Mowgli and The Jungle Book: The Twin Movie Phenomenon

I’m sure you all felt the same way when you saw the recently-released Mowgli trailer: ‘Haven’t I seen this before… Rather recently?’

The short answer is ‘yes’: The Jungle Book (2016) and Mowgli (2018)

The live-action version of The Jungle Book was released only two years ago, which was received rather successfully. So why make another? Basically, the difference is that Mowgli was made by Warner Brothers Studios whereas The Jungle Book was made by Disney Studios. (Thanks to Reece for the tip off about this!)

After looking into it, this ‘twin movie phenomena’ has been documented before here and here. It’s films with two identical plots that are released at around the same time.

For the most part, these twinned films had always merged into one for me, so I’d never properly realised the extent of the phenomena.

Mirror Mirror (2012) and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
I remember when both of these films came out. While Mirror Mirror is more of a comedy and Snow White and the Huntsman is more of an action, they’re both closely based on the 1937 Disney animation Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

 

Antz (1998) and A Bug’s Life (1998)
I was always A Bug’s Life fan, and didn’t watch Antz for yonks. But I have to admit, there are some pretty obvious similarities.

 

Capote (2005) and Infamous (2006)
I haven’t seen Infamous before, but I can say that Philip Seymour Hoffman does a brilliant job of depicting Truman Capote. Based on true events, Capote is writing a book called In Cold Blood about the murder of a Kansas family but he soon forms a relationship with one of the killers.

 

The Prestige (2006) and The Illusionist (2006)
Both of these films are about magicians back in the day. The main difference is that The Prestige is beyond brilliant (starring David Bowie), and The Illusionist is shallow. Nice try, but you haven’t fooled me.

 

 

No Strings Attached (2011) and Friends with Benefits (2011)
Both are about a relationship between two beautiful single people who want all the fun but none of the seriousness. Strangely, Ashton Kutcher from No Strings Attached married Mila Kunis from Friends with Benefits by 2015.

 

Hercules (2014) and The Legend of Hercules (2014)
Pretty self-explanatory, so I can’t imagine why we’d need more than one of these films about Hercules. Although, I reckon Dwayne Johnson makes a far better Hercules than the Jude Law lookalike, Kellan Lutz. (Weirdly, Hercules has a Jude Law lookalike cast too! His name is Rufus Sewell.)

 

Jobs (2013) and Steve Jobs (2015)
I haven’t watched either, but I’d 100% choose Steve Jobs over Jobs. Ashton Kutcher doesn’t come across as intimidating enough to be the founder of Apple.

 

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and White House Down (2013)
Essentially they’re both about terrorist attacks on the White House. I’ve seen White House Down, but all I remember is explosions and running around. I’m sure Olympus Has Fallen is basically the same deal but with Morgan Freeman’s brilliant voice.