Total Nerd

Entertainment

It's common sense that adding talented actors to a great script will increase the finished film's chances of success. However, if film history has shown anything, it’s the extent to which even a large stable of talent can't always rescue a movie. Indeed, there are a number of notorious flops which failed with critics despite having some of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-actors-said-about-flops/pierce-nahigyan">industry’s biggest names attached to them</a>.Some films&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notorious-flops-that-made-money/nathan-gibson">manage to earn a lot of money</a> at the box office in spite of critical hatred. Others never quite catch on with either audiences or critics, revealing just how fickle the magic of the movies can really be. Check out these examples of films that didn't hit the mark with critics or viewers, even though they have insanely stacked casts.

14 Critically Reviled Movies With Absolutely Stacked Casts

Film

Critically Reviled Movies With Absolutely Stacked Casts

Thomas West

Film holds the ability to be open to interpretation, and many filmmakers love nothing more than to provide&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ambiguous-movie-endings-explained/nathan-gibson">ambiguous movie endings</a> that stimulate discussion. After all, if people are talking about a film, it keeps it alive long after the credits roll. A few directors and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-creators-disagree-about/stephanroget">creators may disagree</a> with audiences who have made their own minds up, but there are others who stoke the fire intentionally.From the reality of the spinning top in&nbsp;Inception&nbsp;to the debate if Deckard is a replicant or not in&nbsp;Blade Runner, let's take a look at the most debated and ambiguous movie endings of all time, which provide just as much fun from arguing over the various interpretations as they do from viewing the films themselves.

Ambiguous Movie Endings That We're Still Debating

Sergio Pereira

The most famous TV plot twists often come deep into a show's run - for example, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-shows-first-season-twists/sergio-pereira">to end the first season</a>. However, some of the very best twists have actually come in the first episode. While it can be risky to throw a curveball in the pilot episode of a show, it is often the inciting incident that really kicks the show off with a bang and sets up the events of the first season.&nbsp;Some of these plot twists are so fundamental to a show's premise, viewers might <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/plot-holes-that-save-the-movie/jonathan-kantor">forget</a> they were introduced as a surprise at all. Others raise the stakes so clearly and quickly that they remain hugely memorable moments even long after shows are over. If a first-episode twist is good enough, it can grab audiences and keep them watching. Below are some of the best twists and turns that crop up in pilot episodes of TV.

13 TV Shows With Huge Plot Twists In Their First Episode

TV Program

TV Shows With Huge Plot Twists In Their First Episode

Griffin Peters

Pop Culture

Every so often, a movie casts the perfect pair of Hollywood stars. Getting the casting just right so the actors have great charisma is no easy task, but it happens. When it's truly successful, you can rest assured another project will arise somewhere down the line involving the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/strongest-action-movie-duos/jacob-shelton">same pair</a>.This list highlights some of the best movies that saw a return to form, with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-marvel-movie-duos/josh-plainse">acting duos</a> who proved themselves in a different project earlier in their careers. These combinations weren't perfect just once - they're cases of lightning striking twice with absolutely unmatchable chemistry.

15 Times Actors Reunited And Lightning Struck Twice

Times Actors Reunited And Lightning Struck Twice

Jonathan H. Kantor

If there's one thing Hollywood excels at, it's seeing a chance to seize onto a story that captures public attention and churning out a film as quick as possible. Though real-life events, both recent and historical, are common fodder for movies, sometimes the big-screen adaptation gets made so fast it feels like the true story has hardly finished.Often, movie studios will begin to put out feelers to get the film rights to a particularly notable event while it’s still going on, in order to make sure they get ahead of the competition and avoid having&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/different-movies-based-on-the-same-story/ryan-izay">too many productions based on the same event.</a> Indeed, it's precisely the small amount of time between an event and its dramatization which gives such films their unique power to help audiences make sense of recent historical events. Take a look at these films which were released surprisingly soon after the events they're based on.

16 Movies That Were Rushed Out To Dramatize Real Events

Movies That Were Rushed Out To Dramatize Real Events

TV shows often experiment with different forms of storytelling from time to time, whether it's a "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/90s-sitcom-very-special-episode/tyler-mitchell">very special episode</a>" or trying out a new form. This is likely a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-favorite-episodes-of-shows/shane-fraser">fun experience for the actors</a> who get to break from their usual routine and try something new.Mockumentaries like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Abbott Elementary are some of the most beloved sitcoms out there. It only makes sense that other shows would want to try out the format for themselves for a one-off episode. Mockumentary episodes also likely save the production some money, since a lot of the runtime can be taken up by cheap and easy-to-film talking head segments.While not every show that tries out the mockumentary format are comedies, these episodes tend to take a slightly more comedic slant even in dramas. On the other hand, some dramas manage to use the in-universe explanation for their documentary episode to add a unique storytelling twist. The format lends itself to fresh, distinctive episodes - check out the best examples of great TV shows trying out the mockumentary style.

