Before a movie gets its iconic name, it often goes through several working titles that filmmakers use during production. Some of these early names were so different that you would barely recognize the movie they belonged to.
Knowing these behind-the-scenes facts makes watching your favorite films feel like uncovering a secret. Get ready to see some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters in a whole new light.
1. Star Wars Was Almost Called ‘The Star Wars’
George Lucas originally wrote the title as “The Star Wars” in his early scripts from the 1970s. The simple removal of one word made a massive difference in how the title felt to audiences. “The Star Wars” sounds like a documentary, while “Star Wars” sounds like an adventure you want to join.
Lucas kept refining the name as the story evolved. The final two-word title became one of the most recognized phrases in movie history.
2. Jaws Was Nearly Called ‘Stillness in the Water’
Peter Benchley’s original novel went through several name changes before landing on “Jaws.” One early working title was “Stillness in the Water,” which sounds more like a poem than a thriller. The quieter title would have completely changed the mood before audiences even bought a ticket.
Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film needed something punchy and unforgettable. “Jaws” delivered exactly that, making it one of the most effective one-word titles in cinema history.
3. Pretty Woman Started Life as ‘3000’
The number “3000” referred to the amount of money a man paid a woman for a week of her company in the original, darker script. The early version of the story was much grittier and had a very different ending.
It barely resembled the romantic comedy that audiences fell in love with in 1990.
When the tone shifted to something warmer, the title changed too. “Pretty Woman” perfectly matched the feel-good makeover story the film became.
4. Alien Had the Chilling Working Title ‘Star Beast’
Before Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece was called “Alien,” the script circulated under the name “Star Beast.” That title sounds more like a Saturday morning cartoon than one of the scariest films ever made. Writer Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett used it as a placeholder while developing the concept.
The switch to “Alien” was a stroke of genius. Short, cold, and unfamiliar, the single word captured the feeling of something deeply unknown and threatening.
5. Back to the Future Was Once Called ‘Spaceman from Pluto’
Universal executive Sid Sheinberg suggested changing the title to “Spaceman from Pluto” after reading the script. He thought it would appeal more to younger audiences.
Director Robert Zemeckis and producer Steven Spielberg politely pushed back, and the original title survived.
Spielberg cleverly wrote back to Sheinberg saying he loved “the joke” in his memo. Sheinberg never argued the point, and “Back to the Future” went on to become a beloved classic with a perfect title.
6. Grease Almost Hit Theaters as ‘Teenage Rock Musical’
The Broadway musical that inspired the 1978 film originally used the generic placeholder “Teenage Rock Musical” during early development discussions. It does not exactly roll off the tongue.
Fortunately, the creative team kept the name “Grease,” which came from the 1950s greaser subculture that inspired the whole story.
The word “Grease” carries attitude and era all at once. It tells you exactly what kind of cool you are about to experience before the opening credits even finish.
7. Casablanca Was Briefly Titled ‘Everybody Comes to Rick’s’
“Everybody Comes to Rick’s” was actually the name of the original stage play that the 1942 film was based on. Warner Bros. briefly considered keeping that title for the movie adaptation.
It is descriptive, sure, but it lacks the mystery and romance of a single exotic city name.
Renaming it “Casablanca” added instant intrigue. The Moroccan city became as much a character as Bogart or Bergman, giving the film a timeless, far-away quality that the original title simply could not match.
8. Toy Story Almost Launched as ‘You Are a Toy’
Pixar’s groundbreaking 1995 film used “You Are a Toy” as a working title during early story development. The phrase actually comes from a memorable line Woody shouts at Buzz Lightyear in the finished film.
Using it as a title would have felt more like a warning label than an invitation to watch.
“Toy Story” is simple, warm, and universally understood. It promises imagination and childhood wonder, which is exactly what the movie delivered to audiences of every age.
9. Die Hard Went Through the Title ‘Hostage: A Love Story’
“Hostage: A Love Story” was an early working title considered for the 1988 Bruce Willis action film. The subtitle “A Love Story” was meant to reflect John McClane’s mission to save his estranged wife.
It is oddly sweet for a movie filled with explosions and one-liners.
“Die Hard” is blunt, bold, and unforgettable. The final title perfectly captured the spirit of a hero who simply refuses to give up, no matter how badly things go.
10. The Lion King Was First Known as ‘King of the Jungle’
Disney’s animated epic from 1994 was developed under the working title “King of the Jungle.” There is a fun irony here: lions do not actually live in jungles. They live on the savanna, which is exactly where the story takes place.
Someone on the team clearly noticed the error.
“The Lion King” corrected the geography and sounded more regal and personal. It focused on the lion himself rather than a place, making the title feel like a story worth following.
