The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has grossed over $4.5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful film series of all time. In the third part of the series, the Black Pearl crew are on their way to Singapore in the 1700s. If you aren’t well-versed in South Asian history, you wouldn’t think much of it.
The thing is, Singapore was first named that way in 1819 when the British established a trading post there. When the movie took place, the area was ruled by the Johor Sultanate, which consisted of parts of modern Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Minority Report (1991)
In the early 2000s, Cameron Diaz was a huge star, thanks to being in hits like "Charlie's Angels" and "There's Something About Mary" a few years before. She happened to be visiting the set of "Minority Report" in the midst of filming and ended up playing a small part of a businesswoman talking on a cell phone.
You may notice her in the scene where Tom Cruise is on the train, and a stranger looks up at him, eyeing him with suspicion.
Speed (1994)
The 1994 film "Speed" more than lives up to its title. The film is so fast-paced if you don't pay close enough attention, you may miss something. After a "duel" between Payne and Jack Traven, Payne is beheaded by an overhead light.
If you rewind that moment and hit pause, you'll notice that the actor (Dennis Hopper) has been replaced with a lifeless dummy.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
You may not recognize Tom Cruise in the 2008 comedy "Tropic Thunder," starring Ben Stiller. That’s because make-up did an excellent job of disguising him for his role as Lee Grossman – a role that’s been called his best yet.
Cruise first saw the script for the film while he was hanging out with its star and said he wanted a part of it, as long as he could have “fat hands, and free reign to dance.”
Tarzan (1999)
Moments before the turn of the millennium, "Tarzan" was released in theaters, and Phil Collins's soundtrack mended our hearts. It comes as no surprise that Disney movie is home to one of the company's much-loved easter eggs.
Bear with us for a moment. It's no coincidence that the teapot and cup in "Tarzan" look remarkably familiar. Yep! You got it right; it's Mrs. Potts and her son Chip from "Beauty and the Beast".
Unforgiven (1992)
1992’s "Unforgiven" was a big commercial success. It even won an Academy Award for Best Picture, which was one of 4 wins!
But don’t be mistaken by its success. The film still has its faults, as minor as they are. Like Gene Hackman — performance aside, his character’s pants have loopholes! These types of pants did not exist in 1880, the year during which the film is meant to take place. Fortunately, the film is that great, so we forgive this error.
Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson directed and starred in this epic 1995 war film as the amazing William Wallace, a steely Scottish warrior. He surely looked dashing in that kilt. While we know that looks are important, for the sake of historical accuracy, Gibson and his fellow men should have gone without the kilts.
Nothing says Scottish like a good ol’ kilt, but Scottish people haven’t always rocked the kilt. The kilt came out much later in time, and not in 1280, the year during which the film takes place.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
“Marie Antoinette” is historically accurate almost the entire way through. It's a biography of one of the most famous historical figures in France's long history and directed by Sofia Coppola. The film is well-regarded, but one bizarre set design choice still raises eyebrows when it's watched.
In one shot, we see Marie's feet under a table, trying on some shoes, but lying on the floor are a pair of lavender Converse shoes. With the colorful sets and extravagant costumes, it's easy to miss this little detail.
Braveheart (1995)
This film has more than one entry on our list. Apparently, it has its fair share of historical inaccuracies that non-historians like us easily missed. However, one thing that is pure accident, is the gray sedan visible in the background of one shot during a big battle scene.
As horses charge, if you're eagle-eyed enough, you can spot a glimpse of what is clearly just a normal car, very much out of place during the thirteenth century, when the film is set.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
What's there not to love about the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise? There is this one thing that history lovers surely noticed..the uniforms designed for the British Soldiers. They were seen in their infamous red coats, but that uniform wasn't used until the late 1700s.
Since the movie's premise takes place in the early 1700s, the uniform's use wasn't quite accurate. Not that this missed detail stopped anyone from having fun watching the films.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
"Pride and Prejudice," the film, strayed a bit from the novel’s details, which you would notice if you read the book. But, you may not have noticed a slight drift from historical facts.
