"Movies" is the debut single of American rock band Alien Ant Farm, released on January 16, 2001, from their second studio album, Anthology (2001). Originally released on their 1999 album Greatest Hits, it was re-recorded (along with numerous other songs) for Anthology. It was re-released after the success of their second single, "Smooth Criminal". "Movies" peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and became a top-5 hit in the United Kingdom and a top-20 hit in Ireland.

Commercial performance

Upon its initial release, the song reached number 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. After the band achieved success with "Smooth Criminal", they re-released the single on November 6, 2001. This time, it was a commercial success in the UK, reaching number five.

Music videos

There were three music videos made for this single. One, which was shot before the success of "Smooth Criminal" features a "behind the scenes" style shooting of the video, with grips and lighting crew interrupting shots to fix equipment, while the band performs before a tacky Hollywood sign backdrop. The second video revolves around their playing at a house party, and the imagined events after they each pick up a different girl at the party. There is a bigger budget re-shoot music video, released after the success of "Smooth Criminal", which shows the band jumping through the screen at a movie theatre, and interacting with the audience in homages to Ghostbusters, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, The Karate Kid (including an appearance by the film's costar Pat Morita) and Edward Scissorhands. At the end of the video, the entire audience jumps through the screen and joins the band. This version was directed by Marc Klasfeld.

Track listings

UK CD single UK CD single re-release UK cassette single UK DVD single European CD single Australian CD single

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history