# Movies or shows with same theme released at same time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605 "2013-10-07T18:21:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/21 "2013-10-09T01:38:07Z")
Deep Impact and Armageddon Munsters and Adams Family Phantom and Black Panther 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/22 "2013-10-09T02:11:36Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Munsters and Adams Family Both launched the same year and coincidentally (?) both got cancelled after 2 seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/23 "2013-10-09T04:00:54Z")
Dead Man’s Curve and Dead Man On Campus Two films with the same premise. Urban legend - If your college roomie commits suicide, you get automatic A’s for the semester. Failing student attempts to murder Roomie, and make it look like suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/24 "2013-10-09T04:44:48Z")
The Matrix (1999) and Dark City (1998). Maybe The Thirteenth Floor (1999) as well. At least as far as “guy discovers reality is being scripted” ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/25 "2013-10-09T05:34:25Z")
In 1984, we had Breakin, Beat Street and Body Rockin. One year later there was Krush Groove and Rappin. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/26 "2013-10-09T06:00:36Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > I seem to remember two Christopher Columbus-themed movies in 1992 (the 500th anniversary of his first voyage). 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Christopher Columbus: The Discovery ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/27 "2013-10-09T10:10:24Z")
The Illusionist and The Prestige. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/28 "2013-10-09T11:31:49Z")
_The Abyss_, _Leviathan_ and _Deep Star Six_ all three underwater sci-fi (for various values of sci-fi) movies, all three released in 1989. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/29 "2013-10-09T16:05:18Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > The Illusionist and The Prestige. True, in that they’re both turn-of-the-20th-century stories about magicians. But _The Prestige_ does a twist in the second half and turns into a science fiction story. I admit I haven’t seen _The Illusionist_, but from what I’ve heard I think it stayed more grounded… though I’m sure someone will correct me if that’s not so. ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/30 "2013-10-09T19:42:01Z")
Two films that have a different tone but very similar plot and both came out in 1987. Attractive teenage boy is lured by mysterious female who turns out to be part of a vampire gang. Boy joins them; initially this seems very cool and a lot of fun. Inevitable conflict ensues, mostly due to boy’s younger sibling back in the “normal” world. Final battle sees off the vampires and rescues the girl. Near Dark and The Lost Boys. The Lost Boys was way more successful and popular, but Near Dark was the superior film, I reckon. ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/31 "2013-10-09T19:58:50Z")
One year in the mid-late 60’s two broadcast networks (I think they were CBS and NBC) each had a short lived sitcom about bumbling superheroes. Once was called Captain Nice and the other was Mr. Terrific. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/32 "2013-10-09T20:25:56Z")
> [@DonLogan](#): > > One year in the mid-late 60’s two broadcast networks (I think they were CBS and NBC) each had a short lived sitcom about bumbling superheroes. > > Once was called Captain Nice and the other was Mr. Terrific. Both were in response to the popularity of ABC’s campy _Batman_. Buck Henry created _Captain Nice_, which starred a young William Daniels, and it was definitely the funnier of the two. My seven-year-old self, however, preferred the slightly more earnest _Mr. Terrific_. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/33 "2013-10-09T21:01:28Z")
We watched part one of _The Paradise_ on PBS. I was certain that I was watching a recasting of _Selfridge_. Identical plot, location, big department store that the banks won’t fund, womanizing lead with a cheesy beard. Tedious, to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/34 "2013-10-10T09:24:30Z")
_Braveheart_ and _Rob Roy_ came out fairly close together. When a reporter asked Mel Gibson about it, he replied, “It’s either the Collective Unconscious, or corporate espionage.” ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/35 "2013-10-10T11:38:14Z")
I presume we do not include the “blatant rip-off” TV series, such as the “wild and crazy frathouse boys” sitcoms launched by each network the September after \*\*Animal House \*\*was a huge hit. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/36 "2013-10-10T11:40:20Z")
[Big](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_%28film%29), starring Tom Hanks, and a remake of [Vice-Versa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice_Versa_%281988_film%29) (based on a Victorian era novel) both came out in 1988. They both centrally involve involve a boy whose mind is magically transferred into a grown man’s body. [Also, according to the [Wikipedia entry on _Big_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_%28film%29), three other “age-changing comedies”, all also came out at around the same time: _Like Father Like Son_ (1987), _18 Again!_ (1988), and the Italian film _Da grande_ (1987). I had never actually heard of any of those before, but they _all_ appear to have involved a boy’s mind magically transferred into a man’s body. That is five movies on this subject within two years!] A remake of [Freaky Friday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaky_Friday_%282003_film%29) (based on a 1972 book) starring Lindsay Lohan, came out in 2003. In 2004 the film [13 Going on 30](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Going_On_Thirty), starring Jennifer Garner appeared. Both involve a girl whose mind is magically transferred into an adult woman’s body. In both these pairs of movies, one of them is a remake, based on a book, and involves a child and an adult swapping minds (or bodies, depending on how you look at it): _Vice Versa_ and _Freaky Friday_. The other of each pair is (AFAIK) from an original screenplay, and each involves a child’s body magically transforming into adult form, with no adult mind being put into a child’s body: _Big_ and _13 Going On 30_. Freaky is the word! ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/37 "2013-10-10T13:36:04Z")
One of the most famous examples is unmentioned here and in the links: _Jezebel_ (1938) starring Bette Davis, and _Gone With the Wind_ (1939) starring Vivien Leigh. The settings and stories are very similar; both won Best Actress. The release dates may be misleading, the short b/w film having a much faster production tempo than the color epic. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/38 "2013-10-10T16:08:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There was a good stretch there where most of Dreamwork’s CGI movies were parallels to Pixar’s. They didn’t quite seem to grasp just what was making the Pixar movies good, though. I’d call it a draw: _Antz_ (Dreamworks) vs _Bug’s Life_ (Pixar) - I think Antz was the better movie. _Shrek_ (Dreamworks) vs _Monsters, Inc._ (Pixar) - I think Monsters was better but a lot of people liked Shrek. Call it a tie. _Shark Tale_ (Dreamworks) vs _Finding Nemo_ (Pixar) - A clear win for Pixar. _Flushed Away_ (Dreamworks) vs _Ratatouille_ (Pixar) - Two weaker entries in my opinion. Call it another tie. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/39 "2013-10-10T16:57:59Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > In the last few decades, we’ve seen dueling versions of Aladdin, Dangerous Liaisons, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Linda Lovelace, John Holmes, Superman and Truman Capote. Most of these were the result of the situation I just described. Aside from the pair of Capote movies (_Capote_ and _Infamous_) and the two Dangerous Liasions movies (_Dangerous Liaisons_ and _Valmont_), none of those subjects have been the subject of dueling movies. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605/40 "2013-10-10T17:06:01Z")
_The Girl_ and _Hitchcock_ both came in 2012, both about Hitchcock’s obession with his films and female leads. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-or-shows-with-same-theme-released-at-same-time/670605.md?page=3)