20 American Movie Titles in Italian

It's been slightly difficult to have conversations about movies with the Italians, and I realized after about a month that it's because half the time they have no clue what film I'm talking about and they've just been nodding to shut me up. This is because they change a lot of the titles of American shows and movies (Gilmore Girls is called Una mamma per amica, which means "A Mom for A Friend," which makes it seem like Rory is a friendless shut-in) to Italian "translations," but a lot gets lost along the way... I thought it would be fun to share some of the more amusing translations back to English of what the Italians have renamed some of our favorite films.

1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Non Mi Scaricare
"Don't dump me"

A lot of these titles are painfully literal plot summaries. This one gets straight to the point. Poor guy.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Se Mi Lasci, Ti Cancello
"If you leave me, I delete you"

How do you like me now, what's-your-name?

Bonus tagline: "After the success of 'A Week from God' (Bruce Almighty) the consecration of Jim Carey as a superstar"

3. The Producers
Per Favore, Non Toccate Le Vecchiette
"Please don't touch the old women"

This is the most ridiculous of the bunch. It's been a while since I've seen this but I don't remember a lot of illicit old-woman touching that needed to be discouraged.

4. Risky Business
Fuori i vecchi, i figli ballano
"When the old people are away, the sons dance"

There's really not much more to say...

5. The Sound of Music
Tutti Insieme Appassionatamente
"All together passionately!"

Yeah!

6. The Break-Up
Ti odio... ti lascio... ti...
"I hate you... I leave you... I..."

All of the feelings. The ellipses are really mysterious and compelling... you what?! What else do you do? Now I must watch this movie...

7. City Slickers
Scappo dalla Città – La Vita, l’Amore e le Vacche
"I'm escaping the city- life, love, and cows"

Life, love, and cows. The dream realized.

8. Friday the 13th Part 2
L'Assassino Ti Siede Accanto
"The killer is sitting next to you"

OH GOD WHAT?! Also it's funny that they translated Part 1 to Venerdi il 13. Definitely makes the sequel more interesting.

9. Identity Theft
Io Sono Tu
"I'm you"

Yes, Italy. That's the gist of identity theft.

Bonus tagline: "She has fun, he pays"

10. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
4 Amiche, Un Paio di Jeans
"Four friends, one pair of jeans"

I hate to bring up a certain 2 girls one other household object but it's kind of hard not to think of the similarity. I guess this sums up the movie? Least imaginative attempt ever.

Bonus tagline: "Laugh. Cry. Exchange pants."

11. Knocked Up
Molto Incinta
"Super pregnant"

Is there another kind of pregnant? The Brazilian version translated to "Slightly Pregnant." Just say "Pregnant."

Bonus tagline(s): "Super funny... absolutely explosive" "From the proud parents of The 40-year-old Virgin" "One night could be the last"

12. There's Something About Mary
Tutti Pazzi per Mary
"Everyone's crazy for Mary"

Well, yeah.

Bonus tagline(s): "It will fold you over in two from laughter" "A love story with only one thing in mind..." "The sarcastic 4"

13. The Hangover
Una Notte da Leoni
"A Night of Lions"

This comes up every time I ask the Italians how to say "hangover." So unhelpful that they don't have a single word for it. Basically they make me say "I feel horrible after drinking," which doesn't sound as rockstar...

14. Pitch Perfect
Voices
"VOICES"

SINGING. MOVIE. Also amusing they didn't translate "voices" to Italian.

15. Friends with Benefits
Amici di Letto
"Bed friends"


Sounds like a stuffed animal collection, but makes sense.

16. Home Alone
Mamma, Ho Perso L'aereo
"Mom, I missed the plane"

You could have so easily said "A casa da sola" but no, that would make sense.

17. Sleepless in Seattle
Insonnia d'Amore
"Love insomnia"

That sounds kind of serious, you might want to check WebMD or something...

18. The Oranges
Scusa Mi Piace Tuo Padre
"Sorry I like your dad"

I had never heard of this movie but now I really want to watch it. Also move your hand Leighton Meester that's verging on inappropriate.

19. The Tooth Fairy
L'acchiappadenti
"The tooth snatcher"

Like the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But for teeth. This probably translates to the equivalent of tooth fairy in Italian but "snatcher" is too funny a word not to include.

Bonus tagline: "Have you ever seen a fairy with muscles?" Wellllll

20. Now You See Me
I Maghi del Crimine
"Crime wizards"

So badass.

Bonus tagline: "The makeup is there, but you don't see it" (Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline)


Silly Italians. Incorrigible! Let me know if you've seen any other amusing additions.