Hollywood and the global film industry thrive on successful formulas, and certain narratives resonate so strongly with audiences that they inspire reimaginings across different genres and settings. Sometimes, it’s inevitable for movies to share similar premises. Whether it’s a classic underdog story, a tale of forbidden love, or a hero’s journey, filmmakers often find new ways to reinterpret familiar tropes. While some may see them as lazy storytelling, it is also a testament to how powerful a great idea can be. For example, the groundbreaking concept ofGroundhog Dayis now known asan entirely new genre.
In some cases, some films are so strikingly similar that it’s hard to ignore the parallels. Whether intentional or coincidental, these cinematic doppelgangers can provide interesting insights into how different filmmakers approach the same concept. Some of these movies have practically the same core with enough changes to avoid plagiarism accusations. In unique instances, two similar movies can even be released in the same year. The following entries explore pairs of movies that share striking similarities, from storylines to overarching themes. Are they ripoffs or just simply a case of great ideas coincidentally being hatched around the same time? Audiences can usually judge.
10'2012' (2009)
Pretty much the same as ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ (2004)
2012is a disaster epic directed by the master of disaster cinema,Roland Emmerich, leveraging the viral Mayan calendar that predicts doomsday happening in the year 2012. The story follows Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a writer and estranged husband who races against time to save his family as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions destroy the planet. Known for its colossal visual effects designed to endother disaster movies,2012sees Curtis reuniting with his family after overcoming different disaster scenarios.
Similarly, Emmerich’s earlier film,The Day After Tomorrow, explores the catastrophic consequences of climate change. StarringDennis Quaidas a climatologist andJake Gyllenhaalas his son, the movie focuses on their efforts to survive and reunite amidst extreme weather events that plunge Earth into a new ice age.2012may be bigger in scale but the formula remains the same: showcasing spectacular and somewhat possible destruction sequences while making sure the audiences engage with the emotions established through the human relationships.
9’Observe and Report' (2009)
Pretty much the same as ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop’ (2009)
Observe and Reportis a dark comedy starringSeth Rogenas Ronnie Barnhardt, an ambitious but mentally unstable mall security guard. When a flasher begins terrorizing the mall, Ronnie sees it as his chance to prove himself, though his overzealous approach often causes more harm than good.
This film draws inevitable comparisons toPaul Blart: Mall Cop, which was released earlier in the same year.Both movies feature a similar premise about bumbling mall security guards trying to save the day.Fortunately, the films choose different tones, asKevin James’Paul Blartgoes for slapstick comedy andObserve and Reportleans into darker, more uncomfortable humor. Despite their obvious tonal differences, the fun aspect ofPaul Blartmay have hurtObserve and Report’s reception with the audience, who might have expected a similarly light-hearted movie.
Observe and Report
8'13 Going on 30' (2004)
Pretty much the same as ‘Big’ (1988)
13 Going on 30is a whimsical romantic comedy that follows Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who magically wakes up as her 30-year-old self after making a birthday wish. As Jenna navigates adult life with a teenager’s perspective, she learns valuable lessons about friendship and love. StarringJennifer Garneras the adult Jenna, the film is widely praised for its message and nostalgia factor, making it a beloved modern classic.
The premise of13 Going on 30draws clear inspiration fromBig, which was released in 1988. The older movie follows a young boy, Josh who wishes to be “big” and wakes up as an adult played byTom Hanks.Both films explore the challenges of navigating adulthood with a childlike perspective, blending humor with heartfelt lessons.For teenagers, both films encourage living young lives to the fullest before embracing adult responsibilities. With a romantic twist and an updated message,13 Going on 30offers a fresh addition tothe body-swap genrefor a new generation.
13 Going on 30
7’The Fast and The Furious' (2001)
Pretty mch the same as ‘Point Break’ (1991)
The first entry of the now-behemoth franchise,The Fast and the Furiousis simply an action film that dives into the underground world of street racing and crime. The story follows Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), an undercover cop tasked with infiltrating a group of street racers led by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). As Brian gets deeper into Dom’s world, he forms a bond with Dom and his crew, which complicates his mission.
The core plot ofThe Fast and the Furiousbears a striking resemblance toPoint Break, a cult classic directed byKathryn Bigelow. InPoint Break,Keanu Reevesplays Johnny Utah, an FBI agent who goes undercover to catch a gang of bank-robbing surfers led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze).Utah forms a bond with the charismatic leader, leading to a conflict between his duty and newfound friendships, just like O’Conner.Point Break,however, does not havephysics-defying sequels that go up to ten movies(so far).
The Fast and the Furious
Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) enjoys the adrenaline of street car racing and his fans treat him like a rock star. After a blazing encounter with the ruthless Johnny Tran, Dom decides to take Brian (Paul Walker), a newcomer to street racing, under his wing. Dom’s sister Mia sees something she likes in Brian, too. Trouble is, neither of them realize he’s an undercover cop, and Dominic and his rival Johnny Tran are both the prime suspects in a case involving dirty money and big-rig hijacking.
6’The Hunger Games' (2012)
Basically the same as ‘Battle Royale’ (2000)
Based on a bestselling book series,The Hunger Gamesis a dystopian film that follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman forced to participate in a brutal televised competition. Set in a future world where the Capitol exerts oppressive control over the districts, Katniss must navigate unlikely alliances,deadly foes, and the emotional toll of being a pawn in the Capitol’s cruel spectacle.
