The filming process is downright grueling and requires the high concentration and effort of every member of the crew. Most filmmakers work hard to create a flawless product that will entice viewers and keep them emotionally engaged throughout the film. However, mistakes are inevitable.
Even the most popular films, such as "Fast and Furious" and "Harry Potter," occasionally make mistakes. It's because the filmmaking process is not "episode after episode", many things need to be focused on, so the movies include at least a few minor continuity errors. Or there are questionable moments in detail that could not have been scientifically possible. However, not every viewer can find them out when immersing in the stories.
So, we’ve curated 15 of the most memorable movie mistakes in cinematic history, including “Pulp Fiction,” “Avengers: Endgame”, “Pretty Woman,” “Frozen,” “The Hunger Games,” and more.
Scroll down to check them out!
#1 "Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
Source: Marvel/Everett Collection
With the triumphant, crossover-filled final battle of "Avengers: Endgame," Phase III of the
Marvel Cinematic Universe concluded with a bang. Unfortunately, amid their excitement, directors Anthony and Joe Russo failed to notice a staggering logical error. With a gigantic Ant-Man smashing Thanos’ alien army in the background and a regular-sized Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) concurrently trying to hotwire a van in the middle of the action, this scene features as many Paul Rudds as the Netflix sci-fi series "Living With Yourself." While there are many fan theories explaining this, Scott added certainly seemed like a mistake when it was initially presented.
#2 “Fast and Furious 6” (2013)
Source: Universal Pictures
“Fast and Furious” franchises aren’t exactly known for their realism: consider how they disregard traffic flow, car regulations, and fundamental laws of physics. Still, do you know the movie includes continuity errors? In “Fast and Furious 6” Luke Hobbs appears to mysteriously shave and re-grow a goatee during the time of a single chase scene at the end of the film.
#3 "Frozen” (2013)
Source: Walt Disney Animation
With its popularity, "Let It Go" could be the most rewatched musical number in Disney princess history. But unfortunately, there is a sneaky animation bug in there. When Elsa began her transformation by letting loose her icy blonde hair, inexplicably solemn braids appeared through her arms. There's been some debate over whether this is a mistake, but at least it looks "off".
#4 “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
Source: Warner Bros.
It takes a lot of work to bring the wizarding world to the big screen. And "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," Chris Columbus' franchise-launching film, mostly uses visual effects to great effect. They add bicycle seats on Harry and his classmate's broomsticks, which could be seen throughout the Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor.
#5 “Little Women” (2019)
Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS/East News
Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of "Little Women" is meticulous and dedicated. That's why it's hilarious to discover that two contemporary water bottles were seen in the backdrop of a crucial scene. When the March sisters arrive at his house for the first time, you can see a plastic water bottle behind Laurie.
#6 “Pretty Woman” (1990)
Source: Buena Vista Pictures
After his encounter with the "Pretty Woman" of the title, Edward Lewis (Richard Greer) requests a delicious breakfast buffet delivered to his hotel room. Between the lines “I only got through 11th grade” and “Your folks must be pretty proud, huh?” pay close attention to what Julia Roberts is eating. She quickly changes her meal from a croissant to a pancake!
#7 “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
Source: Miramax
The philosophy of "Pulp Fiction" is conveyed mainly through the intense mental reaction of the assassin Jules to death. So it's no surprise that fans went crazy trying to figure out why there were stray bullet holes visible in the wall behind Jules and Vincent before they were shot by the “fourth man” hiding in the bathroom. Tarantino has never made any remarks about this apparent error.
#8 “The Hunger Games” Franchise
Source: ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Jennifer Lawrence merits high praise for the wide range of skills she developed while starring in the "Hunger Games" franchise. But professional archers have some notes about Katniss’ bow-handling technique. Van Webster, an archery instructor, commented, “It’s hard to tell from the short clips, but the bottom line is there is too much movement." he continued “There are people that can shoot that well, but not with the kind of movement portrayed in the film. All of that is computer-generated. We had the same problem in ‘Avatar.'” Others found Lawrence's pointer handle to have too many hooks: a small detail that would dramatically affect her character's aim and accuracy.
#9 “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
Source: Warner Bros.
A motor vehicle would make the first "Lord of the Rings" significantly faster, and thanks to this hilarious mistake, that technology seems already in the universe. You can see a car driving in the background when Sam and Frodo walk across a field with a scarecrow.
#10 “The Princess Diaries” (2001)
Source: Walt Disney Pictures
In "The Princess Diaries," Anne Hathaway suffered for her art and even brought teenage charm to the heroine Mia Thermopolis when she accidentally fell on the wet stand. Hathaway and co-star Heather Matarazzo persevered through the scene despite the very genuine slip, and the fall was included in the film.
#11 “Titanic” (1997)
Source: East News
Here's a little piece of trivia from the production: Jack was initially instructing Rose to simply “lie on that couch” in the super romantic scene where the young artist paints the gorgeous lady. Leonardo DiCaprio, however, accidentally said, “Over on the bed… the couch!” because he was so flustered. This moment was so genuine that director James Cameron decided to include it in the final product.
#12 “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)
Source: Netflix
The fashion industry’s ongoing fascination with “deconstructed” clothing could be to blame for Lana Condor’s wardrobe continuity error in Netflix’s 2018 rom-com. While enjoying dinner with their lovable dad Daniel Covey, Lara Jean seems to repeatedly turn her jumper inside-out.
#13 “The Martian” (2015)
Source: Courtesy Everett Collection
Despite having a small role, Donald Glover excels as astrodynamics Rich Purnell in Ridley Scott's "The Martian". The scene where Purnell hurries about his office and slips in a humorous beat appears to be purposeful but it wasn't intended. Glover said in an interview: “When you see me in the movie and I eat it, that’s eating it.”
#14 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990)
Source: Warner Bros.
Jim Henson's creature costumes in the 1990 "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film are stunning, and they are some of the artist's final cinematic creations before his tragic death at the age of 53. However, the iconic classic has several errors, most of which involve obvious puppeteers. The scariest of them is an actor’s glinting eyes appearing from within the mouth of Donatello.
#15 “Birdman” (2014)
Source: ©Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection
Alejandro González Iñárritu's "Birdman", starring Michael Keaton as a has-been A-lister shadowed by his former superhero self, includes a slew of continuity errors that double as Easter eggs for diehard fans. New York City geography as represented in the film often raises suspicions, but the locations proved particularly versatile for "Birdman." Watch out for street signs and you'll often have to jump dozens or more blocks.