10 Beloved Movies That Had the Worst Test Screenings

As a film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours in dark theaters and even more hours poring over scripts, I find it fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes stories of some of our most beloved movies. These tales often paint a stark contrast to the polished, finished products we see on the big screen.

Before a movie is released to the public, it’s likely to go through all manner of quality control checks. It will face scrutiny from countless executives, producers, and other studio bigwigs, but it’s undeniably the general public’s opinion which is most important. The most common and effective way to gauge these opinions before public release is through market research conducted using test screenings. The concept is simple, if the test audience enjoys the movie, it indicates the general population will follow suit. But as with anything in life, it’s not always that straightforward. There are examples of movies that, despite testing poorly, have gone on to be considered fantastic movies in their own right.

If the feedback is detailed and targeted, it offers studios a chance to correct issues through additional filming or editing (assuming resources are available). On other occasions, the issues are too significant to address, leading the studios to release the movie despite unfavorable reviews. There have been instances where films initially received negative test screenings, but those involved remained confident that they would find the recognition they deserved upon wider release.

10 John Wick (2014)

As a die-hard action movie fan, it’s tough to fathom that there was ever any question about the success of this film series. Looking back to 2014, the original “John Wick” was nothing short of a game-changer for me and Keanu Reeves. He breathed life into the titular character, a man on a revenge mission after his cherished dog was cruelly taken away.

Not Everyone Initially Embraced the Movie’s Quirky Edginess

Viewers found themselves captivated by the film’s excessively stylish brutality and heavy ambiance, which quickly earned it the title of a timeless masterpiece. However, during initial test screenings, director Josh Horowitz initially felt a bit apprehensive about the movie’s prospects. After a somewhat mediocre response, he admittedly had concerns about its future. Nonetheless, in the end, he chose to embrace and amplify the film’s unique qualities; a decision that ultimately proved to be wise.

9 Se7en (1995)

Boasting an impressive Rotten Tomatoes rating of 83%, the gripping crime-thriller Se7en stands as a timeless film in its genre. In this chilling tale, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman portray tenacious detectives on the trail of a sinister serial killer. The movie is known for its atmospheric gloom, unexpected plot twists, and haunting suspense.

David Fincher and Brad Pitt stuck to Their Guns

During initial viewings of the film, spectators were taken aback by its overly grim and graphic portrayal, finding the twist ending to further deepen the despair. Under the pressure to revise a more optimistic finale, director David Fincher and lead actor Brad Pitt stood resolute, showing unyielding commitment to their creative vision.

8 Goodfellas (1990)

Without a doubt, one of the most outstanding gangster films ever produced is Martin Scorsese’s intense masterpiece, Goodfellas. This movie showcased exceptional acting talent from stars like Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. The film’s gripping, immersive narrative, based on the true story of Henry Hill’s rise through the criminal underworld, is both riveting and authentic. Goodfellas truly delivers on all fronts.

The Violence Was Too Excessive

Although Goodfellas is now often hailed as one of the best movies ever made, its early test screenings showed a stark contrast. Known for its vivid language and intense violence due to its Mafia theme, it’s not surprising that these elements were too much for some initial viewers. In fact, it was reported that numerous people walked out during the screenings as they found the film too hard to bear.

Ultimately, Scorsese faced pressure from the studio to remove some intense, violent sequences. After several weeks of negotiating with executives and maintaining his stance, Scorsese reluctantly agreed, and a particularly gruesome scene was reduced from the original 7 knife stabs to just 4 that were shown on screen.

7 Final Destination (2000)

The series known as “Final Destination” has become highly identifiable within the realm of horror movies, boasting a collection of five films and another one set to release next year. The journey began with the initial “Final Destination” in 2000, which, despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, captivated horror enthusiasts thanks to its imaginative deaths and original concept.

Test Screenings Altered Final Destination’s Fate

Initially, the first movie of Final Destination was intended to explore deeper themes such as romantic relationships and philosophical ideas. However, reactions from early screenings indicated that viewers preferred the graphic death scenes and wanted more of them. Recognizing this feedback, the studio adjusted its approach by eliminating some subplots and emphasizing the gruesome deaths, a decision which has since made the franchise’s signature element.

6 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2009)

The film titled “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is a humorous, satirical comedy that focuses on a news team in the 1970s United States. By cleverly mocking the outdated Action News format and the societal attitudes and beliefs of the time, the movie became hugely popular and has since been regarded as a timeless comedy masterpiece. The character of Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferrell with a touch of irony, was particularly well-received by both critics and audiences, earning him a place on numerous ‘best characters’ lists in various publications.

A Subplot Was Quickly Removed Before Release

The initial viewings of the film were met with unfavorable responses, as many viewers struggled to connect with its eccentric and off-kilter humor. Particularly controversial was a particular subplot that concluded with Veronica’s abduction by an enigmatic vigilante organization, which left audiences perplexed and unimpressed. Consequently, a new ending was filmed featuring a panda giving birth at the zoo.

