Top 20 Movies That Picked the Wrong Name

Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” one might assume that this adaptation is all about Willy Wonka due to the title. Yet, Charlie remains the true focus throughout and the mysterious candyman doesn’t appear until the second act. The title was apparently changed to promote Quaker Oats’ tie-in Wonka Bar, which didn’t even end up in stores! While Charlie reclaimed his titular character status in the Tim Burton reimagining, that film arguably put more emphasis on Johnny Depp’s Wonka.

Centered on Santa’s son, this underrated Christmas movie deserves a wider audience. We think the title may’ve contributed to its financial failure. We get that “Arthur Christmas” derives from Father Christmas, the English name for Santa Claus. Since Arthur’s surname is Claus, though, shouldn’t it be called “Arthur Claus?” Who knows? Maybe the filmmakers wanted to avoid comparison to “Fred Claus,” but everyone seems to confuse this movie with the aardvark and Dudley Moore character.

Based on a fairy tale called “Rapunzel” about a character named Rapunzel, this Disney film was naturally going to be called “Rapunzel.” After “The Princess and the Frog” underperformed, however, Disney gave “Rapunzel” a more gender-neutral title, “Tangled.” Many audiences and even Disney animators like Floyd Norman found the change unnecessary, but it kicked off a trend with “The Snow Queen” becoming “Frozen.” What’s next? A “Princess and the Frog” series just called “Tiana?” Oh, wait...

We love the “Evil Dead” movies, but the titles can be confusing. “Evil Dead II” is more of a remake/parody of its predecessor than a sequel. While the third film is a direct follow-up, you wouldn’t guess that based on the name. Being such a departure, we suppose “Evil Dead III” wasn’t the most appropriate title. Since it’s part of the “Evil Dead” franchise, though, we think “Army of Darkness” should’ve kept its original title, “Medieval Dead.”

This is one of those movies where you needed the announcer to clarify the title in the trailer. If you looked at the poster, one might assume that it’s called “XXX”, as opposed to “Triple X.” We also wouldn’t be surprised if a few people thought the film was about an alcoholic beverage… or the kind of movie you’d find in the adults-only section of a video store. Why not just call it “Xander Cage?”

This otherwise amazing trilogy has its titles all mixed up. The first film should’ve had “Dawn” in the title, as the Planet of the Apes was just beginning. The second film should’ve had “War” in the title, as the conflict between the humans and apes started to escalate. Then the third film should’ve been “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” as the evolved primates inherit the earth humans once ruled. There, we fixed it!

It’s hard to describe this utterly unique sci-fi satire in one word. Likewise, the title does little to reflect the plot. The movie doesn’t take place in Brazil, center on a character from Brazil, or have anything to do with the country. While the name stems from the song “Aquarela do Brasil,” which is featured in the movie, it still comes off as misleading. Given its offbeat tone, however, you could argue that having the wrong name feels kind of right.

We understand that this fantasy movie’s title wasn’t meant to be taken literally. There are many different ways to interpret the story’s neverending nature. At the end of the day, though, the movie concludes after 94 minutes. To paraphrase Lionel Hutz, that’s fraudulent advertising! If you really don’t want the story to end, there are two sequels… and an animated series. You know what? You’re better off stopping where the first film ended, inaccurate title aside.

Where the first film had Wayne Szalinski shrink his kids, the sequel sees his two-year-old son grow to the size of a building. The title suggests something much darker. When we first heard it, we all jumped to the conclusion that Szalinski literally blew up his kid to smithereens. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen in a Disney movie, but the title could’ve clarified. Then again, “Honey, I Enlarged the Kid” isn’t as attention-grabbing.

This Robert Zemeckis film is an adventure in the spirit of “Indiana Jones,” although the screenplay was written five years before “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Based on the title, one would expect a rom com centering on someone attempting to literally strike a relationship with an actual stone or some sort of stone creature. Sure, there’s a romance, there’s a stone, and jewelers may appreciate the title. “Death of the Green Jewel” would better reflect its adventurous tone, though.

