20 Alternate Movie Title Ideas Studios Nearly Used
Sorry about the mix up. Here it is in the exact format you asked for. Studios often try out many names before a movie hits theaters, and some of those near misses would have sent the story in a totally different direction before the opening scene even rolled.
These almost titles are a fun look at how tone and marketing shape what we expect. A single word can make a movie sound sweet, serious, or silly before we even buy a ticket.
‘Back to the Future’ (1985) – ‘Spaceman from Pluto’
Universal flirted with this pulpy option because it sounded like a sci fi romp with a creature twist. The film’s makers knew the heart was time travel and family, not aliens, so the pitch never felt right.
Keeping the final name told audiences what mattered without confusion. It promised an adventure about clocks, choices, and a DeLorean that could change a life.
‘Star Wars’ (1977) – ‘The Adventures of Luke Starkiller’
Early drafts carried this serial style title while the universe was still forming. The name had zip, yet Starkiller pushed the hero toward a harder edge than the story wanted.
Switching to a broader banner made room for every Rebel, droid, and planet to fit. It invited people into a saga rather than one person’s diary.
‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) – ‘Revenge of the Jedi’
Teaser posters even used the word revenge before the team stepped back. Jedi do not seek payback, so the tone felt off for the series ethos.
The final title shifted the mood toward healing and hope. It set up a finale about restoration instead of anger.
‘Scream’ (1996) – ‘Scary Movie’
Kevin Williamson’s script wore this plain label that said exactly what it was. It lacked the bite and wit that the finished film delivered.
The chosen name sounded like a taunt and a wink in one. It fit a thriller that toys with the rules while still making you jump.
‘Pretty Woman’ (1990) – ‘3000’
The original draft was darker and named for the price at the core of the deal. As the tone softened, a warmer title helped sell the chemistry that took over.
Focusing on who she is rather than money changed the feel completely. It invited viewers to root for charm and connection.
‘Alien’ (1979) – ‘Star Beast’
Dan O’Bannon used this during development before Ridley Scott pushed for something lean. One cold word turned the threat into a presence you could feel.
The earlier title leaned toward pulp spectacle. The final one felt like a warning that crept under your skin.
‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982) – ‘A Boy’s Life’
Production hid the movie under this gentle working label. It fit the emotion but undersold the wonder that defined the experience.
Naming the guest from the stars made it sound like an event. People knew they were about to meet someone special.
‘The Lion King’ (1994) – ‘King of the Jungle’
This sat in the pipeline even though lions do not live in jungles. As the African savanna took shape, the mismatch grew louder.
The final title fit the epic scope and family legacy at play. It felt true to the setting and the story’s beating heart.
‘Ghostbusters’ (1984) – ‘Ghostbreakers’
Legal snags pushed the team to test a fallback. They even recorded some lines with the alternate in case the rights fell through.
The substitute landed with less bounce and less fun. The original name had rhythm that matched the crew’s goofy courage.
‘Annie Hall’ (1977) – ‘Anhedonia’
Woody Allen favored this clinical term for the inability to feel pleasure. It matched the themes but sounded chilly on a marquee.
Centering a person rather than a diagnosis pulled viewers closer. It made the story feel intimate instead of academic.
‘Goodfellas’ (1990) – ‘Wiseguy’
The film borrowed the book’s name during development. A TV show with the same title risked confusion, so a change made sense.
The final choice captured the insider voice with a lighter touch. It sounded like something the narrator would say while shrugging.
‘Halloween’ (1978) – ‘The Babysitter Murders’
The blunt working name described the plot with no mystery. Refocusing on the holiday gave the movie a clean hook everyone already knew.
That shift turned the film into an annual event. It also left space for a legend to grow around a shape in the dark.
‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974) – ‘Head Cheese’
This showed up on call sheets while the team shaped the nightmare. It was grotesque and odd, which almost fit, yet it also sounded like a joke.
The final title told people exactly what terror waited. Few names set a mood with so little effort.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014) – ‘All You Need Is Kill’
The studio considered keeping the novel’s title. It was punchy but harsher than the movie’s mix of thrills and humor.
A new name leaned into the loop and the urgency of the day resetting. It also helped the tagline do a lot of work.
‘Die Hard: With a Vengeance’ (1995) – ‘Simon Says’
The script carried this game themed label for a long stretch. The plot still uses the idea, but the franchise name mattered more for audiences.
Bringing the series title back made the entry easy to spot. The game stayed on screen where it belonged.
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994) – ‘Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption’
The film began with the novella’s full title. It was beautiful and long, which could trip people at the box office.
Trimming it kept the focus clear and the promise intact. It still hinted at grace and second chances.
‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000) – ‘Kingdom of the Sun’
Before a major overhaul, Disney built a very different movie under this name. The finished version leaned into speed and comedy.
The earlier title promised myth and destiny. The new one gave the film permission to be silly and quick on its feet.
‘Snakes on a Plane’ (2006) – ‘Pacific Air 121’
At one point the studio tried to tone down the sensational hook. The blunt original won because it said the premise out loud and proud.
Owning the idea created instant buzz. No safe alternative could match the free advertising that followed.
‘Field of Dreams’ (1989) – ‘Shoeless Joe’
The adaptation started with the book’s title that spotlighted a single figure. The new name broadened the appeal to something you can feel.
It sounded like a promise that something gentle and magical was coming. That mood is the movie’s secret sauce.
‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ (2014) – ‘The Hobbit There and Back Again’
The project wore the older subtitle for years. The team updated it to reflect the specific story of the final chapter.
Keeping the earlier phrase might have suggested a quiet epilogue. The chosen title made clear that this part was a storm before the calm.
Share which alternate title you would have kept and tell us why in the comments.