16 Terrible Test Screenings That Saved Iconic Films

Test screenings are often considered the dreaded thorn in Hollywood’s side. Directors frequently find them troubling, as they fear audience feedback might distort their creative intentions and potentially undermine the artistic message they aimed to convey. For producers, these screenings can be a source of frustration, as they may necessitate additional investment of time and resources to rework the film. However, for movie enthusiasts, they can either bring disappointment or excitement.

As a passionate gamer, I can relate this to the world of gaming development. Sometimes, overzealous executives can interfere with game designs, leading to disappointing outcomes. But there have been instances where test players weren’t just spectators, they actively contributed to the games they played, shaping them into the masterpieces we know today. If the original visions of developers had prevailed in these 16 cases, gaming history would have taken a different path. We wouldn’t have the thrilling victories over Ganon in The Legend of Zelda or the heart-pounding chase sequences in Grand Theft Auto III—and no one wants that! Here are 16 games that were rescued by player feedback.

Things almost turned out just Duckie for Andie in Pretty in Pink

The initial finale of “Pretty in Pink” depicted ambitious high school senior Andie Walsh (played by Mollie Ringwald) ending up with her longing friend Duckie Dale (portrayed by Jon Cryer), at their prom. However, this outcome was met with disapproval from test audiences, causing an outburst of anger. This left director Howard Deutch in a state of turmoil. A swift rewrite by writer John Hughes, spanning just five pages and requiring a single day of reshooting, led to Andie ending up with affluent yet principled character Blane McDonnagh (Andrew McCarthy), while Duckie found companionship with a new girl who acknowledged him at the dance. In the parking lot, Andie kissed Blane, societal boundaries were crossed, and the fairytale-esque story from the 80s reached its climax.

The final decision made at the last moment has sparked discussions among both viewers and actors. However, if the audience had not intervened, we would have missed one of the most memorable romantic kisses in ’80s cinema. In hindsight, it seems everything turned out perfectly well.

Little Shop of Horrors was almost much closer to its roots

In the original “Little Shop of Horrors,” the stage performance outshines the movie adaptation in terms of impact. The climax of the stage musical sees Audrey (Ellen Greene), Seymour (Rick Moranis), and New York City succumbing to the power of Audrey II and her offspring. The final scene carries a strong message from Crystal (Tichina Arnold), Ronette (Michelle Weeks), and Chiffon (Tisha Campbell): beware of over-nurturing plants!

In the film directed by Frank Oz, an alternative ending was initially filmed, showcasing a 23-minute spectacle brimming with stop-motion effects. However, when this ending was shown to a test audience, the response was not amusement but horror and shock. As Entertainment Weekly reported, Oz said, “For every musical number, there was applause, they loved it… until Rick and Ellen died, then the theater felt like a refrigerator.” The highest audience approval rating reached thirteen percent, leading to an immediate reshoot. In this version, Seymour kills Audrey II electrically and flees to suburban peace with Audrey, while a small Audrey II sprout emerges in the garden.

National Lampoon’s Vacation almost ended on a darker note

In the humorous realm of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” franchise, it might seem unusual that audience input plays a significant role in the creative development. However, the original ending for “National Lampoon’s Vacation” was disliked by test audiences. The revised ending swapped Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) holding Roy Walley (Eddie Bracken) hostage with a BB gun and having a day of fun at an empty park. Instead, the new ending has Clark forcing Roy and his colleagues to dance at gunpoint for entertainment, rather than threatening a security guard (John Candy) with a weapon and enjoying a magical day in an entirely deserted amusement park.

In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, during a DVD commentary (as shared by Entertainment Weekly), director Harold Ramis noted an unusual silence and lack of laughter throughout the rest of the film, which he attributed to the audience’s disappointment that, after such a prolonged anticipation, they were not allowed a trip to Wally World any more than the Griswolds themselves. However, Ramis cleverly made amends with his iconic ending.

Sweet Home Alabama’s test audiences were befuddled by its original ending

Sweet Home Alabama” is a delightful romantic comedy that sets the determination of a city-dwelling woman from the South (played by Reese Witherspoon) against her small-town ex-husband (Josh Lucas) and her wealthy suitor (Patrick Dempsey). In the end, Melanie (Witherspoon) chooses Jake (Lucas), but the initial ending was so displeasing that it had to be re-filmed to align with the more cheerful mood of the film as a whole.

In the initial ending of the film, Melanie ventures to the beach in search of Jake while lightning flashes ominously overhead. The scene then shifts to Jake carrying an apparently lifeless Melanie into the reception and dramatically declares her death by lightning strike. However, it’s soon revealed that she was merely playing a trick on everyone when she miraculously revives. This unexpected twist, referred to as “Melanie committing a felony,” was deemed inappropriate by test audiences, resulting in a more traditional, audience-friendly conclusion being used instead.