Do you recall those trendy rubber boots that Lizzie (Keira Knightley) wore in the film? Those actually didn’t exist in Jane Austen’s time at all. Jane Austen passed away in 1817 when people definitely weren’t moseying around in rubber boots, as they were only invented in 1852. Luckily, the boots are mostly hidden beneath Lizzie’s dress.
Men In Black (1997)
"Men in Black" follows Jay (Smith) in his journey joining the super-secret Men in Black organization. As he arrives, he initially receives a facility tour, which means the viewers are bombarded with new details and information, making it easy for us to miss the holographic computer displaying several alien locations.
If you're quick enough, you'll notice each image is a celebrity (an alien in disguise). This brilliant shot includes celebs like Danny DeVito and Sylvester Stallone.
Gladiator (2002)
We have no problem giving credit where it is deserved. It definitely took a lot of talent to master the fight scenes in this action film. But, there is one thing that most viewers overlook in the film.
When Russell Crowe fell, viewers can see his lycra shorts. While there’s nothing like a man in some lycra wear, nobody in ancient Rome would have been wearing Lycra shorts. Even if they wanted to wear it underneath their armor, those shorts didn’t exist in those times. And sorry to say, but the ancient Romans definitely missed out!
Forrest Gump (1994)
The 1994 comedy-drama film "Forrest Gump" is repeatedly on lists of the greatest films ever made. And despite its incontestable success, the movie contains several inaccuracies that probably only a die-hard fan who's watched the film multiple times would pick up on.
For example, during the scene where Forrest reunites with his love interest, Jenny, and meets his son for the first time, a clothes iron can be seen standing upright on an ironing board. However, in the next shot, it is already laying flat. How was it able to move so fast?
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
In the first of the three Star Wars prequels, there is a small and hard-to-notice easter egg that director George Lucas decided to place in the film. This shocking moment has many grabbing their remote and hitting pause.
In the scene when senators and other politicians meet to talk, a glance at a specific platform will show a family of alien friends that may remind you of another movie. What movie, you may be asking? E.T! Keep your remote close next time you're binging Star Wars.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
"Pearl Harbor" sadly, suffered from both plot-based and historical problems. But, there was one wardrobe-related flaw in particular, which many people may have actually overlooked, and you have too, probably.
If you pay close enough attention, you will notice that the girls in the film were with their legs bare. But, women during this time period (1941) would never have been seen like this. They would have been wearing nylon stockings or painted on stockings with a line down the back of the legs considering that nylon was in short supply.
Iron Man (2008)
The next one might take a bit of concentration. "Iron Man" was one of the first in a series that we now know to be a modern-day superhero franchise. Aside from this, it is also known as being one of the most-paused movie moments in cinematic history. So, which scene exactly did Marvel fans pause on?
We get shown a little piece of Captain America's shield. While Tony Stark's suit was being disassembled by his robot we spot the shield hiding in the background.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
"Anchorman" is one of those movies that crafts subtle jokes into every scene they could fit. Audiences that can read Spanish would instantly spot this joke. In this scene, there is a Mexican restaurant with a pretty odd name.
The name translated into English is: “We spit in your food.” Although this joke speaks to a specific crowd, those who can read the language sure giggled during this scene. Now you can too.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Some movies add such a subtle form of foreshadowing, we can't help but admire them for it. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of those films. This very tactic has also earned it a spot on our list of nearly missed details.
In this climactic scene, Gaston tries to attack The Beast. As he approaches, little skulls are placed into his eyes, moments before he’s thrown from the ledge. This subtle artistry needs to be made known.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Merry and Pippin have been captured by the Uruk-Hai and are being schlepped to Isengard. Their situation has never been direr. That's what they think, at least, until a band of horsemen slaughters the monsters during the night.
Merry and Pippin try to slip away, bound by the hand. Except that Pippin's hands come unbound for no reason during his furious escape, only for the restraints to appear again a moment later. No doubt, keeping track of everything during such a hectic scene proved difficult.
Pretty Woman (1990)
“Pretty Woman” transforms Julia Roberts from a “nightingale” into a proper lady, and we get to watch the transformation of the relationship between the main characters from friendship to romance. If we're perceptive enough, we also get to watch a breakfast transform right before our eyes.
