Top 10 Movies that are Not Based on Anything
There are numerous famous films out there that are actually adaptations of preexisting stories. I was shocked to find out that movies like The Godfather, Forrest Gump, Fight Club, and Gone with the Wind were based on novels before being adapted for the big screen. This list features movies whose initial version of the story was made for the film itself. Not for a novel, stage play, television series, comic, or any other form of media. Even historical events are off limits. In an age where everything seems to be an adaptation of a different product, it's refreshing to know that filmmakers can still bring in a lot of creativity to the big screen.
Before it became one of the longest and highest-selling franchises in film history, Star Wars started as an ambitious and refreshingly original idea from George Lucas in the mid 70s. Despite being forty years old, the movie holds up remarkably well. The characters work off each other so well, the story is about as epic as a story can get, and the visuals were simply mind blowing at the time of its release. Very few movies have had such a profound impact on film and popular culture as Star Wars, and all of that can be attributed the first installment of the saga in 1977.
This is fantastic, but Empire is better!
In my opinion, the screenplay for Pulp Fiction is the greatest screenplay ever written for a film. Not much is going on in the movie in terms of plot, but it's written so well to the point where you wish you could listen to these characters talk for hours. Conversations could rage from differences in McDonald's between the US and Europe to why we feel the need to talk about nonsense in order to feel comfortable with one another. Scenes could range from a date in a 50's themed restaurant to discussing the best way to dispose of a corpse. No other movie is like Pulp Fiction. It's truly one of a kind. It's a unique take on the crime genre with tons of iconic scenes and quotable lines. It's a film that's so cool that it doesn't even need to be in chronological order for you to enjoy it. Quentin Tarantino stands as one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived. This is his magnum opus.
I've gone on and on about my love for this movie, so I'll keep it brief. This movie takes such an interesting and clever idea, and does everything that you can possibly do with it. The characters are all unique and you get behind each one of them on their respective journeys. It brilliantly balances comedy and drama in a way that few films can. It's vocal performances, animation, and musical score are all among the best I've ever come across. And most importantly, it gives out so many insightful messages and truths about humanity that anyone, young and old, can relate to. In my opinion, this is the greatest animated film ever made.
I love Inside Out too guys but the concept of "what happen if emotions had emotions" is old as hell guys
Inside Out is the best animated film of 2016 in my opinion
Frequently cited as one of, if not the, best movies ever made, Citizen Kane revolutionized the film industry the very second it premiered. No one had every scene a film that looked like it at the time, and it's techniques are still being utilized to this day. Only at age 26, Orson Welles wrote, directed, and starred in this fantastic epic about the rise and fall of a newspaper tycoon and the mystery of the meaning of his final word. Anybody who knows anything about film knows about Citizen Kane, and it's legacy will live on forever.
Another film that takes such a creative and thrilling idea and runs with it. Back to the Future is and always will be the greatest time travel story ever told. Its characters, especially Doc and Marty, are so instantly recognizable and likable and it's their relationship that truly binds the film together. Back to the Future is one of the few films out there that can make you laugh and make you feel uneasy at the same time. The situations that Marty finds himself can range from hilarious to downright uncomfortable and awkward, and it's that balance that keeps the viewer on their toes in this sci-fi classic.
That's the power of Love!
Rocky is a rare sports movie where the sport in question takes a backseat. It's the ultimate underdog story that just so happens to have boxing in the background. Every character in the movie is so enjoyable to watch. Rocky is one of the most beloved and charming movie characters ever made for a reason, and Stallone's writing and acting make him feel 100% genuine. It's a film that anyone can enjoy and anyone can relate to. As someone who grew up in the Philadelphia region, Rocky will always stand as an immortal classic in my eyes. Its as iconic to the city as the Liberty Bell or cheesesteaks and one play of the film's legendary soundtrack always manages to send chills down my spine.
E.T. is one of Steven Spielberg's most compelling projects in his illustrious career. It's a film that audiences, young and old, continue to come back to over 35 years since its release. Very few cinematic friendships exist with the heart and love that Elliot and E.T. have for one another. It's a film that manages to transcend its science fiction genre and turns in a story that can be felt by people of all ages and all backgrounds. It's a movie about humanity and connections we make with one another disguised as a movie about aliens.
Toy Story is a landmark in film history that will endure until the end of time. It was Pixar Animation Studios’ first feature-length film, and man was it a good one. This movie gave us the genius outside-the-box idea of our childhood toys actually being sentient beings in disguise. There isn't much to say about Toy Story that hasn't been said thousands of times before. The characters are all so charming, its plot is phenomenally executed, and it's soundtrack is one of the most recognizable in film history. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone out there who hasn't seen Toy Story. It's that famous.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is responsible for introducing the public to one of the greatest movie characters of all time in Indiana Jones. Frequently cited as one of the greatest action/adventure films ever, Raiders is the epitome of fun while watching a movie. So much happens in this movie to the point where it's hard NOT to be entertained by it. Spielberg's direction combined with Harrison Ford's brilliant performance as Indy will be shown forever, and Raiders will continue to excite and even scar people for ages.
Spielberg is the man! And this is one of the his many movies that proves how genius he is!
A character-driven film that stands amongst Martin Scorsese's best, Taxi Driver tells the story of troubled Vietnam War vet Travis Bickle. Travis is clearly not there in terms of his sanity, but he's likable enough to the point where you don't want him to self-destruct and implode in on himself. The film masters the art of tension and suspense in a way that few movies managed to pull of before and since. You have no idea what direction it's headed due to the unpredictable nature of the main character. Anchored by phenomenal performances by Robert De Niro and a 12-year-old Jodie Foster, Taxi Driver is a wild ride from start to finish.
Oh I love this movie to no end!
I messed up! It's not based on an anime. But the Lion King on the other hand is based off of Hamlet. Now, The Matrix, is an amazing visual spectacle with memorable characters and top notch action!
This and the Lion King should not be on this list! The Matrix was inspired by Anime.
Should be first
Based on Harry Potter book even if every film is completely different to the books. (Yes even Philosophers Stone - What happened to Quirrell and Snape's protection for the stone? and Chamber of Secrets - Hermione shouldn't know what Mudblood means. Remember fight in Flourish and Blotts not in the film, why was Harry nearly falling out of the car they arrived at Hogwarts fine until they were attacked by the whomping willow.)
While the Lion King shares elements with Hamlet, they were coincidental as those elements can be found in plenty of other stories. Though that didn't stop them from putting other Shakespearean elements in the sequels.