The Best One-Off Mockumentary Episodes Of TV

TV Episode

Sean Migalla

It takes a lot of elements to make a successful movie, and finding actors with good chemistry is one of the toughest elements. When people do well on screen together, it's only natural to try and recreate the magic in another project. When directors call upon several cast members from a successful project, as well as mimicking a similar tone or style without a directly connected plot, this is known as a “spiritual sequel.”Films that fall in the spiritual sequel category are often inspired by or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-twin-films/sergio-pereira">similar to something that came before</a>. This typically means some or all of the cast reunites to make a new project, but the film they produce <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-sequels-to-classic-movies/mike-mcgranaghan">isn't a sequel</a> in the traditional sense, but more like an homage or nod to the original that stands on its own merit.Hollywood has churned out tons of spiritual sequels over the years, but not all of them are worth mention - take a look at some of the most beloved ones below.

Spiritual Sequels That Bring The Same Team Together With Completely Different Characters

There aren't exactly strict criteria for what makes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-classic-family-movies/ranker-film">a movie a “classic,” </a>other than the fact that it withstands the test of time. No matter how<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/-and-quot_old-and-quot_-movies-every-young-person-needs-to-watch-in-their-lifetime/ranker-film"> “old”</a> these movies may be, they are still worth watching. This could be due to their still poignant messages, their enduring quality, or just how impactful they have been on film as a whole.Most <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-classic-family-movies/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">classic children's movies</a> are the first movies someone will see. This is partially because these movies are widely loved, and also because many classic movies are also family friendly. Because these are some of viewers' earliest film memories, rewatching these movies later on can capture that feeling of childhood. Take a look at the greatest films that are bound to bring back your youth.

23 Classic Movies That Still Make Us Feel Like A Kid

Classic Movies That Still Make Us Feel Like A Kid

Lists about actors and actresses and the characters they became, how they disappeared into roles, what they really look like, and more.

The Art of Acting

Wealth and fame are just two of the benefits that come with being a Hollywood movie star. Another perk for bankable actors is the leverage to get their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/family-bonding-passion-project-movies/tyler-mitchell">vanity project movies</a> produced. Would <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/proud-flop-actors-of-hollywood/tyler-mitchell">Battlefield Earth</a> get made if John Travolta wasn’t one of the most popular actors in the world? Would The Postman ever see the light of day if Kevin Costner didn’t have an Oscar-winning past&nbsp;to back up his vision?The short answer is probably not. The scripts for both of those films were not very good. Producers only banked on those stories because of the star power Travolta and Costner had during the height of their Tinseltown fame. Some of these passion projects ruined careers, while others were just tiny bumps in the road. A couple of these vanity affairs have even gone on to find an audience and become cult classics. Vote up the passion projects that you think should have never been made.

15 Actor Passion Projects That No One Wanted To See

Ann Casano

Lists that rank the best, most hilarious films that will make you laugh so hard, you'll wake up the whole neighborhood.

Very Funny Movies

Comedy Movies

Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. In a world that can often seem heavy and serious, the ability to find a little amusement in simple, silly movies is a respite everyone deserves. The beauty of comedy is that even the most outrageous stories can provide a raucous, rib-tickling experience worth revisiting time and again.From zany characters to slapstick humor to madcap situations, this compilation showcases a hilarious whirlwind of films that aren't above being downright silly to coax out a hearty laugh. These movies may not be Oscar heavyweights, but they're sure to leave you clutching your sides, breathless from laughter and wiping tears from your eyes.Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of AI tools and edited by a human.

26 Silly Movies That Still Make Us Laugh So Hard We Cry

General

Olivia Peterman

Looking at the best, worst, and most unforgettable adaptations of books to the big and small screens.

Books Brought to Life

Interesting

If you were to read through a list of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-highest-grossing-movies-of-all-time/polkadotking">highest-grossing movies of all time</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-movies-of-all-time">the best movies ever made</a>, you’ll find that a sizable proportion of them are based on books.&nbsp;The Avengers,&nbsp;Gone with the Wind,&nbsp;The Godfather, and&nbsp;The Shawshank Redemption&nbsp;(to name a few) all have literary origins, but not all books are easily adapted to the screen, and some of them are downright “unfilmable.” Books and movies are very different art forms, and not all stories translate well. It’s difficult to imagine movies like Alfonso Cuarón’s&nbsp;Gravity&nbsp;or the classic musical&nbsp;Singin’ in the Rain&nbsp;as anything other than&nbsp;cinematic spectacles, just as it’s hard to visualize the work of Kurt Vonnegut or David Foster Wallace on screen. But Hollywood has a long track record of filming the unfilmable - and sometimes they even get it right.Before Peter Jackson monopolized the box office and the Oscars with his&nbsp;Lord of the Rings&nbsp;trilogy,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://screenrant.com/lotr-everything-know-kubrick-beatles-unproduced-adaptation/#stanley-kubrick-was-the-beatles-top-choice-to-direct">Stanley Kubrick thought Tolkien’s novels were unfilmable</a>.&nbsp;Dune&nbsp;was also deemed impossible to adapt - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/books-that-deserve-better-movie-adaptations/charley-ruddell">previous attempts not withstanding</a> - only to be turned into a box office and critical hit when Denis Villeneuve stepped in. But no matter what the reviews or balance sheets say, it’s always a matter of opinion whether a movie succeeds at capturing the essence of its source material. So whether you’re a movie buff or one of those people who almost always think the novel was better, vote up the books that got surprisingly worthy adaptations despite the odds.

