Japanese Kanji Movie Posters: Godzilla, Scream and More

Short answer: Japanese-style kanji movie posters are versions of well-known film posters with Japanese kanji lettering. They're a striking alternative to the standard English-language artwork. At Posterly Studio UK, our kanji range includes three Godzilla designs, Jaws 2, Scream, The Evil Dead and Jason Takes Manhattan. They're all printed in the UK on 250gsm matte paper in A5, A4 or A3.

These are prints, not vintage originals. This guide covers the range, how to pair the posters, and how to build a horror wall around them.

Our kanji movie poster range

Godzilla

Their product pages describe them as reprints of the original movie promotion posters. For a fourth Godzilla, add Godzilla: The Legend is Reborn (1985).

Horror and thriller

Jaws 2 (Kanji): shark artwork with bold kanji lettering
Scream (Kanji): the slasher classic's poster with kanji lettering
The Evil Dead (Kanji): cult horror artwork in a Japanese style
Jason Takes Manhattan (Kanji): Friday the 13th Part VIII in a Japanese-style design

The Jaws 2, Scream, Evil Dead and Jason posters are Japanese-style designs. We don't claim they reproduce a specific historical release poster.

Pairing kanji posters with standard versions

A kanji poster next to a film's more familiar artwork makes a good talking point. Our range also includes alternate art, such as The Shining alongside The Shining Polish poster, a Polish-style alternate design. Hanging those two side by side, then a kanji horror poster or two, gives you a wall of international-style movie art.

For the neatest result, keep pairs the same size. Two A3s in portrait with a 4 cm gap measure 63.4 cm wide. Two A4s with the same gap measure 46 cm.

Contrast helps too. Several of the kanji designs have bold lettering, so they stand out more next to a quieter print. Picking two posters that share a main colour is a simple way to tie two very different films together on one wall.

Horror wall ideas, from cult to slasher

Slasher row: Scream, Jason Takes Manhattan and The Evil Dead as three A4s in portrait. That's 71 cm wide with 4 cm gaps.
Creature feature: Jaws 2 with the three Godzilla kanji designs in a 2 × 2 grid of A4s. That's 46 × 63.4 cm with 4 cm gaps.
Psychological horror: both Shining posters with 28 Days Later.
Mixed sizes: one A3 kanji poster as the centrepiece, with A5s around it. Our gallery wall layouts guide has measured examples.

You'll find the full range in horror posters and movie posters.

Choosing a size

A3 (29.7 × 42 cm): the best size for showing off artwork like the Godzilla designs. It's a good centrepiece above a sofa or bed.
A4 (21 × 29.7 cm): works well in pairs and rows, and it's the only size with our framed option.
A5 (14.8 × 21 cm): good for shelves, desks and filling gaps around a larger print.

If you're mixing sizes, keep every gap the same (around 4 cm) and align either the tops or the centres of the posters. The poster size guide compares the sizes in more detail.

Displaying them

Unframed prints arrive flat in protective bubble envelopes, ready for standard A5, A4 or A3 frames. You can also choose our A4 framed option: a slim black frame about 24 × 33 cm with a clear plastic front. See our A4 framing guide for more.

Kanji movie poster FAQ

Are these original vintage posters?

No. They're new prints, made in the UK on 250gsm matte paper with fade-resistant inks.

What sizes are available?

A5 (14.8 × 21 cm), A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) and A3 (29.7 × 42 cm). There's also an A4 framed option.

Do they come framed?

Only if you choose Medium (A4) Framed. Otherwise prints are sent unframed and flat.

How quickly will my poster arrive?

Orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days, and UK delivery typically takes 2–4 working days after dispatch. UK standard delivery is free on orders £20+ (after discounts). £2.99 under £20.