32 Movies That Took Forever to Hit the Big Screen After Completion

Certain films spend decades in production limbo, waiting for the first scene to be filmed. Yet, it’s equally disheartening when a movie is fully produced, edited, and almost ready for release, but remains unseen by audiences for years or even decades. Here are some examples of movies that endured long waits before finally reaching the big screen (or smaller screens).

Red Dawn (2012)

Filming for the remake of the ’80s hit “Red Dawn,” directed by Dan Bradley and featuring Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, and others as young locals defending their town against foreign invaders, started in 2009. Despite this, due to financial issues at MGM and an attempt to alter the antagonistic nation from China to North Korea during post-production, the movie faced delays before FilmDistrict acquired the distribution rights, as reported by the LA Times.

A Thousand Words (2012)

“A Thousand Words” is a fantasy-comedy featuring Eddie Murphy, who portrays a literary agent tasked with maintaining silence to ensure the survival of a peculiar tree and himself. As SlashFilm recounts, the movie was shot in 2008 and the beginning of 2009; however, it remained untouched due to DreamWorks Pictures’ split from Paramount Pictures and Viacom. Moreover, additional filming took place in 2011 before its eventual release in theaters in 2012.

The Other Side Of The Wind (2018)

Orson Welles’ last movie, titled “The Other Side of the Wind,” was made over a six-year period during the early 1970s. The film chronicles the life of a disillusioned Hollywood director (portrayed by John Huston). Bright Wall/Dark Room serves as a reminder of this fact. Regrettably, it wasn’t until 33 years after Orson Welles’ death in 1985 that the movie was finally released to the public. This happened when producers managed to secure distribution through Netflix.

Night Of The Ghouls (1984)

Ed Wood, known for creating some of the most notorious B-movies ever made, didn’t live to witness the proper release of one of his films – “Night of the Ghouls,” which was filmed in 1958. Due to financial constraints, this horror movie never saw a theatrical release. However, it wasn’t until 1984 that the general public could watch it for the first time, thanks to Wade Williams, a dedicated fan of Wood who distributed it on VHS. This account is detailed in Gary D. Rhodes and Tom Weaver’s book, “Ed Wood’s Bride of the Monster.

Roar (2015)

In 2015, I proudly backed the release of the creature feature, “Roar.” The marketing strategy for this film highlighted an intriguing fact: several cast and crew members sustained injuries due to the 150 wild animals on set. Yet, what you may not know is that it took a staggering 34 years to secure a North American release. This delay wasn’t merely about the distributors savoring the profit shares they were obligated to give the lions; it was also because most of the crew weren’t union members, as shared by Scene Stealers.

Blue Sky (1994)

In 1994, Jessica Lange won her second Academy Award for portraying the wife of a military officer (portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones), who was involved in a nuclear testing secret, in the movie “Blue Sky”. Interestingly, this film marked Tony Richardson’s final directorial work. However, production on the film actually began in mid-1990, but it encountered a delay due to Orion Pictures experiencing financial difficulties.

Chaos Walking (2021)

Back in 2017, I had the pleasure of witnessing Doug Liman’s captivating adaptation of Patrick Ness’ sci-fi trilogy being filmed. A year later, reshoots were planned but couldn’t start until late 2019 due to Daisy Ridley finishing work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Tom Holland completing Spider-Man: Far From Home. As per THR, this was the sequence of events. Fast forward to 2021, Deadline announced that Chaos Walking, long awaited by us fans, finally found a release date in March of that year. This came after a global cinema shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Margaret (2011)

Anna Paquin stars in a movie titled “Margaret“, released in 2005 but delayed for six years due to editing issues and subsequent legal disputes between writer-director Kenneth Lonergan and the production team. The film follows Anna’s character, a high school student who unintentionally becomes entangled in a deadly bus accident. As per THR reports, these complications continued until 2014.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1997)

One of the least popular films in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, which features young actors like Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellwegger, was originally titled “The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre” when it debuted at SXSW in March 1995. Later that year, it had a limited release. In October, Columbia TriStar Pictures acquired the home video rights with intentions to expand its theatrical distribution under a new title and edit. However, due to Film Vault reports, the studio postponed the release until after Renee Zellwegger became famous from her role in “Jerry McGuire.

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

Back in 2009, while Chris Hemsworth was working on the popular horror-comedy film “The Cabin in the Woods”, he also auditioned for the role of Thor, which was scheduled to be released in 2011. Interestingly enough, both years coincide with each other. However, the release of “Cabin in the Woods” faced some complications, such as conversion to 3D and financial difficulties at MGM, causing delays. Eventually, it was set to be distributed by Lionsgate in 2012 under a new release date.

