Top 10 Movie Titles That Outline the Plot

To celebrate the news that Finding Nemo sequel is now officially called Finding Dory, Roobla delves into the world of title info. A film’s title can either draw you in with mystery  or repel you with stupidity, but what about those titles that go further? What about those titles that actually outline aspects of the plot? Here are 10 films that do just that…

10. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

Aliens who look like clowns arrive from space and, well, you can guess the rest. This now infamous cult horror/sci-fi/comedy from Stephon Chiodo has one of the most “matter of fact” titles out there.

9. Mars Needs Moms (2011)

Of course there is a place on this list for one of the biggest box office bombs ever, with a net loss of over $136 million. The motion capture animation has a slightly less memorable achievement of outlining the plot in the title. As Martians from mars are stealing mums (or moms if you’re American) to care for their youngsters, Bless.

8. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

The title for Sacha Baron Cohen’s hapless Kazakhstan reporter’s foray into his own feature film is more or less the synopsis. The reporter makes a documentary in the USA to learn from their culture and vastly improve his own country. Having said that, they left naked hotel brawling, Jewish jokes galore and Pamela Anderson sack abduction out of the title completely.

7. Mars Attacks! (1997)

Tim Burton’s vastly underrated satire/homage left nothing to the imagination in terms of the title. Mars attacks in a major way, in fact they pretty much destroy us. Well, until Slim Whitman appears! Good old Slim.

6. Snakes on a Plane (2006)

An FBI Agent (Samuel L. Jackson) is transporting a witness to a mob murder trial via plane to testify, when, you’ll never guess it, we discover the plane has been loaded with snakes! The late David R. Ellis’ B-Movie states from the off what to expect and offers no substitutes. Still, Jackson has had it with them motherfucking snakes!

5. Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

This film does what it suggests and plays out exactly as you might think. Starting life as the winning fan made trailer, attached to Grindhouse. This 2011 film starring Rutger Hauer as a homeless fella fed up of the corrupt world is impossibly violent and yet enjoyably line crossing. It quite literally does what it says on the tin, the bloody, dusty, bullet-strewn tin.

4. Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009)

In fairness, most nature attacks features have a pretty evident title (Piranha, Anaconda, Spiders, et al.) but this one takes the biscuit. From ‘Mockbuster’ production company The Asylum comes this beastie clash, the trailer of which amassed mass attention online. Hence here is the feature-length film (that is a less uplifting story) with a title so ridiculous and content so ludicrous it has to admit it. Which it does! Ever wanted to see a mega shark bite a bridge? Then dig in.

3. The Saga of the Viking Women and their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957)

Does anything more really need saying about this Roger Corman, cheapo fantasy flick? There are Viking women (searching for their men) and yes, there is a sea serpent! Hooray!

2. Finding Nemo (2003)

Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich’s animated classic is another in Pixar’s hugely impressive and varied resumé. It also perfectly summarizes the plot in two words. There is obviously more to the film than parent Clownfish Marlin finding his son Nemo but that is the main plot. Looks like Finding Dory will follow suit.

1. Dirt: The Movie (2009)

Guess what this documentary is about? Yes, the film is about dirt and our relation and reliance on it. As documentary titles go, this certainly holds no air of mystique about it. Followed by Water: the film, preceded by Steel: there it is.