The Top 25 Greatest Prison Movie Posters of All-Time

by Pierre Vudrag on Sunday, July 26, 2020

Dear Poster Fans!

As we continue our series of the greatest movie posters by film genre, we are pleased to present our forth list.  Prison movies are a very specific movie genre which can encompass many genres or themes from prisoner of war, to prison life and of course the prison break out.  As is our custom, we judge posters from all over the world and even compared initial and re-release posters as well as alternative styles to come up with this list of the 25 greatest prison movie posters of all-time.  There were so many great posters with some great artwork.  A number of posters included are from the same film.  The art was so great that we strongly felt that we needed to include the different versions.  Unlike previous list, this selection was almost unanimously agreed to between our team.  We hope you enjoy the list.  Please let us know what you think.  We hope you discover some great art as you countdown the top 25 greatest prison movie posters of all-time. Enjoy!

25. The Hurricane (Universal, 1999) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for The Hurricane

 

24. Schindlers List (Universal, 1993) Alternate One Sheet
Artwork by Saul Bass
See additional poster designs for Schindlers List

 

23. The Green Mile (Warner Brothers, 1999) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for The Green Mile

 

22. Kiss of the Spider Woman (Island Alive, 1985) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for Kiss Of The Spider Woman

 

21. Escape from Alcatraz (Paramount Pictures, 1979) One Sheet
Artwork by Birney Lettick

 

20. Le Trou (Titanus , 1960) French

19. I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (Warner Brothers, 1932) Leader Press One Sheet

18. Birdman of Alcatraz (United Artists, 1962) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for Birdman of Alcatraz

 

17. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (Universal, 1983) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

 

16. Stalag 17 (Paramount, 1953) French Grande
Artwork by Boris Grinsson
See additional poster designs for Stalag 17

 

15. Shoe Shine (Lopert, 1946) Italian 2 – Folio
Artwork by Luigi Martinati
14. Papillon (Allied Artists, 1973) Italian 4 – Folio
See additional poster designs for Papillon

13. The Shawshank Redemption (Columbia Pictures , R-2004) One Sheet
Artwork by Drew Struzan
12. San Quentin (Warner Brothers, 1937) Other Company One Sheet
11. A Man Escaped (Gaumont, 1956) Argentinean Poster
See additional poster designs for A Man Escaped

10. Brute Force (Universal International, 1947) Style A Half Sheet
9. La Grande Illusion (RAC, 1937) French Double Grande
Artwork by N. Brodsky
See additional poster designs for La Grande Illusion

8. Escape from New York (Avco Embassy, 1981) One Sheet
Artwork by Barry Jackson
See additional poster designs for Escape from New York

7. Knock On Any Door (Columbia, 1949) Italian 2 – Foglio
6. Cool Hand Luke (Warner Brothers, 1967) One Sheet
See additional poster designs for Cool Hand Luke

 

5. The Great Escape (United Artists, 1963) Six Sheet
Artwork by Frank McCarthy
See additional poster designs for The Great Escape

 

4. The Bridge on the River Kwai (Columbia, 1958) French Grande, Style A
See additional poster designs for The Bridge on the River Kwai

 

3. You Can’t Get Away with Murder (Warner Brothers/First National, 1939) One Sheet

2. I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (Warner Brothers, R-1950s) Italian 2-Foglio
1. La Grande Illusion (RAC, R-1946) French Affiche
Post War
Artwork by Herve’ Morvan

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See all our list of the best movie posters of all-time:

The Top 50 Greatest Western Movie Posters Of All-Time

The Top 50 Greatest Film Noir Movie Posters Of All-Time

The Top 50 Greatest Horror Movie Posters Of All-Time

The Top 25 Best Rock Movie Musical Posters Of All-Time

The Top 24 Best Political Movie Posters Of All-Time

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