Movie Poster Size Specifications

Classical Size

• The most common movie poster is seen in the lobby. These posters measure 27-by-40 inches according to current standards. If a movie poster is from before 1983 it is likely to be an inch taller, 41 inches. Reprints of the movie posters from pre-1983 movies vary though and are found in heights ranging from 39 1/2 inches to 40 1/2 inches.

  Sometimes the classically sized movie posters are created with double-sided prints that are 27-by-40 inches. These posters were once considered to be safe investments but a black market filled with duplicated reprints means that there is no guarantee that the poster is an original.

Hard to Get

• Lobby cards are not used in the United States, but are produced for global marketing. These collectors items are made in sets of 8 cards that are 14" by 11" prints that are done on a light card stock.

  The prints of lobby cards include a main poster with movie credits and seven other prints that feature scenes from the movie. The trick is to complete the set. Often, for movies with the most sought after lobby cards the sets are split and sold as individual pieces.

  Before 1940 movie makers printed lobby cards in a larger size of 14-by-17 inches. These lobby cards often did not come printed as sets.

Specialties

• The lenticular display is a more modern version of the movie poster. Normally these displays came in a 27-by-40-inch size. The unique nature of these prints is that they are done by printing between composite sheets of plastic. The lenticular display has a backlighting that creates a 3D or holographic effect.

Rare Posters

• There are two movie poster sizes that are more rare. The six-sheet movie poster which measures 81-by-81 inches and the 30-by-40-inch heavy stock movie poster are amongst the hardest to find.

  Promoters normally printed the six-sheet movie poster in four sections and folded them before shipping. Larger theaters or movie palaces can place these on the outside of the building. Since their use isn't popular, they are hard to find.

  The 30-by-40-inch heavy stock movie poster is generally the same image as the one sheet movie poster. The special quality of these posters is that they are silk screen prints. Since not many movie titles have these posters produced finding one is a huge deal.