11. Forrest Gump Had the Working Title ‘Stupid Is as Stupid Does’
That famous line Forrest says in the film was briefly floated as a possible title during early production. It is quirky and quotable, but it also risks making the main character seem like a punchline rather than a hero.
The film’s emotional depth deserved something more dignified.
“Forrest Gump” puts the man front and center. Naming the film after its hero gave audiences a person to root for immediately, even before they knew his extraordinary story.
12. Home Alone Was Briefly Considered as ‘No Kids’
Early in the development of the 1990 holiday comedy, “No Kids” was tossed around as a possible title. It sounds more like a hotel policy than a family film.
The phrase does capture the central premise, but it misses the fun and vulnerability of a child fending for himself.
“Home Alone” nails the concept in two words. It creates instant sympathy for the kid and curiosity about what happens next, which is exactly what a great movie title should do.
13. Titanic Was Once Called ‘Planet Ice’ During Early Planning
James Cameron’s 1997 epic romantic disaster film reportedly used “Planet Ice” as an internal placeholder during very early concept stages. It sounds more like a sci-fi movie or an ice cream brand than one of the most expensive love stories ever filmed.
Cameron was always focused on the real ship, though.
“Titanic” needed no decoration. The name alone carries weight, history, and heartbreak, making it one of those rare titles that says everything without saying too much.
14. Pulp Fiction Was Developed Under ‘Black Mask’
Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary used “Black Mask” as a working title during the script’s development, referencing the classic pulp detective magazine. The name had a cool, noir feel but was also the name of an existing publication, which created complications.
A more original title was clearly needed.
“Pulp Fiction” captured the spirit of cheap, thrilling crime literature perfectly. It nodded to the genre’s roots while promising something raw, unpredictable, and stylistically unlike anything audiences had seen before.
15. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Was Once ‘A Boy’s Life’
Spielberg used “A Boy’s Life” as the film’s working title to keep the project secret during production in 1981. The decoy title was clever because it told a true story without revealing the alien element at all.
Crew members working under that title had no idea what they were actually making.
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” became iconic the moment it was announced. The title celebrated the alien as much as the boy, honoring the friendship at the heart of the film.
16. Goodfellas Was Produced Under the Title ‘Wiseguy’
Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime masterpiece was initially developed using the title “Wiseguy,” which was also the name of the Nicholas Pileggi book it was based on. The problem was that “Wiseguy” was already the title of a popular TV series at the time.
A conflict over the name forced a change.
“Goodfellas” turned out to be a stronger choice anyway. The word drips with irony and insider culture, perfectly matching the film’s portrait of mob life from the inside out.
17. Dirty Dancing Almost Released as ‘I Was a Teenage Mambo Queen’
Writer Eleanor Bergstein used “I Was a Teenage Mambo Queen” as a working title in honor of a teenage dance competition she had actually won. The title is charming and personal, but it also sounds more like a B-movie from the 1950s than a timeless romance.
Studio executives pushed for something cleaner.
“Dirty Dancing” was bold and a little rebellious, which matched the film’s spirit completely. Nobody put that title in a corner, and it became one of the most quoted movie names of the 1980s.
18. Raiders of the Lost Ark Was Temporarily Called ‘The Lost Ark’
During early script meetings between Spielberg and George Lucas in 1977, the film was simply referred to as “The Lost Ark.” Adding “Raiders of” at the front transformed it from a mystery title into an action-adventure promise. The word “Raiders” puts the heroes and conflict right into the title.
The full title also gave the series a flexible structure. Each sequel could swap in a new artifact, keeping the Indiana Jones brand fresh while the adventurous spirit stayed exactly the same.
19. The Shawshank Redemption Was Pitched as ‘Robbery and Escape’
Stephen King’s original novella was titled “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,” and some early pitch documents simplified it further to “Robbery and Escape.” That stripped-down version sounds like a police report rather than a deeply moving story about hope. It would have set completely wrong expectations for audiences.
The final title kept “Shawshank” and “Redemption” together, which felt literary and weighty. Those two words promised something more meaningful than a simple prison break, which is exactly what the film delivered.
20. Frozen Was Developed for Years Under the Title ‘The Snow Queen’
Disney struggled to adapt Hans Christian Andersen’s story “The Snow Queen” for decades, and that title stayed attached to the project throughout most of its troubled development history. The problem was that the story kept changing, and “The Snow Queen” felt too tied to the original fairy tale’s villain-focused plot.
Renaming it “Frozen” gave the film a fresh identity. The new title worked on multiple levels, referencing ice, emotional barriers, and the theme of letting go, all without spoiling a single moment of the story.