5 Back to the Future (1985)

In 1985, the timeless tale of time-travel, “Back to the Future,” directed by Robert Zemeckis, was unveiled. This movie stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a character who inadvertently alters his parents’ romantic narrative during a time-jumping adventure. With its clever humor, captivating sci-fi elements, and emotional scenes, it effortlessly became an enduring ’80s classic that led to two highly successful sequels.

Test Audiences Expressed Concern Over the Dog’s Demise

During the test screenings of “Back to the Future”, significant adjustments had been made to the film previously, including multiple reshoots and changes. The most substantial transformation occurred in the lead role of Marty McFly, which was originally played by Eric Stoltz. After six weeks of filming with him, it became evident that he wasn’t a good fit for the character, and the humor didn’t come across as intended. Michael J. Fox was then brought on board to take over the role from Stoltz, and from there, history was made.

The portrayal of the character by Fox was met with great enthusiasm from test viewers who overall enjoyed the film, except for one minor issue. Some spectators expressed worry about Einstein, Doc Brown’s lovable dog companion, apparently getting swallowed by the abyss during his time travel experiment. To alleviate these concerns and assure the audience that he made it back home safely, an additional scene was filmed to confirm this fact.

4 12 Monkeys (1995)

12 Monkeys, with its intricate themes of time travel, reality perception, authoritarianism, and societal decay, was never going to be a simple sell to the general public. Yet, through word-of-mouth recommendations and positive critical reception, this intellectually stimulating sci-fi thriller featuring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt managed to amass an impressive $168.83 million globally and has since become a beloved cult classic in the science fiction genre.

12 Monkeys Was Described as “One of the Worst Movies”

12 Monkeys, despite receiving positive reviews and a successful run at the box office, received poor feedback during test screenings. One viewer described it as “choppy, disorganized, and poorly filmed,” while another called it “completely illogical. There was no clear reasoning. The scenes with Brad Pitt were absurd,” and found it to be “confusing overall.

From the outset, I should clarify that not much could be altered prior to its public launch. However, fortunately for all of us sci-fi enthusiasts, it managed to find its niche audience, leaving a lasting impression and making a significant mark in the genre.

3 Last Action Hero (1993)

The film “Last Action Hero” tells the story of a boy deeply into movies who gets whisked off to the world of his favorite action hero, Jack Slater (portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger). This creative work deftly merges reality and cinema, filled with clever winks to Hollywood’s action tropes. It’s an engaging mix of action, humor, and fantasy that challenges the traditional norms of action movies.

The Movie Was Considered a Colossal Failure at the Time of its Release

Judging by various reports, it appears that the filming and editing process for this production was quite challenging. The finishing touches were made extremely close to the release date, leaving minimal time for adjustments even though early test screenings weren’t favorable. Consequently, there was limited opportunity to make changes before the movie became widely available.

Initially, the public response to the film mirrored the unfavorable opinions from test viewings. Both audiences and critics criticized its inconsistent mood, finding it confusing and chaotic. Consequently, the movie failed at the box office. However, with time, Last Action Hero has developed a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its clever commentary, creative concept, and Schwarzenegger’s self-mocking portrayal, earning it cult status.

2 The Wizard of Oz (1939)

One of the most famous and widely acclaimed films ever made, “The Wizard of Oz“, pioneered the use of Technicolor and introduced some of the most iconic melodies and personalities in film history. Among these tunes is the Academy Award-winning “Over the Rainbow”, a song that has since become an integral part of popular culture and is closely associated with the movie and its lead actress, Judy Garland.

The Iconic Song Was Almost Cut From The Movie

In the run-up to the premiere of The Wizard of Oz, there was a lot of debate about the famous tune “Over the Rainbow.” Test audiences felt it sounded too melancholic and disrupted the movie’s flow. Studio executives were concerned by this feedback and wanted to take out the song. However, producer Mervyn LeRoy and assistant producer Arthur Freed vehemently advocated for keeping the song, with Mervyn even threatening to leave the project if it was removed.

1 Fight Club (1999)

These days, it’s challenging not to encounter some mention of the movie Fight Club on the internet. The film has firmly established itself in popular culture, leading to an abundance of memes and posters that decorate dorm rooms worldwide. Its themes of anti-consumerism struck a chord with many, and it continues to be a wellspring of quotes and topics for discussion at social gatherings even today.

Initial Reactions to Fight Club Were Abysmal

Initially, viewers found the film’s black humor, pessimistic theme, and intense violence disturbing. Brad Pitt remembers an uneasy premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where he and co-star Edward Norton had consumed substances beforehand. They were the only ones amused by the movie’s pitch-black wit, while others exited in disapproval as they watched the content.

Despite its rocky start due to initial unfavorable reviews and negative buzz, the film faced difficulties at the box office in the beginning. However, it has since developed a devoted fanbase and is now recognized as a classic ’90s movie.

2024-09-10 05:02