“Back to the Future Part II” (バック・トゥ・ザ・フューチャー2), Rare Original Japanese First-Release Advance Movie Poster 1989, B1 Size (c. 72 × 103 cm) HAK-A

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese release of Back to the Future Part II in 1989. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, executive-produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the film returned Marty McFly and Doc Brown to the DeLorean for a time-travelling adventure spanning the imagined future of 2015, an altered 1985 and the events of 1955.

The film opened theatrically in Japan on 9 December 1989, the precise date announced across the lower section of this poster. One of the defining science-fiction sequels of the late 1980s, Back to the Future Part II expanded the mythology of the original while introducing hoverboards, self-lacing shoes, flying vehicles and a richly detailed vision of the future that remains embedded in popular culture.

Design

This is the exceptionally striking DeLorean-centred Japanese campaign design, created without the character portraits associated with Drew Struzan’s more familiar international artwork. Instead, the composition isolates the trilogy’s greatest mechanical icon: the DeLorean time machine, captured from the rear at the moment of temporal displacement.

At the top of the poster appears the original Japanese campaign line:

「いま、スピルバーグ＆ゼメキスが想像を超えたスケールとストーリー展開に挑む！」

“Now, Spielberg and Zemeckis take on a scale and unfolding story beyond imagination!”

Against an immense black star field, the monumental Japanese title バック・トゥ・ザ・フューチャー2 dominates the upper half of the sheet in saturated red typography. The familiar forward-pointing arrow of the franchise logo has been ingeniously reconstructed around the Japanese lettering, carrying the smaller white トゥ・ザ characters toward the enormous numeral 2 on the right.

Steven Spielberg’s name is positioned directly above the title, while 「ロバート・ゼメキス監督作品」—“A film directed by Robert Zemeckis” appears immediately below. The cream-coloured credits contrast sharply against the red title and deep black background, giving the central typography the force of a theatrical announcement.

Beneath the title, the DeLorean appears suspended above the road, surrounded by an explosive corona of blue-white electrical energy. Its distinctive “BK2FUT2” California licence plate remains clearly visible, while two incandescent trails of orange and yellow fire extend dramatically toward the lower corners. The sharply receding road, electrical discharge and converging flames create an extraordinary sense of speed and depth, making the car appear to be accelerating directly away from the viewer and into time.

The lower section carries the original release announcement:

「12月9日㊏ロードショー」
“Roadshow from Saturday, 9 December.”

The complete Japanese theatrical billing and original Universal and UIP distribution marks appear along the bottom edge, confirming the poster’s first-release theatrical provenance.

Rarity

Japanese B1 posters measure approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, providing exactly twice the printed surface area of the standard Japanese B2 format. They were intended for prominent cinema and promotional display and are encountered considerably less frequently than their smaller B2 counterparts.

This DeLorean-only first-release design is itself substantially harder to source than the principal cast artwork. Its focus on the time machine, Japanese logo treatment and explosive fire-trail composition gives it a distinct identity within the international campaign and makes it especially desirable to collectors of the trilogy.

Large-format advance and first-release posters were functional advertising materials rather than commercial decorative prints. They were displayed for a limited theatrical window and were commonly removed, discarded or damaged once the campaign ended. The expansive black background also makes preservation particularly challenging: even a modest handling crease or surface abrasion can reveal the pale paper beneath the dense ink.

The combination of first Japanese release, rare B1 format, DeLorean-centred artwork, original 1989 dating and excellent preservation makes this an exceptional display piece for collectors of Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Michael J. Fox, 1980s science-fiction cinema and the Back to the Future trilogy.

Condition

Excellent condition overall, with deep black tones, vivid red title lettering and exceptionally strong colour throughout the DeLorean, electrical effects and fiery road surface. The typography remains sharp and the poster retains tremendous visual impact at full B1 scale.

There are some light handling creases, shallow surface impressions and gentle horizontal creasing, most visible across the lower half of the sheet and when examined under angled light. There is also minor age-related edge and corner wear, together with a few small surface marks within the unforgiving black background. These points are consistent with the poster’s age and substantial format and do not detract from its powerful overall appearance.

The poster remains unbacked. The reverse is clean, with corresponding handling impressions, light horizontal creasing and a small number of minor age-related marks. Once professionally framed, it will display exceptionally well.

Please review all photographs carefully; they show the exact poster for sale, front and back.

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster from the film’s first Japanese release in 1989.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 36 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.