diff --git a/docs/pages/component/props.mdx b/docs/pages/component/props.mdx
index ef999202..c1603b8d 100644
--- a/docs/pages/component/props.mdx
+++ b/docs/pages/component/props.mdx
@@ -437,13 +437,26 @@ Determine whether the media should continue playing when notifications or the Co
 ### `poster`
 
 <PlatformsList types={['All']} />
+> [!WARNING]
+> Value: string with a URL for the poster is deprecated, use `poster` as object instead
 
 An image to display while the video is loading
 
-Value: string with a URL for the poster, e.g. "https://baconmockup.com/300/200/"
+Value: Props for the `Image` component. The poster is visible when the source attribute is provided.
+
+```javascript
+<Video>
+  poster={{
+    source: { uri: "https://baconmockup.com/300/200/" },
+    resizeMode: "cover",
+    // ...
+  }}
+</Video>
+````
 
 ### `posterResizeMode`
-
+> [!WARNING]
+> deprecated, use `poster` with `resizeMode` key instead
 <PlatformsList types={['All']} />
 
 Determines how to resize the poster image when the frame doesn't match the raw video dimensions.
@@ -489,6 +502,22 @@ Speed at which the media should play.
 - **1.0** - Play at normal speed (default)
 - **Other values** - Slow down or speed up playback
 
+### `renderLoader`
+
+<PlatformsList types={['All']} />
+
+Allows you to create custom components to display while the video is loading. If `renderLoader` is provided, `poster` and `posterResizeMode` will be ignored.
+
+```javascript
+<Video>
+  renderLoader={
+    <View>
+      <Text>Custom Loader</Text>
+    </View>
+  }
+</Video>
+````
+
 ### `repeat`
 
 <PlatformsList types={['All']} />
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/VideoPlayer.tsx b/examples/basic/src/VideoPlayer.tsx
index b67af9cd..243d2fa8 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/VideoPlayer.tsx
+++ b/examples/basic/src/VideoPlayer.tsx
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ import Video, {
 import styles from './styles';
 import {type AdditionalSourceInfo} from './types';
 import {bufferConfig, srcList, textTracksSelectionBy} from './constants';
-import {Overlay, toast} from './components';
+import {Overlay, toast, VideoLoader} from './components';
 
 type Props = NonNullable<unknown>;
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ const VideoPlayer: FC<Props> = ({}) => {
   const [repeat, setRepeat] = useState(false);
   const [controls, setControls] = useState(false);
   const [useCache, setUseCache] = useState(false);
-  const [poster, setPoster] = useState<string | undefined>(undefined);
+  const [showPoster, setShowPoster] = useState<boolean>(false);
   const [showNotificationControls, setShowNotificationControls] =
     useState(false);
   const [isSeeking, setIsSeeking] = useState(false);
@@ -234,7 +234,6 @@ const VideoPlayer: FC<Props> = ({}) => {
             paused={paused}
             volume={volume}
             muted={muted}
-            fullscreen={fullscreen}
             controls={controls}
             resizeMode={resizeMode}
             onFullscreenPlayerWillDismiss={onFullScreenExit}
@@ -264,7 +263,7 @@ const VideoPlayer: FC<Props> = ({}) => {
               cacheSizeMB: useCache ? 200 : 0,
             }}
             preventsDisplaySleepDuringVideoPlayback={true}
-            poster={poster}
+            renderLoader={showPoster ? <VideoLoader /> : undefined}
             onPlaybackRateChange={onPlaybackRateChange}
             onPlaybackStateChanged={onPlaybackStateChanged}
             bufferingStrategy={BufferingStrategyType.DEFAULT}
@@ -294,7 +293,7 @@ const VideoPlayer: FC<Props> = ({}) => {
         paused={paused}
         volume={volume}
         setControls={setControls}
-        poster={poster}
+        showPoster={showPoster}
         rate={rate}
         setFullscreen={setFullscreen}
         setPaused={setPaused}
@@ -303,7 +302,7 @@ const VideoPlayer: FC<Props> = ({}) => {
         setIsSeeking={setIsSeeking}
         repeat={repeat}
         setRepeat={setRepeat}
-        setPoster={setPoster}
+        setShowPoster={setShowPoster}
         setRate={setRate}
         setResizeMode={setResizeMode}
         setShowNotificationControls={setShowNotificationControls}
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/components/Indicator.tsx b/examples/basic/src/components/Indicator.tsx
index 50b781a2..68691672 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/components/Indicator.tsx
+++ b/examples/basic/src/components/Indicator.tsx
@@ -1,22 +1,8 @@
-import React, {FC, memo} from 'react';
-import {ActivityIndicator, View} from 'react-native';
-import styles from '../styles.tsx';
+import React, {memo} from 'react';
+import {ActivityIndicator} from 'react-native';
 
