10 Unoriginal Movies That Are Still Amazing

From "John Wick" to "Coco", these films prove originality isn't everything when it comes to great cinema.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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This article highlights 10 movies that aren't particularly original, but are still considered amazing. The list includes films like "John Wick", "La La Land", "Pacific Rim", "The Wild Robot", "Gangs of Wasseypur", "Star Wars", "Titanic", "Avatar", "Coco", and "Kill Bill". While these movies may not be the most original, the article argues that their execution, world-building, and emotional impact make them highly engaging and satisfying to watch.

Why it matters

This article challenges the notion that originality is the be-all and end-all of great filmmaking. It shows that movies can still be incredibly compelling and successful even if they borrow heavily from previous works, as long as they put a unique spin on familiar tropes and execute them with skill. This perspective is valuable for both filmmakers and movie fans, as it encourages creativity and innovation within established genres and storytelling conventions.

The details

The article delves into the specific ways each of the 10 movies reworks familiar elements and tropes. For example, it notes how "John Wick" takes the classic revenge thriller and adds interesting world-building, while "La La Land" puts a modern spin on classic Hollywood musicals. "Pacific Rim" blends kaiju and mecha genres in a playful, self-aware way, and "The Wild Robot" explores coming-of-age themes through the lens of a robot protagonist. The article also highlights how directors like Quentin Tarantino and James Cameron skillfully remix and reference older films to create something fresh and compelling.

  • The article was published on March 8, 2026.
  • It discusses movies from as early as 1977 ("Star Wars") up to as recently as 2024 ("The Wild Robot").

The players

Jeremy Urquhart

The author of the article, who argues that unoriginal movies can still be amazing if executed well.

Quentin Tarantino

A filmmaker known for his ability to skillfully reference and remix older films in his work, particularly in the "Kill Bill" movies.

James Cameron

A director who has made several successful movies that rework familiar tropes and conventions, including "Titanic" and "Avatar".

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What they’re saying

“Originality is nice and all, but maybe it's not everything. A movie can rework conventions and tropes in ways that prove satisfying, even if there's quite a lot that's familiar, as a result.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author (collider.com)

“If you borrow from enough sources, and have a sufficient love for – and knowledge of – cinema, you can indeed not only get away with it, but also make blending all that stuff remain compelling for one mammoth runtime.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author (collider.com)

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific next steps or future newsworthy moments related to the movies discussed.

The takeaway

This article challenges the notion that originality is the sole measure of great filmmaking. It shows that movies can still be incredibly compelling and successful even if they borrow heavily from previous works, as long as they put a unique spin on familiar tropes and execute them with skill, creativity, and passion.