It’s Halloween!
So this years let’s rank which of the main Hunchback movies has the “scariest” movie poster. None of these are actually scary or even remotely spooky but some skews more towards a “scary look.” Scary looking can mean a lot different things like grotesque, dread, moodiness, use of dark colors and shadows, or having a sense of mystery. Heck even that “monster movie” look would work towards looking scary.
Posters were based on which one IMDB uses because some of these versions have a few posters. This also meant to be fun and the ranking isn’t about how good the poster is.
#8. The Disney Version
This bright and very cheerful poster depicts all the characters and their personality. Nothing scary about this one. Frollo does look ominous but more like he ready to make a high stake deal rather than what he actually does in the movie.
#7. Quasimodo d’el Paris (1999)
Defiantly a poster for a comedy movie. It does have a bit of mystery with Quasimodo facing away but that does add much to the “scary gothic factor.”
#6. The 1977 Version
A little odd that Esmeralda is cast in shadows and Quasimodo’s face is highlighted. While the muted tones help, this poster is for a drama.
#5. The Hunchback (1997)
Nice moody colors but otherwise not scary. At least Quasimodo is not super illuminated even though he is a focal point even though his pose doesn’t add any scariness.
#4. The 1982 Version
This defiantly has a moodiness. It MIGHT have ranked a little higher if Quasimodo had been in shadows.
#3. The 1923 Version
Notice how Quasimodo is in shadows which adds a mystique? Again it doesn’t really read “scary” or monster movie but there is a nice tension with Esmeralda being unaware of the on-lookers behind her.
#2. The 1956 Version
Finally a “monster movie” vibe. Quasimodo and Esmeralda’s pose is quintessential 1950’s monster movie poster. Though the vibe is soften with the other aspects of the poster but it very much trying to invoke “monster movie.”
#1. The 1939 Version
Quasimodo draped in shadows looming over Esmeralda is the “scariest” these posters get. It’s at least gives Quasimodo a menacing mystique to draw an audience into the movie. It has that 1930s era monster vibe similar to the King Kong’s poster.
Happy Halloween