Lily McElveen lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Lily McElveen - Lists at Ranker

What did we think the future would look like? How has it really turned out? What's next for humanity and the universe? What have we done? Lists to keep you up at night, quaking in your moon boots.

The Future Has Arrived

Sci-Fi

Since the beginning of cinema, science fiction movies have been accurately&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/shows-movies-set-in-2020/stephanroget">predicting future technologies</a>&nbsp;and scientific breakthroughs. The movie most frequently cited as the first film in the genre, 1902’s&nbsp;A Trip to the Moon, predated the moon landing by 67 years, while&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;and&nbsp;Star Trek&nbsp;are rife with future innovations, such as holograms, 3D printing, and tablets. Such technologies are relatively harmless, but in many sci-fi movies,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dumbest-science-fiction-technology/maggie-clancy">the inventions</a>&nbsp;are more cautionary than inspiring, making it all the more chilling when real scientists ignore the warning signs and invent them anyway.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/classic-science-fiction-movies/ranker-film">Science fiction</a>&nbsp;often presents dystopian worlds that hint at horrors the future might hold. They imagine alternate scenarios in which governments control their citizens with mind-reading technology, killer robots roam the streets, and neural implants explode inside people’s heads. They present near futures in which climate change has forced scientists to take deadly action or worlds in which individuals confide more in artificial intelligence than in each other. Some of these inventions are so upsetting that they seem almost apocalyptic, and yet, they all exist in some form. From&nbsp;RoboCop&nbsp;to&nbsp;Snowpiercer, these movies warned us about inventions that have become all too real. Vote up the advancements that exist in the real world that movies have proven are a bad idea.

12 Inventions Sci-Fi Warned Us About - And Then Real Scientists Just Invented Them Anyway

General

Real-World Inventions That Sci-Fi Movies Warned Us About Years Ago

Lily McElveen

1990s

Books have always been a major source of inspiration for filmmakers, and in the '90s, adaptations were everywhere. Some of them, such as the 1990 flop&nbsp;The Bonfire of the Vanities, were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/books-that-deserve-better-movie-adaptations/charley-ruddell">shameless and disastrous</a> cash grabs meant to capitalize on bestsellers, while others, such as&nbsp;The Silence of the Lambs&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Remains of the Day, became standout pieces of storytelling in their own right.&nbsp;Within the abundance of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-based-on-john-grisham-books/ranker-film">John Grisham adaptations</a> and cinematic takes on bestselling serial killer novels, some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-movies-based-on-books?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best movies based on books</a> were inevitably lost in the shuffle. From legal dramas to underrated Scorsese thrillers, keep reading to discover the forgotten adaptations that deserve to be remembered, and vote up the ones you think should make a cultural comeback.

Forgotten Book-To-Movie Adaptations From The '90s That Should Be Remembered

Film

Looking closer at the '80s movies you've probably already committed to memory.

'80s Movie Marathon

Watchworthy

In the vast history of cinema, the 1980s were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-80_s-movies">a&nbsp;banner decade</a>. Movies like&nbsp;Raging Bull,&nbsp;Blade Runner, and&nbsp;Sex, Lies and Videotape&nbsp;broke new cinematic ground, while blockbusters like&nbsp;E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,&nbsp;Top Gun, and&nbsp;The Empire Strikes Back&nbsp;reminded audiences why it was worth returning to the theater again and again.&nbsp;The&nbsp;decade also included excellent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-forgotten-80s-movies/david-de-la-riva">movies that never received the praise</a> they deserved, and forgotten box-office success stories that haven’t stayed as fresh in the minds of movie fans as the&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;sequels or Steven Spielberg’s blockbusters. It’s hard to believe, for example, that a movie like&nbsp;Honey, I Shrunk the Kids&nbsp;could out-earn&nbsp;Die Hard&nbsp;by tens of millions of dollars, or that Australian comedy&nbsp;Crocodile Dundee&nbsp;could be $2 million shy of unseating&nbsp;Top Gun&nbsp;as the highest-grossing movie of 1986. But the summer box office of the 1980s was full of surprises that were more successful than you realized.

1980s Summer Blockbusters That Were Way More Successful Than We Realized

Surprising '80s Summer Movie Hits

Exposing all the weird, expensive, political, ego-driven stuff that happens behind the scenes before and after films and TV series hit the screens.

