32 Movies With Titles So Bad I Can’t Believe They Got Made

As someone who has spent countless hours scrolling through the vast expanse of movie titles online, I can confidently say that some filmmakers have a knack for naming their creations in ways that leave even the most seasoned cinephile scratching their head.

To put it simply, I don’t think a film’s greatness hinges solely on its title, quite the contrary. There are numerous movies on this list that I find not only decent but even exceptional. Yet, if given the chance, I would have tweaked their titles to better reflect their essence or intrigue potential viewers more effectively. Let’s revisit some of the most questionable, or flat-out misleading movie titles in cinematic history, according to my perspective at least.

Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)

In essence, the film “Dude, Where’s My Car?” doesn’t offer anything particularly innovative; it follows two pizza delivery guys (portrayed by Ashton Kutcher and Seann Williams Scott) as they try to piece together their night’s events after waking up with no recollection. However, one might wonder if a more creative title could have been chosen for this absurd comedy instead of directly quoting Kutcher’s character.

I Heart Huckabees (2004)

In the official naming convention for David O. Russell’s comedic film featuring an existential detective couple, a love emoji is utilized, but it’s pronounced in this instance, giving us the title “I Heart Huckabees“. This sounds similar to how a child might read “I Heart New York” from a T-shirt.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

I genuinely believe that the fun, surprise-filled crime thriller Lucky Number Slevin is one of Josh Hartnett’s best movies. Yet, I also think the title (referring to a case of mistaken identity that puts the eponymous character in trouble with crime lords) is a pretty lackluster pun that likely cost better chances at the box office.

Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever (2002)

Initially, it’s important to note that the main characters in the film “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” (portrayed by Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu) are adversaries at first, but the narrative progresses to show their partnership instead, rendering the “vs.” irrelevant. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that while the title of this movie suggests a connection to the term “ballistic,” which has several meanings not applicable to the storyline of this action-packed spy flick that earned a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Who’s Your Caddy? (2007)

In the film “Who’s Your Caddy?”, Big Boi from Outkast takes on the role of an Atlanta rapper who clashes with a rigid owner of a country club golf course. While this movie may not be the absolute worst golf-themed film (though many might argue that point), it certainly holds the most gratingly punny titles for a golf movie ever thought up.

Quantum Of Solace (2008)

The term “quantum of solace” is defined as the minimum amount of comfort necessary to remedy a person’s sorrow, which I think is an absolutely beautiful sentiment. However, I also believe that the phrase itself is an awkward mouth that sounds absolutely nothing like what a James Bond movie should be titled.

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

The title “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” is a cryptic message penned by the actor who played Catwoman in the 1960s and appears on a photograph carried by the characters (portrayed by Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo) during their road trip. This title may seem nonsensical without understanding its significance, but it ties into the story of this iconic movie that champions drag culture.

John Carter (2012)

Was Disney concerned that the original title of “John Carter,” derived from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “A Princess of Mars,” might discourage their male audience? If true, they may have overlooked the fact that the unremarkable name of its heroic character (portrayed by Taylor Kitsch) had much less allure for any demographic.

You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (2008)

Although it may not rank among Adam Sandler’s best or worst films, many people who recall “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” might find it insensitive and out-of-touch in terms of cultural and political sensitivity. To put it another way, the over-the-top title for this comedy, where Sandler plays an Israeli counter-terrorist who dreams of being a hairdresser, is not as cringe-worthy as the fact that such a movie actually exists.

Freddy Got Fingered (2001)

Instead of focusing on Eddie Kaye Thomas’ Freddy character in “Freddy Got Fingered,” it’s worth noting that this film, despite his presence, is actually led by co-writer and director Tom Green, who plays a bizarre cartoonist character. The title of this critically panned comedy, which alludes to a fabricated abuse claim against the protagonist’s father, is undeniably offensive.

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

By merely glancing at the somewhat amusing title, you might have pondered why Sylvester Stallone accepted a part in “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot“, a movie he later labeled to Ain’t It Cool News as one of the worst films in the entire universe. Remarkably, it was reported that his then-competitor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, deceived Stallone into signing on for this action-comedy by feigning interest. This was confirmed by the Terminator star to SlashFilm.

Surfer, Dude (2008)

Back when Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were gracing our screens with their award-worthy acts on “True Detective”, they had previously teamed up in a comedy that, unfortunately, received widespread criticism – even before its release – due to its controversial title. I’ve always been puzzled by the inclusion of the comma in “Surfer, Dude”. Contrary to popular belief, this has no connection to McConaughey’s role in Harmony Korine’s “The Beach Bum”, and I still can’t fathom why it was used to highlight “dude” so unnecessarily.

Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)

The specific mission during the Vietnam War, which served as the inspiration for “Operation Dumbo Drop”, was originally known as “Operation Barroom.” It seems that Disney chose this name for their film in order to honor one of their classic films featuring an elephant, and also to acknowledge the amusing nature of its title.

The Hottie & The Nottie (2008)

In “The Hottie & the Nottie,” Joel David Moore portrays a man who aims to win over his childhood crush (played by Paris Hilton). To do so, he helps her less attractive friend (Christine Lakin) find love first. Similar to how the creators of this rom-com didn’t anticipate that their storyline would be found humorless by many, they may not have recognized that a title with a rhyming scheme does not necessarily guarantee a hilarious outcome.

