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Dueling Movies: Difference between revisions
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This page is a list of similar films that were released at around the same time.
Occasionally, studios will be forced to war with one another when they simultaneously produce similar movies which are subsequently released within a short time from each other.
One very rare aversion, Warner Brothers bought the rights to ''[[The Tower]]'' and eight weeks later, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to ''The Glass Inferno'' so to avoid having similar films at the box office at the same time, they [[All Your Powers Combined|joined forces and combined]] the novels into ''[[The Towering Inferno]]''!
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| ''[[Melancholia]]'' || ''[[The Tree of Life]]'' ||Both are "big-budget art-house films" that feature [[Dysfunction Junction|dysfunctional]] [[Big Screwed-Up Family|family drama]] alongside [[Trippy Finale Syndrome|epic cosmic events]], with the visuals alternating between [[Faux Documentary|realistic shots in hand-held camera]] and [[Visual Effects of Awesome|gorgeous, elaborate takes]] of [[Scenery Porn|scaleless scenery and events]]. || ||Tie. ''Melancholia'' got better reviews and public praise, but while ''[[The Tree of Life]]'' polarized audiences and critics much more, it was more successful theatrically and got more rewards.
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| ''[[Madagascar]]'' || ''[[The Wild]]'' ||Both involve zoo animals escaping and going to Africa, one of whom is a lion character who doesn't really ''want'' to leave. ||It's worth noting that ''The Wild'' started production several years before ''Madagascar'', so this might be an example of the above feud, carried on by Pixar's [[Disney|parent company]]. || As far as box office receipts, ''Madagascar'' was a huge hit, and ''The Wild'' not so much.
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| ''[[Ratatouille]]'' || ''[[The Tale of Despereaux]]'' ||An incident involving a rat, some soup, and interactions with humans have wild repercussions. ||''Ratatouille'' is all about a rodent in the kitchen while ''Desperaux'''s soup-loving rat isn't the protagonist. ||''Despereaux'' was based on a best-selling children's book and had the [[All-Star Cast|flashier cast]] but ''Ratatouille'' won the day and the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
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| ''Knock Off'' || ''[[Rush Hour]]'' ||''Rush Hour'' was a comedy-action movie teaming martial arts star Jackie Chan with comedian Chris Tucker. ''Knock Off'' had a similar set up by teaming Jean-Claude Van Damme with Rob Schneider. ||While many people have accused ''Knock Off'' of being a [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Knock Off]] made to capitalize on ''Rush Hour'', they seem to be ignoring the fact that it was released a month before the better movie. ||''[[Rush Hour]]'' by a mile, which has also gone on to spawn 2 sequels.
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| ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' || ''[[Krull]]'' || Fantasy films from the 80s, each was set in an exotic world ruled by an evil force. A fortress must be penetrated. ||[[The Dark Crystal]] was done by [[Jim Henson]] which meant, of course, [[Muppet|animatronic puppets]] while [[Krull]] was live action. ||Each have their fans, so let's just say it's a draw and leave it at that.
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| ''[[Destination Moon]]'' (1950);<br /><br />''[[Tintin|Destination Moon]]'' (1950), unrelated || ''[[Rocketship X-M]]'' ||''Moon'' was scientifically accurate, featured a script by [[Robert A. Heinlein]], and pretty much kicked off the "space adventure" genre of film; ''X-M'' featured [[Space Is Noisy|sound in space]], [[Space Friction|rockets stopping when the engines cut out]], and eventually ended up on ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''. ||Another case of the ripoff making it into theaters first; ''Destination Moon'' was famously advertised as "Two years in the making!", and ''X-M'' took advantage of it. ||''[[Destination Moon]]'' (film).<br /><br />The 2-part ''Tintin'' series was [http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3p.html#tintin more scientifically accurate and prescient] than either of them, and eerily similar in plot, but didn't cross the pond.
