Buzz
Time to put on your tinfoil hat and dive into some mind-bending movie conspiracy theories...
What if it was the seemingly innocent Danny Torrance who caused the terrifying events at the Overlook hotel? One popular theory suggests that Danny's imaginary friend 'Tony', who lived in his mouth and hid in his stomach, was a sign of psychosis. This could mean that Danny used his 'shine' to drive his father Jack insane, creating hallucinations in his mind. According to this theory, Danny might not have feared the eerie twins at all—they could have been his own creations.
Still not convinced? Keep that conspiracy hat on a little longer...
10. Titanic and The Terminator: A Mind-Blowing Connection
Numerous bizarre fan theories have emerged about the 1997 film Titanic. Perhaps the most famous one suggests that Jack Dawson was a time traveler from the future, sent to stop Rose from jumping into the freezing Atlantic waters. This, in turn, altered the Titanic’s fate. How? Well, had Rose taken the plunge, the ship would have stopped for a search and rescue mission. This delay could have caused warmer weather to appear, leading to clearer skies and, voila, no tragedy. Naturally, this theory is speculative.
An expanded take on this theory proposes that Jack wasn’t just a time traveler who mentioned things that didn’t exist in 1912, like Lake Wissota and the rollercoaster on the Santa Monica Pier. Instead, he was sent from the future where Skynet had already taken control of Earth. His mission? To protect John Connor’s ancestor—none other than Rose DeWitt Bukater. This implies that Jack hailed from the Terminator universe, and Rose was the grandmother of Sarah Connor, who eventually gave birth to John Connor, the Resistance’s leader.
9. The Left-Handed Loki Theory
Loki remains one of the most beloved characters in the Marvel Universe, despite his knack for betraying those closest to him and shape-shifting to mock other Marvel heroes. Fans have come up with some fascinating theories about Loki’s past appearances in the Marvel films, as well as what he might be up to while awaiting his return to the big screen.
One long-standing theory is that Loki didn’t actually perish at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Instead, he tricked the purple villain into seeing a mirrored version of himself. Loki then escaped to Valhalla to seek advice from Odin. Evidence supporting this includes scenes where the normally right-handed Loki uses his left hand to wield weapons—such as when he fakes his death in Thor: The Dark World or attempts to stab Thanos before being lifted and choked by the villain.
While the Russo brothers have confirmed that Loki indeed met his end at the hands of Thanos, many dedicated fans refuse to accept this and continue to cling to the theory mentioned above.
8. Dorothy’s Alternate Reality Counterpart
The Wicked Witch of the East, an infamous character from the beloved tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was a cruel middle-aged tyrant who wore Silver Shoes and enslaved the Munchkins. When the 1939 musical film adaptation was released, the silver shoes were swapped for ruby slippers. The Wicked Witch met her demise when Dorothy’s house fell on her after being swept up by a cyclone. All that remained of the Witch were the ruby slippers, which Dorothy later began wearing.
A fan theory proposes that Dorothy’s alternate reality counterpart was none other than the Wicked Witch herself. This, according to the theory, explains why the ruby slippers fit Dorothy so perfectly when she tried them on. Rather than dreaming, Dorothy was sent to an alternate reality where she encountered her counterpart: the Wicked Witch. Since the Witch was crushed at the beginning of the film, Dorothy simply assumed her place in that reality.
7. E.T. is Actually a Jedi
In 1982, the beloved alien E.T. became the star of a record-breaking film that surpassed Star Wars to become the highest-grossing movie of all time at that point. One popular misquote from the film is the infamous line, 'E.T. phone home.' In reality, E.T. says, 'E.T. home phone,' leading to the confusion after both Elliott and Gertie repeat, 'E.T. phone home.'
E.T. has sparked numerous fan theories, including one that suggests the adorable extraterrestrial might actually be a Jedi. This theory is partly based on the friendship between Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who studied film together. Additionally, there are two notable Star Wars references in E.T. One such reference occurs in Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace (1999), where members of the Galactic Senate bear a striking resemblance to E.T. Meanwhile, in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, E.T. encounters a trick-or-treater dressed as Yoda and mutters 'home,' hinting that Yoda and E.T. could have originated around the same time, leading to the idea that E.T. might be a Jedi.
Black Panther and The Lion King
Both Black Panther and The Lion King are iconic films, and as fans began noticing parallels between the two, a theory emerged claiming that Black Panther could be a contemporary human version of The Lion King.
This theory highlights key similarities between the two stories: both protagonists suffer the loss of their fathers and struggle with feelings of inadequacy in taking their rightful place on the throne. Both characters also face a villainous family member trying to claim the throne. T’Challa and Simba each have strong, influential mothers who step up during difficult times, supportive love interests who help them cope with family tragedies, and ultimately, both heroes fight to claim their thrones. Additionally, both films, set in Africa (though Wakanda is fictional), were massive box-office hits.
Let's not forget that John Kani, who portrayed T’Challa’s father in Black Panther, also voiced the wise Rafiki in the live-action adaptation of The Lion King, released in 2019.
Harry Potter has a deep, enchanting essence.
