Top 20 Movies That Took MAJOR Chances
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the films that pinned their hopes on ideas that could have - and sometimes did - backfired horribly.
#20: Diversity
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022)
In 2018, “Crazy Rich Asians” seemingly proved to Hollywood that a cast without a white star could still make millions. Despite that success, it took four years until we saw another Asian-led blockbuster. Hollywood didn't necessarily have big expectations for the heady sci-fi indie film and wasn’t sure how to market a weird movie with such a diverse cast. However, the film's bold casting choices ultimately proved groundbreaking. By authentically reflecting modern society's diversity, it resonated deeply with a broader audience. The film became a magnet for acclaim, cleaning up at the Oscars. The success of "Everything Everywhere All at Once" demonstrates that embracing diversity can enrich storytelling, broaden appeal, and elevate cinematic experiences to new heights.
#19: Space Horror
“Alien” (1979)
The space race of the 1960s captivated the world and ignited a new interest in space travel and science fiction. “Star Wars” capitalized on it with a space adventure that dominated the world. Two years after the blockbuster success of “Star Wars,” director Ridley Scott turned space science fiction on its head. Instead of a cantina full of puppet aliens or a furry Wookie, his creature was a killing machine with acid for blood. Instead of banding together to fight evil, Scott’s ragtag crew of spacefarers were brutally picked off one-by-one. While the heroes of "Star Wars" fought an evil empire, in “Alien” they fell victim to corporate greed. The success and longevity of "Alien" proves that space can be home to many different stories.
#18: Restarting the Superhero Genre
“X-Men” (2000)
Joel Schumacher's second stab at a superhero film, "Batman & Robin," was both a critical and commercial failure. It seemed like a deathblow to the genre. Though 1998's "Blade" was technically a superhero film, it really took "X-Men" to reinvigorate the genre. Even so, it presented a big risk: besides Patrick Stewart, the film starred an ensemble of relatively or completely unknown actors. "X-Men" took a more grounded, character-driven approach than most previous superhero movies. As in the comics, "X-Men" directly tackled the themes of discrimination and personal identity. Its success at the box office, coupled with positive reviews, revitalized interest in superhero films. Decades later, stars like Hugh Jackman are still reprising their roles.
#17: Disney Goes PG-13
“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003)
In the modern era, Disney is a mega-corporation that controls the rights of everything from "Captain America" to "Predator." That wasn'always the case. They generally stuck with animated and family movies, which is why the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" film represented such a big swing. It was the first ever PG-13 movie under the Disney banner. It was a film full of bawdy humor and violence, two things traditionally far removed from the Disney brand. Moreover, the Gore Verbinski epic cost a whopping $140 million to produce. Disney's gamble paid off as "The Curse of the Black Pearl" made hundreds of millions at the box office and spawned a ton of merchandise and several sequels.
#16: Casting John Travolta
“Pulp Fiction” (1994)
When Quentin Tarantino decided to cast John Travolta in his out-of-sequence crime caper “Pulp Fiction,” it almost killed the film. By the start of the 1990s, Travolta’s career was on a downswing after a series of box office and critical disasters. “Pulp Fiction” producer Harvey Weinstein was dead set against Travolta. Tarantino and his agent fought tooth and nail for the casting, and eventually Weinstein gave in. The film was a smash hit with critics and audiences alike and has since become a major cultural touchstone of the 1990s. It made Tarantino a star and revitalized Travolta's career. Weinstein, the future face of Me-Too, would later take credit for the casting choice after the film's success.
#15: Shots Fired at Disney
“Shrek” (2001)
The classic animated film “Shrek” was born out of petty revenge. Former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, arguably responsible for Disney’s 1990s rebirth, left the studio thanks to tensions with the CEO. Undeterred, Katzenberg co-founded an independent animation studio, DreamWorks, later that year. One of their first animated films, “Shrek” stuck it to Katzenberg’s former employers at every opportunity. The film’s diminutive, unlikeable villain bears a minor resemblance to his former boss. Worse, “Shrek” is filled with pot shots at the fairy tales that formed the basis for much of Disney’s content. Thanks to its more adult humor and digitally animated style, Shrek was a smash hit. It's since led to multiple sequels as well as a hit Broadway musical.
