Movies to Compare/Contrast
These are movies that I would like to compare in depth, should I ever have the opportunity. I generally avoid "dueling films" (or "twin films," as they're sometimes called), as well as films with clear knockoffs, as such comparisons would be too obvious.
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- DirectorJoe DanteStarsEthan HawkeRiver PhoenixBobby FiteA boy obsessed with '50s sci-fi movies about aliens has a recurring dream about a blueprint of some kind, which he draws for his inventor friend. With the help of a third kid, they follow it and build themselves a spaceship. Now what?
- DirectorRandal KleiserStarsJoey CramerPaul ReubensCliff De YoungIn 1978, a boy travels eight years into the future and has an adventure with an intelligent, wisecracking alien ship."Explorers" vs. "Flight of the Navigator": Both are children's science-fiction adventure films about space travel.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsGene KellyLeslie CaronOscar LevantThree friends struggle to find work in Paris. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.
- DirectorStanley DonenStarsAudrey HepburnFred AstaireKay ThompsonAn impromptu fashion shoot at a book store brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk."An American in Paris" vs. "Funny Face": Both are classic musicals set (entirely or largely) in Paris and featuring Gershwin scores. Both also have similarities in casting and characters.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsJulie AndrewsChristopher PlummerEleanor ParkerA young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsTopolNorma CraneLeonard FreyIn pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant with traditional values contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village."The Sound of Music" vs. "Fiddler on the Roof": Both are bittersweet, epic musicals based on hit Broadway shows. Both films also have stylistic similarities.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLiza MinnelliRobert De NiroLionel StanderAn egotistical saxophonist and a young lounge singer meet on VJ Day and embark upon a strained and rocky romance, even as their careers begin a long, uphill climb.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future."New York, New York" vs. "La La Land": Both are artsy, bittersweet, original musicals about artists in love, set against the backdrop of romanticized American cities.
- DirectorRonny YuStarsAngus MacfadyenMario YedidiaMarley SheltonA young boy is whisked away to the mythical land of Tao where he becomes the center of a conflict between an evil lord and a group of animal warriors.
- DirectorRob MinkoffStarsJackie ChanJet LiMichael AngaranoA discovery made by a kung fu obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to ancient China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King."Warriors of Virtue" vs. "The Forbidden Kingdom": Both are children's escapist fantasy narratives involving Chinese martial arts but which feature Caucasian protagonists.
- DirectorMark WatersStarsFreddie HighmoreSarah BolgerDavid StrathairnUpon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.
- DirectorChris WedgeStarsAmanda SeyfriedJosh HutchersonBeyoncéA teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and evil is taking place. She bands together with a ragtag group of characters to save their world--and ours."The Spiderwick Chronicles" vs. "Epic": Both are family films, based on popular children's books, about humans who discover the existence of unseen fantastical creatures.
- DirectorGil KenanStarsSaoirse RonanToby JonesBill MurrayFor generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker.
- DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsBrenton ThwaitesJeff BridgesMeryl StreepIn a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choices, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man, the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world."City of Ember" vs. "The Giver": Both were produced by the same company and both are based on classic young adult dystopian fantasy novels with similar plots.
- DirectorJoe NussbaumStarsAimee TeegardenThomas McDonellDeVaughn NixonA group of teenagers get ready for their high school prom.
- DirectorJosh SchwartzStarsVictoria JusticeJohnny KnoxvilleChelsea HandlerWren's Halloween plans go awry when she's made to babysit her brother, who disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. With her best friend and two nerds at her side, she needs to find her brother before her mom finds out he's missing."Prom" vs. "Fun Size": Both are (underwhelming and largely forgettable) teen comedies intended as throwbacks to the classics of the genre from the '80s (although each homages different elements of the genre) and which were released by rival studios.
- DirectorDean IsraeliteStarsDacre MontgomeryNaomi ScottRJ CylerWhen Earth is on the verge of an alien invasion, five teenagers, who are infused with superhuman abilities, must harness their newfound powers to battle this threat - as the Power Rangers.
- DirectorJoe CornishStarsLouis Ashbourne SerkisDenise GoughDean ChaumooAlex, a 12-year-old boy, and his friends fight an evil sorceress with the help of Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, in a bid to save the world from her atrocities."Power Rangers 2017" vs. "The Kid Who Would Be King": Both are kid/teen-empowerment wish-fulfillment fantasies with similar plots and characters.
- DirectorMike NewellStarsGabriel ByrneEllen BarkinCiarán FitzgeraldGrandpa Ward gives a horse he found to his grandchildren, who keep it in their tower-block flat in Dublin. The horse is stolen from them, and the two young boys set out to find it and flee on it.
- DirectorTomm MooreStarsDavid RawleBrendan GleesonLisa HanniganBen, a young Irish boy, and his little sister Saoirse, a girl who can turn into a seal, go on an adventure to free the fairies and save the spirit world."Into the West" vs. "Song of the Sea": Both are Irish family fantasy/adventure movies with similar themes and plots.
- DirectorDuwayne DunhamStarsRick MoranisEd O'NeillShawna WaldronMisfits form their own opposing team to an elite peewee football team, coached by the elite team coach's brother.
- DirectorHolly Goldberg SloanStarsSteve GuttenbergOlivia d'AboJay O. SandersA teacher on exchange from England is placed in an underachieving Texas school, where she coaches the students in soccer, improving their self-esteem and leading to unexpected success."Little Giants" vs. "The Big Green": Both are thematically-similar underdog sports movies for and about children.
- DirectorDavid ChaseStarsJohn MagaroJack HustonWill BrillSet in suburban New Jersey in the 1960s, a group of friends form a rock band and try to make it big.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsFerdia Walsh-PeeloAidan GillenMaria Doyle KennedyA young lad notices a beautiful girl who begins to occupy his thoughts. While struggling with poverty, personal relationships and life's woes, he starts a band, hoping to catch her attention."Not Fade Away" vs. "Sing Street": Both are nostalgic fictional stories of rebellious teenage boys/young men who form bands that are inspired by the popular bands of their respective generations.
- DirectorPeter ChelsomStarsKieran CulkinElden HensonSharon StoneTwo young boys are social outcasts in their community due to their disabilities and broken home lives. When they are paired together, they form a bond over their shared circumstances.
- DirectorGabor CsupoStarsJosh HutchersonAnnaSophia RobbZooey DeschanelA preteen's life turns upside down when he befriends the new girl in school and they imagine a whole new fantasy world to escape reality."The Mighty" vs. "Bridge to Terabithia": Both are tearjerkers, based on popular children's books, about two young outcasts who share imaginary adventures.
- DirectorRobert ConnollyStarsSam WorthingtonEd OxenbouldDeborah MailmanAn imaginative children's film about a young Australian boy's passion for flight and his challenge to compete in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
- DirectorMorgan MatthewsStarsAsa ButterfieldRafe SpallSally HawkinsA socially awkward teenage maths prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad."Paper Planes" vs. "A Brilliant Young Mind": Both are stories about teenage boys who are determined to compete in unusual competitions.