While movies and TV shows are our go-to for entertainment, they’re also secret educators. From historical snippets to cultural nuances, the screen has a way of slipping us tidbits of knowledge amid the thrills and drama. In this list, we’ve gathered 40 surprising facts you’ve likely absorbed from your favorite shows and films, proving that learning can happen when you least expect it.
The Office – CPR compressions can be done to the beat of ‘Stayin’ Alive’
Many people have told the actors of The Office that they saved someone’s life because they were aware of the fact that CPR compressions could be performed to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees!
To the show’s producers, it was important to provide accurate information. The woman who plays the first aid teacher isn’t an actress; she works as a first aid teacher! You never know when you will need this life-saving hack.
Full House – Hairspray Removes Ink Stains
Danny’s girlfriend in season 4 of Full House, Cindy, is a dry cleaner. She tells him a trick that only professionals know about: hairspray removes ink stains. Viewers were astonished when they tried the hack, and it really worked!
Permanent and ballpoint pen ink are oil-based inks, and their stains can be removed by using rubbing alcohol. Hairspray used to contain alcohol, which was the secret ingredient that allowed it to remove ink stains completely.
Call the Midwife – Afterbirth Facts
Not everyone is well informed about the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth. In the movies, we always see a clean and dry baby given to the mother. But the reality of it is quite different, the baby is attached to the placenta via the umbilical cord, which also is expelled after childbirth.
This TV series works with real newborns on set, there’s a drawer full of umbilical cords, and minced beef is used for broken-up placentas.
Phineas and Ferb – Aglet
“A-G-L-E-T” is a song from the episode “Tip of the Day” from Phineas and Ferb, that tells us that the end of a shoelace is called an aglet. The song is full of funny puns, and it is very catchy.
No one ever imagined making a song about such a specific thing, but the creators of Phineas and Ferb thought it was a cool fact to make a cute song about. This is trivia gold!
Bruce Almighty – ‘B-E-A-utiful’
It’s funny how teachers spend 5 years teaching us how to spell beautiful, and Jim Carrey did the job in like 4 seconds. Even non-native English speakers have confirmed that this movie is the reason they can write this word correctly.
The scene shows Bruce looking around, and with a big sigh, he says “B-E-A-utiful”. So many people have watched this film all over the world, and we bet most of them can spell “beautiful” correctly.
Legally Blonde – Ammonium Thioglycolate And Water
To all the ladies who get perms on a regular basis, what is the cardinal rule of perm maintenance? The first cardinal rule of perm maintenance is that you’re forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours due to the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate when coming in contact with water.
This deep-cut chemistry and hair styling trivia information is what got Elle’s client out of jail without breaking the confidentiality clause.
Big Mouth – Gratitoad Method To Calm Down Anxiety
In “Horrority House,” Jessi Glaser goes to Kappa Kappa Kill and drinks some spiked punch that knocks her out and makes her have a dream where she meets a toad that teaches her a valuable lesson. Jessi complained about all of the many terrible things going on in her life.
The Gratitoad helped Jessi feel happier by telling her to take a moment to think about all of the good things going on in her life.
Hannah Montana – The Bone Dance
Miley was set to embark on her European tour as Hannah Montana, but her biology grade dropped, and her father threatened to cancel the show. She needed a solid score on her biology midterm to go on her tour.
Realizing that she can easily recall her songs and dance routines as Hannah Montana, she constructs a song and dance routine about the bones in the human body that she needs to memorize for the test.
Mean Girls – ‘Hello’ in Swahili
We all know that Cady Heron grew up in Africa and learned to speak Swahili from an early age. She would greet people in Swahili.
A Sunday School teacher found this trivia very useful when one of the songs she plays for her students is set on a safari, and they say ‘Jambo’ in the chorus. When one of my students asked what it meant, she confidently said that ‘Jambo’ is a Swahili for hello.
Good Will Hunting – The Fields Medal
The Fields Medal is the most prestigious award for mathematicians and has been awarded every four years since 1936 at the International Mathematical Congress to at least two young mathematicians for their outstanding achievements.
Basically, the Fields Medal is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for math. This is actually a question that comes up on Jeopardy all the time!
