Before a film is released to the public, it will likely undergo all sorts of quality control checks. It will face the scrutiny of countless studio executives, producers, and other high-profile figures, but the public’s opinion is arguably the most important. The most common and effective way to gauge this opinion before a public release is through market research using test screenings. The concept is simple: if a test audience enjoys a film, it suggests that the public will follow suit. But as with anything in life, it’s not always that simple. There are examples of films that, despite poor testing, have gone on to be considered great films in their own right.
If the feedback is specific and specific enough, it can provide studios with the opportunity to fix problems with reshoots or cuts (if money and time permit, of course). Other times, the problems are so great that they cannot be fixed, and studios are pressured to release the film despite the negative feedback. There are also examples of films that did not do well, but those involved in their production stuck to their guns and believed that once they were shown to a wider audience, they would receive the appreciation they deserved.
10 John Wick (2014)
Now that the film has become one of the most successful action films of all time, it's hard to imagine there being any doubt about its potential success. John WickIn 2014, actor Keanu Reeves made an exceptional comeback by playing the main character in a revenge war after his beloved dog was killed.
Not everyone initially accepted the film's strange nature.
Audiences couldn’t get enough of the over-the-top violence and intense atmosphere, and the film became an instant cult classic. However, director Josh Horowitz recalls a very different reaction during the testing process. After a middling test screening, he admitted to being briefly concerned about the film’s future. However, he ultimately decided to lean into the film’s weirdness and fully embrace it—a deliberate decision.
9 Seven (1995)
With an impressive 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the dark crime thriller, Shipis another classic of its genre. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman play two detectives searching for a twisted serial killer. The film is dark, gloomy, and full of unexpected twists and turns.
David Fincher and Brad Pitt are sticking to their guns.
Audiences at the preview screening were shocked and appalled by the film’s overly graphic and suspenseful nature, and were particularly disappointed by the abrupt ending that did nothing to alleviate the gloom. When director David Fincher and star Brad Pitt faced pressure to reshoot a more upbeat ending, they stood firm, showing an unwavering faith in their art.
8 Goodfellas (1990)
One of the greatest gangster films ever made, this brutal epic from Martin Scorsese is a masterclass in filmmaking. From award-winning performances from Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, to the gripping and entertaining autobiographical story of Henry Hill's journey through the ranks of a notorious crime family, Good guys Meets all requirements.
The violence was too excessive.
Although the film is now widely considered among the greatest films of all time, initial test screenings painted a very different picture. Good guys The film is known for its colorful language and excessive violence, which is unsurprising given the subject matter. But initially, it was too much for some test audiences, and there were reports of many who couldn't handle it walking out.
As a result, Scorsese felt pressure from the studio to cut some of the more violent scenes. After weeks of fighting with executives and sticking to his guns, Scorsese finally gave in, and one particularly horrific scene was cut to include four on-screen knife wounds instead of the seven originally included.
7 Final Destination (2000)
final destination It has now become one of the most popular franchises in the horror genre with a total of 5 films and a sixth film scheduled for release next year. It all started in the 2000s. final destinationwhich despite poor reviews from critics, won the hearts of horror fans thanks to its innovative kills and unique premise.
Screening tests changed the fate of the final destination.
Original version of final destination The film was intended to be much deeper than the one we know now, focusing on romantic subplots and philosophical subtexts. However, feedback from test screenings indicated that audiences enjoyed the gruesome death scenes more and were eager for more. The studio took this into account, cutting out some of the subplots and focusing on the gruesome deaths that have now become a much-loved staple of the hugely popular franchise.
6 Announcer: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2009)
Announcer: The Legend of Ron Burgundy A hilarious satirical comedy about an American news crew in the 1970s. Perfectly poking fun at the outdated nature of the news format and the opinions and culture of the era, the film was a huge success and is now considered a comedy classic. Will Ferrell's satirical portrayal of the arrogant, sexist lead anchor was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, leading to Ron Burgundy being included on numerous publications' “greatest character” lists.
A subplot was quickly removed before release.
The film’s initial screenings received a very poor response, with most audience members enjoying the film’s absurd and bizarre humor. But what stood out to me most of all were the reactions to a particular subplot that culminated in Veronica being kidnapped by some sort of terrorist group. Audiences found this story confusing and nonsensical. As a result, a new ending was filmed for the film featuring a panda being born in a zoo.
