25 Mind-Blowing Movie Fan Theories

Posted by , Updated on March 23, 2024

Movie theories are the lifeblood of the internet. Whenever an unsolved mystery appears in a film, people take to the web and make their theories heard. A good portion of them are trash, but every now and then, some theories blow things wide open, making total sense. From Disney to Tarantino films, we’ve got a ton of theories that’ll change how you view your favorite movies. Here are 25 Mind-Blowing Movie Fan Theories.

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25

The Merchant in Aladdin is the Genie.

Agrabah_merchantSource: http://www.slashfilm.com

For years, fans of Aladdin have theorized the merchant in the beginning of the movie is, in fact, the genie in disguise. Considering the merchant speaks similarly to the genie and has the same sense of humor, it would make sense the two are the same. Though, unlike most theories, this one was actually claimed to be true by the director. The genie is the merchant in the beginning.

24

Labyrinth is a Metaphor for a Girl Struggling with Puberty

LabyrinthSource: https://the-artifice.com

Many kids know of the movie Labyrinth as a surreal fairy tale about a girl trying to rescue her baby brother. However, fans theorize the movie is actually a coming-of-age story about a young woman struggling to deal with her onset puberty. From Hoggle peeing in front of her, Jareth wooing her in the end, and the old wench in the trash heap, the entire story is one big allegory about a girl’s insecurities with one day becoming a woman.

23

Terrence Mann is Dead in Field of Dreams

james earl jonesSource: https://moviepilot.com/posts/3986454

In the movie Field of Dreams, Ray is visited by the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson and inspires him to build a baseball field in his cornfield. Ray is told to ease Terrence Mann’s pain. So he seeks him out and invites him to the baseball field since all he wanted to do was play baseball. To prove he was a ghost the whole time, Terrence goes into the cornfield with the other baseball players and Shoeless Joe Jackson tells Ray, “You’re not invited.” Meaning, only dead people go into the cornfield.

22

Dorthy is the Wicked Witch of the East

wizard of ozSource: https://moviepilot.com/posts/3560111

Ever notice how in the Wizard of Oz, Dorthy meets all of her family in some form (like the scarecrow or tin-man) in the alternate reality but never a copy of herself? A Reddit fan theory suggests that it’s because her copy was the Wicked Witch of the East that Dorthy killed in the very beginning, taking her place.

21

Harry Potter is a Mental Patient

Harry_PotterSource: https://www.reddit.com

One fan theory of the Harry Potter books and movies is a doozy and would totally change your perspective on it going forward. In the theory, Harry Potter is actually an insane mental patient, and Hogwarts is just an institution keeping mentally ill kids. Evidence includes that he looks at a mirror all the time for his parents, Sirius Black is insane, and he’s frequently tormented by Dementors that no one else can see. The fan also notes J.K. Rowling is firmly against the institutionalization of children.

20

James Bond is Just a Code Name

james bondSource: http://web.archive.org

Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori had his own theory on the James Bond franchise. In his mind, the name James Bond wasn’t his real name but a code name used by several 007 agents. That’s how he could justify other actors like Sean Connery leaving and someone else taking over.

19

Josh Kills Heather in the Blair Witch Project

blair witchSource: http://www.cinemablend.com

This fan theory asks, “Who actually did the killing at the end of the Blair Witch Project?” Since we never see the Blair Witch in the movie, some have suggested Josh is the prime suspect. Perhaps he was possessed and did the killing.

18

Frozen, the Little Mermaid, and Tangled are linked

tangled frozen little mermaidSource: http://www.eonline.com

One fan theory from Tumblr connected Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Tangled, saying they’re from the same world. In Frozen, while people come to see Elsa’s coronation, for a split second you can see Rapunzel and Eugene from Tangled. And they also indicated that the sunken ship in The Little Mermaid is The King and Queen of Arendelle’s.

17

Sandy Died in Grease

greaseSource: http://www.usmagazine.com

In the song “Summer Nights,” Danny rescued Sandy from drowning on the beach. However, it never happened, and Sandy died from drowning. Everything in the story is what she dreams about before dying. At the end when they fly up into the sky, she’s going to heaven.

