Every October my feed fills up with the same pumpkin selfies. This year I wanted something bigger, so I started turning my own photos into full horror movie posters with ChatGPT.
The results are honestly a lot of fun. You get the dramatic lighting, the creepy setting, the big title text and even the tagline at the bottom, all with your own face on it.
Head over to chatgpt.com or open the ChatGPT app. Start a new chat, select Pro from the model options, upload a clear photo of yourself, and paste any prompt below.
I’ve put together 10 poster styles, from classic haunted house horror to a goofy Halloween comedy. Just copy, paste, and swap the movie title if you want your own.
1. The Haunted Manor Poster
This one gives you that old-school gothic horror feel, with you standing in front of a mansion you should definitely not walk into.
Create a cinematic Halloween horror movie poster using the person in the uploaded photo as the lead character, keeping their face and facial features exactly the same. They stand in the foreground at the bottom of a long stone path, holding an old brass lantern at chest height, body turned slightly to the side while looking back over their shoulder with a frightened expression. They wear a long charcoal wool coat with the collar turned up, a dark knitted scarf and black leather gloves. Their hair is slightly windswept. Behind them, a huge crumbling Victorian mansion sits on a hill with one glowing window on the top floor, surrounded by dead twisted trees and low rolling fog. Shoot from a low angle so the house towers over them. The lighting comes from a pale full moon behind the house and the warm lantern glow on their face. Use a cold blue and grey color palette with small touches of amber. At the top of the poster, add the title “THE HOLLOW HOUSE” in large, weathered serif letters, and at the bottom add the tagline “Some doors should stay closed” with small credit text beneath it. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
2. The Pumpkin Patch Poster
A warm, orange-soaked poster that still feels creepy, thanks to the glowing jack-o’-lanterns and the figure lurking in the dark.
Create a Halloween horror movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo as the main character, keeping their face exactly the same. They crouch low in the middle of a pumpkin patch at night, one hand resting on a large carved jack-o’-lantern, eyes wide and staring straight into the camera. They wear a mustard yellow corduroy jacket over a black hoodie, faded blue jeans and muddy brown boots. Dozens of glowing jack-o’-lanterns surround them, each with a different carved face. In the blurred background, a tall shadowy figure stands at the edge of a dark cornfield under a starless sky. Shoot at eye level, close to the ground, with shallow depth of field. The lighting is a warm flickering orange glow from the pumpkins lighting their face from below. Use a deep orange, black and burnt brown color palette. Add the title “HARVEST NIGHT” in bold, cracked orange letters at the top and the tagline “Don’t blow out the candle” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
3. The Witch in the Forest Poster
If you love a moody, mystical look, this one is my favourite of the bunch. It feels like a big-budget fantasy horror film.
Create a dark fantasy Halloween movie poster using the person in the uploaded photo as a powerful witch, keeping their face and features exactly the same. They stand tall in the center of a foggy forest clearing with both arms raised slightly outward, palms open, and a calm, intense stare aimed directly at the camera. They wear a long flowing black velvet cloak with a deep hood pulled back, a dark green corset-style dress underneath, and silver rings on several fingers. Their hair falls loose and slightly tangled. Their makeup includes dark smoky eyes and deep plum lips. Around them, a circle of floating candles hovers in the air, and wisps of green smoke rise from the ground. Tall bare trees fade into thick fog in the background. Shoot from a slightly low angle, centered and symmetrical. The lighting is eerie green from below with soft moonlight from above. Use a dark green, black and silver color palette. Add the title “COVEN OF ASH” in elegant, thin gothic letters at the top and the tagline “Some spells cannot be undone” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
4. The Vampire Castle Poster
Classic, dramatic and a little bit glamorous. This is the one to pick if you want to look good while being terrifying.
Create a gothic vampire movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo as an elegant vampire, keeping their face exactly the same. They sit on a tall carved wooden throne with one leg crossed over the other, one elbow resting on the armrest and a crystal goblet of dark red wine in their hand. They wear a black high-collar velvet coat with gold embroidery, a deep red silk shirt underneath and an antique gold brooch at the neck. Their skin is slightly pale, their eyes have a faint red glow, and a subtle smirk shows the tips of small fangs. Behind them is a grand castle hall with tall arched stained glass windows, heavy red curtains and a massive iron chandelier full of candles. Shoot from a low angle, facing them straight on. The lighting is warm candlelight mixed with cold blue moonlight coming through the windows. Use a deep crimson, black and gold color palette. Add the title “CRIMSON VOW” in ornate gold serif letters at the top and the tagline “Forever has a price” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
5. The Retro 80s Horror Poster
This one leans into the painted VHS cover style from 80s horror films. It looks amazing as a phone wallpaper too.
Create a retro 1980s horror movie poster in a hand-painted illustration style featuring the person in the uploaded photo, keeping their face clearly recognizable. They sit behind the wheel of a vintage red convertible at a drive-in theater, gripping the steering wheel with both hands and screaming in terror while looking over their shoulder. They wear a white and red letterman jacket over a striped t-shirt, with big voluminous 80s hair. Behind the car, a giant movie screen shows a shadowy clawed hand reaching out of it into the real world. Pink and teal neon signs glow around the parking lot, and fog drifts between the parked cars. Shoot from a three-quarter front angle, slightly above the car. The lighting is bright neon pink and electric blue with strong highlights. Add slightly worn paper texture and faded edges like an old VHS cover. Add the title “MIDNIGHT DRIVE-IN” in chrome, glowing 80s-style letters at the top and the tagline “The late show never ends” at the bottom with retro credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
6. The Zombie Survivor Poster
An action-horror poster where you’re the last one standing. Big energy, dramatic sky, and a city falling apart behind you.