We Bought A Zoo (2011)

In simpler terms, the movie “We Bought a Zoo,” starring Matt Damon, is about a widowed father who decides to manage a dilapidated zoo in Southern California. The title comes from the book that served as inspiration for this heartwarming comedy-drama directed by Cameron Crowe. Despite its straightforwardness, some people found it humorous or even absurd.

Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)

One way to rephrase the given text in a more natural and easy-to-read manner could be:

Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

The thrilling sci-fi movie known as “Edge of Tomorrow” was inspired by a Japanese comic, “All You Need Is Kill.” Initially, director Doug Liman found the source material didn’t align with the film’s tone adaptation. However, I suspect he regrets turning down that title because it would have avoided the unmemorable official title, which is frequently mistaken for its tagline “Live. Die. Repeat,” a phrase I find more appealing myself.

Newsies (1992)

It seems many people appreciate the musical based on the real-life 1899 New York Newsboys strike, featuring a talented young Christian Bale. But I’m curious, do you think the movie could have benefited from a more compelling title than “Newsies”?

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Despite being widely regarded as one of Robert Downey Jr.’s finest films and a unique choice for a Christmas favorite among many, the title of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is quite deceptive. However, the name can be justified since the film, penned by writer-director Shane Black and starring Val Kilmer, is a modern take on a noir comedy that has loose roots in Brett Halliday’s novel, “Bodies Are Where You Find Them”.

Leonard Part 6 (1987)

It’s worth noting that the similarity of “Leonard Part 6” to a franchise sequel had minimal impact on its status as a critical and financial flop. Nonetheless, I suspect it didn’t enhance its attractiveness to viewers in any way.

Glengarry Glenn Ross (1992)

Titles of great movies usually flow effortlessly, but “Glengarry Glen Ross,” being inspired by David Mamet’s play about a struggling real estate firm, definitely isn’t one you can recite without some preparation and caution to avoid slipping up.

A Good Day To Die Hard (2013)

Except for the initial sequel, the Die Hard films have been known for their catchy and distinctive titles such as Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) and Live Free or Die Hard (2007). However, this trend came to an end with A Good Day to Die Hard, which left many puzzled. In fact, even Bruce Willis himself, during an interview on The One Show on BBC, admitted that he found the title for the fifth installment of the action movie franchise difficult to understand.

The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain (1995)

The best excuse for a movie with a far too long title is when the film is an intentionally ridiculous spoof, such as Don’t Be a Menace in South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. However, the otherwise well-received Hugh Grant-led, romantic period dramedy, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain, does not quite match the criteria.

The Constant Gardener (2005)

In 2001, director Fernando Meirelles transformed John le Carré’s novel “The Constant Gardener” into a highly praised production. This adaptation brought Rachel Weisz significant acclaim for her portrayal of the deceased wife of Ralph Fiennes’ character Justin. Despite the title suggesting a tale about someone who only cares for plants, it is much more than that.

Gigli (2003)

Martin Brest, both writer and director, faced significant criticism for his film “Gigli,” a production starring Ben Affleck as the titular gangster and Jennifer Lopez as his lesbian associate. Despite the title being a minor issue for critics, they argue that the challenging-to-pronounce name of this romantic crime comedy serves as an illustration of when naming a movie after the main character does not always prove effective.

Layer Cake (2004)

The movie “Layer Cake” directed by Matthew Vaughn is often recognized as the one that essentially opened the door for Daniel Craig to assume the role of James Bond in “Casino Royale.” Yet, if I hadn’t known it was a gritty British crime thriller revolving around a drug dealer who receives two tough tasks just before his anticipated retirement, I might have thought it was a romantic comedy about a pair who find common ground through their shared affection for pastries.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile (2019)

It might have been too straightforward to title Netflix’s Zac Efron-led serial killer biopic something like “The Ted Bundy Story.” However, “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” – which is a direct quote from a real judge involved in the serial killer’s case – is too lengthy and not quite snappy enough to leave a lasting impact.

Mystic Pizza (1990)

The delightful film and top-tier Julia Roberts romantic comedy, Mystic Pizza, derives its name from the restaurant central to the lives of the three main characters (portrayed by Robert, Lili Taylor, and Annabeth Gish). I must confess that I initially thought the movie focused on enchanted food due to my unfamiliarity with the town of Mystic, Connecticut, where the narrative unfolds. However, it turns out that “Mystic Pizza” is an excellent name for a pizzeria too!

No (2012)

Based on the true story of an advertising campaign launched to persuade Chileans to vote “No” to extend dictator Augusto Pinochet’s reign of power, No (starring Gael García Bernal) would receive an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. However, can you imagine pitching this movie’s title – “So, what’s it called?” “No.” “Hey, you’re the one trying to sell this to me. I should at least hear the name!” – or attempting to search it on IMDb? Believe me, I tried it myself.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

It seems to me that Roland Emmerich likely intended the title of his cautionary environmental disaster film, “The Day After Tomorrow,” to be ominous. Yet, personally, I’ve always found it rather ordinary or commonplace.

Aloha (2015)

It seems to me that you might be able to figure out the location of Cameron Crowe’s film “Aloha,” starring Bradley Cooper, without much trouble. In my opinion, one of the main issues with the title is its vagueness.

Phffft (1954)

The catchphrase for the comedy titled Phffft, which follows a divorced pair who repeatedly cross paths as they explore new romantic prospects, is, “Forget talking about it – just watch it instead.

2024-12-26 15:37