What is it about twins that makes for funny movies? Even Shakespeare loved a good twin comedy. I’ve also always been a sucker for movies about twins. Here are my favorites, from my own childhood to the present:
This movie, featuring Selena Gomez, isn’t really about twins so much as a case of mistaken identity. But since the characters in question are virtually identical, I’m giving this one a pass. I didn’t want to enjoy this light, fluffy, comedic romp. I sat down to watch it with my daughters in an act of maternal sacrifice, computer on my lap, ready to “take me away” if the going got too tweeny. But I watched the whole thing, laughed out loud a few times and consumed a whole bowl of popcorn.
This film, starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin as twins separated and mixed up at birth, is just as funny now as when I was a kid. It plays on the city mouse/country mouse tale along with classic twin humor. I wonder if it’s ripe for a remake? It’s a great family movie night film that you can watch with the kids.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito seem like the most unlikely set of twins (save for Tomlin & Midler) which is why this movie is still so funny after all these years. It was such a timely film when it was first made – a time when genetic engineering was suddenly seeming possible. Controversial and powerful societal stuff. But in the hands of Arnold and Danny… funny.
As a kid, this was one of my most favorite movies ever. Not only were there twins, but psychic orphan twins from another planet? Where do I sign up! I read the books, I watched the movies, I cut my bangs like the female lead. My own kids might prefer the recent remake, but I’m sticking to the original!
I’d like to say I’m true to the original version but I’ve watched the Lindsay Lohan remake so many times with my own kids that I’m rather partial to it now. It’s a bittersweet film knowing what a trainwreck Lindsay’s life became in more recent years. Also bittersweet is watching Natasha Richardson as the mom, knowing her life was cut short by a tragedy. Nevertheless, it’s such a charming movie. Lindsay played both twins so brilliantly, with such precocious wit and charm that this film will always be my favorite twin movie.
Honorable Mention: There are dozens of twin movies starring actual twins, Mary Kate and Ashley, Tia and Tamara Mowry, and Cole and Dylan Sprouse. Disney knows a good thing when they see double. If you’re planning a twin themed party or twin night, check out some of their movie titles on IMDB.
Sponsored by “Jack and Jill”, Now on Blu-rayâ„¢, Combo Pack & DVD
Disclosure: This article has been sponsored by Jack and Jill on Blu-ray, Combo Pack & DVD. All opinions, hairstyle decisions made in the seventies and bowls of popcorn consumed while watching films are as usual, my own original work. We haven’t watched Jack and Jill yet, which is why it’s not on the list. Given that we are all huge fans of both Adam Sandler and twin films in this house, it’s on our must watch list!
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