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| ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]'' || ''Fail-Safe'' ||Both films feature the President of the United States collaborating with the Soviet Union to avert [[A Nuclear Error|imminent nuclear]] Armageddon. Interestingly the books were at war too, with ''Red Alert'', the precursor to ''Strangelove'', winning out. When Kubrick heard that ''Fail Safe'' was being made into a movie, he tied the production up in legal issues to get ''Strangelove'' out first. ||[[Black Comedy]] versus [[Nightmare Fuel]]. Though both are generally received as classics, ''Fail-Safe'' didn't feature [[Riding the Bomb|Slim Pickens riding a nuclear bomb to annihilation]], and that crucial oversight cost it in the long run. ||''Dr. Strangelove'' wins due to several Academy Award nominations and being regarded as the best satire in cinema history. The two movies share so many plot points that ''Fail-Safe'' tends to be [[Hilarious in Hindsight]].
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| ''[[Godzilla]]'' || ''[[Gamera]]'' ||[[Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever|Giant Monsters]] smash cities and battle other giant monsters.||The Godzilla series started in the lead in the "Showa" era with more and better films, but the "Heisei" series for both were a marked change. Despite having only a trilogy, Gamera had the better and more successful films overall when it went into a more realistic, [[Darker and Edgier]] direction. It dropped it with its own attempt at a third series, leading to a repeat of the Showa status-quo for the Millenium.||''[[Godzilla]]'' has had much more staying power and is still having movies churned out.
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| ''[[Troy]];'' ''[[Kingdom of Heaven]];''<br />''[[King Arthur]]''<br />(all 2004) || ''[[300]]''<br />''[[Robin Hood (2010 film)]];''<br />''[[Centurion]]''<br />(respectively) || [[Demythtification|Demythtified]] [[Sword and Sandal]] (would be) [[Epic Movie|Epic]] [[Follow the Leader|inspired by success]] of ''[[Gladiator]]'' using cinematography from ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film)|LOTR]]'' and [[Shaky Cam|stuttercam]] from [[Saving Private Ryan|SPR]] to capture massive battle scenes, seasoned lightly with a single tasteful [[Shirtless Scene|love scene]]. The hero employs the ancient sword technique of [[Adrenaline Time|Ramping]]. ||''Troy'' and ''300'' seem doomed to comparison, despite having little in common besides being about Greeks. [[The Siege]] in the 2004 flicks fell victim to [[Seinfeld Is Unfunny|Seinfeld Fatigue]] in the wake of a certain '03 [[The Lord of the Rings (film)|film]] and those ''Capital One'' ads. ''Kingdom'' was heavily [[Executive Meddling|cut up]] for the [[Vindicated by Cable|theatrical release]]. ||''[[300]]'' wins due to [[Fountain of Memes|popularity]]. ''[[Troy]]'' places thanks to [[Just Here for Godzilla|that one fight scene]] everyone wants to see. ''[[Kingdom of Heaven|Kingdom]]'' draws, due to the Directors Cut. ''[[King Arthur]]'' loses. ''[[Robin Hood (2010 film)]]'' is ''Gladiator'' [[Recycled in Space|WITH ROBIN HOOD!]] ''[[Centurion]]'' gets a leg up for being deliberately cheesy.
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| ''[[The Truman Show]]'' || ''[[EDtv]]'' || Both films revolve around a guy whose every moves are followed by TV cameras. ||''The Truman Show'' has its protagonist not be aware of the true nature of his life, and revolves around discovering it and attempting to escape. ''Ed TV'' has its protagonist living in the real world and signing up for the show, and him dealing with the ramifications on his life and loss of privacy. ||''The Truman Show'' is held in higher esteem due to its greater philosophical depth and dramatic weight, but ''[[EDtv]]'' is highly enjoyable comedy which has in hindsight proved remarkably prescient.
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| ''[[Evita]]'' || ''Eva Peron: The True Story'' || Both films are biopics of former Argentinian First Lady Eva Peron, the "Spiritual Leader of the Nation". The former is the film version of the [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] musical; the latter is an Argentinian-produced biopic. || ''Eva Peron'' was put into production by the Argentinian Government to [[Take That|counter]] the musical's less-than-flattering account of Peron. Both films were released in the U.S. a week apart in December, 1996. ||''[[Evita]]'' ended up getting the most notice, including the [[Academy Award]] for its song "You Must Love Me."