Grey’s Anatomy – LVAD
A viewer shared with us that during her medical training, she was presented with a patient who had an LVAD (left ventricular assist device). The attending asked her what an LVAD was, and she gave the most eloquent description of how it is used as a bridge to a heart transplant.
But she learned it from Grey’s Anatomy, not medical school.
Family Guy – Ampersand
A lot of people use symbols every day when they type long reports at work, but they don’t always know the symbols’ actual names!
In an episode of “Family Guy ”, Brian is set to teach Remedial Reading at high school and is stunned his class didn’t know what an ampersand was. It’s the symbol we pronounce “and,” as in Romeo & Juliette.
Friends – The Difference Between The Shipping Address And Billing Address
They don’t teach you how to “adult” in school, such as how to write a check or open a bank account. We learn these things as they come along, many times making huge mistakes on the way.
Monica got an ice sculpture delivered to the apartment instead of the location of phoebe’s wedding. The line “I guess it got sent to the billing address as opposed to the shipping address” has taught people an “adulting” hack!
Newsies – The Meaning Of ‘Conflagration’
A viewer candidly shared with us that they learned the word ‘conflagration’ (which means ‘an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property’) from the 1992 Broadway musical Newsies.
Surprisingly, it ended up showing up on her senior year of high school SAT test, and it saved her from flopping the most important test in high school.
South Park – Gluten
The guys from South Park go gluten-free in one of their episodes, and we get to learn about what it is. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
It’s common in foods like bread, pasta, and cereal, but it provides no essential nutrients. People with celiac disease have an immune reaction that is triggered by eating gluten.
RENT – The Minutes In A Year
There’s a cool trivia fact in the song ‘Seasons of Love’ from the movie and musical RENT that teaches us that there are 525,600 minutes in a non-leap Gregorian calendar year.
This might not be the most impressive fact we could learn, but it might come in handy when playing Jeopardy! You never know when you’re gonna need it!
Animaniacs – The Capital Cities
“Wakko’s America” is a song from Episode 21 of the Warner Bros. cartoon Animaniacs. Like “Yakko’s World,” it is a geographical pattern song, this one listing each one of the United States of America and their respective capital cities.
Many young fans ended up learning the capital cities’ by heart thanks to this song. Cartoons can be quite informative!
Boy Meets World – The Gutenberg Press
Sometimes we can get real history lessons from TV shows. In Boy Meets World, Mr. Feeny tells his class about how Johannes Gutenberg made the written word available to the masses.
In Germany, around 1440, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, which started the Printing Revolution. It was then possible to manufacture large numbers of books for relatively little cost.
Horrible Histories – The Monarchs’ Song
The Monarchs’ Song is a song from the Horrible Histories TV series, where the Kings & Queens of England sing a bit about themselves in an extra-long song. It’s quite a challenge to learn it by heart, but you will be able to name every monarch in English history!
A viewer shared that thanks to memorizing it, she passed the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exam required in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Never Been Kissed – Penguin Love
Josie Geller is an insecure 25-year-old copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times who has never been in a real relationship. One day, her editor-in-chief assigns her to report undercover at a high school to help parents become aware of their children’s lives.
In one of the classes, Josie tells Tracy that Adelie penguins stay with their mate their whole life.
Clueless – Correct Use Of ‘Sporadically’
The main characters were teens who didn’t pay much attention in class, as they only wished to go to the mall and shop, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t know anything.
When Cher mentors Tai, she teaches her vocabulary with the word of the day being “sporadically.” A word Cher challenged Tai to use in a sentence that day. After Tai and Josh meet, Josh says, “be seeing you.” Tai replied: “I hope not sporadically.”
Matilda – How To Spell The Word ‘Difficulty’
We all love and remember the movie, Matilda. There is a famous scene where sweet Miss Honey is replaced by the evil Miss Trunchbull to teach the class. The first thing Miss Trunchbull tests is how well the students can spell.
After another student correctly spells ”difficulty,” Nigel explains that Miss Honey teaches them how to spell by singing a song. Mrs. D, Mrs. I, Mrs. FFI, Mrs. C, Mrs. U, and Mrs. LTY. That spells difficulty.
Pretty Woman – The Length Of A Foot
There is a scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts tells Richard Gere a fun fact that the feet of most human beings are actually the same length as one of their arms from wrist to elbow.