16

Ferris Bueller is Cameron's Split Personality

cameronSource: https://www.theatlantic.com

We all know and love the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  But what if we told you Ferris Bueller never existed and was actually Cameron’s way to cope with dealing with his overbearing father? Consider, for instance, how Ferris and Cameron are opposite people, Ferris pushes Cameron to face his father, and Cameron says, “Ferris Bueller you’re my hero.” Cameron made him up to deal with his issues.

15

E.T. is a Jedi

etSource: http://imgur.com/XLaav34

In E.T. The Extraterrestrial, E.T. has extraordinary powers, but where do they come from? It’s been suggested E.T. is actually a Jedi. For instance, when E.T. sees a Yoda costume at Halloween, he acts like he recognizes him and wants to talk to him. E.T. also has healing powers and can make Eliot fly in the air. Clearly, he is one with the force.

14

Jurassic Park's Dinosaurs Weren't Real

Jurassic_ParkSource: https://www.reddit.com

Many scientists mentioned no one could actually create dinosaurs from blood extracted out of mosquito bellies. So, how did the scientists in Jurassic Park do it? In this fan theory, they didn’t. The whole thing was a cover to do more genetic engineering experiments and make lots of money. One specific piece of evidence points to Hammond’s speech about a flea circus he once had. Jurassic Park is Hammond’s giant flea circus.

13

The Lion King and Hercules Are in the Same Universe

scar and herculesSource: https://www.reddit.com

At one point in The Lion King, Zazu mentions to Simba that Scar would make a handsome throw rug. In Hercules, Scar actually is a throw rug that Hercules throws off his head, indicating someone hunted Scar and brought him back to Greece.

12

Mary Poppins Is a Time Lord

Mary_PoppinsSource: https://www.reddit.com

No one really understood how Marry Poppins can simply float from the clouds and appear from nowhere using her magical umbrella. However, one fan theory suggests Mary Poppins is a Time Lord from Doctor Who. Her umbrella is an amalgamation of the TARDIS. Time Lords have a bit of an ego, make friends wherever they go, and really like their hats.

11

Deckard is a Replicant with the Memories of a Former Blade Runner

blade runnerSource: https://moviepilot.com

When Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, is on his piano, he has a reverie of a unicorn. It’s a brief glimpse but nothing more. Later, he see’s the same unicorn at the end of the movie, confirming he’s a replicant but with someone else’s memories. The question is who? A fan believes he has the memories of Eduardo Gaff, the veteran Blade Runner.

10

Andy's Mom is Emily from Toy Story 2

jessie toy storySource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Remember in Toy Story 2 when the little girl Emily left Jesse on the side of the road when she got too old? Apparently, Emily is Andy’s mom. How could this be possible? First, the flashbacks to Emily clearly was in an older time period, possibly in the 60’s. But the true smoking gun is the red cowboy hat Andy wears. The same hat is on Emily’s bed in the flashbacks and is a larger version of Jesse’s hat.

9

The Shining Contains Secret Messages That Kubrick Helped Fake the Moon Landing

apollo 11Source: https://www.fastcompany.com

In 1968, Stanley Kubrick released 2001: A Space Odyssey unveiling ground-breaking special effects, including astronauts in space. In 1969, the United States landed on the moon. Coincidence? This fan theory doesn’t think so. And as a way to secretly tell the public, Stanley Kubrick later included hidden messages in The Shining to apologize for faking the moon landing. Evidence includes Danny Torrence wearing an Apollo 11 sweater, the carpet looking like rocket ships, and even changing the name of the forbidden room to 237 because the moon is 237,000 miles away.

8

Every Quentin Tarantino Movie Exists in the Same Universe

Quentin_Tarantino_(Berlin_Film_Festival_2009)_2_croppedSource: https://www.polygon.com

Because Vic Vega has been confirmed to be brothers with Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, fans have always figured Quentin Tarantino’s movies all existed in the same universe. Recently, Tarantino has gone on record saying the theory is true except there are two universes: the real universe the characters live in and the “movie” universe that the characters go to watch. For example, when the Pulp Fiction characters go to the movies, they see Kill Bill.