Everyone wanted Julianne to leave My Best Friend’s Wedding single

Few characters, even those in romantic comedies, can elicit such intense dislike from viewers that they hope for a solitary, wretched existence for the character. However, Julianne from “My Best Friend’s Wedding” is one of those rare exceptions – at least based on the opinions of those who previewed the film. In the original ending, Julianne encounters a new character portrayed by John Corbett during Michael and Kimmy’s wedding reception, which sparked outrage among the audience.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director PJ Hogan stated that they intended for her character to be killed off due to difficulty comprehending her actions. However, this time around, the studio objected to the data received from viewers. Since Roberts’ character was the main focus and having her end up alone wasn’t acceptable, the friendship between her character and George (played by Rupert Everett) was developed more extensively. This change serves both those who dislike the character and those who hope for her to improve as a friend in the future.

Test audiences helped bring about Legally Blonde’s iconic graduation ending

The ending of ‘Legally Blonde’ is flawlessly satisfying, as Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon) delivers a graduation speech while the audience learns about each character’s future via on-screen text. However, it’s interesting to know that the movie’s original ending was quite different. Instead of the courtroom scene, Emmett (portrayed by Luke Wilson) would kiss Elle on the courthouse steps following the trial, and a flash-forward depicted Elle distributing flyers for her Legally Blonde Defense Fund alongside a now-blonde Vivian (Selma Blair).

From the very beginning, test viewers found this final scene unsatisfying, as they felt it overemphasized the romantic aspect of the movie instead of focusing on Elle’s character development. As Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith expressed to Entertainment Weekly, “This wasn’t a story about a girl getting a boyfriend.” A fresh ending idea was quickly developed during the test screening in the lobby itself, giving birth to a cinematic classic.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World almost gave Scott a different happy ending

Audience reactions to the final scene of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” were varied, as the character Scott (played by Michael Cera) ends up with Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), instead of Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Director Edgar Wright intended a bittersweet conclusion reminiscent of “The Graduate,” but viewers at pre-release screenings had intense disagreements about the ending, becoming strongly pro or against either Ramona or Knives. Most fans shared a common sentiment that they were unhappy with how both women were portrayed in the ending.

In response, Wright revised the finale, turning it into a joyful, open-ended tribute to the enigma of love. Knives nudges Scott and Ramona towards reconciliation, and they encounter each other in a car park. The future unfolds before them as they promise to “give it another try,” receiving another chance from fate.

Alex almost got her way in Fatal Attraction

The chilling thriller left everyone trembling, especially those committing adultery, but it concludes with an unexpected display of maternal instinct. After Alex (Glenn Close) brutally cooks Dan’s (Michael Douglas) son’s rabbit and kidnaps him too, she meets her end by drowning in the family bathtub. Her wife, Beth (Anne Archer), takes out Alex with a series of strategic shots when she jumps from the tub to create one final shock for the audience. However, the original ending offers a more intricate plot twist. In this version, Alex meticulously orchestrates her own death, arranging the circumstances to make Dan appear as the murderer. The police take him away, leaving only Beth privy to the truth through a message from Alex in the form of a note.

However, the audience strongly sided with Dan and desired Alex’s demise. Archer and Close staunchly disagreed with the revised ending, whereas Douglas endorsed it, resulting in its filming. The interference from the audience played a significant role in making “Fatal Attraction” one of the most unforgettable thrillers of the 1980s, amassing six Academy Award nominations. Nevertheless, while test audiences arguably contributed to one of the best jump scares ever, the original ending also possessed a suitable concluding impact.

Test audiences helped birth Blade Runner’s iconic ending

The movie “Blade Runner” has a story that can vary based on which version of the film you watch, as many changes were made following feedback from test audiences, particularly in regards to Harrison Ford’s voiceover, which was both iconic yet debatable and complex. Alterations were also made for clarity purposes, such as trimming the narrative and certain scenes. Moreover, these modifications led to the movie having a more optimistic ending.

In the initial release, Rick Deckard (Ford) and the replicant Rachel (Sean Young) stepped into an elevator, venturing towards an unknown future, where Rachel’s life might be distressingly brief. The theatrical version altered this scene with Ford narrating, suggesting a brighter future for the couple and more possibilities. Later edits took out the narration, removed the optimistic ending, but it can’t be ignored that the responses of test audiences significantly influenced the film version viewers first saw, including its flaws.

Thor: the Dark World’s test screenings ensured Loki a much longer life

In “Thor: The Dark World,” the main character, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), ultimately becomes king of Asgard as Loki (Tom Hiddleston) meets his end. Meanwhile, Thor’s love interest, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), decides to part ways with him to pursue her personal aspirations. Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor’s father, supports this decision, recognizing that Thor’s feelings for Jane demonstrate he is mature enough to rule effectively.

In the initial version, the audience found Loki’s supposed death hard to believe, leading to reshoots where Loki was kept alive through deceit rather than dying. The original conclusion was revised, with Loki transforming into Odin and unmasking himself. Extra scenes were also incorporated, altering the film’s initial grim narrative and shifting its overall tone. This revamped movie sparked varying reactions from fans but ultimately contributed in an intriguing manner to the development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Test audiences made Ron Burgundy the man he is today

The movie ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ underwent significant changes due to test screenings. Originally, it ended with Veronica Corningstone (played by Christina Applegate) being kidnapped in a manner similar to Patty Hearst, and her co-workers having to rescue her. However, viewers found this ending, along with several other aspects of the plot, unsatisfactory, leading DreamWorks to provide the filmmakers with funds for reshooting the final scene and certain problematic portions.