In one scene, Roberts's character is bathrobed and munching on a croissant. After cutting to costar Richard Gere, the camera is back on Julia, and we see that the croissant has now become a pancake. Did Roberts wolf down the croissant and pick up the flapjack? Is it magic? We may never know.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Famous for his non-linear plotlines, it's no surprise that "Pulp Fiction" is known for its constant slip-ups. In arguably one of the most famous scenes, Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) successfully dodge bullets that are shot at them by someone hiding in the bathroom.
Some viewers took a closer look at the wall behind the two and noticed that the bullet holes were in the wall even before the shootout took place.
The Notebook (2004)
Regarded as one of the best romantic movies out there, "The Notebook" still has its faults. Many loved the film thanks to the passionate love that Noah and Allie have for one another. And yet, others are drawn to the film because of the wealthy Lon Hammond, Jr.
Actor James Marsden looks great; there’s no denouncing that. But, his hair seems to have a special power that leaves even the most sparkling of vampires in despair. From shot to shot, his hair seems to make the impossible possible and changes colors from black to brown.
Twilight (2008)
“Twilight” is fun in its poor filmmaking, thanks in part to the barren expressions of lead star Kristen Stewart. The film itself is rife with errors, and one of the most noticeable mistakes is being able to see a cameraman in the curve of Bella's truck, such as you can see in the picture.
A mistake like this reminds the viewers that they're watching a movie and can take them out of the experience — breaking rule number one for any kind of storytelling — interfering with the suspension of disbelief.
My Girl (1991)
In 1991, "My Girl" was released. One thing that the film succeeded in doing is enveloping its viewers in 1970s nostalgia. But, if you noticed one particularly misplaced accessory, you might have lost track of the sense of the 70s for a second.
The mood ring that Vada (Anna Chlumsky) wears is a great piece, especially for a young girl. But, unfortunately for the film’s accuracy, mood rings weren’t in existence until 1975 and not in 1972, when the movie is set to take place.
Titanic (1997)
James Cameron's "Titanic" had Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio taking the world by storm with their romance. The film was nominated for a whopping 14 Academy Awards and was the first film to surpass the billion-dollar mark. And yet, a little detail seems to have slipped from most viewers.
One quite humorous mistake was when they switched Rose Dawson’s face around. When Rose (Winslet) first appears in the movie, her beauty mark is on the left side of her face. But, in other scenes, it moves to the right. Magic or just a fault of the makeup artists?
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has grossed over $4.5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful film series of all time. In the third part of the series, the Black Pearl crew are on their way to Singapore in the 1700s. If you aren't well-versed in South Asian history, you wouldn't think much of it.
The thing is, Singapore was first named that way in 1819 when the British established a trading post there. When the movie took place, the area was ruled by the Johor Sultanate, which consisted of parts of modern Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The Last Samurai (2003)
There are lots of horses all over the place in “The Last Samurai,” and as every actor or actress knows, animals of any kind will make filming a movie more difficult and even dangerous. One poor extra knows this even more than most.
When Tom Cruise's character rides his horse towards a group of soldiers. As Cruise dismounts, the horse kicks backward, catching the poor extra right between the legs. All of which made the cut. Thanks to the armor he was wearing, he manages to stay in character and props to him.
Troy (2004)
"Troy" was inspired by Homer's great "Iliad," which gave it an epic “everything-must-be-big-and-grand” sort of feel to it. It had watchers completely convinced and enthralled in the war scenes until one particular scene.
During the scene, the character Paris, which was played by Orlando Bloom, stands under a pink parasol. When put like that, you’re probably wondering what in the world a pink umbrella was doing in the middle of a movie like this. And that’s exactly our point. In reality, Homeric warriors weren't privy to such frilly luxuries.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Braces seem to be the perfect addition to further encourage a character's naive and shy persona. It makes the smile they flash all the more adorable and quirky. This was surely the case with Brenda (Amy Adams) in "Catch Me If You Can."