This is kinda cool to know, especially if you are going shoe shopping and you are not allowed to try the shoes on!
The Simpsons – Grief Stages
A lot of viewers first learn about the five stages of mourning from a Simpsons episode in which Homer believes he is going to die and goes through denial, rage, bargaining, despair, and finally, acceptance.
It is a fact that can come in handy when dealing with grief or understanding someone that is going through a grieving process better.
Scorpion – Smack
Viewers learned an interesting thing about jellyfish from the TV series Scorpion. Apparently, the word to denominate a group of jellyfish is the word “smack.” It sounds a bit strange and even counterintuitive since “smack” means several other things as well.
Other examples of collective nouns are: drift for a group of pigs and dray for a group of squirrels.
That ’70s Show – Kitty Litter
That ‘70s Show taught us that kitty litter could help you get your tires out of the snow. It aids in traction, as it can be spread underneath tires.
Clean cat litter will also absorb any water or wet snow, which could give you just enough bare road to gain the traction that you need to be on your way.
The Big Bang Theory – Schrodinger’s Cat
Schrödinger’s cat is referenced in “The Tangerine Factor” when both Penny and Leonard seek the “wisdom” of reluctant adviser Sheldon on separate occasions.
Schrodinger’s cat is a thought experiment that describes quantum physics and the idea of being in multiple states at once. In the end, Leonard and Penny end up going on a date and kissing, thus validating their feelings for each other. Penny later remarks that the cat was alive after all!
Pulp Fiction – McDonald’s Quarter Pounder
Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 Pulp Fiction taught the American audience how things are done at the European McDonald’s. Due to the metric system, a Quarter Pounder is called a Royale with Cheese in France (and in most of Europe).
Beer has also been on the McDonald’s menu for some time now in select European countries, including France, Germany, and Portugal.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion -The Formula For Glue
In Romy and Michele’s dream sequence from High School Reunion, Michele schools all the cool girls how to make post-it glue. You have to thermoset your resin first; once it cools, mix in an epoxide, a type of glue.
However, adding a complex glucose derivative during the emulsification process can increase viscosity and lead to the perfect Post-It glue.
Titanic – Fork Etiquette
Watch Titanic for Molly Brown’s advice to Jack during his invitation to dine in first class if you’ve ever been unsure which fork to use at a formal dinner.
Molly says, “Just start from the outside and work your way in.” Now when we get to go to a fancy restaurant and see many forks, we won’t have to panic.
Big Daddy – Tying Your Shoelaces
If you had trouble tying your shoes in the early 2000s, you got a lot of help from Adam Sandler in Big Daddy. He taught a young Cole (or Dylan) Sprouse the game-changing “loop, swoop and pull” approach.
As you may remember, this is one of the first skills we are taught by our caregivers once our motor skills allow it.
Fight Club – Cue Marks On Old Films
Most of us had no knowledge as to why that strange mark used to appear in the upper-right corner of films during screenings.
There is a scene in Fight Club where they teach us that they are a signal to the projectionist that the reel needs to be changed. Since movies are now digital, cue marks are not needed anymore.
Harry Potter – How to say the name “Hermione”
This one has been admitted by many Harry Potter fans, especially the ones who started reading the books before the movie franchise came out. You were probably saying Her-Me-Own instead of Her-My-Own-Ee before the Harry Potter books were made into movies.
Rowling took the name Hermione from The Winter’s Tale, but its true origin comes from the Greek god Hermes.
The Mighty Ducks – Greenland/Iceland
We know Greenland is ice, and Iceland is green because of The Mighty Ducks. It is how we remember the Viking explorer, Erik the Red, naming the icy expanse known as Greenland as a marketing tactic to entice people to live there.
However, it is an urban legend that Iceland was given that name to deter people from settling there.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade – Forced Perspective
With the “leap of faith” trial in the search for the grail, Indiana Jones taught us about forced perspective. He’s able to make the bridge visible to the eye by scattering different colored earth over it.
It’s an elaborate optical illusion, as the bridge across the chasm has been dressed up to look like a continuation of the chasm itself.
