Movie Posters That Lied About the Entire Film
Movie posters face the challenge of attracting viewers in just a few seconds, and in many cases, they promise a film that bears no resemblance to the actual movie.
These posters deceive the audience and create false expectations, which then translate into disappointment and bad reviews. There are instances where the difference is enormous, such as when heroes appear indestructible but only appear in a few action scenes in the film.
Movie advertising can be completely detached from the true plot of the film. This is the case, for example, with Drive (2011), which seemed like a Fast and Furious-style film, but had nothing to do with car racing.
Movie posters remind us that what we imagine doesn't always translate into what we see in the theater.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The poster shows The Wizard of Oz as a heroic figure. In the movie, he's a charlatan behind a curtain.
The Happening (2008)
The poster shows an epic catastrophe, but the movie is a thriller about a plant releasing toxins.
The Grey (2011)
The poster shows a man fighting a wolf. The movie is more of a meditation on mortality.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
It suggests a destructive alien invasion. The film is of a peaceful cautionary tale.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The bride from the poster only appears at the end of the film.
The American (2010)
The poster makes it look like an action spy thriller, but the movie is slow and has no action at all.
Stardust (2007)
The poster creates false expectations by featuring an actor with very little screen time.
Rocky V (1990)
A victory poster is shown, but in the film, Rocky doesn’t fight the final battle.
Reign of Fire (2002)
The poster shows dragons, tanks and helicopters. The movie is about a guerrilla war in ruins without all of that.
Only God Forgives (2013)
The poster promises an action crime movie but what you get is slow and minimalist.
It Comes at Night (2017)
This movie is not a conventional supernatural horror. You'll see post-apocalyptic paranoia without typical monsters.
Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
The poster shows giant monsters fighting over the World Trade Center. The movie has nothing to do with that.
Frogs (1972)
The film promises an invasion of reptiles, birds and amphibians but the film is more modest and none of this happends at all.
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
Everything indicates that the movie takes place in Manhattan, but much of it happens on a boat.
Escape from New York (1981)
There is no destruction of New York with the Statue of Liberty falling which suggest the poster.
Dune (2021)
The poster creates visual and narrative expectations that differ from what the film delivers.
Drive (2011)
It looked like Fast and Furious, but it was existential poetry with no fast cars.
Bug (2006)
The poster advocate an insect invasion. The plot is more about paranoia and conspiracy.
American Beauty (1999)
The belly button and rose suggests sensuality but the film deals with existential crisis and dysfunctional family.
A Bronx Tale (1993)
The poster suggests a father who confronts a mobster but the movie is much more family-oriented, without too much action.