That's Showbiz, Baby

Entertainment

Most artists <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/adventure-movies-based-on-real-myths/jim-rowley">draw inspiration from real life</a>, but some creations are more directly inspired by specific experiences than others. Many filmmakers have adapted their lives to the screen, including Steven Spielberg with&nbsp;The Fabelmans, Greta Gerwig with&nbsp;Lady Bird, and François Truffaut with&nbsp;The 400 Blows, but not all autobiographical filmmaking depicts events from the distant past. In some cases, filmmakers are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-altered-after-real-events/jacob-shelton">responding to events in real time</a>. This often leads to disguised storytelling. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s alien apocalypse movie&nbsp;The World’s End, for instance, isn’t an obvious depiction of the star’s struggles with alcoholism, but Pegg later revealed that it was a creative response to a painful time in his life. Similarly, few fans would suspect that&nbsp;Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom&nbsp;is a glorified <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-about-getting-dumped/anncasano?ref=browse_list">breakup movie</a>, but its notorious darkness helped George Lucas and Steven Spielberg purge their feelings after their respective breakups.&nbsp;Some filmmakers intentionally use their artistic medium as a form of therapy, while others are surprised by the emotional impact of making art out of their own struggles. In some cases, they choose not to discuss the real-life parallels until years after the film’s release. Whatever the case, these movies are windows into the personal hardships of their creators, and while they are not always easy to watch, they do demonstrate the power of filmmaking to depict real-world experiences in innovative and surprising ways.

14 Movies That Were Surprisingly Inspired By Creators' Personal Hardships

Movies You Didn't Realize Were Low-Key Autobiographical

Pop Culture

Typecasting is an inevitable part of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-typecast-actors/michelle-nati">being a Hollywood star</a>, but actresses who strike gold in the rom-com genre seem to be particularly susceptible. Katherine Heigl, for example, will forever be associated with&nbsp;Knocked Up&nbsp;and&nbsp;27 Dresses, no matter how many thrillers she makes, while Julia Roberts will always be the bashful movie star who falls for Hugh Grant in&nbsp;Notting Hill, despite the subsequent Oscar she won for&nbsp;Erin Brockovich.If an actor sticks around long enough, however, they often receive the chance to capitalize on their typecasting in a new way: by playing a villain.Rom-com actresses who take on dark roles bring the best kind of baggage to their characters, toying with their audience's expectations to bring surprisingly sinister performances to the screen. From Cameron Diaz as a psychopathic con woman to Meg Ryan as a motorcycle-riding stalker, keep reading to discover the actresses who made the biggest pivot to villainy.

Rom-Com Actresses Who Lived Long Enough To Become The Villain

Actor

Lists about real and fictional mysteries and the people who solved them—or at least tried to.

Whodunits & Whydunits & How

Since the dawn of&nbsp;prestige television&nbsp;in the early 2000s, mystery series have become more powerfully realistic, and emotionally complex. But sometimes all you want is a cozy mystery TV series that will make you feel relaxed, entertained, and emotionally better off than when you started it, with trusted <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hallmark-channel-actors/ranker-tv">actors</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hallmark-channel-actresses/ranker-tv">actresses</a> playing characters who are equally comforting. Shows like&nbsp;True Detective&nbsp;may have won Emmys (and reignited the career of Matthew McConaughey), but they won’t leave you feeling soothed or particularly optimistic about the world.&nbsp;The best cozy mysteries come in many forms.&nbsp;The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-hallmark-channel-tv-shows/voteable">Hallmark Channel's movie series</a>&nbsp;fall squarely within the category, as do many British mysteries. These shows often feature amateur detectives with unique qualifications and quirky personalities that help them see the world differently from their neighbors or the local police force. Add an eccentric sidekick or best friend to the mix, and a light sprinkling of intrigue, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a great cozy mystery show that won’t give you nightmares or lower your faith in humanity.&nbsp;

The Best Cozy Mystery Series On TV

TV Program

The 13 Best Cozy Mystery Series On TV

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

Haven't you heard? Skin sells. (Tickets.) Here are lists about how this taboo topic is handled in films, shows, scenes, and other things you don't want to watch with your parents.