Renaissance Man – Similes and Metaphors
While figures of speech are used to compare different things in a language, there are clear rules to help us distinguish between a metaphor and a simile. A simile is saying something is like something else.
On the other hand, a metaphor is often poetically saying something is something else. Danny DeVito explains the difference in a Renaissance Man scene.
‘10 Things I Hate About You’ – A colorful French
Many curse words are foreign, and people only understand them because they watch TV. For instance, I learned how you could say, “I don’t know, perhaps it’s up your a***se!” from 10 Things I Hate About You. It’s, “Je ne sais pas, peut etre qu’il est dans ton cul?”
Next time someone asks you if they have your keys, try it. But you should pay attention to who you say this to and when because it may complicate you excessively, and we don’t want to be responsible for it.
‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ – How Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure Napoleon discusses his idea for a waterpark. It’s basically his strategy for Waterloo, which was his greatest military defeat. He was defeated at Waterloo, but Bill and Ted showed us why.
Again, this is a significant and central part of historiography, and although it is taught in schools around the world, the reason why he lost the battle is only sometimes touched upon.
‘American Psycho’ – use an alcohol-free aftershave because alcohol dries out your face
American Psycho taught us how to navigate the fast-paced and ever-changing world that is Wall Street Investment Banker. Oh, and how to secretly terminate some people along the journey.
Patrick Bateman has an impressive skin care regimen, which he shares at the film’s beginning. Bateman uses an alcohol-free aftershave to keep his skin looking young since alcohol can dry out your face.
‘Goodfellas’ – Slice garlic as thinly as possible, so it liquefies in the pan
Although they aren’t necessarily the best people to get advice from, Paulie in Goodfellas has good advice for making pasta sauce. Paulie devised a method to cut garlic thinly using a razor blade.
This will allow it to liquefy in the pan with just a bit of oil. Babish Culinary Universe actually tried it, and it turned out to be ridiculously delicious. So what are you waiting for? Run and try it yourself
‘Wild’ – Hiking boots should have enough room for you to wiggle your toes
It’s essential to bring all necessary items when you go on dangerous hikes. Reese Witherspoon’s performances in Cheryl Strayed’s adaptation hiking memoir Wild will remind us not to forget about our boots.
Strayed is shown hiking in the American West mountains with a fellow hiker. Strayed learns about proper hiking boots and how to use them. In the wild, undersized boots can spell doom.
‘The Godfather’ – Throw a dash of sugar into spaghetti sauce
Mafia films may be hyperbole for Italian crime syndicates and Italian people in general. Still, one thing they get right is the influential food. It is no secret that Italians are serious about cooking (and that they make some of the most delicious dishes in history), which was a nice detail that was incorporated into The Godfather.
One scene shows Clemenza (Richard Castellano) teaching Michael Corleone how to make good spaghetti sauce – he adds in some sugar. The recipe has been tried by many fans of The Godfather, and they swear by it.
‘Up in the Air’ – Checking in for a flight costs you 35 minutes per trip – so Pack light if you can
Up in the Air makes air travel seem easy and less stressful than it is. Thanks to George Clooney’s soothing voice, you can walk away from the film with some useful tips and also with less practical ones.
Ryan Bingham (Clooney) teaches you how to reduce airport security time to 35 minutes by packing light, memorizing the procedure and how to avoid getting stuck behind a family who takes 20 minutes to collapse a stroller.
‘Sideways’ – Swirling a glass of wine to ‘oxygenate’ it unlocks the flavors
Paul Giamatti’s 2000s road comedy was destined to change the way wine is consumed for many years. Miles (Giamatti) explains how to enjoy wine, which involves more than just drinking it.
It also includes other aspects, such as tasting and “oxygenating” the wine by swirling it around. Sideways is the most likely source of any person who swirls around their pinot noir before they drink.
‘Deep Blue Sea’ – Adding milk to omelets for density is an amateur mistake
Sherman “Preacher” Dudley said in Deep Blue Sea that if you have been adding milk to your omelets to increase density, it is probably a very poor mistake.
Preacher creates a video to leave a legacy for his family. It recommends using two eggs rather than three and not using milk for density. This apparently makes an excellent omelet.
