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The Movie Industry & Billboards

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Billboards are an incredible method for promoting the release of movies. Oftentimes, it’s not just a form of advertisement—the movie industry pushes billboards to be an art form in many cases.

To highlight this very notion, let’s explore some of the legendary billboard campaigns. Every billboard has a theme that’s unique to the style and tone of the movie. It’s the perfect way to generate hype. 

While many agree that Godzilla (1998) was a bad movie, it definitely had a brilliant marketing campaign. See below some of their brilliant utilizations of out-of-home media.

A great example of out-of-home media. Photo source: Barstool Sports.

 

Two buildings are shown promoting the release of Godzilla (1998). Photo source: Barstool Sports.

 

What makes these designs so brilliant is that it sparks the imagination of the viewer. People are bound to be thinking about Godzilla for the rest of their commute, which will surely pique their interest in the movie release. One of the most important things that a billboard can do is leave people thinking about it long after they pass .

To promote the release of The Dark Knight Rises, Warner Bros. had a billboard erected with an incredible design. The bat symbol is charred into the surface of the board, as if a massive explosion ripped through it. It ties in beautifully with the movie’s themes of chaos and rebirth. 

A truly epic design featured on a Clear Channel billboard. Photo source: Pinterest.

 

In 2015, the movie Pixels was promoted with a billboard that depicts a giant-sized Pac Man eating away at the artwork. Behind him, the billboard is completely white, as if he’s actually removed some of the art.

To represent the lightheartedness and irreverent humor of the 2016 film, Deadpool, a billboard was created with a minimalist, yet hilarious design.

As you can see, billboards go just beyond simple advertising; they highlight a powerful art form. Wall murals, a close cousin to billboards, truly open the gateway to artistic expression in urban environments.

Stay up to date with our blog for more fascinating discoveries in the world of billboards.