Despite the film being a financial and critical success, producers (and you too, probably) overlooked this; these types of braces worn by Brenda weren’t around during the time the film took place. "Catch Me If You Can" is set in 1963. However, the stick-on braces only became mainstream in the late 1970s.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
In “The Two Towers,” when Éomer first meets Aragorn on the plains of Rohan, he dismounts to speak with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas. Once the discussion ends, Éomer jumps back onto his horse, dropping his sword in the process.
It's hard to see if you aren't looking for it, but keep your eyes open during the scene, and you'll see Éomer lose his weapon. Not a good look for a leader of this band from Rohan, even if he is currently exiled.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" follows the New York Draft Riots, which erupted into violence in 1863. Scorsese spent nearly twenty years working on the project and it grossed $193 million against a $100 million budget. The film was nominated for ten Oscars.
For the most part, "Gangs of New York" succeeds in staying historically accurate. But, there was one minor detail overlooked by producers. The firemen in the film wear uniforms that aren’t so different than what firemen wear today. Not the kind that firefighters wore in 1863.
Seabiscuit (2003)
The 2003 equestrian sports film "Seabiscuit" is based on the life and racing career of Seabiscuit, who experienced unexpected success. He was a popular media sensation in the U.S. during the Great Depression.
As touching and successful as the film was, it was still ridden with flaws. The historical event takes place during the time of The Great Depression. Yet, the jockeys in the film wear strapped helmets that definitely did not exist during that time.
Signs (2002)
As well as being one of M. Night Shyamalan's better films, "Signs" was one of Mel Gibson's more prominent roles before he experienced a downpour of negative publicity. In one creepy moment of the film, we are exposed to footage showing the alien caught on tape.
The eerie creature is shown lurking in an alley in Mexico. The briefness of the sequence has caused many fans to stop and pause the scene. Have you noticed it?
Aladdin (1992)
Back in the 90s, Disney animators’ hidden Easter eggs were inside jokes. Any tricks the viewers saw would spread through word of mouth. These days, thanks to streaming services and the ability to screenshot, animators are forced to step up their game to keep these moments better hidden.
In "Aladdin," when Aladdin asks Genie to turn him into a prince, animators planted a small surprise. Genie takes out a book, and while he flips through recipes on how to make a princely persona out of someone, he pulls... Sebastian from The Little Mermaid!
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
When "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was released in 1991, it wasn’t received so well by critics. But, it did take in a nice $390.5 million at the box office.
Still, one small detail bewildered viewers. (The ones who noticed it, that is.) During one scene, Robin Hood’s friend is quite captivated by a telescope. He shows Robin Hood with a spark in his eye. While the scene is charming, it’s far from accurate. The telescope, which was invented in the 17th century) wouldn’t have existed during the film’s time, which was set in the year 1194.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
If you have a crush on Cate Blanchett and you’re wondering how you missed her in "Hot Fuzz," here’s why. It’s because she was covered head to toe in surgical gear. The cameo came about when director Edgar Wright learned about the actresses' love of "Shaun of the Dead."
He extended an offer for her to appear in his new film in 2007. More than years later, she's become an even bigger success (she was pretty big then) and has starred in some major blockbusters like "Ocean's 8" and "Thor: Ragnarok."
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Jane Austen’s novel, "Sense and Sensibility," came to life on the big screen in 1995. The film was a masterpiece, to say the least, and was nominated for seven Academy Awards. Despite its success, nitpicky fans aren’t able to ignore one historical inaccuracy in the film. However, if you haven't watched the film through the eye of a die-hard fan, you might have missed it.
The inaccuracy we are referring to involved an adorable baby who is all bundled up. Nothing seems wrong until you notice something very out of place; the baby is doting a modern-day diaper!
Hook (1991)
Long before Glenn Close was winning Academy Awards for her dressing up as a man in films like "Albert Nobbs," she was making an appearance in the 1991 Steven Spielberg film, "Hook."
You might be scratching your head, trying to understand what kind of part she played there. After all, it's Glen Close. Not the kind of person that fades into the background. But thanks to makeup artistry, Close was unrecognizable. She plays a bearded pirate named Gutless, who winds up getting thrown in the “Boo Box” by Hook himself.
