Movies are a reflection of our society and culture, a medium through which we tell stories and explore ideas. They have the power to entertain, inspire, and even educate us. But sometimes, a movie can become the center of controversy, accused of stealing ideas or infringing on someone else's intellectual property. This can lead to lengthy legal battles, tarnished reputations, and even financial ruin for the filmmakers involved.

In the world of cinema, copyright infringement can occur in many ways. It could be using someone else's script or music without permission, or taking inspiration from a book or a real-life event without giving credit where it is due. Some cases of copyright infringement are unintentional, while others are deliberate attempts to exploit someone else's ideas for profit.

The controversies surrounding copyright infringement in movies are not new. In fact, there have been several high-profile cases over the years, where filmmakers have been accused of stealing ideas, and legal battles have ensued. Some of these cases have been settled out of court, while others have led to lengthy and expensive trials that have dragged on for years.

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The issue of copyright infringement in movies raises several questions. How can we balance the need for creative freedom with the need to protect intellectual property? What constitutes fair use, and where do we draw the line between inspiration and theft? These questions are not easy to answer, and the interpretations can vary depending on the specific case.

In this list, we will be taking a look at some of the most notable movies that have been accused of copyright infringement. From classic films to modern blockbusters, these movies have all faced allegations of stealing ideas, and some of them have even been found guilty in a court of law. We will examine the accusations, the legal battles, and the outcomes of these cases, to get a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding copyright infringement in movies. So, get ready to delve into the world of movie controversies and learn about the stories behind the accusations.

21 The Shape of Water (2017)

A scene from The Shape of Water
Fox Searchlight Pictures

In Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, we follow the story of Elisa, a mute janitor working at a research facility, and her unlikely romance with a fish-man creature. Despite the success of the movie, the estate of Paul Zindel claimed that the plot and characters of The Shape of Water were copied from Zindel's play Let Me Hear You Whisper. The estate argued that both stories involved a relationship between a human and a sea creature, and that the themes of the play were also present in the movie.

Del Toro denied the allegations, stating that he had never heard of Zindel's play. Despite the similarities between the two works, the court ruled in favor of del Toro, concluding that the elements in question were too generic to be protected by copyright law. The Shape of Water went on to win numerous awards, including the Best Picture Oscar.

20 The Matrix (1999)

Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix
Warner Bros.

The Matrix is a science fiction classic that has spawned sequels and countless imitations. The Wachowski siblings, who wrote and directed the movie, were accused of copyright infringement twice. The first allegation came from Sophia Stewart, who claimed that the Wachowskis stole ideas from her work The Third Eye. Stewart responded to an ad placed by the Wachowskis, and submitted a manuscript, but the case was eventually dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

The second allegation came from Thomas Althouse, who claimed that The Matrix was copied from his script, The Immortals. However, the court also dismissed this case, stating that there were no similarities between the two works. Despite these accusations, The Matrix remains a beloved film and a classic of the sci-fi genre.

19 Zootopia (2016)

zootopia+ judy hopps doughnut 2022
Disney+

Walt Disney Animation Studios' Zootopia is a charming and entertaining movie that tells the story of Judy Hopps, a rabbit police officer, and her partnership with a sly fox to solve a mystery. However, the movie was accused of copyright infringement by Gary L. Goldman, who claimed that Disney stole the idea for the film from his unfinished project, Looney.

Goldman argued that he pitched his live-action movie idea to Disney in 2000, and that they copied the setting, character archetypes, and even the movie name from his work. However, the judge rejected Goldman's claim, stating that the similarities between Looney and Zootopia were not significant enough to warrant a copyright infringement lawsuit. Despite the controversy, Zootopia remains a beloved and successful animated film, with a well-deserved reputation for its social commentary and compelling characters.

18 Avatar (2009)

Avatar
20th Century Fox

The breathtaking, visually stunning masterpiece Avatar tells the story of Jake Sully, a disabled ex-Marine, who is sent to Pandora, a distant moon inhabited by the Na’vi tribe, in order to infiltrate and exploit the tribe's culture for the benefit of his people. But as he starts to embrace the ways of the Na'vi and falls in love with one of them, Neytiri, he must choose between his duty to his own race and the call of his conscience.

