Filmmakers typically try to cast real-life twins to play onscreen twins in more recent films in order to maximize authenticity both during production and for audiences. There are some cases where this cannot take place; for instance when a baby or child actor plays both twins due to acting regulations. Therefore, one actor playing two roles was popular particularly in early cinema and future films in the twentieth and twenty-first-century.
During this time, filmmakers enjoyed experimenting with split-screen technology, green screens, and body doubles to disguise that two characters were being played by the same person. It was ground-breaking film innovation for its time, particularly because it could be challenging to find identical twins that would be ideal for the role being cast. Yet, filmmakers could also consider alternative storylines where unrelated actors could be cast in fraternal twin roles.
10 Luke & Leia – Star Wars Franchise (1977-1983)
Portrayed by Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, Luke and Leia are one of the most iconic sets of onscreen long-lost twins. Finding each other through an inter-galactic war in the original Star Wars trilogy, Luke's first quest as a young Jedi is to rescue Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader. George Lucas' revelation that the pair were in fact twins in Return of the Jedi ended up being one of the largest plot twists in cinematic history.
Separated at birth for their own protection from their father, the two grew up on separate planets and harness their own strengths and skills. The pair continued to surprise each other once reunited as young adults, most notably Leia learning the Jedi arts herself.
9 Julius & Vincent – Twins (1988)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito team up in this 1988 feel-good film. Schwarzenegger's character, Julius, seeks to find his twin brother, DeVito's character Vincent. Although both men are strikingly different both physically and personality-wise, the brothers seek to find common ground and retrace their routes to find their birth parents.
Twins is a fun and energetic comedy that reeks of 80s nostalgia, and many twists and turns unfold during the course of the film. Chaos ensues as Vincent is embroiled in many a scandal and he and Julius must solve these issues, whilst learning the truth about their birth. Schwarzenegger and DeVito have surprisingly great chemistry as twin brothers and are enjoyable to watch.
8 Sadie & Rose – Big Business (1988)
In this rather unusual film, Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin each star in two roles as sets of identical twins (with the same first names) who were accidentally separated shortly after birth. When they eventually cross paths as adults, chaos and hilarity ensues as they are pitted against each other in a big business sale.
With one of each twin growing up wealthy, and the other poor, it creates some wild contrasts for the viewer to observe throughout the film. With a generally mixed reception and modest success on release, some more recent criticism has argued that Big Business is underappreciated. Regardless, there is no denying the talent and hilarity of both Midler and Tomlin on screen together.
7 Gary & Martin – The Krays (1990)
Not played by twins but instead real-life brothers, Gary and Martin Kemp, The Krays is a 1990 biopic film that explores the relationship between the infamous twins and their mother, as well as their growing criminal lives. The film captures post-war struggles in East End London and the maternal figure of Violet Kray, who was famously adored by the twins and well-respected by everybody else as a result.
The film opened at the top of the UK Box Office and was generally well-received. It was a brutal and incredibly atmospheric portrayal of The Kray Twins, and surprising to many that the brothers from Spandau Ballet could play cockney gangsters well.
6 Ma Yau & Bok Min – Twin Dragons (1992)
Jackie Chan portrays both twins separated at birth, Ma Yau and Bok Min, in this Hong Kong action comedy where they finally reunite in adulthood. They struggle to live normal lives due to constantly being mistaken for each other, as they are very difficult to tell apart.
Although the film was successful at the box office, its special effects and 'twin framing' were criticized as being too obvious that the same actor had been edited onto the screen. Even Jackie Chan was reportedly unhappy with the film's special effects, as he was led to believe that they would be better edited. Suffice to say, Twin Dragons is charismatic as a Jackie Chan action film with plenty of fight and chase sequences making for a fun watch not to be taken too seriously.
5 Hallie & Annie – The Parent Trap (1998)
Lindsay Lohan shined in arguably one of the best and most famous long-lost twin films, playing both Hallie and Annie in The Parent Trap. Very different to the original 1961 film starring Hayley Mills, this film is an international affair with one twin living in London and the other in California.
Filming was done convincingly so that it was believable that there were twins on camera. Each scene with both characters was shot twice, with Lohan herself and a stand-in actor switching places each time. The film was then combined with the seam disguised. Lohan excelled in both roles and ensured that The Parent Trap remains iconic to this day.
4 Heather & Heidi – Doubled Teamed (2002)
Based on the lives and careers of professional identical twin basketball players, Heather and Heidi Burge, Double Teamed is a 2002 Disney Channel original movie about their rise to sports stardom. Starring non-related actors Poppi Monroe and Annie McElwain, the pair are believable as identical sisters who seek to work together to forge their own journey.
Disney ensured that both actresses look as similar as possible by changing their hair and putting risers in their shoes to make them look taller. This more simple way of making the actresses look similar was effective, and it was received well at the time. For a basketball film, it was pleasant viewing with the twin storyline being the star quality of the film.
3 Jared & Simon – The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Freddie Highmore shines in this noughties fantasy film as both Jared and Simon Grace, who move onto the Spiderwick Estate with their mother and sister. They then find themselves surrounded by magic and creatures beyond their imaginations and must fight against evil intentions for the estate.
Released in 2008 and based on the book of the same name, the film garnered positive critical response at the time. Highmore's dual performance as both twins was singled out as the shining element of the film, as he successfully handled the differing personalities of fiery Jared and shy Simon well.
2 Bob & Walt – Stuck on You (2003)
Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear appeared as Bob and Walt Tenor, conjoined twins, in this 2003 comedy where the pair travel to Hollywood to pursue Walt's (Kinnear's) acting dream. Satirical and subversive, the film uses slapstick humor to keep it funny and engaging.
It's not the most believable storyline and has some outdated humor in parts; this is one of the more bizarre twin films. It does ultimately have a heart-warming message, and Damon and Kinnear successfully show the close fraternal love shared between brothers.
1 Patil Twins – Harry Potter franchise (2005-2011)
Playing the iconic Patil Twins in the Harry Potter film series, Shefali Chowdhury and Afshan Azad acted as Parvati and Padma Patil, respectively. Unlike the Weasley twins, these actresses are notably not twins nor related. The characters were even in different Hogwarts houses in the books, which reflected their differing personalities.
Despite not having much character growth written for them, both actresses excelled in the five films that they performed in. Their best moments are arguably in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, where their brilliant awkward teenage chemistry with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint shines in the Yule Ball scenes. Later, they continue to feature in ensemble scenes whilst helping Harry Potter in the fight against Voldemort.