#14: Shooting the Films Back-to-Back
“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy (2001-2003)
Earlier attempts to create major silver screen adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” series either disappointed or simply didn’t make it to the cameras. That all changed when director Peter Jackson became involved. He went through development hell, approaching multiple studios before New Line cinema took a huge gamble. They would ultimately give him nearly $300 million, and gave him the ability to shoot all three films back-to-back over 438 days. It was a major commitment and a significant risk, but shooting the films in this way enabled them to release them quickly, maintaining audience interest which could have waned had there been years-long gaps between the films. The result is cinema history.
#13: A Tale Told Backwards
“Memento” (2001)
Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” may be considered groundbreaking cinema today, but it was far from a sure thing when first released. According to Nolan’s brother and “Memento” co-writer Jonathan, their early test screenings were a living nightmare. Virtually every distributor who saw the film passed. Though the reception was warm, nobody had faith that the audience would understand the non-linear storytelling, with much of the film told backwards. Eventually, the film’s production company Newmarket took the risk of distributing the film themselves. Eventually, “Memento” would go on to make almost ten times its tiny budget back at the box office. The Nolans would remember executives' disdain for the audiences and spend the rest of their careers ignoring those concerns.
#12: The Blonde Bond
“Casino Royale” (2006)
Daniel Craig has had the longest uninterrupted run of any Bond actor, having portrayed 007 over a period of fifteen years. After such a successful tenure, it may be hard to remember that his casting was actually the cause of some controversy. Bond fans were less than enthused by the fact that he’d be the shortest and blondest Bond. Most criticisms of Craig’s appearance drowned in the sea as he also proved to be the buffest Bond. Craig would go on to star in four more Bond films, second only to Roger Moore and Sean Connery who each starred in seven apiece.
#11: Criticizing Hollywood
“Sunset Boulevard” (1950)
Hollywood, somewhat infamously, loves to admire itself through films about Hollywood. Films like "Hugo" or "The Artist" focus on the magic of cinema while biopics like "Mank'' or "Trumbo" focus on writers' moral dilemmas. "Sunset Boulevard," though, is a somewhat unique entry in the “Hollywood on Hollywood” genre. It's fundamentally a story about the dark cost of fame and fortune and kicking over the industry to shed light on its grimy underbelly. It's a tragedy that begins with the death of its protagonist, a revolutionary plot device in 1950. In a country obsessed with stars, "Sunset Boulevard'' set out to subvert the very system that created it. The film's lessons are even more relevant in this era of social media stardom.
#10: Same-Sex Love
“Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
It may be hard to imagine now, but Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" was a hugely controversial film, released less than a year after the 2004 elections, in which anti-gay marriage bills were prominent in many state elections. Homosexuality was still a risky subject in mainstream films. That's why it came as a complete shock that Ang Lee - who was often associated with action films like "Hulk" - would take on a gay romance. Up and coming young actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger risked their careers by taking on their roles. Despite all this, the film proved to be a huge critical success, netting several Oscars - including one for Lee - and was a considerable success at the box office.
#9: Meta Slashers
“Scream” (1996)
By the summer of 1996, the slasher subgenre of horror films was little more than a joke. The "Halloween," "Nightmare on Elm Street," and "Friday the 13th" franchises had 22 films between them. For the most part, slasher films had become tired and schlocky. Fortunately, one of the godfathers of the genre, Wes Craven, set about to create a new franchise: one that poked fun at all that came before - even his own work. "Scream" was a unique offering: it was oddly self-referential, mocking slasher tropes while clinging to them faithfully. Slasher films, by then, were relegated mostly to the b-movie shelf at Blockbuster, but "Scream" was a full-blown theatrical sensation.
#8: Casting Heath Ledger
“The Dark Knight” (2008)
Chris Nolan's follow-up to his revitalized Batman was a hotly anticipated film. "Batman Begins" ended with a reference to the most famous member of the caped crusader's rogue's gallery - the Joker. When the director announced that the role would be played by Australian actor Heath Ledger, many fans were absolutely furious. According to Nolan, even the studio didn't like the choice. For months, Nolan was subjected to complaints that this was arguably the "worst casting decision ever made." Nolan never wavered and promised audiences something they'd never seen before. He couldn't have been more right. From the film's opening moments, audiences the world over were enthralled by what is widely considered to be the best live-action adaptation of the character ever.
