Movies with the same title that are completely unrelated
The Wharf Rat (1916, starring Mae Marsh: complicated silent melodrama, at which Mae Marsh excelled. Marsh spends most of the film in drag because she’s been raised as a boy by her misogynous grandfather; the title is because she’s a talented musician who makes a living busking around the wharfs; 1995 starring Lou Diamond Phillips: Phillips’ straight-cop brother is killed by dirty cops, and he uses his own criminal connections to go after them)
Frozen (2010 thriller film in which three friends are stuck on a skilift; 2013 Disney film with a magic queen and her normal princess sister)
Betrayal (1983, drama/romance with Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley; 2003 Thriller about a mob assassin escaping LA)
Rush (1991 crime drama starring Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as two narcotics agents who become addicted to the junk they’re supposed to be fighting; 2013 docu-drama directed by Ron Howard about the rivalry between 1970s F1 drivers Nikki Lauda and James Hunt.)
Jack Frost (1988, Michael Keaton dies in a car accident and comes back in a snowman thanks to a magic harmonica; 1997 slasher movie about a killer who genetically fuses with snow and goes on a killing spree)
Crash (1996, directed by David Cronenberg, about car crashes as a sexual fetish; 2004, directed by Paul Haggis, a crime drama with thematic elements dealing with racism.)
Fair Play (2014, Czech drama about a competitive runner whose mother dopes her; 2023, Netflix film about a couple whose relationship turns sour when the loser man can’t live down the fact that the go-getter woman got a promotion at the hedge funds firm where they both work.)
Movies with the same title that are completely unrelated
The Wharf Rat (1916, starring Mae Marsh: complicated silent melodrama, at which Mae Marsh excelled. Marsh spends most of the film in drag because she’s been raised as a boy by her misogynous grandfather; the title is because she’s a talented musician who makes a living busking around the wharfs; 1995 starring Lou Diamond Phillips: Phillips’ straight-cop brother is killed by dirty cops, and he uses his own criminal connections to go after them)
Frozen (2010 thriller film in which three friends are stuck on a skilift; 2013 Disney film with a magic queen and her normal princess sister)
Betrayal (1983, drama/romance with Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley; 2003 Thriller about a mob assassin escaping LA)
Rush (1991 crime drama starring Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as two narcotics agents who become addicted to the junk they’re supposed to be fighting; 2013 docu-drama directed by Ron Howard about the rivalry between 1970s F1 drivers Nikki Lauda and James Hunt.)
Jack Frost (1988, Michael Keaton dies in a car accident and comes back in a snowman thanks to a magic harmonica; 1997 slasher movie about a killer who genetically fuses with snow and goes on a killing spree)
Crash (1996, directed by David Cronenberg, about car crashes as a sexual fetish; 2004, directed by Paul Haggis, a crime drama with thematic elements dealing with racism.)
Fair Play (2014, Czech drama about a competitive runner whose mother dopes her; 2023, Netflix film about a couple whose relationship turns sour when the loser man can’t live down the fact that the go-getter woman got a promotion at the hedge funds firm where they both work.)
The Women (2008, Meg Ryan stars as a woman who leaves her cheating husband on the advice of her friends; 1939, three women discuss their lives and romantic relationships.)
Movies with the same title that are completely unrelated
The Wharf Rat (1916, starring Mae Marsh: complicated silent melodrama, at which Mae Marsh excelled. Marsh spends most of the film in drag because she’s been raised as a boy by her misogynous grandfather; the title is because she’s a talented musician who makes a living busking around the wharfs; 1995 starring Lou Diamond Phillips: Phillips’ straight-cop brother is killed by dirty cops, and he uses his own criminal connections to go after them)
Frozen (2010 thriller film in which three friends are stuck on a skilift; 2013 Disney film with a magic queen and her normal princess sister)
Betrayal (1983, drama/romance with Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley; 2003 Thriller about a mob assassin escaping LA)
Rush (1991 crime drama starring Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as two narcotics agents who become addicted to the junk they’re supposed to be fighting; 2013 docu-drama directed by Ron Howard about the rivalry between 1970s F1 drivers Nikki Lauda and James Hunt.)