17 Supposedly Unfilmable Books That Got Filmed Anyway

Supposedly Unfilmable Books That Got Filmed Anyway

Lily McElveen

Although TV as a medium is meant to blend novelty with consistency, it's inevitable that a TV show will change over time as writers think of new storylines to explore and actors get more comfortable with their characters. Though many shows will completely change for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-show-final-season-changes/tyler-mitchell">final season</a>, sometimes, a show will change much earlier.&nbsp;Not every show can find its niche in season one. The earliest installments of a show are often unusual in retrospect, before the creators completely figured out the structure and goals of the show. As a result, many of the most popular shows have drastic shifts in camera, style, genre, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-characters-who-changed-mid-series/karen-fratti">character</a>, or tone after their first seasons.

TV Shows That Completely Changed Style After The First Season

Rebecca Williamson

Lists about real and fictional spies, agents, operatives, and the very exciting, deceitful, and dangerous lives they lead.

I Spy

Spy films are known for the chase scenes, high-tech gadgets, and sometimes unbelievable missions that somehow manage to go the hero's way in the end.&nbsp;And although many spy flicks are fictional, a good number <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-accurate-espionage-movies/jonathan-kantor">are based on a true story</a>. These true tales include everything from a double-agent exotic dancer to a mission that involved creating a fake sci-fi film to rescue people from a hostile land.&nbsp;The stories might seem stranger than fiction, but these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-underrated-spy-movies/jacob-shelton">often underrated films</a> are based on the tactics of real-life spies and secret agents.&nbsp;If you're looking for your next thrilling espionage film to binge, we've got you covered.

14 Underrated Spy Movies Based On Real Spies

Underrated Spy Movies Based On Real Spies

Emily Mast

The word "anticlimactic” usually has a negative connotation. When applied to movies, it means the story had a lot of build-up for minimal pay-off. Few things are as frustrating as devoting a couple hours to a film, then having it completely fizzle out when it should be pulling out all the stops.&nbsp;But every rule has its exceptions, and this one is no different. Certain films exist that are anticlimatic in an awesome way rather than a maddening one. Instead of giving us what we expect, they take a hard left turn, offering us a new perspective on the story or leaving us with some sort of bigger idea to ponder afterward. They surprise us in the best possible manner. The following movies all did that. Had they ended in predictable fashion, they would, ironically, be far less memorable than they actually are.&nbsp;

Movies With Great Anticlimactic Endings That Are Truly Surprising

Movies With Anticlimactic Endings That Twist The Formula

Mike McGranaghan

Ranking the best, funniest, and most original stand-up comedians and comic actors.

Very Funny People

Looking closer at the actors who have played cold-blooded bad guys—and totally nailed it.

Playing the Villain

Comedians

Actors like Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, and John Malkovich can&#39;t always play the villain. These times great villains were played by comedians prove that sometimes casting against type can reap great rewards.

Robin Williams and Jim Carrey were both hilarious stand-up comedians with&nbsp;impressive filmographies filled with hilarious movies. However, both actors wanted to expand their resumes with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-serious-movies-starring-comedians" target="_blank">dramatic roles</a>&nbsp;that cast them in a completely different light.&nbsp;Sometimes it&#39;s hard to imagine our comedic heroes <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-villains-played-by-musicians/mike-mcgranaghan" target="_blank">playing the bad guy</a>. But, sometimes when the script and performances are just right, those normally funny protagonists make terrifying villains.

Make your voice heard. Vote up the most sinister villains played by comedians.

15 Times Great Villains Were Played By Comedians

Actor

Some of the biggest blockbusters of all time are science fiction movies, but the nature of the genre means that sometime things get a little too out-of-this-world. Whether that means<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/confusing-sci-fi-movies/zach-seemayer"> they're confusing</a>, psychedelic, or just <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-r-rated-sci-fi-horror-movies/ranker-film">straight-up freaky</a>, sci-fi films can sometimes stretch the boundaries of the average filmgoer's patience.But, for those with an open mind and a love of all things off the beaten path, those ones can be some of the best movies out there. In that spirit, here's some of the trippiest sci-fi movies that aren't mainstream for very good reason.

Trippy Sci-Fi Movies That Aren't Mainstream For A Reason

Emmett ORegan

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