But while the movie's plot is undeniably original, it was not without controversy. Avatar's director, James Cameron, faced several lawsuits from individuals claiming that he had stolen their intellectual property. Among them was the artist Roger Dean, who accused Cameron of copying his fantasy artwork for the film's alien landscapes. While he sought $50 million in damages, the lawsuit was dismissed. Other allegations were made by writers and screenwriters, who all failed to convince the court that Cameron had plagiarized their work. Despite the legal troubles, Avatar went on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time and won three Academy Awards.

17 K-PAX (2001)

K-PAX
Intermedia Films

K-PAX, starring Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges, is a thought-provoking science fiction drama that tells the story of Prot, a patient in a psychiatric hospital who claims to be an extraterrestrial from a planet called K-PAX. While the doctors try to diagnose him with a mental illness, one psychiatrist begins to believe that his story may be true.

The film's plot sounds like it was taken straight from the Argentinean movie Man Facing Southeast, which is what Eliseo Subiela claimed when he sued the filmmakers for plagiarism. Subiela believed that the team behind K-PAX, including author Gene Brewer, had taken his ideas for the 1986 movie. The case dragged on for months, but Subiela was eventually forced to drop it due to lack of funds. Despite the allegations, K-PAX has become a cult classic for its strong performances and emotional depth.

16 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Elliott Taylor with E.T.
Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial tells the story of a young boy named Elliott who befriends an alien stranded on Earth and tries to help him get back home. The movie has become a beloved classic for its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and iconic soundtrack.

However, E.T. was not immune to accusations of copyright infringement. Indian auteur Satyajit Ray claimed that Spielberg had stolen ideas from his unproduced screenplay, The Alien, which was being pitched in Hollywood in the 1960s. Spielberg denied the allegations, and Ray never pursued legal action. On the other hand, playwright Lisa Litchfield filed a lawsuit against Spielberg and screenwriter Melissa Mathison, claiming that they had plagiarized her one-act play Lokey from Maldemar. However, the court ruled in favor of Spielberg and Mathison, stating that there were no substantial similarities between the two works. Despite the controversies, E.T. remains a beloved classic and a testament to Spielberg's genius.

15 Finding Nemo (2003)

Two fish swimming in the ocean
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Get ready to dive deep into the colorful world of Finding Nemo, the heartwarming tale of a father's quest to find his lost son. Marlin, a clownfish, and his forgetful friend Dory embark on a perilous journey across the ocean to rescue Nemo, who has been captured by humans and taken to an aquarium in a dentist's office.

Despite its success, Finding Nemo was not immune to accusations of copyright infringement. In 2003, French children's author Franck Le Calvez sued Disney and Pixar, claiming that his 1995 children's book, Pierrot Le Poisson Clown, was the inspiration behind the film. However, the case took a bizarre turn when it was revealed that Le Calvez had actually stolen the idea from Finding Nemo, which was released before his book was written. Le Calvez was convicted of fraud and ordered to pay damages, proving that sometimes, the tables can turn on those making false accusations.

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14 Django Unchained (2012)

Christoph Waltz and Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained
A Band Apart/Columbia Pictures

Set in the pre-Civil War era, Django Unchained follows the story of a slave named Django, who teams up with a bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a cruel plantation owner. The film was a critical and commercial success, but not everyone was impressed.

In 2014, Oscar Colvin Jr and Torrance J. Colvin sued Quentin Tarantino, claiming that the script for Django Unchained had stolen material from their own screenplay, Freedom. The case dragged on for two years, with the Colvins demanding $100 million in compensation. However, in the end, plagiarism could not be proven, and the case was dismissed. While the legal battle may have been over, it left a bad taste in the mouth for all those involved.

13 The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Mutant Enemy Productions

The Cabin in the Woods is a horror-comedy that takes a unique spin on the classic "cabin in the woods" horror trope. When a group of friends goes on a weekend trip to a remote cabin, they soon realize that they are part of a larger, sinister plot.

