Look, I’ve spent years hunting down free retro fonts to use for my design projects to the point I’m most likely able to name a random font on a billboard or a tv show title sequence. That’s how in deep I am.
So, if you’re a font nerd like me with the ever-growing irritation towards the thwarting of a beautiful and fancy font’s nature, you’re gonna want to read this…
1. Action Is
Oh boy, do I love this font. It’s funky, groovy, and screams 1960’s (or early 1970’s) as it holds similarities to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. This font is made by the awesome Brain Eaters and will be a great addition to your next psychedelic project. It’s labelled as free for personal use. However, you’ll be able to find the commercial version on Brain Eaters’ website.
2. Moalang
Moalang is a font that utilizes the boldness of a font used on a 1930s silent film title card. With its almost calligraphic strokes that seem to decorate the typeface, this font can be perceived as regal and elegant. This display font will create a fresh look on your next project. Perfect if you’re looking to create a vintage look for a logo.
3. Font Diner
I’m obsessed with mid-century modern art so this font is the love of my life. If I could, I would marry this font in a heartbeat. There’s nothing like a classic 50’s font, you can never go wrong with it. I remember seeing this font on the title card of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and I just sat there, pointing at the tv screen like that Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme. There are other variations you can find on Font Diner’s free stuff section, from a sparkly to a swanky version. Definitely worth checking out.
4. Space Patrol
On the topic of mid-century modern, let’s talk about Space Patrol NF created by Nick Curtis. Sharp, fun, and totally out of this world, this font carries the essence of retro sci-fi pop culture such as Metropolis and The Jetsons.
5. Wetware
Created by Disaster Fonts, the Wetware font is essentially the epitome of the late 1960s, showcasing its inspiration from the dystopian and utopian sci-fi. The creators based it on actual and imagined computer technology back in the retro days. It cleverly combines the spirit of psychedelia and the somewhat pixelated and techy monospace type font.
6. Eighties Horror
Eighties Horror is intentionally designed to imitate the decade of horror: the 1980s. It pays tribute to the legendary Stephen King. Although the typeface seems more controlled than the deliberate and dramatic typography used for horror classics, it still maintains that the sharpness of the font’s serifs and creates a sense of edge and creepiness. This font is created by Darrell Flood and if you donate a minimum of $10, you’ll get to use this for commercial purposes. Pretty worth it, if you ask me.
7. Jupiter
We’re going back to the 70s because Jupiter stays true to the decade’s groove within its curves while putting a nouveau twist to it. It’s simple but it definitely knows how to make an impact as well. Created by Qualitype, this font would make a retro-themed poster or a movie title look immaculate.
8. Douglas
To me, Douglas could be described as a liquefied version of Jupiter and this gives it a sense of unpredictability in the way it looks like it’s about to just melt away while preserving the fun in a retro typeface. If you check out the Behance project, the typeface is used in examples like Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction — cult classics of the 70s. Cyril Kimmerlin has designed a truly magical font.
9. Marshland Beauty
Marshland Beauty has major late 70s/early 80s summer vibes to it. The way it curves and stretches out into sharp thick edges, you can’t help but feel it belongs on a tropical fruit smoothie stall sign. Use shades of orange and yellow to commemorate the heat of the summer season and it’ll fit right on a cover of a beauty magazine. This typeface is only for personal use as for the full version, you’ll need to pay for it.
10. Goldminer
At first glance, Goldminer strikes the resemblance of The Godfather. Ultra-narrow and bold, it makes an impact against a simple dull background. And the other day, I saw somewhat of a similar font being used in The Unholy’s title sequence. Hence, this font created by Winter Design Studio would be perfect for a film poster on crime, drama, or even horror. On the other end of the spectrum, you could use this for a logo as well due to its striking and all-caps nature.
Oh look, you made it to the end! Thanks for reading. You can find great free fonts on sites like Fontesk, 1001Fonts, and Dafont. Don’t forget to use these typefaces with care. As in, beware of the licenses that come with them. Support typographers with donations and recognition; they’ve put a lot of hard work into creating these fonts.
Do you have any other fonts in mind? Write it in the comments!
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