Watchworthy

Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies 

Ranker Film
Updated June 14, 2019 1.8k votes 260 voters 11.2k views 31 items

List Rules Vote up the cleverest code names used by films during production

Movies - especially highly secretive big budget blockbusters - sometimes film with fake working titles in order to hide production in plain sight. Sometimes these working titles are fun, campy, and tie into the film itself like a built-in Easter eggs, while other times they're deliberately boring just to throw people off. And sometimes, they're just nonsense titles.

They use these fake titles for a myriad of reasons. One, for the safety and secrecy of the set. If you saw a sign for a movie called Rory's First Kiss, you'd be a lot less likely to show up with a camera and telephoto lens than if the sign actually said The Dark Knight. Another reason is for security in actual movie theaters. A film canister marked Blue Harvest is much less likely to be stolen than one labeled Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Occasionally the title hasn't been decided, like with Shoeless Joe, which turned into Field of Dreams. Sometimes, inoffensive or inexplicable titles even stick!

Check out this list to see what your favorite movie might have been called during production!  These are some of the best fake titles for some of the biggest movies ever! Vote up your favorite false working titles below!
Data-driven recommendations based on voting from over 40 million monthly visits to Ranker. Try the free app
list ordered by
1
The Avengers is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

Released: 2012

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Real title: The Avengers Marvel's The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film directed by Joss Whedon, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team. Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a ...more

More The Avengers ❯

Details Infinity War Fans Didn’t Catch… Until They Watched It In 4K #9 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #36 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies

2
The Avengers: Age of Ult... is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo

Released: 2015

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Real title: Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a 2015 American superhero film directed by Joss Whedon, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team. When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) ...more

More The Avengers: Age of Ultron ❯

Fun Facts To Know About 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' #27 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #474 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies

3
Captain America: The Fir... is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones

Released: 2011

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Real title: Captain America: The First Avenger Captain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Captain America, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is ...more

More Captain America: The First Avenger ❯

#179 of 375 The 50+ Best War Movies Ever Made, Ranked #22 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #179 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies

4
The Dark Knight is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger

Released: 2008

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Real title: The Dark Knight The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics character, Batman. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), Police Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and ...more

More The Dark Knight ❯

Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Set Of 'The Dark Knight' #1 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Madelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

5
Transformers is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Megan Fox, Shia LaBeouf, Odette Annable

Released: 2007

Directed by: Michael Bay

Real title: Transformers Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film directed by Michael Bay, based on the toy line. An ancient struggle between two Cybertronian races, the heroic Autobots and the evil ...more

More Transformers ❯

All the Transformers In The Michael Bay Transformers Movies #106 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #98 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made

6
Thor: The Dark World is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston

Released: 2013

Directed by: Alan Taylor

Real Title: Thor: The Dark World Thor: The Dark World is a 2013 American superhero film directed by Alan Taylor, based on the Marvel Comics character. When Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) gets cursed with a powerful entity ...more

More Thor: The Dark World ❯

#50 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #379 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #499 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made

7
Ranker Video
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill

Released: 1983

Directed by: Richard Marquand

Real title: Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand, and the third and final film in the original Star Wars trilogy. After a daring ...more

More Star Wars: Episode VI –Return of the Jedi ❯

#3 of 11 Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked Best to Worst #10 of 571 The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked #13 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies

8
2001: A Space Odyssey is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Arthur C. Clarke, Leonard Rossiter, Ed Bishop

Released: 1968

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Real title: 2001: A Space Odyssey  2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay was written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, and was partially inspired by ...more

More 2001: A Space Odyssey ❯

#77 of 250 The Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time #533 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movieslisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

9
Cloverfield is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Odette Annable, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas

Released: 2008

Directed by: Matt Reeves

Real title: Cloverfield Cloverfield is a 2008 American science fiction found footage monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams & Bryan Burk, and written by Drew Goddard. Before settling on an ...more

More Cloverfield ❯

'Cloverfield' Theories To Read Up On Before Streaming 'The Cloverfield Paradox' #139 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #147 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time

10
Batman Begins is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson

Released: 2005

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Real title: Batman Begins Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics character. After training with his mentor (Liam Neeson), Batman (Christian Bale) begins his fight to ...more

More Batman Begins ❯

#14 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #83 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #47 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made

11
E.T. the Extra-Terrestri... is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Drew Barrymore, Erika Eleniak, Debra Winger