Steamy Entertainment

Total Nerd

Movies develop&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-that-arent-what-you-think/lily-mcelveen">misleading reputations</a>&nbsp;through various means, such as marketing and word of mouth. As a result, there are many movies that people might assume are trashy, but are in fact way more sophisticated than they realize. Maybe there’s an infamous orgy scene that colors everyone’s memory of the film or a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hated-movie-tropes/ranker">genre trope</a>&nbsp;that leads you to believe a particular movie will be exactly like the low-brow movies that inspired it.In the case of movies such as Bernardo Bertolucci’s&nbsp;Last Tango in Paris&nbsp;or Nicolas Roeg’s&nbsp;Bad Timing, however, the ongoing&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-movies/anncasano">controversies surrounding their content</a>&nbsp;are appropriate. Both films contain upsetting scenes that are possibly unwatchable for some. But rather than being easily dismissed as trashy, they are the work of revered auteurs who were intentionally inflicting discomfort on their audiences for reasons that go beyond mere provocation. Whatever the origin of the misconceptions, it’s time to set the record straight on these exceptionally classy movies. Vote up the ones that offer a lot more than just cheap thrills.

18 Movies You Thought Were Trashy But Are Actually Super Classy

Movies You Thought Were Trashy But Are Actually Super Classy

Ranking the plot twists that got us good. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Didn't See That Coming

Ranking the plot twists we didn't see coming. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Ooh, Twist!

Plot twists can be&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-influential-movie-plot-twists/mike-mcgranaghan">mind-blowing</a>, confusing, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pointless-movie-plot-twists/mike-mcgranaghan">just plain disappointing</a>, but when it comes to bad movies, they are almost always an improvement. If you find yourself dozing off in a formulaic thriller or rolling your eyes at a soppy romance, a hard fork in the story can make the movie worth your while, even if the twist is utterly ridiculous.&nbsp;There are plot twists that try to make you cry and ones that turn a hero into a villain, and then there are the ones so extreme, they <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/plot-twist-in-middle-of-the-movie/mike-mcgranaghan">change the genre of the movie</a> you’re watching. From the drama-turned-alien-invasion flick to the romance-turned-ghost story, these are the bad movies that got a much-needed makeover through absurd plot twists. Keep reading to uncover all the spoilers that make these bad movies almost worth watching.&nbsp;

15 Ridiculous Plot Twists That Make Bad Movies Memorable

Ridiculous Plot Twists That Make Bad Movies Memorable

Ranking, deconstructing, and thinking about movies based on books, TV shows based on comics, plays based on cartoons, musicals based on toys, etc.

Great Adaptations

Deep dives into unforgettable film characters and the situations they experience, manipulate, and endure.

People on the Big Screen

Public Domain

Public domain characters are fair game for filmmakers, and the legions of movies they have spawned have yielded some surprisingly good results. Copyright laws are meant to protect artists from having their creations&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/films-accused-of-copyright-infringement/matthewcoleweiss">repurposed by other people</a>, but characters can’t be off-limits forever, and some types of stories - such as myths, history, and fairytales - are never subject to copyright. With a few exceptions, characters and stories published 95 years ago or more automatically lapse into the public domain, allowing anyone to adapt them however they wish.&nbsp;Public domain characters are ideal subject matter for filmmakers because they are often already&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-characters-who-should-make-a-comeback/oliverhanson">adored by the general public</a>. Peter Pan, Robin Hood, and King Arthur are all figures in the public domain who have had many on-screen iterations. Some filmmakers try to stay&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/comic-book-movies-recreate-panels-side-by-side/erin-maxwell?ref=browse_list">as true to the original story as possible</a>, while others take considerable liberties. Whether you like the idea of Robin Hood trying to (consensually) break open a chastity belt or setting&nbsp;Beauty and the Beast&nbsp;in a virtual reality interface, vote up the great films about stories you know like the back of your hand.

15 Surprisingly Good Movie Adaptations About Public Domain Characters

Surprisingly Good Movie Adaptations About Public Domain Characters

Great movie striptease scenes are about more than exploiting as much of a celebrity’s body as their contract will allow. Like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/musical-movies-with-the-best-songs/ranker-film">music in musicals</a>, they advance the story in a way that straightforward dialogue couldn’t. They can be playful, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-awkward-movie-scenes/tyler-mitchell">awkward</a>, sad, or sexy, but they always leave you with a greater understanding of the characters involved.&nbsp;Imparting character development through a striptease scene can be difficult when the actor is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-characters-who-are-way-too-attractive/lily-mcelveen?ref=profile_own">distractingly gorgeous</a>, but filmmakers have devised several strategies to circumvent this. In&nbsp;Magic Mike, for example, Channing Tatum’s dancing is so astonishing that his abs are mere window dressing. In&nbsp;Exotica&nbsp;and&nbsp;Closer, the directors focus on the characters by showing hardly any nudity despite the context of the scenes. Movie stripteases are a surprisingly versatile way to move a narrative forward and explore complex relationships. From heartbreaking scenes to ones that make you laugh out loud, vote up the stripteases that deliver a lot more than just eye candy.

