Poster Sizes

One sheets were factory folded—machine folded by the printer—until the late 1980s. If you go to the movies in the US today, the posters you'll see in the theater are one sheets. Multiple one sheet styles are created for some releases, eg. style A/B/C/D, teaser, advance, Oscar, Roadshow (pre-Oscar). The height of a one sheet can vary from 39 to 41 inches — most one sheets into the 1980s measured 27x41 inches, but in the 1980s, studios began to transition to one sheets measuring 27x40 inches. The current standard is 27x40 inches. The UK, Australia and some European countries also print one sheets.

The first three sheets were printed in three separate one sheet sized sections. Over time, printers started printing three sheets in two pieces. Three sheets were factory folded. Studios phased out three sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed three sheets until the 1980s.

The first six sheets were printed in six separate one sheet sized sections. Over time, printers started printing six sheets in three to four pieces. Six sheets were factory folded. Studios phased out six sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed six sheets until the 1980s.

The half sheet is one of the few movie poster sizes that has a horizontal or landscape layout. Half sheets were not factory folded but many were subsequently folded by theaters or individuals. Half sheets were printed on a heavier stock paper. Studios phased out half sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed half sheets until the 1980s.

Inserts were not factory folded but many were subsequently folded by theaters or individuals. Inserts were printed on a heavier stock paper. Studios phased out inserts in the 1980s.

Window cards often include blank space at the top for theaters to hand write showtimes. Window cards were printed on heavier stock paper. Studios phased out window cards in the 1980s.

Lobby cards were printed in sets of four, eight (most common), 10 or 12 for display in theater lobbies. Some older lobby card sets include a title card, which usually has artwork similar to the one sheet. Lobby cards that are not title cards are also referred to as scene cards. Some major US studio films still produce lobby card sets for use in international markets. Some other countries also print lobby cards, eg. France and Germany. Non-US lobby cards usually measure approx 9x12 inches.

There are three main French movie poster sizes. In many cases, each size for a particular release has similar artwork. Artists often had to create three separate versions of the main artwork. All three sizes are almost always factory folded, rolled French posters began to appear in the 1990s. The medium size—moyenne—was phased out in the 1980s.

Due foglios are factory folded

Quattro foglios are factory folded and printed in two due foglio size sheets. Quattro foglios often have the same artwork as the due foglio.

Locandinas have an area of blank space at the top for theaters to hand write showtimes. Locandinas are sometimes found with the blank space trimmed off.

Fotobustas are printed in sets of eight or 10. Each fotobusta in the set shows a different scene from the film. Some older fotobustas were printed in smaller sizes, 9x13, 13x13 and 13x19 inches. Some fotobusta sets include a double fotobusta, 70x100 cm / 27x39 inches.

Japanese posters conform to their own size standard that deviates slightly from the ISO 216 standard.

The B2 is the most common Japanese movie poster size. B2s are often found with two horizontal bends (not a hard crease) in the paper due to how they're stored.

B1s are generally more scarce than B2s. B1s often have the same design as their B2 counterparts.

This size is sometimes referred to as a double panel due to the fact that it's composed of two separate B2 size sheets.

Chirashis are more like handbills/flyers than posters. Chirashis often have the same design as their B2 counterparts.

The quad is one of the few movie poster sizes that has a horizontal or landscape layout. Quads were factory folded until the 1980s.

The double crown is half the size of a quad.

Most Polish movie posters were printed on A1 through the 1960s. There are some Polish A1s from the 1970s and 1980s.

Polish movie posters began transitioning to the B1 size starting in the 1970s.

The A3 is the most common Czech movie poster size.

The Czech A1 is far more scarce than the A3. Both sizes—A1 and A3—were made for most releases, but in some cases only one size was made. In the majority of cases when both sizes exist, they both have the same artwork.