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| ''[[Iron Man (film)|Iron Man]]'' || ''[[The Dark Knight]]'',<br /><br />(*''[[The Green Hornet (film)|The Green Hornet]]'') ||Two movies that came out the same summer (and one that [[Development Hell|would have]]) in which, after traumatic events, wealthy sons become masked super heroes with pimped-out mechanical aids; they also have butlers and/or a leggy [[Sassy Secretary]] (well, two out of three) and a really [[Cool Car|Cool]]/[[Weaponized Car]]. The heroes pose as apathetic playboys who own their own corporations and have a close friend/business partner who is also a minority. || Not only were Iron Man and The Dark Knight dueling movies, but they were also dueling between rival Super Hero Comic Companies during their release in 2008. ''Green Hornet'', on the other hand, was pushed back to Januray 2011 due to the studio converting to 3-D. ||Both ''Iron Man'' and ''Dark Knight'' received huge critical acclaim and did great at the box office, but ''The Dark Knight'' wins on a slight edge. Iron Man got a sequel sooner, but The Dark Knight did better critically and financially. And that's not to mention [[The Dark Knight]] winning the first ever acting Oscar for a Comic Book movie with [[Heath Ledger]] winning posthumously for his portrayal of [[The Joker]]. Green Hornet, when it [[Saved From Development Hell|finally was released]], it received mixed reviews and modest box office, which, in all fairness, is probably better than it would have done if it was released on time to compete with the other two.
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| ''Catfish'' || ''The Virginity Hit'' || Internet sites ([[Facebook]] and [[YouTube]], respectively) are used to chronicle uncomfortable intimate relationships. ||''Catfish'' is a documentary while ''Virginity'' is a regular comedy shot with [[Jittercam]]. Both have had controversy in that ''Catfish'' is suspected of being fake (not helping was the director's next project being the third ''[[Parnormal Activity]]'' film) and ''Virginity'''s ads coincided with (or possibly inspired) two real-life college students to film their roommate's intimate encounter, outing him as gay and causing him to kill himself. ||''Catfish'' wins this one as its success in limited release far surpasses ''The Virginity Hit'', which had one of the worst nationwide openings in recent memory. ''The Virginity Hit'' had [[Victorious|Matt Bennett]] though, so time will tell.
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| ''[[Funny People]]'' || ''[[The Ugly Truth]]'' || Comedy films from the people behind ''Knocked Up'', both released in the summer of 2009. Director [[Judd Apatow]] and lead actor Seth Rogen made ''Funny People'', whereas lead actress Katherine Heigl was the female lead in ''The Ugly Truth''. || In the intervening two years, Heigl had burned her bridges with Apatow and Rogen in a series of rather opinionated interviews. || ''Funny People'' was better reviewed, but grossed barely a third of what ''The Ugly Truth'' managed worldwide.
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| ''[[Dark Moon]]'' || ''Apollo 18'' || [[Found Footage Films]] about a previously unknown Apollo 18 moon landing, and what the astronauts found there. || ''[[Dark Moon]]'' seems to have been in production longer, but ''Apollo 18'' hit the cinemas first. || The results remain to be seen.
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| ''[[Crazy Heart]]'' || ''[[Country Strong]]'' || Troubled country singers (played by Oscar winners who do their own singing) make comebacks while trying to navigate potential new loves and [[Younger and Hipper]] rivals. || While ''Crazy Heart'''s male protagonist is long past his prime, ''Country Stong'''s female protagonist is still wildly popular. ||''Crazy Heart'' earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar; ''Country Strong''... ''really'' didn't go that way for Gwyneth Paltrow. Also, in a roundabout way Paltrow's character falls for [[Tron: Legacy|Bridges' son]].