‘Die Hard’ – After traveling, beat jet lag by going barefoot on the carpet and making ‘fists’ with your feet
John McClane runs through glass shards with his feet on the ground for the entire film, which is all due to the jet lag tip he gets at the beginning of the film.
John’s seatmate said the best way to avoid jet lag and survive air travel is to remove your socks and shoes immediately upon arrival. Next, “ground” yourself by making fists and rubbing your feet into the carpet. Although this may sound implausible, it is a practice most people use, mostly with grass and sand.
‘The Parent Trap’ – Dip your Oreos in peanut butter
While every child is familiar with the idea of dipping Oreo cookies into milk to add flavor, certain kids in the ’90s have a completely different way of eating them.
Lindsay Lohan, who starred in The Parent Trap before she was “Lindsay Lohan,” will be remembered by ’90s children for covering their Oreos in peanut butter and not breaking them apart or using the milk dip. Even 20 years later, some people still use peanut butter on Oreos. Thank you, The Parent Trap.
‘Clueless’ – Soda cans can be used as curlers
Coke cans being used as hair curlers is a popular trend, especially after Lady Gaga used Diet Coke in her music video for “Telephone.” It turns out that Coke cans have been used for hair curling for years.
The trick featured in Clueless allowed many young women to experiment with the technique. Brittany Murphy’s character Tai uses the cans in a famous makeover scene.
Miss Congeniality – S.I.N.G.
Sometimes you can learn a little more than the meaning of uncommon words from major feature films. Sandra Bullock has taught a basic mnemotechnical trick for a self-defense routine. S.I.N.G. stands for “solar plexus, instep, nose, and groin.”
There are many female fans that have used this in self-defense, and it actually worked. Who knew we could learn things that could save our lives from a comedy? Let’s practice!
‘Watchmen’ – “I didn’t know about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre until I saw Watchmen“
Many Redditors say they learned about this interesting fact from the TV show. “It became much more well-known in 2020. I attribute this to the show that exposed it as recent racial strife. The event was new to me until Watchmen when it was recognized by mainstream news.”
“It’s extremely sad and frustrating to learn such a significant part of American history from a TV series, but it opened up my eyes to the fact that the education I received in school was severely lacking.”
‘Die Hard with a Vengeance‘ – The water jug problem
Die Hard with a Vengeance is a game where John McClane must defuse a bomb using 3-gallon and 5-gallon jugs to measure exactly 4 gallons. This seems impossible, but we have a solution. Fill the 5-gallon container with water and then the 3-gallon container with water.
The larger container will hold two gallons. Next, empty the 3-gallon Jug and transfer the two gallons of the 5-gallon container to the larger one. There is enough room for one gallon. This leaves you with 4 gallons if the 5-gallon container is filled once more.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch – Mitosis
One of Sabrina’s most memorable episodes is the one where they discuss the meaning of the word “mitosis.” Sabrina and her boyfriend Harvey are studying for a biology exam, he says “mitosis is…” in various ways throughout the episode, never actually finishing the sentence.
It took a whole season for them to spit it out, creating great anticipation. Finally, it was revealed that mitosis is the process of cell division. Every Sabrina fan knows this fact!
Hamilton – American History
Although it didn’t win prizes at the 2016 Tony Awards, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical would remain a theatrical powerhouse and a fixture of contemporary American culture.
It inspired Americans, young and old, to learn more about their founding fathers, particularly the “forgotten” Alexander Hamilton. Some people have reported that thanks to this musical, they passed their American history test and that it was a really fun way of learning about the American Revolution.
These Are The Most Paused Movie Scenes In Hollywood Cinema History
Scanners (1981)
Scanners have gained a sizable following since its 1981 premiere, despite not being the most well-known movie on this list. The film launched David Cronenberg’s career, largely focused on psychic abilities and how destructive they may be.
Due to how graphic the next scene is, it has been repeatedly halted to catch the event. Without giving anything away, it involves someone’s head and happens so quickly that you must simply replay and pause to appreciate it fully.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is undoubtedly a famous coming-of-age film from the 1980s, while not the best film of all time. Although there are some excellent performances, the most memorable sequence seems to be a really uninteresting one.
It includes Linda, a character played by Phoebe Cates, who swims with her buddy Stacy. The part of the sequence where Linda ultimately ascends the steps and exits the pool is the most paused. We get a hint as to why.
