It’s happened again!  ‘What’s happened again, Great One?’ I hear you ask. What’s happened is that two thematically identical movies are being released around the same time.  This is the End and The World’s End are coming out in the next couple of months.  ‘How are they the same, Great One?’. I don’t think this nickname is going to catch on but it’s worth a try. Here’s my explanation and a list of other examples of this phenomenon.

1. This is the End/The Worlds End (2013)

 

A group of slightly geeky friends find themselves caught up in an apocalyptic event with hilarious consequences.

Which is best?

Well firstly they both have the word ‘end’ in the title. I could just leave it there but there’s more. The World’s End is basically the British mirror image of This is the End but with slightly uglier actors. Both look great though.

2. Olympus has fallen/White House Down (2013)

 

Filthy terrorists take over the White House and it’s up to one all-american beefcake hero to save the president and save the day

Which is best?

Another similarity is that I don’t want to watch either unless they do a remake starring Steven Seagal.

3. A Bug’s Life/Ants (1998)

 An insect finds his inner strength and show’s he can achieve great things despite his small stature in these animated gems.

Which is best?

OK the plot isn’t that similar but they’re both computer animated insect movies that were both released in 1998. A Bug’s Life is a remake of Seven Samurai and Antz is an allegory for the fall of the USSR (I think, it’s been a while since I’ve seen it).

They’re both excellent with A Bug’s Life probably the more populist choice.  You can’t go wrong with either.

4. Deep Impact/Armageddon (1998)

 

A giant asteroid is heading for Earth and will destroy absolutely everything. The US government sends a ship to destroy the big rocky bastard.

Which is best?

The main difference is that in one, the asteroid gets destroyed and in the other, it hits our planet. I’ll not spoil it for you but they’re both bad in their own ways. It comes down to whether you prefer Bruce Willis in space or Morgan Freeman taking his rightful place as President of the United States

5. Volcano/Dantes Peak (1997)

 

They’re both about volcanos, do i need to go on?

Which is best?

Go on i shall, Dantes Peak sees James Bond and Sarah Connor run away from a mountain, while Volcano sees Tommy Lee Jones dealing with a volcano in Los Angeles.  One of them is slightly more realistic than the other but i’ll leave it up to you to figure out which.

Have I missed any?  The Hangover films don’t count, i know they’re all pretty much the same but that was creative sterility and not chance.  Let me know in the comments!