgets like the hoverboard and self-lacing shoes, all rendered with his signature detailed illustration.
The saga concluded with Back to the Future Part III (1990), taking Marty and Doc to the Wild West of 1885. For this final instalment, Struzan's movie posters cleverly reflected this genre shift, often featuring Marty and Doc in cowboy attire alongside the iconic DeLorean, set against dusty frontier landscapes or dramatic sunsets. The colour palette shifted to warmer, earthy tones, perfectly conveying the film's Western setting while retaining the series' sense of adventure and ingenuity. These posters brilliantly showcased the franchise's versatility and its ability to reinvent itself while remaining true to its core characters and themes, all through Struzan's consistent artistic vision.
Drew Struzan's artwork for the Back to the Future movie posters has become iconic and is widely regarded as some of his best work. His illustrations have left a lasting impact on movie poster design, influencing countless artists and campaigns, and continue to be celebrated by fans of the franchise for their ability to perfectly encapsulate the films' magic. Throughout the franchise, the movie posters consistently highlighted key elements: the DeLorean time machine, Doc Brown's eccentric genius, Marty's rebellious spirit, and the paradoxes of time travel. The evolution of the poster art from the singular focus of the original to the complex, multi-layered designs of the sequels reflects the increasing ambition and scope of the films themselves, all united by Struzan's distinctive hand.
This collection extends beyond just the primary theatrical one-sheets. It’s a veritable goldmine of ephemera, offering a deeper dive into the marketing and cultural context of these beloved films. You might find original Australian daybill movie posters, a unique format cherished by local collectors for its specific dimensions and often vibrant local artwork. These daybills frequently featured alternative designs or local adaptations of the main campaign, offering a unique Australian perspective on the films' promotion. Or perhaps stunning sets of lobby cards that once adorned cinema foyers, providing tantalising glimpses into pivotal scenes, from Marty's groundbreaking "Johnny B. Goode" performance to Doc Brown's Wild West inventions.
Discover rare press kits, complete with exclusive production notes, detailed cast and crew biographies, and glossy promotional stills – a treasure trove for any film historian or dedicated fan looking for behind-the-scenes insights into the innovative visual effects and complex script development. Imagine unearthing vintage film programmes, cinema advertising materials, or even production call sheets that captured the excitement and buzz of a new release in their time. These often-overlooked items provide invaluable context, revealing the full scope of how these timeless adventures were presented to the world.
Each piece in this collection is more than just an item; it’s a tangible connection to the enduring humour, thrilling escapades, and unforgettable characters of the Back to the Future franchise. They reflect the sheer artistic talent involved in cinematic promotion, capturing the essence of a series that continues to resonate with new generations. For serious collectors and casual fans alike, exploring this collection is an absolute ripper of an experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich visual history of one of Hollywood's most cherished trilogies.
Movie Posters Australia has a large collection of original movie posters and movie ephemera available for you to add to your collection or display and enjoy.
If Movie Posters Australia doesn't have what you're looking feel free to contact us with some information about what you are searching for (tile name, year, size, and any other relevant information eg. style, advance, condition) and we'll be happy to see if we can find it in our stored items, or through our extensive network of dealers, collectors and contacts.
Movie Posters Australia have been avid collectors, and more recently dealers, of original vintage movie posters for 40 years. Our passion for movie posters comes from our love of movies and the poster art created for these movies that captures and evokes the same feelings and memories created from watching the films. Sometimes, the posters themselves can be more enjoyable than the movies. And with a framed movie poster on your wall you can continue to appreciate the movie, and the memories it created, every single day. Movie Posters Australia allows us to work with something we love.