The Harry Potter saga began with a hugely popular book series, which was soon adapted into a series of equally beloved films. The movies brought to life a host of magical creatures alongside Harry and his companions, such as goblins, ghosts, a three-headed dog, trolls, dragons, unicorns, pixies, singing toads, and werewolves.
Among the most terrifying creatures introduced was the dementor. These soul-sucking beings thrive on human despair, draining happiness from their victims and leaving them in a state of deep melancholy. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, dementors possess the chilling ability to suck out a person’s soul through their mouth, leaving their victim in a lifeless, vegetative state.
Dementors were particularly drawn to Harry Potter, latching onto his unique scent at every chance. A fan theory suggests that Harry carried more soul than the average human (or wizard/witch), as he also contained a fragment of Voldemort’s soul. This made Harry even more appealing to the dementors, who would essentially collect two souls for the price of one.
Are the Cullens vampires or faeries?
The Twilight Saga may not be to everyone’s taste, but there's no denying its massive success. The books and the films amassed millions, with the first movie sparking 'Twilight fever' when it was released in 2008. Teams Jacob and Edward became a real cultural phenomenon.
Critics of the films often point to numerous inconsistencies and oddities, such as the bizarre 'Edward-got-Bella-pregnant' storyline, the infamous 'we-glitter-in-the-sun' debacle, and the general unsettling, stalker-like behavior of Edward Cullen.
Die-hard fans of the series have created their own theories to fill the plot holes and address the strange elements of the story. Some speculate that Bella could be part-werewolf, providing a reason for Jacob’s imprinting on Renesmee. Another theory suggests that Bella’s lineage may trace back to vampires, as her mother’s name, Renee, is derived from 'Renatus' (the male form) and 'Renata' (the female form), which happens to be the name of a vampire guard with the power to deflect physical attacks.
Regarding the Cullens' glittery skin, one more theory proposes that they aren’t vampires at all, but rather faeries, which could explain their affinity for the woods and their shimmering appearance.
Have you heard the theory that Jacob Black could actually be part of the Black family from the Harry Potter universe? The connection arises because Harry Potter's godfather, Sirius Black, is an Animagus. Jacob, who can control his transformation into a giant wolf, is speculated to be an Animagus too, suggesting that he could be a magical figure within the Harry Potter world.
Wonder Woman and Moana
The DC movie universe is full of fan theories aimed at filling in gaps and creating origin stories for characters with less defined backgrounds. These theories include ideas like Martha Wayne faking her death to become Martha Kent, The Joker and Harley Quinn having children who were killed by Batman, and Superman eventually being responsible for Alfred Pennyworth's death.
Wonder Woman, a key figure in the DC universe, has not escaped the world of fan theories either. One of the most popular theories suggests that Diana Prince and Moana are actually the same person. This theory points to several similarities between the two: both live on idyllic islands, wear similar clothing, and have overbearing royal parents. Both also experience the loss of a family member who inspires them to become warriors, transitioning from young girls living on islands to fierce heroes.
John Wick is set in a video game universe
John Wick has quickly become one of the most iconic characters in recent cinema. The first film captured audiences in a big way, leading to the creation of two sequels, with another two films planned for release in 2022 and beyond.
Given that Keanu Reeves also starred in The Matrix franchise, it wasn’t long before fans began speculating about a connection. One of the theories claims that John Wick is actually part of The Matrix. In The Matrix, Neo tries to escape the computer-generated world, while in John Wick, the title character struggles to escape his life in the criminal underworld. For many conspiracy theorists, this overlap is clear evidence that John Wick is still trapped in The Matrix throughout the films.
There is another theory that suggests the John Wick movies are set within a video game universe. This theory aims to explain the bizarrely unemotional responses of bystanders and law enforcement to the intense violence throughout the films.
Pitch Perfect and 9/11
Pitch Perfect introduced acapella mashups to the world, along with Rebel Wilson's hilarious cringe-worthy moments and Anna Kendrick’s powerhouse vocals. The first film was a sleeper hit, receiving positive feedback from audiences. The sequels also performed well, though the final movie received more mixed reviews from critics.
Although musical comedies aren’t typically analyzed for hidden meanings or deeper messages, fans have managed to craft some intriguing theories around this particular franchise. One such theory suggests that because Anna Kendrick’s voice bears similarities to Stanley Kubrick’s style, there are notable parallels between Pitch Perfect and the documentary Room 237. This, naturally, leads to the conclusion that Pitch Perfect serves as a subtle protest against 9/11.
Support for this theory comes from a parody YouTube video, in which the narrator argues that it’s no coincidence that the first competition in the film takes place in New York. The narrator highlights the Treblemakers' choreography, which features airplane-like movements, and points out a sign in the audience that reads “A Capella is my Co-Pilot!” He also notes the dark symbolism in the Barden Bellas wearing flight attendant uniforms when they take the stage. Additionally, the Treblemakers are made up of 9 members, while the Barden Bellas consist of 11.
The theory also touches on George Bush, and things only get more convoluted—and increasingly bizarre—from there.
