Why Do Some Movies Have Two Different Titles?

Movies often have more than one title, which can be a mystery to many film enthusiasts. The reasons behind these changes are diverse, spanning from the studio's marketing strategies to regulatory and localization issues. Let's delve into some of the most intriguing cases and explore the fascinating world of movie titles.

The Studio's Marketing Gambit

One of the most common reasons for retitling a movie is when a studio believes it is underperforming. They might hope that a different name will bring better luck. Take the 1950s example of It Happened to Jane, which was re-released as Twinkle and Shine, and The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T., which was retitled to Crazy Music. Unfortunately, neither retitling resulted in boosted commercial success.

Preventing Confusion with Remakes and Originals

In an effort to prevent confusion, especially with remakes and their original counterparts, studios sometimes opt for different titles. For instance, the original British film Gaslight was shown in the USA as Angel Street. Similarly, the forthcoming movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins was retitled to Remo: Unarmed and Dangerous when it became clear that the implied sequels would never come to fruition.

Localization and Licensing Issues

Localization and licensing can also play a significant role in changing a film's title. Take the Avengers film for example, which was retitled in the UK to Avengers Assemble to avoid confusion with the 1960s TV spy series and the 1998 movie based on it. Another example includes the MCU's Iron Man: The Fighting Knight (U.S.) / Iron Man: New Knight in Town (UK), a change made to avoid a conflict with another TV series.

Local Laws and Content Appropriate Filtering

Legal and cultural restrictions often require changes in a movie's title. For instance, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) once found the title of a film to be inappropriate and changed it to something more suitable. This change was particularly notable in the case of a 1950s film whose title was altered to avoid offending local sensibilities.

Titles That Don’t Translate Well

Sometimes a title just doesn't work in another language. This can be particularly problematic for older films like those in the 1930s to 1950s. A good example is the film which was retitled in Australia to avoid confusion with a sexploitation movie called Fantasm. In the UK, it was more commonly known by its original title, leading to some interesting consequences.

Changes After Filming Has Wrapped

Occasionally, the title can change even after filming is complete. Here are a few fascinating examples:

The film that was retitled in Australia to avoid confusion with another movie called Fantasm. In the UK, it has since been known by its more familiar title, but this change had repercussions for another film. A film that was given a new title to clear up some confusion. The US title in the UK is more familiar as an illegal activity, but the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has its fair share of controversial decisions, as evidenced by a notorious occasion where they were especially flawed. An example where the theatrical distributor in the US thought the original title sounded awful, resulting in a change. A film was retitled to avoid confusion with a 1960s TV show and its godawful 1998 movie adaptation. Another film shamelessly tried to capitalize on the success of another movie's title, leading to even more confusion and debate.

The world of movie titles is a fascinatingly complex one, filled with changes for a variety of reasons. Whether it's to please local audiences, avoid confusion, or simply to improve commercial performance, these changes reflect the intricate process of bringing a film to the market.