In order to create an early "buzz" around a new film, many movie studios will issue what is known as an 'advance' poster. These advertising materials are distributed to theatres and film distributors well in advance of the film's projected release.

Advance posters are released in a variety of sizes and in most countries, but it is normally in their most common sizes such as a one-sheet or two-sheet, although other sizes were be used in a few promotions.

Depending on the film’s promotional plan, the advance sheet may be identical or may differ significantly from the regular issue.

Some larger releases may have an initial advance released with almost NO information about the film, including no credits and sometimes may not even include the NAME of the film. These advances are called 'Teasers' by older collectors.

In some cases, the studio may choose to put out a series of advance sheets – each giving a little more information about a film. OR.. a series of the major characters called 'Character Advances'.

In other cases, the artwork is identical to the regular issue except that it will contain the projected release date. When it is part of a series of advances, this is called the 'Final Advance'

While there is no set standard for an advance one-sheet, it will normally have one of these distinctions:

• No or limited credit information.

• The projected date of release.
  
• Internationally - words like "Coming Soon" on the poster.
  
• In the US, words like "In Theatres This Summer" but Internationally the word 'Cinema' is used instead of Theater.
  
• In the US - the abbreviation "Adv" in the lower bottom corner.
  
• In the US - the word "Advance" or "Teaser" in the lower bottom corner.

On films with smaller budgets, only one poster is issued which is used as both the advance and the regular.

For a list of images of advance posters in our archive, click here.