Lost in translation? The strangest Spanish versions of movie titles

To us, 'Point Break' will always be 'Point Break'. The image of Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, surfboards, and the dead Presidents. But if you want to see that film in Spain, it goes by a very different name.

Sometimes, the translations of movie titles abroad are confusing and even comical. Let's dive into the film collections of the Spanish and Latinos and see what they call some of our favorite films in their language.

A comedy about two young guys who find their boss dead at his beach house but pretend he is still alive to live the good life for a while. This film was a great success on release and still has somewhat of a cult following.

In Spanish the film is called:
'Este Muerto Está Muy Vivo'.

Translation: 'This Dead Person is Very Alive'. Very literal and kind of a spoiler.

Image: 20th Century Studios

The classic musical set in WWII-era Austria, 'The Sound of Music' brings us classic songs. One of them, a favorite to many, is the title song of the movie. However, the Spanish-speaking audience thinks otherwise.

In Latin America, they went with 'La Novicia Rebelde' (The Rebellious Novice) which, if you know the story and are very invested in the dynamics of the Catholic Church, makes sense.

In Spain, they went with the mind-boggling 'Sonrisas y Lágrimas' - 'Smiles and Tears'. What's that about? It could be the title of any film.

Two friends go on a road trip and have the adventure of their lives. The Spanish translation doesn't entirely spoil the ending but it does take away the element of surprise.

In Spanish the film is called
'Un Final Inesperado'

Translation: 'An Unexpected Ending'. Well, with this title it's not really unexpected anymore...

In this comedy romance starring George Clooney, a man spends his life traveling to different companies and firing the employees that the firms are too scared to fire themselves. The title refers to insecurity on a personal level for a man who has no ties to any place, but it also refers to a society where financial crisis leaves people uncertain of their future.

In Spanish, it's very much a rom-com though: 'Amor Sin Escalas'

Which translates into English as 'Love Without Stopovers'.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Undercover agent Keanu Reeves becomes a surfer in order to catch a group of bank robbers who his partner believes are surfers robbing banks to fund their endless summer. Brilliant film, so 90s, so incredibly cool.

But in Spanish, the film is 'Le Llaman Bodhi'

Translation: 'They Call Him Bodhi'. Just not the same.

The amazing Jet Li avenging the death of his teacher is the basis of this film. The Spanish translation doesn't complicate the plot of this film, however, again the title suggests a hint of a spoiler.

In Spanish the film is called: 'Jet Li es el Mejor Luchador'

Translation: 'Jet Li is the Best Fighter'. To the point.

The criminal mastermind with a heart as soft as a marshmallow and helpers so cute they got their own franchise: Despicable Me. In Spanish, the title doesn't have spoilers but is just a bit less poetic.

In Spanish: 'Gru Mi Villano Favorito'

Translated: 'Gru My Favorite Villain'. Still cute though.

Image: Universal Pictures

Nobody wants a surprise in a film. So let's just put everything in the title and take out the guesswork... That's what the Spanish seem to believe.

This film in Spain is known as 'Amor y Desafio'.

Translating into English it means: 'Love and Defiance'. It covers the plot somewhat, as the movie has romance and rebelliousness (professionally). However, this generic title could refer to many films because it's so broad.

We have a slight qualm with this film's name translation because it leaves no room for a sequel.

The film in Spanish is called 'Mi Primer Beso'

Which translates into English as 'My First Kiss'.

But what about my Girl 2? No, it just doesn't work: 'My First Kiss 2'.

This is a fabulous comedy starring the ever-childish and brilliant Adam Sandler. However, the Spanish translation suggests that they are far from 'grown-ups'...

In fact, 'Son Como Niños' in Latin America and 'Niños Grandes' in Spain.

Which translates back to: 'They Are Like Children/Big Kids'. The whole point of the irony of 'Grown Ups' is gone!

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