War Movie Posters Collection | Movie Posters Australia
This collection groups all War movie posters and ephemera together for easy search, sort, and filtering, offering a gripping archive of cinematic suspense. This collection brings together the powerful imagery, emotion, and historical resonance of War cinema, showcasing the tension, heroism, tragedy and triumph that define the genre. With a strong focus on authenticity, detail, and iconic visual representation, the movie posters in this collection are a compelling tribute to one of cinema’s most enduring themes.
From sweeping epics that depict the chaos of battle to personal stories of courage and sacrifice, the war genre spans time periods and continents. This collection features a broad range of films set during the major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries, including World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and more modern-day engagements. Each movie poster not only promotes its film but serves as a visual document of how we remember and represent war through cinema.
A standout item in this collection is the striking artwork for Saving Private Ryan (1998), Steven Spielberg’s visceral portrayal of the D-Day landings and the moral weight of war. The muted colours and somber expressions on the poster encapsulate the film’s focus on human cost rather than glorified action. The impact of this film was profound, setting a new benchmark for realism in war movies and poster design alike.
Another significant entry is Apocalypse Now (1979), a haunting journey into the psychological horrors of the Vietnam War. The film’s poster, with its eerie orange hues and the iconic image of a gunship flying across a blood-red sky, remains one of the most recognisable in film history. Likewise, Platoon (1986), directed by Oliver Stone, delivers raw authenticity drawn from personal experience. Its award-winning poster, featuring a soldier kneeling in anguish, captures the torment and emotional complexity of combat.
From earlier decades, this collection includes classics like The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), which blends POW drama with questions of duty and defiance. Its poster reflects the film’s setting in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. Another notable inclusion is The Longest Day (1962), a sprawling black-and-white epic with an all-star cast. Its poster echoes the grand scale of the invasion it depicts, and remains a favourite among collectors of war cinema memorabilia.
Australian contributions to the genre are also represented with pride in this collection. Gallipoli (1981), directed by Peter Weir and starring a young Mel Gibson, tells the heartbreaking story of ANZAC soldiers during World War I. The poster, often simple and stark, pays tribute to the mateship and sacrifice of Australian troops in a defining moment of national history. Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) is another powerful entry, chronicling a lesser-known but heroic stand during the Vietnam War. Its modern poster style reflects the intensity and grit of contemporary Australian filmmaking.
The collection also includes iconic works from British war cinema such as Dunkirk (2017), directed by Christopher Nolan. With its moody tones and minimalist design, the poster for Dunkirk (2017) evokes the scale of the evacuation while focusing on the individual amid the chaos. This restrained yet powerful approach typifies the modern war poster style—less bombastic, more intimate.
For those drawn to Cold War-era tensions and espionage, The Hunt for Red October (1990) brings a submarine thriller to life with bold red and black design that is instantly recognisable. The genre has expanded in recent years to include stories of war's impact away from the frontlines. Films like The Hurt Locker (2008) and American Sniper (2014) explore the psychological toll of war, with posters that echo the isolation and internal conflict of their protagonists.
This collection isn’t limited to Western perspectives either. It includes works like Come and See (1985) from the Soviet Union, a harrowing and poetic depiction of Nazi atrocities in Belarus. Its haunting poster art is a stark reminder of war’s devastation through the eyes of the innocent. Similarly, Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), directed by Clint Eastwood, offers a Japanese viewpoint on World War II, and its poster art reflects the somber dignity and quiet suffering of the soldiers portrayed.
Each poster in this collection reflects not only the film’s subject but also the era in which it was released—providing insight into changing attitudes towards war and those who fight in it. Whether showing the camaraderie of soldiers, the horror of battle, or the loneliness of command, these movie posters form a poignant and visually rich timeline of cinematic history.
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 (title 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.