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Before the shift in filmmaking, this famous movie series was all about racing cars and pulling off stunts. It's still mostly about that, but now it has lots of heists, too. In the very first movie, we get a serious wardrobe mistake you may have noticed if you weren't busy hyping over the actual race.
In the scene where Jesse and Tran race, in one shot, Tran is wearing a shirt with sleeves, but in the very next shot, he has a tank top. Did he tear off his out clothing in order to weigh him down less?
The Matrix (1999)
The first "Matrix" movie is often regarded as one of the best films of all time. There is one scene in the Academy-award-winning installment that has a little production detail you may have missed. In this scene, there is a shot reflected off a doorknob.
Usually, a shot would show a reflection of a camera, but the director decided to do something worthy of a double-take. They dressed the camera up to look like Morpheus is holding it. Dedication level — 100!
Hook (1991)
This film has more than one entry on our list. During the opening sequence of "Hook," there are a few surprising cameos by two major actors. If you pay close attention to the couple kissing on the bridge and getting sprinkled with Tinkerbell’s fairy dust you might catch it.
If you look super carefully, you’ll notice that the couple happens to be George Lucas and Carrie Fisher!
The Last Samurai (2003)
This epic film was received well upon its release and was praised for acting, writing, directing, score, visuals, and costumes. Generally speaking, it’s a good movie that avoids major errors. But, there is still one thing that most viewers overlook. (And another detail also featured on this list.)
In the film, viewers see Tom Cruise’s character wearing beautiful, detailed samurai gear. However, a warrior during this time period wouldn’t be wearing this. The film took place in 1876, and yet the armor dates back to 1600. So, by the film’s time, the armor would have been outdated.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
While running for their lives and trying to stop the machines from taking over, John Connor and the rest of the cast have to take to the sky to try and stay one step ahead of the machines.
When they approach the plane on the ground, the plane's call number is clearly – as you can see from the picture – N3035C. However, once they're in the air, the plane's numbers change to N3413F. The reason for this is almost certainly difficulties with filming and renting planes, especially while flying.
Quantum of Solace
In “Quantum of Solace” James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, is sitting on his hog and trying to figure out what the plot is going to drop on him next.
Meanwhile, behind him and clearly visible to everyone (well, anyone who isn't busy looking at the brooding hunk on a bike), is a street sweeper. The man is dressed in orange pants and a white shirt which is doing his darnedest not to actually get any work down, as while he's “sweeping,” his broom is clearly hovering about a foot over the ground.
Fight Club (1999)
There are a few movies that have turned themselves into classics without even really knowing it. "Fight Club" is one of them. Full of raw, piercing moments, anyone who has seen this movie knows it's one to be admired.
Before we are appropriately introduced to Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt's character), we get a quick shot of him early on in the movie. If you blink, you will most likely miss the subliminal effect in this film as Tyler appears for a literal frame.
The Lion King (1994)
Over the years, there have been speculations over hidden messages in many Disney movies, and "The Lion King" was not exempt from such allegations. There is a scene in which something a little eerie happens, and no, we're not talking about Mufasa's horrific death.
In the movie, there is a scene in which clouds of dust briefly spells out something in the sky. While the reasoning behind this decision is still a mystery, it's one that makes many viewers pause and wonder.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
There is plenty of goofy stuff that happens in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” but not all of it is intentional. During one scene on the boat, as Johnny Depp's character Captain Jack Sparrow is ordering his crew around, a surreptitious shift of the characters around him reveals a person who seems to be wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, and a white t-shirt behind Depp.
It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, but it's there. Maybe the costume department didn't have any more pirate hats to hand out and figured he wasn't going to be very visible and no one would notice.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
The British musician, and the lead singer of the musical group Stone Roses, got to step into the magical world of “Harry Potter” when he played a wizard in 2004’s installment of the popular franchise.
If you aren't into his kind of rock n' roll, you may have mistaken him for a common extra wizard. He can be seen sitting in the Leaky Cauldron, reading a book about time, perhaps because he's a time traveler?