#7: Embracing Onscreen Violence
“Bonnie and Clyde” (1967)
By 1967, Hollywood was over 30 years into the Hays censorship codes, but films lilke "Bonnie and Clyde" were consigning it to the dust heap. The film’s blend of graphic violence, overt sexuality, and anti-hero protagonists was a slap in the face of censorship. Directed by Arthur Penn, it faced significant studio resistance and controversy upon release, especially for its now-classic ending. The death of the titular characters in a storm of bullets was bloody, graphic, visceral, and overwhelming. It was exactly what the film needed to be true to its story, no matter how uncomfortable it may have made many. Its success pushed the boundaries of on-screen content and permanently shifted the landscape of American cinema toward more daring and innovative stories.
#6: Cross-Dressing
“Some Like It Hot” (1959)
"Some Like It Hot" was a shockingly refreshing deep dive into American gender roles. At a time when strict censorship and conservative societal norms dominated Hollywood, the film challenged gender norms. Male characters - played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon - disguised themselves as women to escape the mob. This premise allowed the film to humorously but incisively critique gender norms and highlight the fluidity of identity. Director Billy Wilder's daring approach provoked controversy but ultimately paid off. The film's witty script, brilliant performances, and progressive themes resonated with audiences, achieving critical and commercial success. "Some Like It Hot" not only pushed boundaries but also paved the way for more open discussions about gender in cinema.
#5: Interracial Love
“Guess Who's Coming to Dinner” (1967)
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was a gutsy mainstream Hollywood film that took on the topics of race and interracial marriage right smack dab in the middle of the Civil Rights movement. The film was released just six months after the Supreme Court enshrined the right to interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia. The film centered on a white woman bringing her Black fiancé home to meet her parents. At its heart, it’s a movie about prejudice, and one that risked alienating conservative American audiences and sparking backlash. It approached the subject with sensitivity, humanizing all its characters. Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy's performances resonated deeply with audiences. Its success presaged an America that would slowly grow more comfortable with interracial relationships.
#4: RDJ Carries a Universe
“Iron Man” (2008)
Marvel Studios is no stranger to big risks: In 2014, James Gunn directed a film about virtually unknown alien characters in space. "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a major hit, but that risk was nothing compared to Kevin Feige's first big leap of faith. In 2006, Robert Downey Jr. was struggling. Time and again, his troubles with substance abuse and the law derailed his career, most recently after winning an Emmy in 2001. The director of the upcoming "Iron Man" film, Jon Favreau, met with RDJ and knew he was the man for the job. Hesitant though he was to pin his hopes for a cinematic universe on Downey, Kevin Feige relented. That decision set the tone for decades of media and changed Hollywood.
#3: A Feature-Length Cartoon
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
When critics learned that Walt Disney was working on the world's first feature length cartoon, they thought he was crazy. They dubbed his project "Disney's Folly," predicting financial ruin for Disney and his company. The challenges Disney faced were massive. The production costs for animation were through the roof - it was a time-consuming and costly process. The lack of any real market testing meant that Disney was treading in completely unknown waters. That film was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and - despite being released in the middle of the Great Depression, it made over $8 million at the box office. The film validated animation as a serious art form, and established Disney as the king of the format.
#2: Enraging a Media Baron
“Citizen Kane” (1941)
Today, film historians consider Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" to be one of the greatest films ever made. But at the time of its release, it drew the ire of one of the most powerful men in America. It centers on Charles Foster Kane, a paper thin satire of media baron William Randolph Hearst. Hearst hated his portrayal and waged a fierce campaign against "Citizen Kane." He used his vast media empire to ban advertisements and reviews of the film. Hearst called Welles a Communist, smearing him in the media. He threatened both RKO and movie theater chains across America. While his efforts limited its release and dampened its profits, it only enhanced the lore around the film, enshrining it in cinema history.
#1: Unexpectedly Killing the Star
“Psycho” (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock released "Psycho" nearly a decade before Hollywood's censorship codes were revoked. His film was a direct challenge to those codes, courting controversy due to its graphic violence and sexual content. But one of its most shocking innovations did not defy the codes - it defied audience expectations. Janet Leigh was a major star, and audiences assumed she would be a main character throughout the film. So imagine their surprise when she was suddenly killed off halfway through the picture. And to be dispatched in such a graphic manner just added to the shock. After that, all bets were off in terms of what the audience could expect - and Hitchcock kept them on their toes for the rest of the film.
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