"They Live (ゼイリブ)", Original Japanese Movie Poster 1988, First Release, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) N181

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1988 for the first theatrical release of John Carpenter’s cult classic They Live (ゼイリブ), distributed in Japan by Toho-Towa. Original Japanese posters for Carpenter films are highly collectible, and They Live has become one of his most enduring works, blending science fiction, social critique, and horror.

This poster is rare and hard to find even in Japan!

Film background
Directed by John Carpenter and starring professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster, They Live tells the story of a drifter who discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal the hidden reality around him: aliens have infiltrated Earth, using subliminal advertising and mass media to manipulate and control humanity. A biting satire of consumer culture, capitalism, and conformity, the film has only grown in reputation since its release, becoming a cornerstone of 1980s cult cinema. Its imagery — including the alien faces and the slogans “OBEY,” “CONSUME,” and “CONFORM” — has influenced street art, counterculture, and political discourse for decades.

Poster design
The Japanese first release poster presents a psychedelic composition with a glowing red skull in sunglasses emitting neon beams of light. Around it, military forces and shadowy figures add to the sense of paranoia and control. Bold typography in Japanese “ゼイリブ” anchors the design, while the English tagline at the base proclaims it as Brain-Wash Horror. The striking visual aesthetic perfectly reflects Carpenter’s fusion of horror, sci-fi, and social commentary.

This poster is in very good condition (please refer to imagery, both front and back, of the exact poster for sale).

It is over 35 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.