However, in 2015, Peter Gallagher sued Lionsgate, Joss Whedon, and director Drew Gooddard, claiming that they had stolen the idea for the film from his 2006 novel, The Little White Trip: A Night in the Pines. Gallagher demanded $10 million in damages, but the case is still ongoing, with no resolution in sight. While there may be similarities between the two, it remains to be seen whether Gallagher's claims hold up in court.

12 The Island (2005)

The Island
DreamWorks

In The Island, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson play two inhabitants of a seemingly perfect, utopian society, who discover that their world is not what it seems. They soon escape to the outside world, where they are hunted by those who want to keep the truth hidden.

However, The Island was not without its own controversies. DreamWorks, the studio that produced the film, ended up paying a substantial settlement to prevent a lawsuit over allegations that the film had copied elements from the 1979 movie, Parts: The Clonus Horror. While it may have been a preemptive move to avoid negative publicity, it nevertheless shows the lengths that studios may go to protect their films from copyright infringement accusations.

11 Demolition Man (1993)

Sylvester Stallone in Demolition Man (1993)
Warner Bros.

In Demolition Man, Los Angeles is a utopian society where crime is non-existent, and every resident is a law-abiding citizen. However, when a former cop, John Spartan, is thawed out after being cryogenically frozen for years, he discovers that his arch-nemesis, Simon Phoenix, is also unfrozen and back to his old ways. As Spartan tries to stop Phoenix from causing chaos in the city, he also has to navigate the unfamiliar future world.

However, the film was not without controversy. István Nemere, a Hungarian author, claimed that the film was essentially an unauthorized adaptation of his novel Fight of the Dead, and that as much as 75% of the film's content was a match for his book. Despite this, he never took legal action against the filmmakers, citing the intimidating prospect of going up against a Hollywood studio.

10 The Purge (2013)

A Masked Couple Participates in The Purge
Universal Pictures

The Purge is a horror-thriller that takes place in a dystopian future where, for one night every year, all crime is legal, and the government encourages citizens to participate in a night of cathartic violence. The movie follows the Sandin family, who find themselves under attack when a group of purgers decides to break into their home.

However, screenwriter Douglas Jordan-Benel claimed that the movie's premise was lifted directly from his script Settler's Day, which he had submitted to the United Talent Agency. Jordan-Benel sued Universal for all the profits from the film and its sequel, which could amount to over $5 million. Although the lawsuit is ongoing, Jordan-Benel was dealt a blow when United Talent Agency was dismissed from the lawsuit due to the lack of a contract between the agency and the writer.

Related: Why The Purge Movies Are Actually Great Political Commentary

9 The Fifth Element (1997)

Willis and Jovovich in The Fifth Element
Gaumont/Buena Vista International

The Fifth Element is a sci-fi action-adventure film set in the 23rd century, where a former soldier and a cab driver team up to save the world from destruction by a great evil. The movie was a box-office hit, but it was not without its detractors.

Jean Giraud, a renowned artist, and Alejandro Jodorowsky, a French film maker and comic book writer, claimed that the movie was a rip-off of their comic book series The Incal. They accused the filmmakers of stealing their ideas and designs, but the claim was eventually dropped. The reason for this was that Giraud had worked on the concept designs for The Fifth Element, so similarities between the works were to be expected. Nevertheless, the controversy persists, and the allegations of copyright infringement continue to be debated by fans and critics alike.

8 Titanic (1997)

Rose and Jack kiss on the bow of the titanic
Paramount

Titanic, released in 1997, is a historical romantic drama film directed by James Cameron. The movie features the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, the largest ocean liner of its time, and its tragic sinking. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as Jack and Rose, two young lovers from different social classes who meet and fall in love aboard the ship. Although the romance between Jack and Rose is the central plot, the film also portrays the ship's crew and passengers' struggles and sacrifices.

In 2012, Princess Samantha Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, claiming that the movie was a rip-off of her unpublished biography about her father. She accused the film of copying the character of Jack, who she claimed was similar to her father, and demanded that all copies of the film be destroyed. The lawsuit was dismissed by the court, stating that the similarities were only "scenes a faire."