Create an apocalyptic zombie action movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo as the lone survivor, keeping their face exactly the same. They stand in the middle of an abandoned city street in a wide confident stance, holding a baseball bat resting on one shoulder, looking directly at the camera with a tired but determined expression. They wear a dirty olive green military jacket over a torn grey t-shirt, black cargo pants, worn combat boots and fingerless gloves. Their face has light dirt smudges and a small scrape on the cheek. Behind them, crashed cars, broken streetlights and smoking buildings stretch into the distance, with dark shambling silhouettes of zombies approaching through the haze. Shoot from a low angle with a wide lens. The lighting is a harsh orange sunset glow behind them, creating a strong rim light on their outline. Use a burnt orange, dusty brown and dark grey color palette. Add the title “LAST LIGHT” in heavy, distressed block letters at the top and the tagline “When the sun goes down, they come out” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
7. The Werewolf Full Moon Poster
This one captures the exact moment before the change. It’s moody, tense and looks great with any face.
Create a werewolf horror movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo, keeping their face and features exactly the same. They are shown from the chest up, hunched slightly forward with one hand gripping the side of their face, fingers pressing into their cheek, eyes glowing faint yellow and mouth open as if in pain. They wear a ripped flannel shirt in dark red and black checks, with torn sleeves. Their hair is messy and wild. Faint fur is starting to appear along their jaw and the back of their hand. Behind them, an enormous full moon fills most of the sky above a dark pine forest, with a few thin clouds passing across it. Shoot at eye level in a tight close-up framing. The lighting is cold silver moonlight from behind, creating a strong backlit glow around their silhouette, with deep shadows on the face. Use a midnight blue, silver and pale yellow color palette. Add the title “MOONBOUND” in sharp, scratched silver letters at the top and the tagline “The change is coming” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
8. The Creepy Carnival Poster
Old carnivals are creepy enough on their own. Add some flickering lights and an empty ride, and you’ve got a proper horror poster.
Create a horror movie poster set at an abandoned carnival featuring the person in the uploaded photo, keeping their face exactly the same. They stand alone at the entrance gate, holding a single red balloon on a string, with their other hand hanging loosely by their side and a nervous expression as they look up at the gate. They wear a vintage mustard raincoat over a white shirt, dark trousers and scuffed black shoes. Rain has left the ground wet and shiny. Behind them, a rusted Ferris wheel with half its bulbs broken glows faintly, a faded carousel sits still, and a striped circus tent stands in the fog. A painted sign above the gate has peeling letters. Shoot from behind them at a slightly low angle so the gate and rides feel huge. The lighting is dim flickering yellow bulbs mixed with cold blue fog. Use a faded red, yellow and dark teal color palette. Add the title “CARNIVAL OF SCREAMS” in old-fashioned circus-style letters at the top and the tagline “Everyone gets a ticket” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
9. The Ghost in the Mirror Poster
A quiet, psychological horror poster. It’s the kind of image that makes people look twice.
Create a psychological horror movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo, keeping their face exactly the same. They stand in a dim old bathroom, leaning close to a cracked antique mirror with both hands resting on the edge of a porcelain sink, staring at their reflection with a worried expression. They wear a loose cream knit sweater and simple silver earrings, with their hair tucked behind one ear. In the mirror, their reflection is slightly different, smiling calmly with dark hollow eyes while the real person is not smiling. The bathroom has old green tiles, a flickering bulb above the mirror and faint steam on the glass. Shoot from over their shoulder so both their face in profile and the reflection are visible. The lighting is a single cold overhead bulb with deep shadows in the corners. Use a desaturated green, grey and off-white color palette. Add the title “THE OTHER ME” in thin, clean white letters at the top and the tagline “It’s been watching you” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
10. The Halloween Comedy Poster
Not everything has to be scary. This one is a bright, silly family comedy poster, and it’s perfect if you want to share something light with friends.
Create a fun Halloween family comedy movie poster featuring the person in the uploaded photo as the main character, keeping their face exactly the same. They are frozen mid-run straight at the camera, holding an overflowing orange candy bucket in one hand with candy flying everywhere, and a shocked, funny open-mouth expression. They wear a homemade ghost costume made from a white bedsheet with the face cut open, bright striped socks and sneakers. Behind them, a group of cartoonish friendly monsters, including a tiny vampire, a clumsy mummy and a floppy-eared werewolf, chase after them down a suburban street full of decorated houses, glowing pumpkins and orange string lights. Shoot from a low, wide angle with a slight fisheye look for a playful feel. The lighting is bright and colorful, with warm porch lights and a purple evening sky. Use an orange, purple and lime green color palette. Add the title “TRICK OR TREAT TROUBLE” in bouncy, bubbly cartoon letters at the top and the tagline “This year, the candy fights back” at the bottom with small credit text. Use aspect ratio 2:3.
If ChatGPT misspells the title, don’t start over. Just reply with something like “Keep everything the same and only fix the title text to say THE HOLLOW HOUSE.” It usually gets it right on the second try.
You can also swap the title and tagline for your own name. Something like “YOUR NAME: THE NIGHT SHIFT” makes the poster feel a lot more personal.
For Instagram Stories or Reels covers, change the last line of any prompt to “Use aspect ratio 9:16.” The layout adjusts nicely.
Final Thoughts
These posters are easily the most fun Halloween edits I’ve made so far. Pick the style that matches your mood, upload a clear photo, and see which horror movie you end up starring in. If you try any of these, I’d love to see which one became your favourite.