Illustrator Reimagines His Favorite Movies as Classic Paperback Books

Ladybird as Paperback Book by Matt Stevens

Designer and illustrator Matt Stevens has designed for magazines and media companies, but his recent project titled Good Movies as Old Books is more personal. Stevens transformed one hundred of his favorite films into colorful and worn book covers—some complete with price tags, as if you could pick them up off the shelves of a used bookstore. Each reimagined paperback's title and author is represented by the movie's respective title and director. Stevens notes that his selection of works is “not a best of list, just movies I love.” However, most movie lovers would agree that the list comprises many unquestionably legendary titles and directors, beloved by many if not most.

Among the films are modern Oscar recipients and timeworn classics. Steven's book cover of the recent film Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, brings the ragged glamour of a decades-old paperback to the 2020 Oscar-winning picture. Covers for Fargo, The Matrix, and Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing join new Marvel movies and Tom Hanks classics to amount to an enviable and stunning “bookshelf.” Each “book” looks enticing and beckons the avid reader to turn its pages.

Many of Stevens' cover designs represent films which were never books to begin with. Thanks to a recent successful Kickstarter campaign, Stevens published a high-quality art book of the series comprising one hundred gorgeous covers. Individual covers, as well as the book itself, are also available in different sizes of giclée prints on Stevens' website.

For book lovers and film buffs alike, these whimsical covers are both fine art and collector's items. You can find them all on  Stevens' website.

Designer and illustrator Matt Stevens recreates his favorite films as book covers.

Parasite as Old Book by Matt Stevens

Iron Giant as Old Book by Matt Stevens

Stevens' collection includes everything from mainstream blockbusters to cult classics.

Thor Ragnarok as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Fargo as Old Book by Matt Stevens

Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens

The Matrix Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Karate Kid as Paperback Book by Matt Stevens

Inglorious Basterds as Old Book by Matt Stevens

Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Robocop as Paperback Book by Matt Stevens

Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Avengers Endgame as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Back to the Future as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Mad Max as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Shawshank Redemption as Old Books by Matt Stevens

Matt Stevens: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by Matt Stevens.

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Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
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