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| ''[[No Strings Attached]]'' || ''[[Friends with Benefits (film)|Friends With Benefits]]'' || [[Rom Com]] starring combinations of a member of ''[[That '70s Show]]'' and ''[[Black Swan]]'' (Ashton Kutcher & [[Natalie Portman]] and [[Mila Kunis]] & [[Justin Timberlake]], respectively) wherein the question of [[Friends with Benefits|"can we have sex and still be friends?"]] is pondered. || || Both films were modestly successful box-office wise, though ''Friends'' wins with its mostly positive reviews compared to ''Strings''' mixed critical reaction.
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| ''[[Silent Hill (film)|Silent Hill]]'' || ''[[The Dark]]'' || Supernatural horror about a mother searching for her daughter and comes across the identical ghost of a little girl who wants to take her daughter's place. Mother has to search a mysterious 'Otherworld' to find her daughter. Sean Bean plays the dad in both. || Both films feature religious cults, an Otherworld, missing daughters and a Mama Bear as the main protagonist. Interestingly with ''Silent Hill''; its original story was about about a father going to look for his daughter but the director thought it was more in character for a mother to care enough to go through hell to save their child. || ''Silent Hill'' was pretty well received for a video game adaptation, while few even seem to know of ''The Dark's'' existence.
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| ''[[The Muppets (film)|The Muppets]]'' || ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks|Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked]]'' || [[Long Runner]] franchise-based family movies where [[Funny Animal]] characters interact with humans (portrayed by celebrity actors). Both movies feature various musical numbers. || While ''Alvin 3'' mostly relied on [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]] and crude humor to appeal to older audiences, and was a sequel to a kids' movie that had already been a big hit, ''The Muppets'' relied on nostalgia for [[Jim Henson]]'s brand of entertainment as seen on ''[[The Muppet Show]]''. Also notable is that ''Alvin 3'''s Funny Animals were rendered in CGI (a bigger draw for kids), whereas the ones in ''The Muppets'' were... well, [[Captain Obvious|Muppets]].|| ''The Muppets'' got rave reviews and decent box office returns, but thanks to ''[[Twilight (novel)|Breaking Dawn]]'', wasn't able to perform as well as it potentially could have. ''Alvin 3'', on the other hand, was savaged by critics, but made more money than ''The Muppets''. This [[The Princess and the Frog|wasn't the first time]] that a ''Chipmunks'' movie [[Critical Dissonance|beat out better-reviewed competition]] from Disney.
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| ''[[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]]'' || ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' || Superhero films based on [[Marvel Comics]] and [[DC Comics]]. ''The Avengers'' is a team-up movie featuring (some of) [[The Avengers (Comic Book)|Marvel's greatest superheroes]] - [[Iron Man]], [[Captain America (comics)]], [[The Mighty Thor|Thor]] and others. ''The Dark Knight Rises'' is about [[Batman]]. || Both movies are the culmination of their respective franchises spanning over several years. ''The Avengers'' is the climax of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] to date (although more films are planned), while ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' is the definite end of [[Christopher Nolan]]'s [[Dark Knight Trilogy]]. || Hard to say until both films are released. Critically at least, the Batman movies directed by Nolan have fared better than the Marvel movies by several different directors (''The Avengers'' is helmed by [[Joss Whedon]]). But box office-wise, both franchises are licenses to print money. (Somewhat obscured amidst the massive hype for both movies is [[Take a Third Option|a third major superhero film,]] a [[Continuity Reboot]] of the ''[[Spider-Man (film)|Spider-Man]]'' film series called ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]''.)
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| ''[[Rogue (film)|Rogue]]'' || ''Black Water'' ||Two, 2007 Australian movies about crocodiles that were based on true stories released within months of one another.||Rogue stars [[Pitch Black|Rhada Mitchell]], [[One Hour Photo|Michael Varten]] and a then unknown Sam Worthington and was directed by [[Wolf Creek|Greg Mclean]]. Black Water's stars are more or less unknown outside of Australian. ||Both movies faired poorly at the box office, but Rogue has a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the CGI crocodile impressed across the board. Black Water was not as well received and though they utilised footage of real crocodiles, some critics felt this led to a great amount of inconsistency.
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