Basic Instinct (1992)
It must be undoubtedly one of the most recognizable and thought-provoking images in film history. Sharon Stone’s portrayal in Basic Instinct from 1992 undoubtedly garnered attention. The movie as a whole was ultimately eclipsed by this sequence for obvious reasons.
Stone’s leg crossover showed spectators much more than they had imagined entering the movie, despite the fact that she appeared to be fully clad. It’s remarkable how many viewers stopped watching the movie after this scene.
Cabin in the Woods (2012)
One of the most paused scenes in cinema history, for various reasons, can be found in this film. Because of its meta-approach to the horror genre, Cabin in the Woods got high praise.
A whiteboard with a list of the monsters the scientists are in control of can be seen during a scene where scientists are analyzing what might happen to the main characters. This sequence has been paused a lot by viewers who want to take a closer look at the monsters that are truly on the list.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
It is no secret that fans have seen numerous sinister allusions in the iconic film The Wizard of Oz from 1939. The most bizarre observation was undoubtedly made in the distance while Dorothy and her companions were traveling down the yellow brick road.
According to the official account, the figure in the background was initially thought to be a bird, but many viewers now believe it to be a munchkin who hanged himself. This scene is given a really ominous twist by it!
Teen Wolf (1985)
Michael J. Fox’s year was 1985, it can be said without a doubt. In addition to playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future, he also played the title role in the less popular but no less amusing Teen Wolf.
The main character of Fox’s film ends up helping his team without adopting the wolf identity, which is quite predictable. However, the movie’s final celebratory sequence caught the attention of many viewers. A man with his pants down looks to be standing in the background!
Fight Club (1999)
Of course, Fight Club by David Fincher is replete with graphic and inappropriate imagery. However, there are some shots that happen so quickly that trying to catch them by pausing the movie is practically a mission!
Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt, appears in the film briefly before he is even given a fair introduction. However, it is actually a picture of him. You will miss the subliminal message in this movie if you blink. It’s one of the many Easter eggs.
Psycho (1960)
Without Alfred Hitchcock’s timeless classic Psycho, the horror genre would not have appeared the same. If you have seen the movie, you already know how everything turns out since Anthony Perkins gave the spooky part of Norman Bates a genuine air of plausibility.
Bates is detained and arrested in the 1960 film’s concluding moments. When Bates looks directly at the camera during the halted scene, viewers may momentarily make out the outline of a skull overlaid over his grinning face.
The Lion King (1994)
In a scene from Disney’s The Lion King, Mufasa and Sarabi are seated on the rock where their son Simba was previously brought to them from the animal realm, and they are stargazing.
A common misconception is that the stars and dust will plainly form the letters of a three-letter word when you stop. It basically indicates what Mufasa and Sarabi did, in the beginning, to bring Simba into the world, but we won’t explain it to you. Another Disney quandary.
Boogie Nights (1997)
The subject matter of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights makes it undeniably a distinctive film. The protagonist of the 1997 drama is Mark Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler, an aspiring adult movie star who gradually becomes the center of attention—and for a very important reason.
The sequence in the movie where Diggler bares all for the crew may have been the one that caused viewers to pause the most. What was underneath was actually artificial, it turned out. It was confirmed by the actor Mark Wahlberg.
Tron (1982)
Despite a sequel already being released, 1982’s Tron will always hold a special place in many people’s hearts due to the film’s undeniable arcade vibe. The actor who plays Ed Dillinger in the film, David Warner, may be seen playing the Pac-Man video game in one scene.
Don’t you think we’re real? Take a look at the screenshot below to see the recognizable circular character munching on some yellow dots on the right. This is the epitome of authentic 1980s nostalgia.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
People can’t help but rewind and replay one of the most humorous scenes from the opening episode of the Star Wars film series, A New Hope, over and over again. Stormtroopers can be seen entering the entrance in a scene midway through the movie.
One of them unintentionally bangs their skull against the top of the door. It turns out that this was really a mistake that was included in the final product! The scene makes Stormtroopers seem relatable.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
A cute little Easter Egg was hidden in the corner of one of the sequences in the Galactic Senate, as many viewers of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace discovered. The same species of aliens that appear in E.T. can be seen cheering.