Great Movie Striptease Scenes That Reveal A Lot More Than Just Skin

An intense rivalry is one of the most solid foundations for a movie script. It provides a ready-made story, distinctive characters, and the all-important conflict. But of course, some movie rivalries are more intense than others. The best rivalries are not about an easy binary of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/villains-made-up-for-combat-movies/tyler-mitchell">good vs evil</a>, but of equals who find themselves at odds for one reason or another. They might be ingenious scientists battling over rival inventions or composers mired in creative jealousy. There are romantic rivalries, sports rivalries, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-movies/ranker-film">showbiz rivalries</a>. There’s even a high-budget action movie about meteorological rivals.&nbsp;Regardless of what type of rivalry a movie depicts, things can fly out of control. The feud may begin as a lighthearted spat or mild professional competition only to devolve into volatility and disaster. In&nbsp;American Psycho, for example, Patrick Bateman is so enraged by his colleague’s condescension that he resorts to dismemberment, while in&nbsp;Anchorman, the highest-ranking news anchors in San Diego are so competitive that they resort to a fully weaponized street brawl to settle their differences. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/times-characters-beat-their-longtime-rival/thomas-west">Intense movie rivalries</a> make for exciting viewing. Vote up the ones that keep you on the edge of your seat.

18 Intense Movie Rivalries That Go Way Too Far

Intense Movie Rivalries That Go Way Too Far

Celebrating Bobby De Niro

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-typecast-actors/michelle-nati">Typecasting</a>&nbsp;is often thought of as a bad thing, but for some actors, becoming synonymous with a single genre is the cornerstone of an A-list career. A diversified filmography works for the Tilda Swintons and Leonardo DiCaprios of the world, but Tom Cruise isn’t firing his agent over the fact that he is almost exclusively associated with big-budget action movies. Sticking mainly to one genre&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-tried-to-cross-genres/anncasano">gives actors a distinct persona</a>, a solid fan base, and the ability to push boundaries within the usual confines of whatever category of film they’re known for. Jamie Lee Curtis, for example, has managed to take fans on a multi-decade journey through cheap thrills and carefully-considered emotional challenges&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/halloween-franchise-movies-ranked-best-to-worst/ranker-horror">within a single franchise</a>, while Christopher Guest has explored a wide range of subcultures through his mockumentaries.&nbsp;Actors who are synonymous with a single genre are, by definition, successful. If their name alone makes you think of a certain type of movie, they’ve reached the highest ranks of Hollywood stardom. Some found success through franchises, others by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-that-saved-entire-genres/tyler-mitchell">pioneering emerging genres</a>. From action stars to screwball comedians and everything in between, these actors have learned that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Vote up the thespians that are best known for one kind of film.

18 Actors Who Became Synonymous With A Single Genre

Actors Who Became Synonymous With A Single Genre

Most Hollywood actors are in the top one percent of physical attractiveness, meaning audiences are often required to pretend a character in a movie isn’t super hot when they clearly are. Studios want famous faces in their films and sometimes this leads to a person like Halle Berry playing a supposedly nondescript waitress, or Channing Tatum playing a dog-adjacent alien. Sometimes they go&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-extreme-actor-transformations-v2/mark">above and beyond</a>&nbsp;to de-glamorize the actor, like Charlize Theron in&nbsp;Monster&nbsp;or Christian Bale in basically everything except&nbsp;American Psycho. But often, the only proof the character is supposed to be unattractive is a heavy-handed script and minimal makeup.Movies based on books are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-that-are-adaptations-in-name-only/tyler-mitchell">often guilty</a>&nbsp;of this phenomenon. The desire to simultaneously adhere to the authors’ vision and showcase A-list actors puts studio execs in a bind, but they almost always opt for glamorizing an unglamorous character rather than staying faithful to the book by choosing a plain-looking actor. Then there is the vast sub-category of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nerdy-girl-makeovers-from-teen-movies/candice-darden">movie makeovers</a>&nbsp;in which a beautiful actor is made to look as unappealing as possible to maximize the effect of their on-screen transformation. In all of these instances, the movie relies on its audience to play along and pretend they aren’t seeing the blatantly obvious. But we’re calling their bluff. Vote up the supposedly unappealing characters that aren't fooling anyone.