In an episode of Applegate’s podcast “Messy”, as reported by Variety, Will Ferrell shared that the initial audience reaction wasn’t favorable. He said, “We ended up losing our viewers.” However, when it was the news team and everyone else interacting, we could win them back over. Consequently, we had to re-film the ending of the movie.” Now, the film concludes with Burgundy (Ferrell) rescuing Corningstone from a band of irate pandas and a forward flash that reveals the fate of the KVWN Channel 4 news team – all significant scenes that wouldn’t have been possible without the first audience giving the movie a 50 out of 100 rating.

Army of Darkness has two different endings thanks to test screenings

The movie ‘Army of Darkness’ is unique because it was able to enjoy both its success and maintain it by being released in two distinct versions, due to audience feedback. In the initial conclusion, Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell), underestimated the potency of the potion prepared by The Wiseman (Ian Abercrombie), causing him to sleep far longer than planned. Upon waking up, he finds himself solitary in a desolate post-apocalyptic London and eventually succumbs to madness.

Displeasing Sam Raimi and Campbell, test viewers strongly disliked this grim ending. At the request of Universal, they swiftly shot an alternative ending where Ash wakes up at the right moment and resumes work at S-Mart. However, he discovers he misspoke a crucial phrase, and a Deadite has infiltrated his home. He slays the demon, shares a kiss with the girl, and delivers some famous catchphrases.

It’s worth noting that UK viewers got to see the original movie ending, as well as additional scenes that significantly altered the film’s mood, such as a romantic scene between Ash and Sheila (Embeth Davidtz). However, without audience feedback through focus groups, iconic phrases like “Hail to the king, baby” might never have become popular expressions, which is quite unfortunate.

Test audiences kept John Rambo alive in First Blood

In the absence of test audiences and Sylvester Stallone’s involvement, John Rambo might have taken his leave at the end of “First Blood.” The original ending aligns with the David Morrell book, where Rambo (played by Stallone) chooses to take his own life, asking Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) to pull the trigger instead. Director Ted Kotcheff advocated for this conclusion, as it reflected the genuine suffering experienced by real-life Vietnam veterans he consulted during the film’s production.

‘If this director is in the audience, he should be hanged from the nearest lamppost.'” (Yahoo! reported this.)

British test audiences ensured a different ending for Pride and Prejudice..at least in the UK

The 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” ended differently for British and American viewers. In this version, Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) shared an intimate moment under the stars at Pemberley following their wedding, with him asking how he should address her daily and them sharing a kiss. However, this conclusion wasn’t in Jane Austen’s original novel, which left British audiences feeling surprised and disapproving since they saw the creative decision as going against the essence of the work.

Despite British audiences disliking this alteration, American test viewers enthusiastically responded to the climax, ensuring its success in North America. However, since the Jane Austen Society disapproved of the ending, the twist was eliminated for the UK. Instead, that version concludes with Elizabeth and Mr. Bennett (Donald Sutherland) discussing her well-being, which does indeed happen in the novel.

Trekkers kept Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan from killing off Spock permenently

Fans of ‘Star Trek’ are well-known for having strong views, so it might not be surprising that their involvement had a significant impact – even saving a fictional life in the process. Originally, in ‘Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan’, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) seemed to meet his end permanently when his casket was ejected from the ship and a brilliant flash of light ensued. This dramatic ending would have made it difficult for Spock to come back to life, as that was what Nimoy favored at the time, since he wanted to focus on his directing career and move away from the character.

It turned out that test viewers strongly disapproved of the idea of Spock’s permanent death. In fact, news about the ending leaked before the movie came out, causing quite a stir even in those days without the internet. Nimoy faced numerous death threats, and fans even placed ads in trade magazines to save Spock from dying. Despite this, Nimoy was eventually persuaded, and Spock miraculously survived within the “Star Trek” franchise until Nimoy’s own demise.

Audiences thought 28 Days Later’s ending was too cruel to its characters

In accordance with its extremely grim depiction of the impact of the rage virus across Britain, the original ending of “28 Days Later” featured Jim (Cillian Murphy) succumbing to his injuries within an abandoned hospital, while Selena (Naomie Harris) and Hannah (Megan Burns) struggled valiantly to save him. However, their attempts were unsuccessful, leaving them alone, still dressed in red after meeting Major West (Christopher Eccleston). Yet, Selena refused to surrender or accept defeat, urging Hannah to continue moving forward despite the loss of their companion.

Audience reactions strongly disapproved of the original ending where Jim passed away, finding it excessive as they believed he had already experienced too much hardship. As Alex Garland, the film’s writer, explained to Inverse, “The hospital ending was the one I’d written – Jim dies and the two girls venture into the world with an uncertain future. It performed disastrously in testing sessions, not just poorly but extremely so.” Fortunately, multiple endings had been shot, and the more optimistic alternative ending, featuring Jim, Selena, and Hannah being saved, was chosen for distribution.

2025-07-07 19:32