The concept ofThe Hunger Gamesstrongly echoesBattle Royale, a Japanese film starringTakeshi Kitanoabout a group of high school students forced into a deadly game on a remote island. Both movies center on youngpeople trapped in a life-or-death contestorchestrated by an oppressive authority.Thematically, both critique societal control and the desensitization to violence, thoughBattle Royaleis not shy about showing gory violence.Aimed for young adults,The Hunger Gamesopts for a safer route and establishes a romance subplot as well.
The Hunger Games
5’The Secret Life of Pets' (2016)
Pretty much the same as ‘Toy Story’ (1995)
The Secret Life of Petsis an animated comedy that imagines what pets do when their owners aren’t home. The story follows Max, a loyal dog whose life is upended when his owner adopts a new dog, Duke. Their rivalry gets them lost in the city, forcing them to team up and find their way home. The animated film boasts a quirky ensemble of voice actors made up by comedians likeKevin Hart,Eric StonestreetandJenny Slate.
The premise ofThe Secret Life of Petsfeels reminiscent ofToy Story, an animated film that imagines what toys do when their owners aren’t looking.Toy Storyfollows Woody, a cowboy doll voiced byTom Hanks, who feels threatened by the arrival of a flashy new toy Buzz Lightyear, voiced byTim Allen.Both films center on a protagonist navigating jealousy that leads to an unlikely friendship forged through shared adversity, with a central theme that is close to children’s imaginations.Children may not see this asa Toy Story rip off, but their parents might.
The Secret Life of Pets
4’Captain America: Civil War' (2016)
Pretty much the same as ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)
Captain America: Civil Warpits Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) against one another in an ideological clash. The film centers on the fallout from government efforts to regulate superhuman activity, leading to a division in The Avengers, with some taking Iron Man’s side and others following Captain America.
While the general idea stems from a comic book arc, the conflict between Marvel’s main heroes is strikingly similar toBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) clash over paranoia and differing philosophies of justice.In both films, the heroes are puppeteered by figures who possess no superpowers, Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) in the Marvel film and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) in the DCEU entry. Later, they will need to team up again to confront a shared threat. WhileBatman v Supermanwas developed earlier, Marvel has an edge because their characters have been more tightly woven intotheir cinematic universe.
Captain America: Civil War
3’Friends with Benefits' (2011)
Pretty much the same as ‘No Strings Attached’ (2011)
Friends with Benefitsfollows Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis), two successful professionals who decide to add a physical element to their friendship without the complications of a committed relationship. They set out with a clear understanding that there are no strings attached, but they end up falling for each other, complicating their casual relationship.
No Strings Attached,which was released earlier in the same year, shares a remarkably similar plot withFriends with Benefits, where Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) enter into a casual relationship as “friends with benefits”. At one point,No Strings Attachedwas almost even titled ‘Friends With Benefits’.Despite differences in the characters' backstories, the movies are essentially the same. Critically,Friends With Benefitsis slightly better reviewed, but ultimately both earned a surprisingly similar amount at the global box office.
Friends With Benefits
2’White House Down' (2013)
Pretty much the same as ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ (2013)
Directed byRoland Emmerichwho blew up the White House inIndependence Day,White House Downfollows John Cale (Channing Tatum), a Capitol Police officer who finds himself in the middle of a terrorist attack on the White House while attempting to protect his daughter (Joey King) and the President, played byJamie Foxx.White House Downmixes over-the-top action, humor, and a buddy-cop dynamic, playfully embracing the “Die Hardin the White House” concept.
Released earlier in the same year,Olympus Has Fallenpresents the same premise: a bodyguard saving the president from invading forces.Directed byAntoine Fuqua, it starsGerard Butleras Mike Banning, a Secret Service agent fighting to rescue the President (Aaron Eckhart) after a North Korean paramilitary group takes over the White House. WhileWhite House Downleans into humor and spectacle,Olympus Has Fallenopts for a darker, more visceral approach. Audiences seemingly prefer Gerard Butler’s version, witha third sequel on the wayanda spin-off show set in Parisslated to release.
White House Down
1’Avatar' (2009)
Pretty much the same as ‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990)
The biggest movie in the world, also known asAvatar,follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic ex-marine who joins the Avatar Program to infiltrate the Na’vi, the planet’s native inhabitants. Sully is initially tasked with gathering intelligence for a corporate mining operation but ultimately sides with the Na’vi, fighting to protect their home from exploitation. Directed byJames Cameron, the film shows off groundbreaking visuals that transports viewers to the lush world of Pandora.
The plot ofAvatarclosely mirrorsDances with Wolves, in which a Civil War soldier, John Dunbar (Kevin Costner), befriends a Native American tribe and adopts their ways.Both films explore the journey of an outsider who immerses himself in a foreign culture, ultimately fighting against his own people who exploit them. The parallels extend to themes of colonization, environmentalism, and spiritual connection, but Cameron adds another layer by making it a science fiction spectacle set in a whole new world.
KEEP READING:15 Times Movies With the Same Plot Were Released in the Same Year
