Drew Struzan’s Most Iconic Blockbuster Movie Posters

Photo: Paramount/Everett Collection

Drew Struzan — the artist who defined the throwback, glamorous style of movie posters for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets — died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on October 13. He was 78. “I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art,” his Instagram manager wrote.

Even if you’ve never heard of Drew Struzan, you instinctively recognize his work. He made posters for everything from The Thing them Harry Potter. Struzan defined the look of a blockbuster movie. His smooth, radiant paintings seemed to glow from within and signaled magic at Da Movies. They promised capers, characters, and big-budget production values. They also connected the George Lucas-Steven Spielberg joint to a grander tradition of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Hiss Indiana Jones posters, in particular, signaled to the viewer that the movies were back. Gone was the grit of New Hollywood; now it’s time for glossy posters and a John Williams score.

Struzan additionally painted the posters for four Muppet movies, from The Muppet Movie through Muppet Treasure Island. “Legendary artist Drew Struzan was truly one of a kind. He created the instantly iconic posters for some of the most beloved films of all time,” the Muppets wrote in an official statement. “Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with us, Drew.”