7 Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in a scene from Temple of Doom
Paramount Pictures

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, released in 1981, is an adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, an archaeologist who is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. The plot follows Indiana's journey as he navigates various obstacles and tries to uncover the Ark's secrets before it falls into the wrong hands.

In 1981, Stanley Rader and Robert Kuhn filed a lawsuit against Spielberg, George Lucas, and Paramount Pictures, alleging that the film was a rip-off of their screenplay and unpublished novel Ark. They claimed that they had submitted their work to ICM, who gave Spielberg and Lucas access to their material, and that they were promised great commercial success. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed by the court.

6 Zoolander (2001)

David Bowie's cameo in Zoolander
Paramount Pictures

Zoolander, released in 2001, is a comedy film directed by Ben Stiller. The movie follows Derek Zoolander, a dim-witted male model played by Stiller, who is brainwashed by a fashion designer to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The film also stars Owen Wilson as Hansel McDonald, another male model who becomes Zoolander's rival.

Bret Easton Ellis, the author of Glamorama, alleged that Zoolander's underlying narrative was nearly identical to that of his book, and he tried to take the filmmakers and production companies to court. The outcome of Ellis's efforts to sue the production company is not entirely clear, as he is not allowed to publicly comment on the out-of-court settlement that resulted.

5 Ted (2012)

Ted (2012) Mark Wahlberg
Media Rights Capital

Ted follows the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a man who wished for his teddy bear to come to life when he was a child, and his furry best friend Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), who as an adult, is still with him, albeit with a foul mouth, a taste for booze, and a love of weed. Together, they navigate life as best they can, with plenty of raunchy humor along the way.

In 2014, Bengal Mangle Productions sued Seth MacFarlane, Universal, and Media Rights Capital, claiming that the concept of Ted was stolen from their idea about a cursing teddy bear named Charlie who had been featured in YouTube videos since 2009. Unlike the movie, however, this teddy only slept and drank all day. Despite the accusations, the case was withdrawn when MacFarlane was able to prove that Ted was the unique creation of his own mind.

4 Cars (2006)

Cars (Sally and Lightning)
Pixar Studios

Cars is a computer-animated film by Pixar about Lightning McQueen, a hotshot race car who ends up stranded in a small town, where he learns valuable lessons about friendship and humility.

In 2017, Jake Mandeville-Anthony, a UK-based screenwriter, sued the Walt Disney Company claiming that Cars and Cars 2 were ripoffs of his screenplay Cookie & Co.. Apparently, Mandeville claimed that he had sent to Disney along with sketches and marketing plans over 20 years prior. He also argued that there were character names and models of cars that were the same in both projects, but the case was thrown out because the statute of limitations had expired and the judge deemed the works too dissimilar.

3 The Sting (1973)

Heist scene from The Sting
Universal Pictures

This classic heist movie, The Sting, is set in Chicago during the Great Depression and follows two con artists, played by Robert Redford and Paul Newman, as they plan an elaborate con to take down a big-time gangster.

David Maurer, a linguist and writer who had documented the real-life exploits of con men in the 1930s in his book, The Big Con, sued Universal Studios, claiming that The Sting was based on his script. He settled for an undisclosed sum after suing for $10 million dollars, though the case prompted Maurer to take his own life at the age of 75. The film was a huge success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

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2 Monsters Inc. (2001)

Monsters, Inc. by Pete Docter
Disney/Pixar

Monsters Inc. is a heartwarming animated movie that tells the story of two monsters, Mike and Sully, who work at the titular energy company that harvests children's screams to power their city. Artist Stanley Mouse sued Pixar, claiming that they stole his two characters, Mike and Sully, from his catalog of characters that he had been developing since 1963. Mouse also claimed that a Pixar storyteller had previously seen and discussed his characters with him. However, the lawsuit was ultimately thrown out.

Additionally, poet Lori Madrid sued Disney, Pixar, and her book publisher, claiming they stole her book and musical called There's a Boy in My Closet. She also lost her case, and the movie went on to become a critical and commercial success, grossing over $570 million worldwide.