5 Back to the Future (1985)
A classic time travel adventure released in 1985.Back to the future Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film follows Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, as he travels through time and accidentally disrupts his parents' love story. The film seamlessly blends humor, science fiction, and heartfelt moments, becoming an iconic 80s film that spawned two successful sequels.
Test audience expressed concern about the dog's death.
By the time the test tests are done, Back to the future The film had already undergone several reshoots and changes. The biggest of all was the recasting of the lead actor for the role of Marty McFly. After six weeks of filming with Eric Stoltz in the role, it became quite clear that the role wasn’t right for him and that the humor wasn’t coming through as intended. Michael J. Fox was brought in to replace Stoltz, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Fox's interpretation of the character was well received by the audience who saw the film, who generally liked it, except for one small detail. Many were concerned that Dr. Brown's beloved canine companion Einstein had been lost in the abyss during his time travel experiment. To ease the audience's minds, an extra scene was shot to show that he had actually returned home unharmed.
4 12 Monkeys (1995)
12 monkeys Spider-Man wasn’t an easy movie to sell to audiences, as it deals with complex themes like time travel, our perception of reality, tyranny, and the collapse of society. However, thanks to word of mouth and strong reviews, the thought-provoking sci-fi film starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt has grossed an impressive $168.83 million worldwide and is a certified sci-fi classic.
12 Monkeys has been described as “one of the worst movies ever made.”
Despite widespread critical acclaim and impressive box office receipts, the film's test screenings 12 monkeys The film was nothing short of miserable. One attendee described it as “disturbed, disturbing, and poorly shot.” Another said, “It was completely illogical. There was no clear explanation. The scenes with Brad Pitt were ridiculous,” and that it was “generally confusing.”
Aside from a small explanatory introduction added at the beginning to clear up some confusion, not much could (or could not) be done before its general release. Fortunately, the film eventually found its audience and left an indelible mark on the sci-fi genre.
3 The Last Hero (1993)
The last hero The film revolves around a movie-obsessed boy who is transported into the world of his favorite action hero, Jack Slater (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger). The film cleverly blends reality and cinema, with numerous references to Hollywood action movie clichés in a unique blend of action, comedy and fantasy that plays on the conventions of action movies.
The film was considered a disastrous failure at the time of its release.
By all accounts, the filming process seems to have been a nightmare, with final edits made ridiculously early in the filming process. This means that despite the poor test screenings, not much could be changed before the film's general release.
Unfortunately, upon its release, public reactions to the film mirrored the negative sentiments that prevailed at test screenings. Audiences and critics alike hated its uneven tone, found it a muddled mess, and the film was a box office failure. As time progressed, and appreciation for the film grew, The last hero any It has since gained huge popularity due to its witty commentary, fantastical premise, and Schwarzenegger's sarcastic performance.
2 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
One of the most famous and celebrated films of all time, wizard of oz The film was a huge success thanks to its use of Technicolor, and featured some of the most memorable songs and characters in cinematic history. Among these songs is the Academy Award-winning “Over the Rainbow,” a song that has since become ingrained in popular culture and synonymous with the film and its star, Judy Garland.
The famous song was almost cut from the movie.
Now one of the most iconic songs in Hollywood history, while preparing for release, wizard of ozThere was much concern about the song “Over the Rainbow” and its place in the film. Feedback from test screenings indicated that the song sounded “too sad” and ruined the pace of the film. Executives were concerned about the reactions and argued for the song's removal. However, producer Mervyn LeRoy and associate producer Arthur Freed argued passionately for the song's inclusion, with reports that Mervyn threatened to walk out of the film if the song was removed.
1 Fight Club (1999)
Nowadays, it is difficult to browse the Internet without finding some kind of reference to Fight ClubThe story has become ingrained in popular culture, spawning countless memes and posters that adorn student rooms around the world. Its rebellious, anti-consumerist themes resonated with an entire generation and continue to be a source of quotes and party conversation to this day.
Initial reactions to Fight Club were horrific.
Audiences were initially disturbed by the film's overt dark humor, nihilistic message, and excessive violence. Brad Pitt recalls an uncomfortable early screening at the Venice Film Festival where he and co-star Edward Norton were high on drugs before the screening and were the only ones laughing at the film's dark jokes as they watched people leave the screening in protest of the content.
Due to these initially poor reviews and negative criticism, the film initially struggled at the box office. Since then, it has gained huge popularity and is considered one of the quintessential films of the 90s.
