Remember when movie posters were iconic? Back in those days, American artist John Alvin created some of the most crucial key art for the movies that shaped your world (and childhood, quite possibly), including E.T. the Extra-Terrestial, Blade Runner, and Gremlins, among countless others. (The Amblin look of Steven Spielberg’s ’80s films, in particular, was very “Alvin-esque.”) In the new book The Art of John Alvin, the artist’s posters stand side by side with the sketches, drawings, and other work that led up to the final result. Click through for a collection of some of his most iconic work, along with plenty you’ve probably never seen before.
Credit: John Alvin
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country © 1989 by Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: John Alvin
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ©1982 Universal City Studios, Inc.
Credit: John Alvin
Batman Forever: Licensed By: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: John Alvin
Jurassic Park ©1993 Universal City Studios, Inc. and Amblin Entertainment, Inc.
Credit: John Alvin
Jurassic Park ©1993 Universal City Studios, Inc. and Amblin Entertainment, Inc.
Credit: John Alvin
Empire of the Sun: Licensed By: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: John Alvin
Cape Fear (1991) ©1991 Universal City Studios, Inc.
Credit: John Alvin
The Golden Child © 1986 Paramount Pictures Corp. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: John Alvin
The Godfather Part III © 1990 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
Credit: John Alvin