Which title is better?

Can you guess these classic movies from their adapted titles?


Published on November 27, 2025


Image: Lucas Pezeta

Movie titles don’t always travel well. They may sound cool or mysterious in English, or rely on clever puns, but those nuances are often lost in translation and leave us with retitled movies that even the most illustrious cinephile would have trouble decoding. Do you think you can identify these famous films by their adapted titles? Try for yourself!

1

A Very Powerful Whale Runs to Heaven

Image: Adam Ernster

That’s the dramatic title that marketing experts chose for Free Willy in China.

The original film tells the story of a boy who befriends an orca and helps it return to the ocean—not necessarily Heaven! The Chinese title, however, gave the tale a twist with unexpectedly tragic overtones.

2

The Boy Drowned in the Chocolate Sauce

Image: Vie Studio

Can you guess what movie this is? If you said Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you’re correct!

In Denmark, this film, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved classic, zeroed in on the darker moment when Augustus Gloop falls into the chocolate river, turning a silly, fantastical story into something almost sinister. (Don’t worry — the kid didn’t actually drown in the book!)

3

The Condemned

Image: Tim Hüfner

In Taiwan, The Shawshank Redemption was translated as Exciting 1995, while in some other markets it appeared under titles like The Condemned.

That simplified translation strips away the nuance of "redemption," which is central to the classic film about life in prison. In Spanish-speaking countries, the title became Sueños de libertad_—_Dreams of Freedom.

4

What Happened Yesterday?

Image: Pixabay

In Spanish-speaking markets, The Hangover was released as _¿Qué pasó ayer?_—which translates to "What Happened Yesterday?"

The hit comedy set in Las Vegas follows a group of friends piecing together the chaos of a bachelor party gone wrong. In France, the film was retitled Very Bad Trip.

5

He’s a Ghost!

Image: Santiago Avila Caro

With an unforgivable disregard for spoilers, Chinese markets released The Sixth Sense under the title He’s a Ghost! Fortunately, at least they didn’t specify which character they meant—though the translation likely spoiled the twist for most observant viewers.

6

Violent Times

Image: Artem Labunsky

Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction was retitled Violent Times in some international markets—a fitting name! However, one could argue that it misses the essence of the original title, which references the pulp magazines and inexpensive paperback novels that inspired Tarantino’s storytelling style.

7

Vaseline

Image: JUNHYUNG PARK

In Argentina, the hit musical Grease was released as _Vaselina_—literally "Vaseline." The English title refers to the 1950s youth subculture of "greasers," known for their slicked-back, oily hairstyles, but that nuance was lost in translation. Still, the new name became a memorable part of Latin American pop culture.

8

A Twin Seldom Comes Alone

Image: Pixabay

In Germany, Disney’s The Parent Trap was released as Ein Zwilling kommt selten allein, which translates to "A Twin Seldom Comes Alone."

The original English title references the identical sisters’ scheme to reunite their divorced parents, while the German version sounds more like a proverb—charming, but far from literal.

9

The Teeth of the Sea

Image: Daniel Torobekov

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was released in France as Les Dents de la mer, literally "The Teeth of the Sea."

The original English title was short and sharp, perfect for the blockbuster it became. But even with its more poetic French name, the film made an enormous impact in France, just as it did everywhere else.

10

Fantastic Emotional Turmoil

Image: Dean Gibbons

In China, Pixar’s Inside Out, which follows the personified emotions of a teenage girl, was released under the title Fantastic Emotional Turmoil. Other international adaptations played with puns on expressions such as "Vice Versa," "Intensely," or "Funnily."

11

Mom, I Missed the Plane

Image: Liubomyr Vovchak

You could probably identify this classic Christmas movie by that line alone… even though it doesn’t actually appear in the film! Of course, it’s an alternative title for Home Alone, the beloved comedy starring Macaulay Culkin as the mischievous Kevin McCallister. The French release used the retitled Maman, j’ai raté l’avion!


What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't


Published on November 27, 2025


Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

1

Cutting your hair makes it grow faster

Image: Element5 Digital

Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

2

Cold weather causes colds

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

3

Eating before bed makes you gain weight

Image: Michelen Studios

The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

4

Wearing glasses weakens your vision

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

5

Reading in low light causes permanent eye damage

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

6

You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day

Image: engin akyurt

We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

7

Lemon water detox and cleanse your body

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

8

All fat is bad

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

9

Liver disease is always caused by alcohol or fats

Image: Elevate

Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

10

Breakfast is the most important meal

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

heedful

/ˈhidf(ə)l/