Trick ‘R Treat (2009)

It remains unclear why the horror anthology film “Trick ‘r Treat,” directed by Michael Dougherty, was initially slated for a 2007 theatrical release by Warner Bros., but later distributed directly to DVD instead. Potential explanations suggested by ScreenRant include the studio’s desire to steer clear of competition with “Saw IV” or their uncertainty about how to effectively market a horror movie that features child deaths.

‘Salem’s Lot (2024)

As a passionate cinephile, I eagerly anticipated Gary Dauberman’s “Salem’s Lot” adaptation as it was slated to be the first theatrical version of Stephen King’s chilling vampire tale, initially scheduled for September 2022 following its completion in November the previous year. However, the release date kept getting pushed back and eventually, it was put on hold indefinitely (to my dismay and King’s as well). Eventually, “Salem’s Lot” saw the light of day, but not in theaters as initially planned; instead, it became an exclusive offering for Max subscribers in October 2024.

Take Me Home Tonight (2011)

After finishing his role on “That ’70s Show” in 2007, Topher Grace starred in a comedy film titled “Take Me Home Tonight,” set in the 1980s. However, due to concerns about depicting young characters using certain popular illicit drugs from the Reagan Era, Relativity Media was reluctant to release it, which might be why it remained shelved for several years. (The Film Stage reports this information.)

Case 39 (2010)

Case 39 director Christian Alvart shared with Entertainment Weekly that his suspenseful film, featuring Renée Zellweger as a social worker encountering an apparently abused child who should be avoided at all costs, was held back for three years following its completion in early 2007 because it was considered a low priority by Paramount. One might speculate that releasing the movie after Bradley Cooper had risen to A-list stardom could have boosted its box office performance, but it still only managed to earn a global profit of slightly over $2 million.

Accidental Love (2015)

Initially known as “Nailed“, a film featuring Jessica Biel, faced numerous hurdles during production. These challenges included cast and crew departures, financial troubles, and ultimately led director David O. Russell to leave the project in 2010, after two years of work. Later reports indicated that when the dark romantic comedy was scheduled for release five years later, Russell requested to be acknowledged as “Stephen Greene.

All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (2013)

Amber Heard headlines the lead character in the horror film, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, which initially debuted at TIFF in 2006, shortly after wrapping up production. Despite promising test screenings and a successful year for Grindhouse the following year, The Weinstein Company ultimately decided to sell distribution rights to Senator, a German studio. The movie was eventually distributed worldwide by them. However, it wasn’t until the studio repurchased the rights that the film made its way to U.S. theaters in 2013 under Radius-TWC, their subsidiary.

Jet Pilot (1957)

In the film titled “Jet Pilot“, Vivien Leigh and John Wayne play leading roles. This romantic movie set during the Cold War era was filmed between 1949 and 1953, but due to producer Howard Hughes’ continuous adjustments, it wasn’t shown in cinemas until 1957.

Rampage (1992)

Instead of mixing up with a movie-based video game from 2017 titled “Rampage,” let me clarify that we’re discussing a drama film released in 1987. Michael Biehn played the District Attorney pursuing a ruthless serial killer portrayed by Alex McArthur in this movie. Initially, it was screened at festivals and received an overseas theater release in 1987. However, after De Laurentiis Entertainment Group went bankrupt, the film remained untouched for five years. During that period, director William Friedkin modified the ending before Miramax took over as the new distributor.

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)

Back in 1986, when the raw and truthful crime drama, “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” first hit the big screen, it was slapped with an X rating. This rating, understandably, scared off Atlantic Entertainment Group, who had initially agreed to distribute the film. As Shaun Kimber’s book on the movie’s tumultuous journey reveals, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA) flat-out refused to budge on any edits that could have earned an R rating for the film. It was Roger Ebert’s insightful review, I believe, that ultimately paved the way for Greycoat Films to take a chance and release this unrated masterpiece in theaters back in 1990.

Shortcut To Happiness (2007)

Alec Baldwin’s first directorial venture, titled “Shortcut to Happiness“, premiered in 2001. In this film, Baldwin portrays a struggling writer who encounters the Devil (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) and subsequently finds success. Unfortunately, the production faced numerous financial difficulties, preventing its release until 2006. By that time, according to Variety, Baldwin had distanced himself from the project, expressing dissatisfaction as it no longer aligned with his original vision for the story.

