13 Movies That Came Out With Perfect Timing

Black Widow = Edward Snowden?

Releasing a major Hollywood movie in the right release window for maximum profit is one thing, but what about when fiction and reality become so brilliantly intertwined that audiences can barely tell the difference? Sometimes a movie will be released just ahead of a prominent news story that compliments it perfectly, either a celebration of something great or a major catastrophe that can change hearts and minds. The end result is the same: a movie that will forever be tethered to that release date context, years and possibly even decades later in some cases. You couldn't really plan most of these movies to fall into audience's laps the way they did, and they were certainly all the more memorable for it upon release, regardless of whether or not they've endured since. You can't plot context this accidentally awesome...

13. Nelson Mandela Dies During The UK Premiere For Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

The Movie: A biopic of anti-apartheid revolutionary and ex-South African President Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba), depicting the man's youth, his activism, imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state, and eventual legitimacy as a political figure who endured for decades. The Release: The film was released first in South Africa on November 28, 2013, and while the film's London premiere was taking place on December 5, Mandela passed away at home at the age of 95. A short moment of silence was given after the screening, while the coming days saw the worldwide news flooded with tributes to the legendary leader, coinciding perfectly with the film's worldwide rollout, as it hit Europe and America in the following days and weeks. Oddly, though, the film still failed to make its budget back, with screenwriter William Nicholson blaming the media "overdose" on Mandela stealing the movie's glory and making audiences tired of hearing about the man and his accomplishments. Still, tragic though Mandela's demise was, there were Fox executives no doubt rubbing their hands with delight at the publicity boost his death undeniably gave the film. One must wonder how little it might've grossed without the added jolt of his death.
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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.