It is possible that George Lucas did this to pay respect to Steven Spielberg when the director dressed up a toddler in a Yoda costume for Halloween in his film E.T.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The quest to locate Luke Skywalker was the main motivation behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Then, in the dying seconds, Rey, our new hero, locates him, hiding out on a shady island amid the sea.
The movie finishes literally on a cliffhanger when she hands him his lightsaber. But many have stopped when they first saw him because they think he’s standing next to a gravestone of some kind. We gotta keep our eyes open for these Easter eggs!
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
One of the most beautiful animated characters of all time is Jessica Rabbit, as is well known. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a movie. The woman with red hair and red clothing frequently causes people in her vicinity to pause and gaze.
However, there is a point where the animated figure may divulge a little more information than viewers would have expected. Though it can be easy to forget, it is crucial to remind viewers that she is not real.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The Wolf of Wall Street is an epic Martin Scorsese film that takes some huge risks, no matter how you feel about it. Margot Robbie’s character flirts with Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in one of the movie’s classic scenes, making viewers unable to keep their eyes open when this steamy scene reaches its boiling point – and pause it. Finally, Jordan tells “Naomi” his bodyguards can see what she’s doing, taking the sting out of the moment.
Margot revealed that it was not easy for her to get up close and personal with Leonardo. The Wolf Of Wall Street marked her Hollywood debut. “acting in a love scene in front of ‘tons of people’ was uncomfortable.”, said Margot.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Learning English
There is now increasing evidence that language learners can improve their comprehension skills, pronunciation, and grammar through watching TV. Research reveals that language learners who frequently watch foreign-language TV programs outside of school tend to be better at reading, listening, and vocabulary.
This is how a lot of people learned English from watching shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Putting English subtitles can help the learner start making associations between the words and the sounds.
Three Men and a Baby (1987)
It might be hard to imagine that Spock himself was the director of Three Men and a Baby. At the helm of the 1987 classic was Leonard Nimoy. Every time spectators saw the film, they couldn’t help but pause because of the Star Trek legend’s peculiar actions in it.
Ted Danson’s cardboard cutout stood in the background of a scene in which Nimoy was acting. Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg played the other two men. The movie is now an 80s classic.
Sex/Life (2021)
There was no doubt that Netflix’s TV show Sex/Life would catch your attention. The one scene in particular, however, could not have predicted how spellbound we would all be. Those who have watched episode three already know the one, and those who have not probably will too. A little more than 19 minutes and 50 seconds into the third episode – but who’s counting? It shows Brad, Billie’s former lover, taking a shower at the gym. Your first thought is probably, “Good for him.”. It’s all about hygiene after a good workout. However, we did not expect Brad’s private parts to be fully displayed when he turned around.
Even Euphoria would blush as the camera lingers. This is a lot, and we mean it in the most literal sense. Does this really happen, or is it an outtake from The Boys’ Love Sausage episode? Whatever the case, it’s no wonder Billie is obsessed with Brad.
Jurassic World (2015)
There are many great situations and shots to pause and rewind to in the more current Jurassic Park films, even though purists may not quite enjoy them as much as the earlier ones.
Consider this moment from Jurassic World, in which none other than Jimmy Buffet is seen escaping from a pterodactyl. He can still hold two drinks amid the mayhem, which further adds to the absurdity of the situation. It appears that nothing will halt the festivities!
Iron Man (2008)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is renowned for connecting its films with several Easter Eggs and references. This was done in 2008 with Iron Man, the franchise’s first film.
It is actually feasible to identify a very significant object that would end up appearing in many future films during a crucial sequence where Tony Stark is donning his iconic suit. This is, essentially, half of Captain America’s shield. At this point in the story, we assume that it was in the middle of production.
Man of Steel (2013)
2013’s Man of Steel was another superhero film that debuted in a new cinematic world. While opinions on Henry Cavill’s Superman performance are divided, a significant sequence has an intriguing allusion to a different superhero that is very simple to miss.
While fighting in orbit, Superman leaps past a satellite that just so happens to bear the Wayne Enterprises emblem. Naturally, this is a reference to Bruce Wayne, better known as Batman, who we meet a few movies later.