16 Movies Where We Have To Pretend A Character Isn't Super Hot

Movies Where We Have To Pretend A Character Isn't Super Hot

Lists of fun facts and fascinating photos from production on your favorite films, TV shows, and more.

Behind the Scenes

Many great works of art take time. Whether it’s a follow-up album from a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/wild-gnr-stories/brandon-michaels">world-famous rock band</a> or a celebrated modernist novel, some projects have taken their creators literal decades to complete. This can happen because of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/great-movie-scenes-made-for-budget-reasons/tyler-mitchell">tight resources</a>, inconsistent collaborators, or changing technology. Sometimes, it’s just the inevitable result of a project so vast that no amount of consistency or money could speed the process. There are even cases where the artist meticulously plans for a decades-long production.&nbsp;Movies, poems, desert installations, and video games are all examples of the kinds of projects that have taken their creators decades to make. In the case of Terry Gilliam’s movie&nbsp;The Man Who Killed Don Quixote&nbsp;or the Guns N’ Roses album&nbsp;Chinese Democracy, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/films-with-huge-production-problems/alex-rodgers">protracted creative process</a> becomes the story. In other instances, like the James Joyce novel&nbsp;Finnegans Wake&nbsp;or the silent film epic&nbsp;Napoleon, the cultural footprint of the resulting artwork far exceeds the furor around its creation. Vote up the years-in-the-making projects that were worth the wait.

14 Projects That Took Literal Decades To Make

Projects That Took Literal Decades To Make

Fads

Food trends come and go with the seasons, but while some are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/foods-that-used-to-be-surprisingly-popular/lauren-glen">flash-in-the-pan fads</a>&nbsp;that remind you of a very specific point in history (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/healthy-food-trends-over-the-years/melissa-sartore">bran muffins, anyone?</a>), others rocket to prominence and become fixtures, like sushi or tiramisu. In dining as in fashion, trends often overlap, but in any given year, one dish or food stands head and shoulders above the competition, whether it’s the kiwi craze of 1981 or the obsession with fried calamari in 1996.Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Americans became more open to bold flavors and textures. Chicken, pasta, and pastries were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-70s-dinner-party-tweets/mrennie">all the rage in the ‘70s</a>, but by the ’90s, people were nibbling away at sun-dried tomatoes and tuna tartare as if they’d been brought up in one of Manhattan’s finest restaurants. Each food trend offers a glimpse into what Americans valued at that particular point in history, so keep reading to discover what everyone was eating the year you were born.&nbsp;

The Biggest Food Trend From The Year You Were Born

Food

Unforgettable Film Characters

Celebrities

When screenwriters are trying to dream up larger-than-life characters, the real world has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/comic-book-characters-based-on-real-people/ranker-comics">plenty to offer</a> by way of inspiration. But when it comes to recreating famous people, filmmakers have to tread lightly. Making a movie that is explicitly based on a celebrity’s life <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/films-accused-of-copyright-infringement/matthewcoleweiss">can lead to lawsuits</a>, which is why many screenwriters opt for creating <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-loosely-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film">lightly fictionalized</a> versions of the famous people they have in mind. With this tactic, Gus Van Sant was able to make a controversial biopic about the last days of Kurt Cobain’s life, Orson Welles was able to critique the career of a tyrannical millionaire, and Francis Ford Coppola was able to draw a direct connection between Frank Sinatra and the mafia.Sometimes, even name changes don’t prevent celebrities from lashing out at their thinly veiled on-screen counterparts. David Bowie threatened to sue Todd Haynes for&nbsp;Velvet Goldmine, for example, while the Koch Brothers had some choice words for Zach Galifianakis after he conceded that&nbsp;The Campaign&nbsp;was skewering their influence on politics. In all these cases, the parallels between famous people and supposedly fictitious characters are impossible to ignore. Vote up the most blatant fictional stand-ins for real people.

