11 Times Blockbusters Like "Avatar," "The Matrix," And "The Dark Knight" Were Directly Influenced By Lesser-Known Films That You Absolutely Need To Watch
Blockbuster films such as 'Avatar,' 'The Matrix,' and 'The Dark Knight' have drawn significant inspiration from lesser-known movies, enhancing their storytelling by incorporating unique elements from these less famous works. 'The Dark Knight' echoes 'Heat' in its depiction of heist scenes, while 'Reservoir Dogs' borrows heavily from 'City on Fire.' Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' was influenced by his childhood disappointment with the ending of 'Creature from the Black Lagoon,' prompting him to create a film that fulfilled his romantic vision. 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'The Wicker Man' have inspired filmmakers to reinterpret themes and narratives, as seen with 'Midsommar' and other films that pay homage to these classics. Additionally, 'The Matrix' adopted aesthetic and thematic elements from 'Ghost in the Shell,' showcasing the intricate relationship between Hollywood blockbusters and their lesser-known predecessors.
Context:
Blockbuster films such as 'Avatar,' 'The Matrix,' and 'The Dark Knight' have drawn significant inspiration from lesser-known movies, enhancing their storytelling by incorporating unique elements from these less famous works. 'The Dark Knight' echoes 'Heat' in its depiction of heist scenes, while 'Reservoir Dogs' borrows heavily from 'City on Fire.' Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' was influenced by his childhood disappointment with the ending of 'Creature from the Black Lagoon,' prompting him to create a film that fulfilled his romantic vision. 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'The Wicker Man' have inspired filmmakers to reinterpret themes and narratives, as seen with 'Midsommar' and other films that pay homage to these classics. Additionally, 'The Matrix' adopted aesthetic and thematic elements from 'Ghost in the Shell,' showcasing the intricate relationship between Hollywood blockbusters and their lesser-known predecessors.
Dive Deeper:
Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' is notably influenced by Michael Mann's 'Heat,' especially in its opening heist scene, capturing a similar tension and action sequence that features William Fichtner in both films.
Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' shares thematic and visual parallels with Ringo Lam's 'City on Fire,' particularly the iconic Mexican standoff, which Tarantino acknowledges as a significant source of inspiration.
Guillermo del Toro created 'The Shape of Water' out of a childhood desire to see a romantic ending for the creature in 'Creature from the Black Lagoon,' channeling this narrative longing into a new cinematic creation.
The Western classic 'The Magnificent Seven' is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai,' transforming samurai into gunslingers while maintaining the original's spirit of bravery and camaraderie.
Ari Aster's 'Midsommar' draws thematic inspiration from 'The Wicker Man,' subverting audience expectations by leading viewers toward a familiar conclusion before diverting in a unique narrative direction.
The Wachowski sisters adapted stylistic elements from 'Ghost in the Shell' for 'The Matrix,' incorporating its cyberpunk aesthetic and existential themes, notably seen in the film's iconic green text sequences.
Enrico Casarosa's 'Luca' pays homage to Studio Ghibli's 'Porco Rosso' with its Italian setting and themes of nature, highlighting the influence of Ghibli's storytelling on Pixar's animated features.