Buying Original Movie Posters: FAQs

Yes. We only sell original cinema-issued movie posters, not modern reproductions or decorative reprints. For more detail on how we check, describe and guarantee our posters, read our buying confidence guide.

Yes. If a poster is listed on the website, it is in stock and available to buy.

Condition ratings are always partly subjective, especially with original cinema posters and other vintage film advertising material. We use ratings because they give a useful quick indication of overall condition, but we strongly encourage you to look closely at the photographs and written description for the individual item you are considering.

Our product photographs are of the actual poster being offered for sale, not a generic artwork image. They will usually tell you more than a short rating alone.

As a guide:

Excellent
Exceptional condition, with only the most minor signs of age or handling.

Very Good to Excellent
Only a few very minor imperfections. In many cases, these may be difficult to spot unless you are looking closely.

Very Good
Very good overall condition, with relatively minor signs of age such as light handling, fold wear or small border marks. Usually not especially distracting when displayed.

Good to Very Good
Clear imperfections that may be noticeable, but are not usually severe enough to dominate the image or prevent attractive display.

Good
More significant imperfections, which may be noticeable within the image or more pronounced in the borders, folds or edges.

Fair
Major condition issues that may be noticeable and distracting, though the poster may still be of interest because of its title, rarity, artwork or display potential.

Poor
Very significant condition issues. We use this rating rarely, and only where the poster’s faults are substantial.

Please always use the photographs and description alongside the rating. Original posters were working pieces of cinema advertising, and many were folded, displayed, handled, stored or restored over time.

For more on folded posters, linen backing and restoration, read our condition and backing guide.

Yes. Every poster comes with our certificate of authenticity and is covered by our lifetime guarantee.

We specialise in original movie posters and care deeply about both authenticity and customer service. Every item is individually sourced, described and photographed, and we stand behind what we sell. You can also read our customer reviews - over 1000 5* reviews - for independent feedback from previous buyers.

Our lifetime guarantee means you can buy with confidence. If a poster purchased from us is ever shown not to be an original cinema-issued movie poster, return it to us and we will refund the full purchase price, including your shipping costs.

Yes. If you change your mind, you have 14 days from receiving your order to let us know you would like to return it, and a further 14 days to send it back.

To be eligible for a refund, the poster must be returned in the same condition in which it arrived. We recommend using the original packaging to help protect it in transit.

You can find our Returns and Refund Policy here.

As our frames and framed posters are custom made to order, we are unable to offer refunds on them.

If a framed poster arrives faulty or damaged, please contact us and we will put things right.

Please contact us as soon as possible if your order arrives faulty or damaged.

We package carefully and want your order to arrive safely, so if something has gone wrong in transit we will work with you to put it right.

An original movie poster is one produced by, or with the authorisation of, a film studio for cinema display or promotion at the time of a film’s release. That includes posters for first releases and, in some cases, later re-releases. Posters produced simply for retail sale are reproductions, not originals.

An original poster has a direct connection to the film it was made to promote. It was part of the film’s real release history, not a later decorative copy. That gives it an authenticity, rarity and character that a reproduction cannot replicate.

Condition is always somewhat subjective, which is why we encourage you to study the photographs carefully. We also provide a condition rating to help guide you, from Excellent through to Poor, depending on how visible and significant any wear may be.

Yes. The photographs on our product pages are of the actual poster you are buying, so we encourage you to use them carefully when assessing condition.

You are buying an original piece of film history, not a newly printed object. Some posters — especially older examples — may show signs of age, storage or previous use. That can include folds, light edge wear, pinholes, creases or small surface marks. Where that is the case, we describe it honestly and photograph the actual item you will receive.

Yes. Many older posters were originally issued folded rather than rolled. Fold lines are therefore normal on many pre-1990s posters and are part of how they were distributed at the time.

They can be collectible, and some do rise in value, but we always recommend buying what you love first. The greatest return is living with a piece that means something to you. Any future value should be seen as a bonus rather than a certainty.

Many original movie posters are described by format names such as U.S. One Sheet, British Quad, Japanese B2, Italian Locandina or Australian Daybill. These names are useful, but actual measurements can still vary slightly by country, period and individual poster.

Our poster formats and sizes guide explains the most common names and dimensions. If you are ordering a frame, always measure the actual poster as well as checking the format name.

Yes. We offer custom framing designed specifically for original movie posters. Our framing is intended to present the poster beautifully while protecting it for long-term display.

We have a dedicated FAQ page for Custom Framing.

We also offer 'off the shelf' movie poster frames as cost-effective DIY framing for 27x40 one sheets and 40x30 UK quad posters.

Light boxes are display framed designed for double-sided cinema posters. When illuminated from behind, they recreate the way these posters were originally intended to be seen.

We have a dedicated FAQ page for Light Boxes.

These are magnets used during photography to hold the poster flat. They are not part of the poster and do not leave any marks upon it.

Linen-backing is a conservation process in which a poster is professionally mounted to archival backing material to stabilise it, reduce the visibility of folds and tears, and make it easier to handle, frame and display.

If you'd like to learn more, this blog post will be useful.

Yes. Many posters can be improved through professional conservation and restoration, particularly where there are folds, tears or small losses. We can advise on what is possible and, where appropriate, may be able to arrange this work for you.

Yes. We work with experienced paper conservators and can advise on suitable options for posters that would benefit from backing or restoration.

We always aim to process poster and Light Box orders the same day and send them using a 24-hour service.

Larger posters that require bespoke packaging may take longer, but if they do, we will let you know.

For orders that include custom framing, please allow around two weeks for framing and delivery.

Yes. UK shipping is free, using a tracked and insured service. This is usually by Royal Mail's ParcelForce.

Yes. We ship posters internationally on a regular basis, usually with UPS. International shipping is free for all orders over £250.

Possibly. Deliveries to your country may be subject to import duties, local taxes and related administration charges, and any charges that become due are the responsibility of the receiver.

If those charges are refused, the order may not automatically be returned and may ultimately be disposed of, in which case we may be unable to provide a refund.

At present, framed items and light boxes are available for UK delivery only. Unframed posters can still be shipped internationally.

Yes. We welcome visits by appointment. We are based near St Albans in Hertfordshire, just north of London. If there is a poster you would like to see, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange a visit.

Very often, yes. If your question is poster-related, get in touch and we will do our best to help.

Yes. Klarna is available as a payment option, allowing you to spread the cost of your order.

Klarna FAQs can be found here.

Yes. We support tree planting with every order as part of our broader effort to operate responsibly.

We are always happy to help. If you cannot find the answer here, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.