Released: 1982

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Real title: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction-family film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison, featuring special effects by Carlo ...more

More E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ❯

The Dark Story Behind The Canceled Sequel To 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' #30 of 571 The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Rankedlisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

12
The Lord of the Rings: T... is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler

Released: 2001

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Real title: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson based on the first volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It is the first ...more

More The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ❯

#38 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #6 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Madelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

13
Iron Man 2 is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle

Released: 2010

Directed by: Jon Favreau filmography

Real title: Iron Man 2 Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film directed by Jon Favreau, based on the Marvel Comics character. With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) ...more

More Iron Man 2 ❯

#51 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #938 of 1,027 The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films #410 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies

14
Star Trek is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Morrison, Winona Ryder

Released: 2009

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Real title: Star Trek Star Trek is a 2009 science fiction film directed by J. J. Abrams, written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and produced by Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk. It is the eleventh film based on the ...more

More Star Trek ❯

The 19 Coolest Starships In The 'Star Trek' Universe #94 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movieslisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

15
Pacific Rim is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman

Released: 2013

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Real title: Pacific Rim Pacific Rim is a 2013 action sci-fi film directed by Guillermo del Toro.

More Pacific Rim ❯

Pacific Rim Fan Theories #61 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #73 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made

16
Titanic is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates

Released: 1997

Directed by: James Cameron

Real title: Titanic Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed by James Cameron. A seventeen-year-old aristocrat (Kate Winslet) falls in love with a kind but poor artist (Leonardo DiCaprio) ...more

More Titanic ❯

According To This 'Titanic' Theory, Jack Is From The Future #205 of 349 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetimelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

17
Jurassic World is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio

Released: 2015

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Real title: Jurassic World Jurassic World is a 2015 American science fiction adventure film directed by Colin Trevorrow, it is the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park film series. 22 years after the events of Jurassic ...more

More Jurassic World ❯

21 Easter Eggs Hidden in Jurassic World #970 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #630 of 1,208 The Absolute Funniest Movies Of All Time

18
The Dark Knight Rises is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman

Released: 2012

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Real title: The Dark Knight Rises The Dark Knight Rises is a 2012 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics character. Eight years after the Joker's reign of anarchy, Batman (Christian Bale), with the ...more

More The Dark Knight Rises ❯

People Are Still Annoyed At This Obvious Plot Hole In The Dark Knight Rises #58 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #10 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made

19
Harry Potter and the Cha... is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, John Cleese

Released: 2002

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Real title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. ...more

More Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ❯

#44 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #195 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made #103 of 347 Movies with the Best Soundtracks

20
Artemis is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Artemis
Real title: The Hunger Games
21
Superman Returns is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Marlon Brando, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth

Released: 2006

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Real title: Superman Returns Superman Returns is a 2006 American superhero film directed and produced by Bryan Singer. It is based on the DC Comics character Superman and serves as an homage sequel to the motion pictures ...more

More Superman Returns ❯

#146 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made #402 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made #434 of 548 The Greatest Movies for Guys

22
Field of Dreams is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Kevin Costner

Released: 1989

Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson

Real title: Field of Dreams Field of Dreams is a 1989 American fantasy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, who also wrote the screenplay, adapting W. P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe. It stars Kevin Costner, Amy ...more

More Field of Dreams ❯

The Most Memorable 'Field of Dreams' Quotes #63 of 571 The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked #110 of 349 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime

23
Pulp Fiction is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman

Released: 1994

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Real title: Pulp Fiction Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The lives of two mob hitmen (Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta), a boxer (Bruce Willis), a gangster's wife (Uma ...more

More Pulp Fiction ❯

Genius Fan Theories About What's In The Briefcase In 'Pulp Fiction' #43 of 349 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetimelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

24
Indiana Jones and the Ki... is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Cate Blanchett, Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf

Released: 2008

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Real title: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a 2008 American science fiction adventure film. It is the fourth film in the Indiana Jones series created by George Lucas and directed by ...more

More Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ❯

The Best Characters in the Whole Indiana Jones Franchise, Ranked #972 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #152 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made

25
2012 is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list Unbelievable Working Titles for Blockbuster Movies
Amanda Peet, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton

Released: 2009

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Real title: 2012 2012 is a 2009 American science fiction disaster adventure film directed and co-written by Roland Emmerich. It stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, ...more

More 2012 ❯

#562 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #105 of 161 The Best Dystopian And Near Future Movies #192 of 410 The Best Rainy Day Movies