15 Movie Characters Who Are Just Thinly Veiled Versions Of Famous People

Movie Characters Who Are Thinly Veiled Versions Of Real People

Adaptations

It’s no secret that many of Hollywood’s greatest stories <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-movies-based-on-books">originate from novels</a>, but you might be surprised to learn which authors are responsible for your favorite adaptations. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-based-on-stephen-king-books/ranker-film">Stephen King</a>, JK Rowling, and Jane Austen are household names, but Philip K. Dick, Walter Tevis, and Patricia Highsmith have inspired movies and TV shows with reputations on par with&nbsp;The Shining,&nbsp;Harry Potter, and&nbsp;Pride and Prejudice.&nbsp;Authors who have a surprisingly excellent track record on-screen may be overlooked for a number of reasons. In some cases, their stories were picked up by A-list filmmakers whose fame eclipsed theirs. Daphne du Maurier, for example, produced stories that became the basis of three Alfred Hitchcock movies that are now almost exclusively associated with him. Another reason is variety. Authors like Richard Matheson and Walter Tevis wrote novels that spanned such a wide range of genres that it’s hard to believe the movies and television shows they inspired came from the same person. Few would assume that the 1980 period romance&nbsp;Somewhere in Time&nbsp;was dreamed up by the man who wrote the story behind Will Smith’s post-apocalyptic thriller&nbsp;I Am Legend. Whatever the reason for their undeserved anonymity, these authors created stories that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-and-movies-you-didn-t-know-were-based-on-books/brent-sprecher">found a wide fandom</a> when they were brought to the screen. Vote up the ones you didn’t realize you already loved.

14 Writers You Didn't Realize Were Responsible For Your Favorite Adaptations

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Writers Who Have Been Adapted Way More Often Than You Realize

Lists for every cinephile and "movie guy" on your virtual trivia team.

Film Buff Stuff

Over the years, Hollywood has encountered many dual versions of a similar story within a short period, from&nbsp;Deep Impact&nbsp;and&nbsp;Armageddon&nbsp;in 1998 to&nbsp;No Strings Attached&nbsp;and&nbsp;Friends with Benefits&nbsp;in 2011. But sometimes, two movies come out that tell <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/different-movies-based-on-the-same-story/ryan-izay">the exact same story</a>. This can happen for various reasons. Fairytales, legends, and historical figures are within the public domain, paving the way for infinite versions of Snow White, Hercules, and Catherine the Great. Copyright for books lapses with time, while biopics can normally be made with or without authorization from the subject’s estate. But despite these permissive laws, there are cases in which <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/films-accused-of-copyright-infringement/matthewcoleweiss">legal wrangling</a> is involved. The two Bond movies released in 1983, for example, were the result of decades of lawsuits, while the filmmakers behind one of 1992’s dueling Christopher Columbus movies tried to block the other production from going forward.&nbsp;Competing stories face a tricky run at the box office. Viewers who have just seen a Truman Capote biopic or a live-action remake of a classic Disney movie may not have an appetite to see the same thing with different actors. But occasionally, filmmakers have a distinctive enough approach to their subject to justify another visit. Whether you like multiple perspectives on a musical icon or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-robin-hood-movies/ranker-film">as many Robin Hoods</a> as producers are willing to greenlight, vote up the stories so interesting, they got two movies at once.

14 Times Two Competing Movies Told The Same Story At The Same Time

Behind The Scenes

Making a movie is difficult even in the best circumstances, but some films&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-that-almost-didn-t-get-made/anncasano">require extra dedication</a>&nbsp;from their creators. Copyright laws, permits from local officials, government censorship, and the whims of producers can all stand in the way of a filmmaker creating the movie they envisioned, but&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/problems-that-made-movies-better/alex-kirschenbaum">some refuse</a>&nbsp;to let these obstacles stop them. From sneaking into DisneyWorld to film a dark comedy about a conspiracy behind Disney itself to taking out a full-page ad in the newspaper to publicly shame a studio into releasing their movie, these filmmakers went to brazen lengths to get their projects onto the big screen. In some instances, they&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/films-accused-of-copyright-infringement/matthewcoleweiss">broke copyright rules</a>&nbsp;to use footage that was essential to their visions. In others, they went undercover to gain unprecedented access to their unsuspecting subjects. Some of these movies led to decades of lawsuits, while others managed to get away with their illicit behavior by posing clever legal arguments or escaping the jurisdiction altogether.&nbsp;Whether it’s breaking the law or going undercover with criminals, these movies prove that having a great idea and a budget to match is no guarantee that the filmmaking process will be smooth (or legal). Vote up the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that were all worth it in the end.&nbsp;

