15 Glaring Movie Mistakes That Made It to the Big Screen

Even the biggest Hollywood blockbusters aren’t immune to slip-ups. Despite the meticulous planning and countless hours of editing, some mistakes still manage to sneak past the professionals and end up on the big screen. Get ready to chuckle and shake your head at these 15 glaring movie mistakes that somehow made it to the big screen.

The Stormtrooper Head-Bonk in “Star Wars: A New Hope”

In one of the most iconic moments from Star Wars: A New Hope, a stormtrooper hilariously smacks his head on a door while rushing to apprehend our heroes. This blunder was so noticeable that George Lucas decided to add a sound effect in the Special Editions.

The Invisible Octopus in “The Goonies”

At the end of The Goonies, Data recounts a terrifying encounter with an octopus. The catch? There was no octopus in the final cut of the film! The scene featuring the creature was cut, leaving viewers puzzled by Data’s line. 

Breakfast Confusion in “Pretty Woman”

In a famous breakfast scene, Vivian (Julia Roberts) enjoys a croissant while chatting with Edward (Richard Gere). However, in the very next shot, the croissant inexplicably morphs into a pancake. The continuity error is so obvious that you can’t unsee it once you see it.

Han’s Hands in “The Empire Strikes Back”

In the famous scene from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Solo is frozen in carbonite with his hands bound in front of him. But when he emerges from the freezing process, his hands are inexplicably separated at his sides—a noticeable continuity error.

 Car in the Background in “The Fellowship of the Ring”

About a quarter into the film, Sam tells Frodo that it will be the farthest he’s ever been from home if he goes any further. As the camera pans out over the meadow, a glimmer of chimney smoke appears in the upper right corner. However, fans also noticed something else: the unmistakable glint of light reflecting off a car windshield in the far background.

The Inconsistent Hair in “Friends”

While not a movie, the TV show “Friends” has its fair share of mistakes. One notable blunder occurs when characters’ hairstyles change dramatically between shots, particularly in scenes where the characters are supposed to be in the same moment of time.

Changing Flags in “Oppenheimer”

In Oppenheimer, a scene set in 1945 features American flags adorned with 50 stars. However, at that time, the flag only had 48 stars. While some argue this was a deliberate choice by director Christopher Nolan, it remains a noticeable mistake that has sparked conversation among eagle-eyed viewers.

The Klutzy Ant-Man in “Avengers: Endgame”

During the climactic battle against Thanos, viewers are treated to a chaotic sequence in which Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, appears in two places simultaneously. Viewers were left puzzled, wondering what really happened and if it was meant to be part of the film.

Sweeping Extra in “Quantum of Solace”

The scene in question features an extra in orange pants sweeping the floor in the background. However, the broom is clearly at least a foot off the ground, making it obvious that he is not actually cleaning anything. One theory is that he was asked to fake sweeping to avoid making noise that could interfere with the sound recording.

Wrong Direction in “The Graduate”

As Ben, played by Dustin Hoffman, is driving Mrs. Robinson home after their initial encounter, he is shown crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge. However, the mistake lies in the fact that he is driving on the bridge’s upper deck, which only carries westbound traffic toward San Francisco.

Hair Mystery in “The Wizard of Oz”

Throughout The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s hair seems to change color and style from scene to scene. It appears to be a rich chestnut brown in some moments, while it takes on a lighter, almost golden hue in others.

The Disappearing Bullet Holes in “Pulp Fiction”

In Pulp Fiction, there’s a tense moment during the infamous “diner scene” where a group of characters is held at gunpoint. As the situation escalates, bullets fly, and chaos ensues. But, when the scene cuts back and forth between characters, the bullet holes in the walls appear and disappear inconsistently.

Cameraman in Shot in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

During the intense dueling club scene where Harry and Draco face off, a camera operator can be spotted crouching in the background. It’s a hilarious juxtaposition: Draco flinging a spell at Harry while just behind there’s a guy with a camera trying to stay out of the shot.

The Cowboy in “Pirates of the Caribbean”

The cowboy’s cameo occurs in the franchise’s first installment, The Curse of the Black Pearl. During a scene where Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner are confronting Barbossa and his crew, an extra wearing a cowboy hat can be seen in the background.