-type Props = {
-  isLoading: boolean;
-};
-
-const _Indicator: FC<Props> = ({isLoading}) => {
-  if (!isLoading) {
-    return <View />;
-  }
-  return (
-    <ActivityIndicator
-      color="#3235fd"
-      size="large"
-      style={styles.IndicatorStyle}
-    />
-  );
+const _Indicator = () => {
+  return <ActivityIndicator color="#3235fd" size="large" />;
 };
 
 export const Indicator = memo(_Indicator);
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/components/Overlay.tsx b/examples/basic/src/components/Overlay.tsx
index d8c4da02..8d64baf7 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/components/Overlay.tsx
+++ b/examples/basic/src/components/Overlay.tsx
@@ -5,19 +5,11 @@ import React, {
   type Dispatch,
   type SetStateAction,
 } from 'react';
-import {Indicator} from './Indicator.tsx';
 import {View} from 'react-native';
 import styles from '../styles.tsx';
 import ToggleControl from '../ToggleControl.tsx';
-import {
-  isAndroid,
-  isIos,
-  samplePoster,
-  textTracksSelectionBy,
-} from '../constants';
-import MultiValueControl, {
-  type MultiValueControlPropType,
-} from '../MultiValueControl.tsx';
+import {isAndroid, isIos, textTracksSelectionBy} from '../constants';
+import MultiValueControl from '../MultiValueControl.tsx';
 import {
   ResizeMode,
   VideoRef,
@@ -69,8 +61,8 @@ type Props = {
   setPaused: Dispatch<SetStateAction<boolean>>;
   repeat: boolean;
   setRepeat: Dispatch<SetStateAction<boolean>>;
-  poster: string | undefined;
-  setPoster: Dispatch<SetStateAction<string | undefined>>;
+  showPoster: boolean;
+  setShowPoster: Dispatch<SetStateAction<boolean>>;
   muted: boolean;
   setMuted: Dispatch<SetStateAction<boolean>>;
   currentTime: number;
@@ -108,8 +100,8 @@ const _Overlay = forwardRef<VideoRef, Props>((props, ref) => {
     setPaused,
     setRepeat,
     repeat,
-    setPoster,
-    poster,
+    setShowPoster,
+    showPoster,
     setMuted,
     muted,
     duration,
@@ -217,14 +209,12 @@ const _Overlay = forwardRef<VideoRef, Props>((props, ref) => {
 
   const toggleRepeat = () => setRepeat(prev => !prev);
 
-  const togglePoster = () =>
-    setPoster(prev => (prev ? undefined : samplePoster));
+  const togglePoster = () => setShowPoster(prev => !prev);
 
   const toggleMuted = () => setMuted(prev => !prev);
 
   return (
     <>
-      <Indicator isLoading={isLoading} />
       <View style={styles.topControls}>
         <View style={styles.resizeModeControl}>
           <TopControl
@@ -270,7 +260,7 @@ const _Overlay = forwardRef<VideoRef, Props>((props, ref) => {
               <ToggleControl onPress={toggleFullscreen} text="fullscreen" />
               <ToggleControl onPress={openDecoration} text="decoration" />
               <ToggleControl
-                isSelected={!!poster}
+                isSelected={showPoster}
                 onPress={togglePoster}
                 selectedText="poster"
                 unselectedText="no poster"
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/components/VideoLoader.tsx b/examples/basic/src/components/VideoLoader.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9071c707
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/basic/src/components/VideoLoader.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import {Text, View} from 'react-native';
+import {Indicator} from './Indicator.tsx';
+import React, {memo} from 'react';
+import styles from '../styles.tsx';
+
+const _VideoLoader = () => {
+  return (
+    <View style={styles.indicatorContainer}>
+      <Text style={styles.indicatorText}>Loading...</Text>
+      <Indicator />
+    </View>
+  );
+};
+
+export const VideoLoader = memo(_VideoLoader);
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/components/index.ts b/examples/basic/src/components/index.ts
index c4ac83b5..71c9d731 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/components/index.ts
+++ b/examples/basic/src/components/index.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+export * from './VideoLoader';
 export * from './Indicator';
 export * from './Seeker';
 export * from './AudioTracksSelector';
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/constants/general.ts b/examples/basic/src/constants/general.ts
index 02c39b90..6331d8a8 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/constants/general.ts
+++ b/examples/basic/src/constants/general.ts
@@ -149,10 +149,6 @@ export const srcAndroidList = [
   },
 ];
 