13 Movies That Only Exist Because Of Brazen Acts Of Subterfuge

Movies That Only Exist Because Of Brazen Acts Of Subterfuge

Movie marketing can be misleading. Studios often <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/misleading-movie-trailers/jordan-breeding">craft trailers</a> to fit the angle that they believe will sell the most tickets, even if it <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/misleading-movie-trailers/anncasano">isn’t an accurate representation</a> of the story. This can lead moviegoers to realize that the movie they’re watching is not what they thought it was – that the revenge thriller they expected is actually a brooding character study or the slapstick coming-of-age comedy is actually a heartfelt ode to '80s nostalgia. Even when trailers are accurate, movies can take on a life of their own after they’re released. The 1990 movie&nbsp;Ghost, for example, is widely remembered as a romantic drama, but its plot is driven by a dark murder mystery that is both violent and suspenseful.&nbsp;&nbsp;It isn’t necessarily a bad thing to discover that a movie isn’t what you thought it was. In some cases, misleading reputations can lead to pleasant surprises. Fans of Nicolas Cage were taken aback by his quietly moving performance in a movie that everyone thought was going to be a&nbsp;John Wick&nbsp;ripoff, and the 2022 horror hit&nbsp;Barbarian&nbsp;is more satisfying if you <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-better-without-prior-info/jonathan-kantor">allow yourself to be led astray</a> by the marketing. Whether you like being caught off guard or want to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, vote up the movies that were not at all what you expected going in.&nbsp;

15 Movies That Aren't What You Think They Are

Movies That Aren't What You Think They Are

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

Most actors want variety in their careers to stay creatively fulfilled, but for those who are associated with wholesome roles, drastic measures may be required to prove they have more to offer than saccharine charm. For these actors, any role with a hint of darkness is controversial. Child stars who get their big break in Disney movies have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-too-young-for-controversial-roles/katia-kleyman">faced backlash</a> when they take on adult roles ever since Hayley Mills starred in a violent thriller in the 1960s. Even adult actors are at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-typecast-actors/michelle-nati">risk of getting typecast</a> as the embodiment of innocence and morality. Julie Andrews has spent her career trying to distance herself from the first two movies she ever made, while Meg Ryan’s persona as “America’s Sweetheart” was so ironclad in the late '90s that when she tried to go in a darker direction, it derailed her career.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-completely-reinvented-themselves/anncasano">Reinvention</a> is a necessary part of an actor’s longevity, and these stars did their best to break free from the wholesome images they initially cultivated. From Gregory Peck as a Nazi to Natalie Portman as a stripper, vote up the performances that showed wholesome actors in a whole new light.

13 Times Wholesome Actors Took On Controversial Roles And Changed Their Image

Plenty of A-list celebrities&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-were-on-reality-tv/anncasano">got their start on reality TV</a>, but you might be surprised by the ones who left their competitions empty-handed - only to achieve greatness years later. Reality competition shows like American Idol are fraught with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horrifying-behind-the-scenes-reality-television-stories/alexandra-plesa">behind-the-scenes drama</a>&nbsp;and production pressures that can lead to unfortunate and surprising outcomes. In some cases, they result in confusing choices from judges and baffling votes from the audience.Even though the celebrities here didn't end up being the most successful TV competition stars, they have managed to put their reality TV losses&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-completely-reinvented-themselves/anncasano">in the rearview mirror</a>&nbsp;and catapult themselves to the top of their professions. Keep reading to find out which reality TV stars who lost went on to win big.&nbsp;

Reality TV Contestants Who Didn’t Win The Competition But Won Big In The Long Term

Reality TV Contestants Who Lost But Won Big In The Long Term

In Hollywood, success is a fickle thing. An actor can take home an Oscar one year only to fade into obscurity after a string of flops the next. But <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/90s-actors-who-deserve-comebacks/celebrity-lists">everyone loves a comeback</a>, and the last year had a lot to offer. Some were long overdue, while others were downright surprising. British actress Samantha Morton, for example, has been consistently lauded by critics and peers throughout her career but hasn’t gotten meaty enough roles to showcase her considerable talents since the early 2000s. Ke Huy Quan, on the other hand, was all but forgotten as an actor. Having disappeared from the big screen for over 30 years, the&nbsp;Indiana Jones&nbsp;star made a triumphant return in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-science-fiction-movies-2022/jason-bancroft">major sci-fi movie</a>, launching one of the most unexpected and delightful second acts of the year.Some of the actors who got their mojo back leaped into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-broke-type-casting/anncasano">brand new territory</a> while others went back to their roots. Brendan Fraser, who will always be remembered as a family-friendly '90s action star, relaunched his career with an emotionally complex role in the latest movie from controversial director Darren Aronofsky. Jennifer Lawrence, by contrast, emerged from a multi-year hiatus to start making indie movies again more than a decade after the low-budget noir&nbsp;Winter’s Bone&nbsp;made her a star. From <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/character-actors/lisa-waugh">underrated character actors</a> to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scream-queens-where-are-they-now/jacob-shelton">iconic scream queens</a>, vote up the performers who truly deserve their comebacks.