Jack Frost (1988, Michael Keaton dies in a car accident and comes back in a snowman thanks to a magic harmonica; 1997 slasher movie about a killer who genetically fuses with snow and goes on a killing spree)
Crash (1996, directed by David Cronenberg, about car crashes as a sexual fetish; 2004, directed by Paul Haggis, a crime drama with thematic elements dealing with racism.)
Fair Play (2014, Czech drama about a competitive runner whose mother dopes her; 2023, Netflix film about a couple whose relationship turns sour when the loser man can’t live down the fact that the go-getter woman got a promotion at the hedge funds firm where they both work.)
The Women (2008, Meg Ryan stars as a woman who leaves her cheating husband on the advice of her friends; 1939, three women discuss their lives and romantic relationships.)
Always (1989, Spielberg film about a forest fire pilot who dies, itself a remake of an old Spencer Tracy movie; 2011, Korean romance between a tollbooth operator and a blind woman)
Not just a Spencer Tracy movie-- also an Irene Dunne movie.
It’s worth mentioning, because her name above the title in a movie from the 30s or 40s is practically a guarantee that the film was remade
This is an actress who, for about 10 years was the most bankable talent in Hollywood, and audiences rated her above Katharine Hepburn.
My theory as to why she is not better-remembered, is that when a studio remade a film, it bought the rights to the earlier film, and would not distribute it. So, until they were released to videotape, as distributors scrambled to fill the demand for titles for the rental market in the 1980s, many of her best films were not available.
Just a hijack about my favorite actress from the Golden era. I even once had a cat named Irene Dunne.
Movies with the same title that are completely unrelated
The Wharf Rat (1916, starring Mae Marsh: complicated silent melodrama, at which Mae Marsh excelled. Marsh spends most of the film in drag because she’s been raised as a boy by her misogynous grandfather; the title is because she’s a talented musician who makes a living busking around the wharfs; 1995 starring Lou Diamond Phillips: Phillips’ straight-cop brother is killed by dirty cops, and he uses his own criminal connections to go after them)
Frozen (2010 thriller film in which three friends are stuck on a skilift; 2013 Disney film with a magic queen and her normal princess sister)
Betrayal (1983, drama/romance with Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley; 2003 Thriller about a mob assassin escaping LA)
Rush (1991 crime drama starring Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh as two narcotics agents who become addicted to the junk they’re supposed to be fighting; 2013 docu-drama directed by Ron Howard about the rivalry between 1970s F1 drivers Nikki Lauda and James Hunt.)
Jack Frost (1988, Michael Keaton dies in a car accident and comes back in a snowman thanks to a magic harmonica; 1997 slasher movie about a killer who genetically fuses with snow and goes on a killing spree)
Crash (1996, directed by David Cronenberg, about car crashes as a sexual fetish; 2004, directed by Paul Haggis, a crime drama with thematic elements dealing with racism.)
Fair Play (2014, Czech drama about a competitive runner whose mother dopes her; 2023, Netflix film about a couple whose relationship turns sour when the loser man can’t live down the fact that the go-getter woman got a promotion at the hedge funds firm where they both work.)
The Women (2008, Meg Ryan stars as a woman who leaves her cheating husband on the advice of her friends; 1939, three women discuss their lives and romantic relationships.)
Always (1989, Spielberg film about a forest fire pilot who dies, itself a remake of an old Spencer Tracy movie; 2011, Korean romance between a tollbooth operator and a blind woman)
Bad Boys (1983, Sean Penn is sent to juvenile hall and 1995 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are drug busting cops)
Next: Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorps novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorps novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorps novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
The Magnificent Seven is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Battle Beyond The Stars is a scifi remake of The Magnificent Seven, to the point that Robert Vaughn plays essentially the same part in both movies, with some lines lifted verbatin from The Magnificent Seven.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
Casablanca and To Have and Have Not. Both starred Bogie and were about an American tough guy in Vichy French territory deciding to get involved in WWII after initial ambivalence, and due, in part, to the love of a beautiful woman. Some critics at the time even said To Have was a remake of Casablanca, which it really wasn’t.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
The Magnificent Seven is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Battle Beyond The Stars is a scifi remake of The Magnificent Seven, to the point that Robert Vaughn plays essentially the same part in both movies, with some lines lifted verbatin from The Magnificent Seven.
