“Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (未知との遭遇), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1978, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) N110A

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the first Japanese release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (未知との遭遇), Steven Spielberg’s landmark science-fiction film. Written and directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey.

Film background
Released in 1977 in the United States and in 1978 in Japan, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of the defining science-fiction films of the late twentieth century. Rather than presenting extraterrestrial contact as invasion or terror, Spielberg created a visionary and deeply human story about mystery, obsession, communication, and peaceful first contact.

The film follows Roy Neary, an ordinary electrical worker whose life is transformed after witnessing an unidentified flying object. His search for meaning leads him toward the iconic climax at Devils Tower, where humanity encounters an intelligence beyond Earth. With its extraordinary visual effects, John Williams score, and sense of awe, the film remains one of Spielberg’s major achievements.

Poster design
A superb and highly atmospheric Japanese theatrical design using the famous “highway to the stars” imagery. A long, empty road stretches into a glowing horizon beneath a vast night sky filled with stars, creating a powerful sense of mystery, isolation, and cosmic anticipation.

At the centre of the sky appears the iconic English tagline:

“We are not alone”

Beneath it, the Japanese translation reads:

「宇宙にいるのは われわれだけではない」

which means:

“We are not the only ones in the universe.”

The Japanese title 未知との遭遇 is printed boldly near the lower section with furigana reading guides, followed by the English logo Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The restrained composition, deep black starfield, and glowing vanishing point make this one of the most elegant science-fiction poster designs of the 1970s.

Rarity and significance
Original Japanese posters for Close Encounters of the Third Kind are highly collectible, particularly examples from the first Japanese release. This B2 is especially desirable because it preserves the film’s most iconic campaign image: the mysterious road leading toward the unknown. It is a strong piece for collectors of Steven Spielberg, 1970s science fiction, John Williams-related cinema, and Japanese film poster design.

Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Fold lines, light handling wear, and minor signs of age/use are visible, consistent with an original theatrical poster from the period. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 48 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.