Image via Complex Original
If a Hollywood movie doesn't do well in America, there's always a chance the studio can still make some money on it when it heads overseas.
But, when that happens, they can't just drop the film in foreign theaters and pray to the celluloid gods that the money comes flowing in. There's a whole new marketing scheme that has to be implemented. Posters and, more often than not, whole titles have to be changed, for a number of reasons. Either the American title doesn't translate directly into the language, or, even if it does, it might not be catchy enough for the new audience. So, cool, the studio works things out and gives the movie a new name that's tailored to the specific country, and hopes for the best. But what if you take that title, and translate it back into English? The results can be hilarious, make no sense at all, or may even be a better title than the one the Americans gave it. (Don't forget how badly Warner Bros. messed up with Edge of Tomorrow, or, as it's known now, Live. Die. Repeat.)
We've found translations of a number of American movies and their re-translations back into English. Translationception? Many of the titles explain literally what happens in the movie, some don't have exact translations back into English, and a few have a little more style than their American counterpart. In the case of one Matthew McConaughey movie, as you'll see, the title makes no sense at all and no one would never see that film in America if it had that name—and that's the magic of marketing. Here are some foreign titles of American movies, back in English.
Die Hard: Mega Hard
Country: Denmark
American Title: Die Hard With a Vengeance
My Poor Little Angel
Country: Mexico
American Title: Home Alone
His Great Device Makes Him Famous
Country: China
American Title: Boogie Nights
Super High
Country: Spain
American Title: Pineapple Express
Grandpa Carl's Flying House
Country: Japan
American Title: Up
Bus Man
Country: Japan
American Title: Napoleon Dynamite
Two Jerked Off Professionals
Country: Germany
American Title: Hot Fuzz
Sex Crimes
Country: France
American Title: Wild Things
The Return of the First Avenger
Country: Germany
American Title: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Wild Speed: Sky Mission
Country: Japan
American Title: Fast and Furious 7
I Think I Am in the Woods
Country: Germany
American Title: Fast Times at Ridgemont High