Casablanca and To Have and Have Not. Both starred Bogie and were about an American tough guy in Vichy French territory deciding to get involved in WWII after initial ambivalence, and due, in part, to the love of a beautiful woman. Some critics at the time even said To Have was a remake of Casablanca, which it really wasn’t.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
The Magnificent Seven is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Battle Beyond The Stars is a scifi remake of The Magnificent Seven, to the point that Robert Vaughn plays essentially the same part in both movies, with some lines lifted verbatin from The Magnificent Seven.
Casablanca and To Have and Have Not. Both starred Bogie and were about an American tough guy in Vichy French territory deciding to get involved in WWII after initial ambivalence, and due, in part, to the love of a beautiful woman. Some critics at the time even said To Have was a remake of Casablanca, which it really wasn’t.
The films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima were movies about the Battle of Iwo Jima told from both the American and Japanese perspective, respectively, and both directed by Clint Eastwood. Letters was the better film in my opinion.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
The Magnificent Seven is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Battle Beyond The Stars is a scifi remake of The Magnificent Seven, to the point that Robert Vaughn plays essentially the same part in both movies, with some lines lifted verbatin from The Magnificent Seven.
Casablanca and To Have and Have Not. Both starred Bogie and were about an American tough guy in Vichy French territory deciding to get involved in WWII after initial ambivalence, and due, in part, to the love of a beautiful woman. Some critics at the time even said To Have was a remake of Casablanca, which it really wasn’t.
The films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima were movies about the Battle of Iwo Jima told from both the American and Japanese perspective, respectively, and both directed by Clint Eastwood. Letters was the better film in my opinion.
Soldier (1998) was written as a “side-quel” to Blade Runner, there isn’t much connection between the two though a spinner is seen in Soldier and Kurt Russel’s character is shown to have fought in battles referenced by Roy Batty.
Movies that are related or sort of sequels but weren’t acknowledged as such.
Die Hard and The Detective. Both are based on Roderick Thorp’s novels though Die Hard’s connection to the book Nothing Lasts Forever didn’t make it through production.
Point Blank and Payback. Both based on the Donald E. Westlake novel The Hunter, one was a gritty noir starring Lee Marvin; and the other was a brutal but goofy Mel Gibson vehicle.
Colombiana was originally going to be a sequel to Léon: The Professional. Luc Besson wanted it to be titled Mathilda but the movie was delayed indefinitely, Besson left Gaumont Film Company and retooled the movie under his own company.
Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Both are smart, well-crafted crime movies based on Elmore Leonard novels, and Michael Keaton played DEA Agent Ray Nicolette in both.
The Last Detail and Last Flag Flying. Both films are based on novels by Darryl Ponicsan chronicling three sailors in the Navy, though Flag was written several decades after Detail. The film version of Flag changes the characters’ names and alters the chronology from the first film so isn’t an official sequel to it.
The Magnificent Seven is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Battle Beyond The Stars is a scifi remake of The Magnificent Seven, to the point that Robert Vaughn plays essentially the same part in both movies, with some lines lifted verbatin from The Magnificent Seven.
Casablanca and To Have and Have Not. Both starred Bogie and were about an American tough guy in Vichy French territory deciding to get involved in WWII after initial ambivalence, and due, in part, to the love of a beautiful woman. Some critics at the time even said To Have was a remake of Casablanca, which it really wasn’t.
The films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima were movies about the Battle of Iwo Jima told from both the American and Japanese perspective, respectively, and both directed by Clint Eastwood. Letters was the better film in my opinion.
Soldier (1998) was written as a “side-quel” to Blade Runner; there isn’t much connection between the two though a Spinner is seen in Soldier and Kurt Russell’s character is shown to have fought in battles referenced by Roy Batty.
Star Trek and Galaxy Quest. The second, an affectionate and knowing parody of the first’s franchise, has been described as “the best Star Trek movie ever made.”