Going into this thrilling drama, we anticipated something a tad more tranquil. Gardening is such a peaceful activity. We figured that the biggest conflict would be Peter Rabbit eating some of Ralph Fiennes’ carrots. Either that or maybe his azaleas might get stepped on. That title didn’t prepare us for a movie where Fiennes is widowed and a corporate scandal is unearthed. Although there is gardening, it ties in more figuratively to the hero’s journey.

Coming off its immensely popular predecessor, we were intrigued to find out what the Book of Shadows was. More than 20 years later, we still don’t know what the Book of Shadows is. It’s never mentioned or seen in the film, despite popping up in the teaser. Perhaps the title was a gimmick to attract the “Charmed” audience? In any case, why does the subtitle come first? It should at least be “Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows.”

Based on the light novel “All You Need Is Kill,” most audiences underestimated this sci-fi flick due to its marketing. An uninspired title like “Edge of Tomorrow” doesn’t represent the film’s inventive screenplay or cool action. Doug Liman wanted to call the film “Live Die Repeat,” although the studio didn’t take his suggestion until the film’s home media release. If that sequel is still happening, please keep the reported title: “Live Die Repeat and Repeat.” We wonder what the third movie’s title is going to be….

Whenever the Avengers assemble, we expect epic things. While “Age of Ultron” is by no means small in scale, the story doesn’t quite live up to its intimidating title. To make matters confusing, the movie also shares the same title as a Marvel Comics crossover event, which has a completely different storyline. Although the minds behind the movie said that it would have a different plot, why didn’t he just come up a new title? It’s also not exactly the age of Ultron, seeing how the Avengers defeat him in a few days tops. Well, that was easy.

For a dark period, Disney had a habit of releasing direct-to-video sequels to their animated classics. At least some of them were sequels. Others took place somewhere in the middle of their predecessors. Like “Tarzan II” and “Fox and the Hound 2,” “Bambi II” is an interquel that fills the gap between the emotional scarring and the titular deer getting twitterpated. Despite the “II,” it’s no sequel. At least “The Lion King 1½” was honest.

This slasher sequel takes place a year after the first film. So technically, it should be called “I Know What You Did 2 Summers Ago.” “I Know What You Did Last Summer 2” also would’ve made more sense. As is, the title is about as competent as our main characters, who think the capital of Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. It’s actually Brasilia, by the way. Hey, maybe this movie should’ve been called “Brazil!”

If “Friday the 13th” taught us anything, it’s that “The Final Chapter” is never the final chapter, at least not in the horror genre. Nevertheless, the “Saw” franchise continued this gimmick with its quote-unquote “Final Chapter,” despite being followed by 2017’s “Jigsaw” with more films coming. Adding to the confusion, the film is alternatively known as “Saw 3D,” which just gets us mixed up with “Saw III.” Why wasn’t the movie simply called “Saw VII?”

This title has one word, one number, and neither is accurate. For starters, the film has no trolls. The villains are vegetarian goblins, hence why the original script was called “Goblins.” The higher-ups didn’t have much faith in the film, however. (Gee, we can’t imagine why). So, they falsely advertised it as a sequel to “Troll,” even though there was no real connection. We all know what this movie should’ve been named: “Oh My God!”

“Star Wars” is another franchise that got its titles turned around. Since “Episode I” commences Anakin Skywalker’s origin story, that film probably should’ve been “Rise of Skywalker” and “Episode IX” should’ve been “The Phantom Menace,” given the Emperor’s resurrection. However, the one that really draws our ire is “Attack of the Clones.” Sure, the clones get to do some fighting in the climax, but the real attack comes in the next movie when Order 66 is executed.

Before we unveil our top pick, here’s an honorable mention.

“Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation” (2015)
A Whole Nation Doesn’t Go Rogue, the Mission Wasn’t Impossible, & This Title is All Wrong

While a “Karate Kid” remake wasn’t necessary, this film gave the familiar story a fresh spin by moving to China and focusing on kung fu. So, why wasn’t the film called “The Kung Fu Kid,” or even “The Kung Fu Dream” as it’s known in China? We get that “The Karate Kid” is a brand name, but we still would’ve made the connection. Now whenever somebody mentions “The Karate Kid,” we have to ask, “1984 or 2010?” Thanks!