Is it possible that movie producers can occasionally be a little repetitive when thinking of movie titles? The answer to that is… yes. There are a handful of movies in existence today that seemingly copied the titles of movies that were released years prior. When two movies share a name, usually one is more universally recognized than the other.
The truth is, you’ll come across repetitive movie names in nearly every genre. Duplicate names are an entertainment industry pattern, whether you enjoy watching documentaries, horror films, action flicks, or romance. (Click here to discover 20 of the best romance movies of all time.)
To gather this list of different movies with matching names, 24/7 Tempo consulted several informational entertainment websites. These include IMDb, Collider, and ScreenRant.
Beautiful Creatures (2000)
“Beautiful Creatures” from 2000 is a thriller comedy directed by Bill Eagles. The top cast members are Rachel Weisz, Susan Lynch, and Iain Glen. The R-rated film focuses on two young women caught in a very complicated situation. When Dorothy witnesses Petula getting abused by her boyfriend, Dorothy intervenes. In an attempt to render the man unconscious, she accidentally murders him. Despite how heavy-hitting the subject matter of this movie is, the writers were sure to add loads of comical relief.
Beautiful Creatures (2013)
“Beautiful Creatures” from 2013 is a romance thriller directed by Richard LaGravenese. Some noteworthy cast members include Emmy Rossum, Alice Englert, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson. The PG-13-rated film is about a young man named Ethan who’s desperate to escape the small town where he was raised.
As he tries to figure out how he can run away from boredom and misery, he crosses paths with an interesting young woman who captivates him at first sight. Together, they begin uncovering ugly, dark secrets kept by both of their families.
Cake (2005)
There are two major movies named “Cake” that were released within the last couple of decades. The first was released in 2005 as a comedy romance. The R-rated movie was directed by Nisha Ganatra and boasted an impressive cast lineup. Some of the actors involved were Sandra Oh, Taye Diggs, and Heather Graham.
The movie focuses on a witty travel writer who’s suddenly forced to take control of her father’s wedding-based magazine. She reluctant because the content isn’t anything she’s interested in. Handling the wedding magazine on behalf of her father eventually gives her a new perspective when it comes to romantic love.
Cake (2014)
In 2014, another movie called “Cake” was released. The film featured Jennifer Aniston in the leading role. The R-rated drama was directed by Daniel Barnes and also included Anna Kendrick, Sam Worthington, and Felicity Huffman in the cast. This film was written with serious themes in mind. It’s about a middle-aged woman contemplating suicide after living for several years with chronic pain. When she finds out that a member of her support group killed herself, it sparks her morbid interest in the subject.
Best Laid Plans (1999)
“Best Laid Plans” from 1999 is a thriller crime movie directed by Mike Barker. The biggest stars in the cast lineup include Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, and Alessandro Nivola. The R-rated movie tells the story of three unlikely companions on the run from legal justice. Two members of the group are self-proclaimed thieves keen on living lives of crime as they steal their way through each new day.
Best Laid Plans (2012)
“Best Laid Plans” from 2012 is a dramatic action movie directed by David Blair. You might recognize actors like Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Lee Ingleby, and Stephen Graham in the cast lineup. This unrated movie is loosely based on the novel “Of Mice and Men,” written by John Steinbeck.
It takes place in a town called Nottingham and sheds light on the life of a crime boss. He finds himself in massive debt with nowhere to turn. Fearing for his life, he decides to manipulate a mentally ill individual he unexpectedly meets. The crime boss’s willingness to use someone with a mental disorder makes him an incredibly difficult protagonist to root for.
Thunderstruck (2004)
Two movies called “Thunderstruck” have been released. One premiered in 2004, and the other came out eight years later in 2012. The 2004 movie is a comedy musical directed by Darin Ashton. It stars Stephen Curry, Ryan Johnson, and Damon Gameau in the leading roles.
It tells the story of five teenage boys who are obsessed with the rock band AC/DC. After one of their best friends dies, their ultimate goal is to make sure he gets buried next to AC/DC band member Bon Scott. Although they’re not able to succeed in their plan at first, they reconvene more than a decade later to make good on their promise.
Thunderstruck (2012)
2012’s “Thunderstruck” is a comedy sports film directed by John Whitesell. One of the big draws for this flick is that it features a real NBA star in the cast lineup. Kevin Durant is the star of 2012’s “Thunderstruck.” Other actors in the movie include Taylor Gray, Jim Belushi, and Brandon T. Jackson.
The movie is about a young basketball player who’s totally uncoordinated and awkward. He magically absorbs athletic talents from a professional NBA player. He finally has a chance to impress everyone at his high school. The NBA player, on the other hand, is faced with the possibility of losing his professional career.
Twilight (1998)
“Twilight” from 1998 is a thriller film, directed by Robert Benton. Interestingly enough, Benton was also one of the screenwriters. He knew exactly how he wanted his written vision to play out on the silver screen. Some of the biggest actors in the film include Susan Sarandon, Reese Witherspoon, and Gene Hackman.
It’s all about a retired detective who agrees to take on one more job. He’s supposed to be relaxing in his older years, but the risk is worth it to him. The job takes him by surprise when he realizes that some of his forgotten traumas will undoubtedly resurface as he tries to move forward.
Twilight (2008)
“Twilight” from 2008 is a romantic fantasy directed by Katherine Hardwick. The movie stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner in the leading roles. These three actors play teenagers stuck in a love triangle. The triangle consists of a human girl, a vampire, and a werewolf.
Bella Swan relocates two Forks, Washington and falls in love with Edward Cullen. At first, she’s completely unaware that he’s a vampire who’s been alive for 108 years. His aging process stopped as soon as he turned into a vampire, which means living life as a high school kid is one of the easiest ways he can continue blending in with the rest of the world. Their love for each other is passionate and intense. The story gets more captivating thanks to the involvement of a teenage werewolf named Jacob Black who loves Bella just as much.
Frozen (2010)
The first “Frozen” movie was released in 2010 as a horror crime film. It was directed by Adam Green and included actors like Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, and Kevin Zegers in the leading roles. 2010’s “Frozen” is about a group of young skiers who get stranded on a ski lift. Since they’re trapped on the ski lift in the middle of a snow storm, it’s nearly impossible for anyone on the ground to see their deathly struggle. They’re forced to make life or death decisions amongst each other as a way of trying to survive.
Frozen (2013)
Just three short years later in 2013, another movie called “Frozen” it theaters. This movie is arguably more popular since it’s a Disney movie that fits into the musical fantasy genre. The animated flick is directed by Chris buck and Jennifer Lee. It includes tons of talented voice actors like Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and Jonathan Groff.
2013’s “Frozen” is about two sisters named Elsa and Anna who struggle to get along. Their issues stem from the fact that Elsa isn’t comfortable sharing her darkest secrets with Anna. Because of that, Anna feels rejected since she’s always left in the dark. Elsa only wants to keep Anna safe by hiding her ice powers until it’s absolutely imperative that she tells the truth.
Will movie makers continue on with a pattern of using title duplicates in the new year? Click here to read about the 24 most anticipated movies hitting theaters soon enough.