14 Actors Who Got Their Mojo Back This Year

Actors Who Got Their Mojo Back In 2022

Even movie stars get bored, and the film industry in the '90s had plenty to offer them if they wanted to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-talk-about-controversial-movies/lauren-glen">spice things up a bit</a>. During this decade, erotic thrillers, blockbuster action movies, and stylized indies thrived. Controversial directors like Oliver Stone, Brian De Palma, and David Cronenberg had their niches carved out but were still treated seriously by studios and critics. Meanwhile, movie stars were ready to take risks. Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Denzel Washington, and Tom Hanks all stepped out of their comfort zones during this period, and while some risk-takers like Sharon Stone and Brad Pitt were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-bet-on-themselves/anncasano">rewarded with career-defining performances</a>, others, like Woody Harrelson and Bruce Willis, fell on the wrong side of controversy.From&nbsp;Fight Club&nbsp;to&nbsp;Eyes Wide Shut, here are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-movies/anncasano">the most controversial movies</a> that offered '90s movie stars a respite from their usual fare and stoked public debate. Whether you love them or hate them, vote up the ones that earned their contentious reputations.

The Most Controversial Movies Of 1990s Movie Stars

Lists about the best (and worst) films, TV series, novels, characters, etc. in every sci-fi genre.

The Worlds of Science Fiction

Showbiz

All great sci-fi is ahead of its time, which often makes movies in the genre fall flat before audiences are able to appreciate their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sci-fi-tech-thrillers-that-predicted-the-future/ryan-izay?ref=listed_on&amp;pos=37">visionary qualities</a>. There are many reasons why the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-intelligent-sci-fi-movies/ranker-film">best sci-fi movies</a> tend to flop at the box office. Some are victims of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/great-movies-overshadowed-by-blockbusters/jim-rowley?ref=listed_on&amp;pos=71">bad timing</a> or botched marketing. Others are simply too inventive for audiences to fully appreciate at the time of their release.&nbsp;Blade Runner, for example, was panned by critics when it was released in 1982, and audiences <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-action-movie-flops/sergio-pereira">simply didn’t show up</a>. It barely broke even. Over time, however, thanks to repeat viewings on home video, it became widely regarded as one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-sci-fi-movies">greatest sci-fi movies of all time</a>.&nbsp;Sadly, not all great movies are given a second chance, no matter how much time has passed. Many of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-fantasy-movie-flops/tyler-mitchell">best sci-fi movies remain underappreciated</a>, whether due to the bad reputation they received at the time of their release or because they never got much attention to begin with. But which one is the most underrated? Vote up the movies that are better than their reputation. Vote down the ones that deserved to flop at the box office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Underrated Sci-Fi Movies That Flopped At The Box Office

Everyone likes movies with happy endings, but sometimes filmmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/surprisingly-intense-family-friendly-movies/tyler-mitchell">throw a curveball into the mix</a> and turn moments that seem like they’re headed for a happy conclusion into something much sadder. This often leads to bittersweet endings that may not make you feel warm and fuzzy, but which nevertheless stick in your memory and get you in an existential frame of mind. Whether it’s a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sad-movie-goodbyes/anncasano">heart-wrenching goodbye</a> that you didn’t see coming or a character realizing they’ve outgrown their dreams, these moments conjure complex emotions that go beyond the binary of happy and sad.Movie moments that should have been happy but turn out to be heartbreaking pop up in every genre, from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/heartbreaking-details-in-pixar-movies/tpetersccc">lighthearted kid’s animation</a> to the MCU to Oscar-winning dramas. Keep reading to see which movies refused to let their characters (and audiences) bask in the uplifting moment they were expecting, and vote up the ones that hurt the most to watch.

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