Have you ever watched a movie and thought the plot could be resolved quickly if only the main character made smarter decisions? You’re not alone. Many films rely on characters making poor choices to drive the story forward, and it can be amusing to wonder how these movies might end abruptly with a little more common sense.
Home Alone
Imagine if Kevin McCallister simply called the police when he realized he was home alone and burglars were trying to break in. The police would have arrived and arrested the Wet Bandits, and Kevin’s parents would have been contacted. Kevin’s ordeal of defending his home with elaborate traps would have been entirely unnecessary.
Jurassic Park
Dr. John Hammond’s decision to invite his grandchildren to Jurassic Park seems unwise. If the characters had taken the threat of resurrected dinosaurs more seriously from the beginning, they would have tightened security measures and avoided many disasters. Instead, they underestimated the risks, leading to chaos.
Romeo + Juliet
Shakespeare’s tragic love story is a tale of miscommunication and rash decisions. What if Romeo had waited a bit longer before taking his drastic action upon seeing Juliet in her death-like state? A little patience and a more rational approach to their situation could have prevented the heartbreaking ending.
The Matrix
Neo’s journey to discover the truth about the Matrix is thrilling. Still, if he had trusted Morpheus from the start and taken the red pill without hesitation, his awakening might have been quicker and less complicated. His initial skepticism prolonged the adventure, making the story more complex.
Jaws
The decision to keep the beaches open despite shark sightings in Jaws led to unnecessary casualties. If the authorities had heeded the warnings and closed the beaches immediately, the shark threat could have been managed more effectively, sparing the townspeople a lot of fear and loss.
The Ring
Rachel’s ordeal in The Ring could have ended swiftly if she had destroyed the cursed videotape immediately after watching it. Seeking help from professionals right away, instead of trying to solve the mystery on her own, would have been the wisest move, saving her and others from the curse.
Scream
In the horror movie Scream, characters often make the fatal mistake of splitting up or investigating strange noises. If they had stayed together and called the police at the first sign of danger, the Ghostface killer’s spree would have been significantly shorter and less deadly.
Finding Nemo
Marlon’s overprotectiveness in Finding Nemo leads him on a perilous journey across the ocean, which could’ve been avoided if he trusted Nemo’s ability to navigate the world more. The story might have ended after Nemo’s first day of school, saving everyone much trouble and stress.
The Lion King
Simba’s reluctance to return to Pride Rock after Mufasa’s death prolongs his pride’s suffering under Scar’s rule. Rather than taking his time to return home, Simba could’ve faced his fears and saved his kingdom from further ruin.
Dumb and Dumber
The iconic cross-country trip in Dumb and Dumber is filled with hilarious misadventures. But if Harry and Lloyd had used common sense and communication, they would have quickly realized the briefcase’s true purpose, ending their journey much sooner and avoiding many ridiculous situations.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones’s mission to prevent the Nazis from obtaining the Ark of the Covenant is full of danger and excitement. Yet, if he had destroyed the Ark or hidden it in an unreachable place from the start, the entire chase and the subsequent horrors could have been avoided.
Twilight
Bella’s fascination with Edward and the subsequent complications in Twilight could have been avoided if she had simply moved on from her initial curiosity about his mysterious nature. She would have spared herself from many dangerous encounters by making safer, more rational choices.
Aladdin
Using the Genie’s wishes in Disney’s Aladdin could have been much more straightforward. Instead of using his first wish to become a prince, he could have directly wished for Jasmine’s hand in marriage, ending his troubles swiftly and avoiding the confrontations with Jafar.
Frozen
Though stubbornness is a key part of her character, Elsa’s isolation in Frozen causes numerous problems. Trusting Anna initially and seeking help for her powers would mean their kingdom wouldn’t have faced such peril, and their relationship would have remained intact.
Back to the Future
Marty McFly’s time-traveling adventures in Back to the Future are fraught with complications in this beloved classic. Listening to Doc Brown’s initial warnings and avoiding interfering with past events could’ve prevented many issues.
The Sixth Sense
Malcolm Crowe’s realization of his own condition in The Sixth Sense comes late in the film. Had he recognized the truth about his existence earlier, the story’s resolution could have come much quicker, saving Cole from prolonged distress and confusion.
The Hunger Games
Katniss Everdeen’s participation in The Hunger Games stems from her self-sacrificial nature. If the districts had united earlier and refused to participate, the oppressive regime of Panem could have been challenged more effectively, ending the brutal games sooner.
Inception
Inception follows Dom Cobb’s quest to clear his name and return to his children, an ultimately complex and risky venture. Taking a more direct approach to confronting his charges instead of delving into dangerous dreams could’ve resolved his journey with less turmoil.
Mean Girls
Cady Heron’s infiltration into the Plastics in Mean Girls creates chaos. If she had chosen to distance herself from Regina George and her clique from the beginning, the social conflicts at North Shore High would have been significantly reduced, leading to a much simpler high school experience.
The Little Mermaid
Ariel’s desire to live on land drives the events of The Little Mermaid. Simply communicating more openly with her father and seeking his help in dealing with Ursula could’ve meant the conflicts were handled more smoothly.
Groundhog Day
Phil Connors’s endless loop in Groundhog Day is a lesson in self-improvement. Recognizing the pattern and making positive changes early on would have ended his time loop sooner, sparing him numerous frustrating repeats of the same 24-hour time frame.