7

Willy Wonka Is the Final Regeneration of the Doctor

willy wonkaSource: https://www.reddit.com

Everyone knows the eccentric chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka as a colorful, albeit isolated, man. Except, what if he was more than he seemed to be? One theory suggests Willy Wonka is the final regeneration of Doctor Who. The fan claims both Wonka and the Doctor share many similar qualities and magical powers, including a flying elevator very similar to the TARDIS.

6

Sid Is the Garbage Man in Toy Story 3

sid toystory garbage manSource: http://www.eonline.com

Whatever happened to Sid from Toy Story? Clearly, after experiencing his deranged behavior, no one was eager to see him again. Well, an eagle-eyed fan made the connection that Sid is probably the garbage man who picks up the trash at the beginning of the movie. Why would they think that? Because the garbage man is wearing the same skull t-shirt Sid wore in Toy Story.

5

Doc Wanted to Die in Back to the Future

Back-to-the-future-logoSource: https://moviepilot.com/posts/2607601

Doc Brown had lost everything in Back to the Future and was considered a crackpot scientist. When he invites Marty out to videotape the Deloreon travel back in time, he pulls him in front of the car as it revs up to 88 miles per hour. Marty even tries to get out of the way before Doc pulls him back in. What if Doc wanted to kill himself and Marty with him? A fan theory suggests Doc never thought the time machine would work and had tested it for the first time. If that’s the case, Doc was a suicidal villain trying to kill a young teenager with him.

4

The Indominus Rex is Part Human

indominus rexSource: https://moviepilot.com

In Jurassic World, they revealed a new genetically engineered dinosaur called the Indominus Rex as a way to bring more people to the park. As we later learned, the Indominus Rex had a mixture of many different animals including cuttlefish. However, later, they discovered it also had raptor DNA. Well, what if it had human DNA as well? In the scene where the Indominus is in the pterodactyl exhibit, it showed high problem-solving intelligence. There’s also the fact that an earlier script included dinosaurs with human DNA. They even have drawings of the creatures. Of course, this idea was scrapped for the Indominus Rex instead.

3

The Bride Never Actually Kills Bill

kill billSource: https://www.reddit.com

At the end of Kill Bill Vol. 2, Beatrix Kiddo supposedly uses the 5 Point Palm Fist of Death Technique on Bill to kill him. He stands and walks away before his heart explodes inside his chest and falls to the ground. But what if she never killed Bill at all? In this fan theory, Bill pretended to die, and Beatrix knew it all along. By pretending to die, he was releasing Beatrix and her daughter from being assassins. When she’s with her daughter and half-crying, half-laughing, she says, “Thank you.” Why would she say that? Because she never learned the 5 Point Palm Fist of Death Technique, and she knew Bill let her go.

2

The Pulp Fiction Briefcase Contains a Soul

pulpfiction suitcaseSource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

What’s in the briefcase? Throughout Pulp Fiction, that question looms large over the story but is never resolved. All we know is a bright light flashes whenever it’s opened and it’s beautiful. However, some have speculated that what’s inside the box is Marcellus Wallace’s soul. The first shot of Marcellus Wallace is the back of his head with a band-aid. The briefcase password is 666. So, the theory goes, Marcellus Wallace sold his soul to the devil and it’s in the briefcase. And he wants it back.

 

Like fan theories about movies? You have to check out 25 Harry Potter Fan Theories That Will Make You Think

1

Cobb's Totem Isn't the Spinning Top

totemSource: https://www.reddit.com

Christopher Nolan is a master of misdirection and even describes his storytelling formula in the movie The Prestige. In the movie Inception, we’re told everyone has a totem, something only they can hold and know the weight and feel of it. It’s the only way to make sure if they’re dreaming or not. Cobb’s totem, we’re told, is the spinning top. You know, the spinning top in the last shot of the movie driving people insane over whether it falls or not. Here’s a theory: It doesn’t matter. The spinning top is actually misdirection on Nolan’s part to keep you from the real totem. The real totem is Cobb’s wedding ring. Cobb even mentions that the top wasn’t his, but his wife’s. If you watch the movie, whenever he’s dreaming he wears the wedding ring, and when he’s not, he isn’t. In the last part of the movie, you guessed it, he’s wearing the ring.



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