-// poster which can be displayed
-export const samplePoster =
-  'https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/React_Native_Logo.png';
-
 export const srcList: SampleVideoSource[] = srcAllPlatformList.concat(
   isAndroid ? srcAndroidList : srcIosList,
 );
diff --git a/examples/basic/src/styles.tsx b/examples/basic/src/styles.tsx
index 0dd72390..61453b77 100644
--- a/examples/basic/src/styles.tsx
+++ b/examples/basic/src/styles.tsx
@@ -102,9 +102,15 @@ const styles = StyleSheet.create({
     borderWidth: 1,
     borderColor: 'red',
   },
-  IndicatorStyle: {
-    flex: 1,
+  indicatorContainer: {
     justifyContent: 'center',
+    alignItems: 'center',
+    gap: 10,
+    width: '100%',
+    height: '100%',
+  },
+  indicatorText: {
+    color: 'white',
   },
   seekbarContainer: {
     flex: 1,
diff --git a/src/Video.tsx b/src/Video.tsx
index f2f91f3b..49ca1e99 100644
--- a/src/Video.tsx
+++ b/src/Video.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,13 @@ import React, {
 } from 'react';
 import type {ElementRef} from 'react';
 import {View, StyleSheet, Image, Platform, processColor} from 'react-native';
-import type {StyleProp, ImageStyle, NativeSyntheticEvent} from 'react-native';
+import type {
+  StyleProp,
+  ImageStyle,
+  NativeSyntheticEvent,
+  ViewStyle,
+  ImageResizeMode,
+} from 'react-native';
 
 import NativeVideoComponent from './specs/VideoNativeComponent';
 import type {
@@ -67,8 +73,9 @@ const Video = forwardRef<VideoRef, ReactVideoProps>(
       source,
       style,
       resizeMode,
-      posterResizeMode,
       poster,
+      posterResizeMode,
+      renderLoader,
       drm,
       textTracks,
       selectedVideoTrack,
@@ -113,25 +120,28 @@ const Video = forwardRef<VideoRef, ReactVideoProps>(
     ref,
   ) => {
     const nativeRef = useRef<ElementRef<typeof NativeVideoComponent>>(null);
-    const [showPoster, setShowPoster] = useState(!!poster);
+
+    const isPosterDeprecated = typeof poster === 'string';
+
+    const hasPoster = useMemo(() => {
+      if (renderLoader) {
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      if (isPosterDeprecated) {
+        return !!poster;
+      }
+
+      return !!poster?.source;
+    }, [isPosterDeprecated, poster, renderLoader]);
+
+    const [showPoster, setShowPoster] = useState(hasPoster);
+
     const [
       _restoreUserInterfaceForPIPStopCompletionHandler,
       setRestoreUserInterfaceForPIPStopCompletionHandler,
     ] = useState<boolean | undefined>();
 
-    const hasPoster = !!poster;
-
-    const posterStyle = useMemo<StyleProp<ImageStyle>>(
-      () => ({
-        ...StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject,
-        resizeMode:
-          posterResizeMode && posterResizeMode !== 'none'
-            ? posterResizeMode
-            : 'contain',
-      }),
-      [posterResizeMode],
-    );
-
     const src = useMemo<VideoSrc | undefined>(() => {
       if (!source) {
         return undefined;
@@ -598,13 +608,78 @@ const Video = forwardRef<VideoRef, ReactVideoProps>(
         : ViewType.SURFACE;
     }, [drm, useSecureView, useTextureView, viewType]);
 
