14 Movies You Thought Were Original, But Are Not 14 Movies You Thought Were Original, But Are Not

Hollywood loves to surprise audiences with fresh, exciting stories, but sometimes those so called “original” films are actually based on older works. Whether they are inspired by foreign films, obscure novels or forgotten classics, these movies are not as groundbreaking as they might seem at first glance. Here are 14 films that fooled audiences into thinking they were completely original, but in reality, they had deeper roots than most people realized.

The Lion King, 1994 – Inspired by Kimba the White Lion

Disney’s The Lion King is often seen as an original masterpiece, but many believe it closely resembles the 1960s Japanese anime Kimba the White Lion. Both feature a young lion who loses his father, is guided by a wise baboon and fights to reclaim his throne. While Disney has never officially acknowledged the similarities, the comparisons are hard to ignore.

A Fistful of Dollars, 1964 – A Remake of Yojimbo

Clint Eastwood’s breakthrough Western, A Fistful of Dollars, is widely credited with revolutionizing the genre, but it is actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, 1961. The story of a lone wanderer playing two rival gangs against each other was originally set in feudal Japan before being adapted into the Wild West. Kurosawa even sued the filmmakers for copying his work without permission.

The Magnificent Seven, 1960 – Based on Seven Samurai

One of the most iconic Westerns of all time, The Magnificent Seven is actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary samurai film Seven Samurai, 1954. The basic premise, seven warriors defending a village from bandits, was lifted directly from the Japanese classic and repackaged for American audiences with cowboys instead of samurai.

Reservoir Dogs, 1992 – Inspired by City on Fire

Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs is known for its razor sharp dialogue and nonlinear storytelling, but much of its plot closely mirrors the 1987 Hong Kong crime thriller City on Fire. The undercover cop, the gang he infiltrates and even key action sequences are strikingly similar, leading to debates about whether Tarantino borrowed too much from the original.

The Hunger Games, 2012 – Similar to Battle Royale

When The Hunger Games became a global phenomenon, many pointed out its resemblance to the Japanese cult classic Battle Royale, 2000. Both feature a dystopian world where a group of young people are forced to fight to the death in a government sanctioned event. While Suzanne Collins insists she was not influenced by Battle Royale, the parallels are undeniable.

Inception, 2010 – Inspired by Paprika

Christopher Nolan’s mind bending thriller Inception has been praised for its originality, but anime fans quickly noticed similarities to Paprika, 2006, a Japanese animated film about a device that allows people to enter and manipulate dreams. Both films explore the concept of shared dreaming, surreal landscapes and the blurred line between reality and illusion.

The Departed, 2006 – A Remake of Infernal Affairs

Many praised The Departed for its gripping story and stellar cast, but it is actually a direct remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The plot, a cop going undercover in the mob while a criminal infiltrates the police, is nearly identical, though The Departed adds some extra twists.

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Vanilla Sky, 2001 – A Remake of Open Your Eyes

Tom Cruise’s psychological thriller Vanilla Sky is a surreal, mind bending experience, but it is actually a remake of the Spanish film Open Your Eyes, 1997. Not only is the plot nearly identical, but Penélope Cruz plays the same role in both films.

The Ring, 2002 – A Remake of Ringu

The horror classic The Ring terrified American audiences in 2002, but it was actually adapted from the 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu. Both films feature a cursed videotape that dooms its viewers to death, though the Hollywood version added a more polished, eerie aesthetic.

True Lies, 1994 – Based on La Totale!

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action packed spy comedy True Lies is actually a remake of the 1991 French film La Totale!. The original was a lighthearted story about a secret agent whose wife has no idea about his double life, an idea James Cameron expanded into a big budget Hollywood blockbuster.

Let Me In, 2010 – A Remake of Let the Right One In

The chilling vampire film Let Me In is a remake of the critically acclaimed Swedish horror movie Let the Right One In, 2008. While the American version stays true to the original’s eerie tone and emotional depth, many fans argue that the Swedish film remains superior.

12 Monkeys, 1995 – Inspired by La Jetée

The time-travel thriller 12 Monkeys starring Bruce Willis was inspired by the French short film La Jetée, 1962. While the Hollywood version expands on the concept with a full length narrative, the core idea, a man sent back in time to prevent a disaster, comes straight from the original.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 2011 – A Remake of the Swedish Film

David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was praised for its gripping mystery and Rooney Mara’s intense performance, but it is actually a remake of the 2009 Swedish film of the same name. Both are adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s novel, but many fans prefer the raw and grittier feel of the original.

Oldboy, 2013 – A Remake of the Korean Classic

Spike Lee’s Oldboy was a box office flop and many argue that is because it never needed to be remade in the first place. The 2003 South Korean film is considered a masterpiece of revenge storytelling and the American version failed to recapture its intensity and shocking twists.

While these films may have fooled audiences into thinking they were completely original, their inspirations prove that great ideas often come from the past. Whether they successfully honored their source material or failed to live up to the original, these movies serve as reminders that Hollywood loves to repackage old ideas for new audiences.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

14 Movie Roles Actors Refused Because They Were Afraid

In Hollywood, turning down a role can be just as career defining as taking one. While actors reject roles for many reasons, scheduling conflicts, creative differences or personal beliefs, some have said no simply because they were too scared. Whether it was the physical risks, the dark subject matter or fear of career destruction, these actors walked away from legendary roles that could have changed their careers forever. Let us dive into 14 iconic roles that actors refused out of fear and who ended up taking their place.

Read it here: 14 Movie Roles Actors Refused Because They Were Afraid

12 Unnecessary Remakes That Ruined The Originals

Hollywood loves remakes, but not all of them are necessary, some end up tarnishing the legacy of the originals. Whether by stripping away the charm, failing to capture the magic or making pointless changes, these remakes disappointed fans and critics alike. Here are 12 remakes that proved some films should have just been left alone.

Read it here:12 Unnecessary Remakes That Ruined The Originals

These 12 Movies Had Heroes So Bad They Made Villains Look Good

Not all movie heroes are noble, selfless or even remotely likable. Some protagonists are so selfish, reckless or downright awful that audiences start rooting for the villains instead. Whether they are morally bankrupt, completely incompetent or just plain insufferable, these so called “heroes” made the bad guys seem reasonable in comparison.

Read it here: These 12 Movies Had Heroes So Bad They Made Villains Look Good

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