Shanghai (2015)

In Shanghai, John Cusack plays an American character who investigates the circumstances surrounding his friend’s death in China, which occurred several months prior to the Pearl Harbor attack. Back in 2015, Deadline reported that The Weinstein Company initially planned to release this noir thriller in the United States in 2008 but later delayed it to the next year and then, for another six years, ultimately withdrawing it from the schedule altogether.

Car 54, Where Are You? (1994)

In the early ’90s, movie director Bill Fishman reimagined the ’60s police comedy series “Car 54, Where Are You?” for the big screen, featuring the late David Johansen. However, this production, along with others by Orion during that period, was held back due to their financial difficulties at the time. As John C. McGinley shared with The AV Club, it originally was intended as a musical-comedy; yet, most of the musical numbers were ultimately cut from the final release.

The Plot Against Harry (1990)

Michael Roemer, both writer and director, presents “The Plot Against Harry,” starring Martin Priest as a former Jewish mobster yearning for redemption following his release from prison. An article published in The New Yorker reveals that this film, initially shot in 1969, struggled to secure distribution until 21 years later and ultimately received wide critical acclaim upon its commercial release.

Eye See You (2002)

In the movie “Eye See You,” Sylvester Stallone plays an FBI agent who finds out that a notorious killer he’s been chasing has trailed him to a center for rehabilitating law enforcement personnel. Originally filmed in 1999 and titled “Detox” by Universal, the film was held back until 2002 because of disappointing test viewings, reshoots, and title adjustments. (As reported by Ain’t It Cool News)

Collateral Damage (2002)

In a somewhat forgotten Arnold Schwarzenegger film titled “Collateral Damage,” the Austrian actor takes on the role of a man driven by vengeance against the terrorists responsible for the loss of his wife and child. Initially scheduled for release in October 2001, IGN notes in an article discussing Hollywood’s response to the September 11 attacks, that the film was eventually pushed back to late 2002.

The New Mutants (2020)

Director Josh Boone firmly maintained to EW that, in spite of whispers about reshoots, his X-Men-related YA Marvel film, The New Mutants, sticks faithfully to the original vision he had envisioned. Delays in its release were partly due to Disney’s acquisition of Fox, causing the comic book movie to be postponed multiple times before it eventually premiered three years after principal filming had wrapped up.

A Sound Of Thunder (2005)

Back in 2005, I finally got to witness the big-screen adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s masterful short sci-fi tale, A Sound of Thunder. This movie had quite a journey before it reached theaters due to production company bankruptcy, changes in direction and cast, script hiccups, and even a Hollywood strike. IGN reported that these challenges also caused delays for the release of the Nintendo tie-in game.

The Lovers On The Bridge (1999)

Titled “The Lovers on the Bridge“, this French drama narrates a heartfelt romance between a struggling circus artist (portrayed by Denis Lavant) who battles addiction and a young, nearly blind painter (played by Juliette Binoche). Due to financial constraints, filming spanned over four years. However, as reported in an article from The Nation, it took another eight years for the movie to secure distribution in America.

White Dog (2008)

The movie titled “White Dog” revolves around a young woman (portrayed by Kristy McNichol) who learns that her newly acquired dog has been trained, under the previous owner’s white supremacist beliefs, to aggressively attack people of color without provocation. Despite its favorable reception at film festivals, Paramount found it challenging to distribute the movie in American theaters due to its delicate theme. However, 27 years after it was filmed, U.S. audiences finally had an opportunity to watch it at home, courtesy of The Criterion Collection.

Prozac Nation (2005)

In September 2001, the film adaptation of Elizabeth Wurtzel’s 1994 memoir, “Prozac Nation,” which featured Christina Ricci portraying a woman battling mental health issues at Harvard, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. Despite initial screenings and edits, the movie didn’t reach the public until March 2005 on Starz!, with its DVD release following three months later.

Romance And Cigarettes (2007)

The movie titled “Romance and Cigarettes” made its debut at the Venice Film Festival in September 2005, but it wasn’t until 2007 that it hit the screens in American theaters. This delay was due to a merger between Sony Pictures and MGM, causing a hold-up in its release, as per Playbill.

Camp Hell (2010)

The film titled “Camp Hell” (a spiritual retreat for Christian youths turned devilish), was filmed in 2007 and released directly to DVD in 2010, featuring Jesse Eisenberg’s likeness prominently on its cover. As THR reported, following his Oscar nomination for “The Social Network,” Eisenberg sued Lionsgate as they marketed the horror movie with him as the lead actor, despite him only appearing for a brief period in the film.

2025-03-28 19:39