+    const _renderPoster = useCallback(() => {
+      if (!hasPoster || !showPoster) {
+        return null;
+      }
+
+      // poster resize mode
+      let _posterResizeMode: ImageResizeMode = 'contain';
+
+      if (!isPosterDeprecated && poster?.resizeMode) {
+        _posterResizeMode = poster.resizeMode;
+      } else if (posterResizeMode && posterResizeMode !== 'none') {
+        _posterResizeMode = posterResizeMode;
+      }
+
+      // poster style
+      const baseStyle: StyleProp<ImageStyle> = {
+        ...StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject,
+        resizeMode: _posterResizeMode,
+      };
+
+      let posterStyle: StyleProp<ImageStyle> = baseStyle;
+
+      if (!isPosterDeprecated && poster?.style) {
+        const styles = Array.isArray(poster.style)
+          ? poster.style
+          : [poster.style];
+        posterStyle = [baseStyle, ...styles];
+      }
+
+      // render poster
+      if (renderLoader && (poster || posterResizeMode)) {
+        console.warn(
+          'You provided both `renderLoader` and `poster` or `posterResizeMode` props. `renderLoader` will be used.',
+        );
+      }
+
+      // render loader
+      if (renderLoader) {
+        return <View style={StyleSheet.absoluteFill}>{renderLoader}</View>;
+      }
+
+      return (
+        <Image
+          {...(isPosterDeprecated ? {} : poster)}
+          source={isPosterDeprecated ? {uri: poster} : poster?.source}
+          style={posterStyle}
+        />
+      );
+    }, [
+      hasPoster,
+      isPosterDeprecated,
+      poster,
+      posterResizeMode,
+      renderLoader,
+      showPoster,
+    ]);
+
+    const _style: StyleProp<ViewStyle> = useMemo(
+      () => ({
+        ...StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject,
+        ...(showPoster ? {display: 'none'} : {}),
+      }),
+      [showPoster],
+    );
+
     return (
       <View style={style}>
         <NativeVideoComponent
           ref={nativeRef}
           {...rest}
           src={src}
-          style={StyleSheet.absoluteFill}
+          style={_style}
           resizeMode={resizeMode}
           restoreUserInterfaceForPIPStopCompletionHandler={
             _restoreUserInterfaceForPIPStopCompletionHandler
@@ -679,9 +754,7 @@ const Video = forwardRef<VideoRef, ReactVideoProps>(
           }
           viewType={_viewType}
         />
-        {hasPoster && showPoster ? (
-          <Image style={posterStyle} source={{uri: poster}} />
-        ) : null}
+        {_renderPoster()}
       </View>
     );
   },
diff --git a/src/types/video.ts b/src/types/video.ts
index 1dbdc9f1..eb075f9c 100644
--- a/src/types/video.ts
+++ b/src/types/video.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 import type {ISO639_1} from './language';
 import type {ReactVideoEvents} from './events';
-import type {StyleProp, ViewProps, ViewStyle} from 'react-native';
+import type {
+  ImageProps,
+  StyleProp,
+  ViewProps,
+  ViewStyle,
+  ImageRequireSource,
+  ImageURISource,
+} from 'react-native';
+import type {ReactNode} from 'react';
 import type VideoResizeMode from './ResizeMode';
 import type FilterType from './FilterType';
 import type ViewType from './ViewType';
@@ -34,6 +42,13 @@ export type ReactVideoSource = Readonly<
   }
 >;
 
+export type ReactVideoPosterSource = ImageURISource | ImageRequireSource;
+
+export type ReactVideoPoster = Omit<ImageProps, 'source'> & {
+  // prevents giving source in the array
+  source?: ReactVideoPosterSource;
+};
+
 export type VideoMetadata = Readonly<{
   title?: string;
   subtitle?: string;
@@ -243,12 +258,14 @@ export interface ReactVideoProps extends ReactVideoEvents, ViewProps {
   pictureInPicture?: boolean; // iOS
   playInBackground?: boolean;
   playWhenInactive?: boolean; // iOS
-  poster?: string;
+  poster?: string | ReactVideoPoster; // string is deprecated
+  /** @deprecated use **resizeMode** key in **poster** props instead */
   posterResizeMode?: EnumValues<PosterResizeModeType>;
   preferredForwardBufferDuration?: number; // iOS
   preventsDisplaySleepDuringVideoPlayback?: boolean;
   progressUpdateInterval?: number;
   rate?: number;
+  renderLoader?: ReactNode;
   repeat?: boolean;
   reportBandwidth?: boolean; //Android
   resizeMode?: EnumValues<VideoResizeMode>;