The Rescuers (1977)
Disney has a history of slipping weird extras into many of their films throughout the years for whatever unexplained reason. The “mouse” in the animated film The Rescuers made the decision to include some dubious scenes of particular people getting dressed in their room.
How they got away with such a bizarre thing is beyond our comprehension. The mice do this as they glide by a structure in their abandoned sardine can. What a bizarre inclusion in a Disney film!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
There is no disputing that Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first movie in the Indiana Jones series, has many memorable scenes. Dr. Rene Belloq is undoubtedly one of the vilest villains in the franchise. In the first film, Raul Freeman plays the villain.
Belloq delivers some fantastic words at a classic pause, despite a fly being stuck in his mouth. That was some serious acting. Did Belloq eat a fly in Indiana Jones? Answer: No, it just flew away, but movie magic made it look like it did.
Signs (2002)
The aliens are finally revealed, as anyone who has seen the classic M. Night Shyamalan film Signs knows well enough. But rather early on in the film, we have a very fleeting sight of them; in fact, it is so fleeting that the movie has to be stopped to get a good look.
While it may not be the most obvious quality, this is done on purpose to anticipate their true disclosure later in the story.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Burn After Reading does not deviate in the slightest from the Coen Brothers’ pattern of having brief violent scenes. Brad Pitt’s character is discovered hiding in his closet by George Clooney’s character in an odd sequence.
He shoots him dead without any second thought. But because everything happens so quickly, pausing the action is actually necessary to catch any of the jumbled details. At first, we were not even certain he was dead! Brad’s character was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Finding Dory (2016)
Finding Dory, the long-awaited sequel to the big-screen sensation Finding Nemo, was finally released 13 years after Finding Nemo. One of the key antagonists from the first movie ended up making a surprise cameo, albeit in a fleeting background scene, which astonished many fans.
At the moment when Dory is quarantined, a picture on the wall shows Darla, the scientist’s niece. One of Pixar’s many clever Easter eggs is this one. The movie was well-received by Finding Nemo fans.
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
Fans were anxious to get a picture of one of Hollywood’s most gorgeous actresses when she was most vulnerable, just like so many other paused scenes on this list. Her character can be seen wandering around in Before I Go To Sleep in a sequence where she appears to be unclothed.
Fans continued to pause and rewind the video to make sure the character was, in fact, wearing something during the scenario, even after it was proven that they were.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is undoubtedly the film on this list with the most startling, quick-fire imagery. If you enjoy the horror genre, there are numerous scenes in the film that you can pause and rewind to since it contains so many bizarre, frantic, and terrifying moments.
However, viewers soon discovered that if they halted the film at the appropriate moment, they could see Pazuzu, the demon who controls Regan. Pazuzu is the demon of the southwest wind known for bringing famine during dry seasons and locusts during rainy seasons.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
The Quentin Tarantino masterpiece Pulp Fiction is another film with a lot of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shots. The midsection of the narrative, when Bruce Willis’ character Butch is evading Marcellus Wallace, is arguably the most engaging.
Many others paused and rewound the movie even though the shower scene is a fairly unimportant part of the story because they were certain they saw Willis in all his splendor when he emerged from the shower. We can vouch for the veracity of what they witnessed!
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
There are more Easter eggs and inside jokes in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy than you can shake a stick at. Escupimos en su Alimento was a restaurant that was specifically named with Spanish-speaking moviegoers in mind.
The moniker literally translates to “we spit in your meal,” which is amusing for native speakers or a meritorious reward for those who took the time to pause and type the phrase into Google Translate. The movie has since then become a comedy cult classic.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
In the original Toy Story from 1995, Buzz and Woody embark on a joint adventure that ends with Sid, a bad child who enjoys dismembering toys, and locking them up. When Sid appeared in Toy Story 3 as a garbage man, loyal viewers of the film series must have gasped.
Sid is and has always been a piece of junk, contrary to the adage that you are only as good as your last job. Sid has seen again near the end of the film, hitching a ride on his garbage truck to get home.
Back To The Future (1985)
This smart sign change in Back to the Future will have been observed by 80s movie super sleuths pressing the pause and rewind buttons. Marty McFly and Doc Brown meet in Twin Pines Mall to embark on their 1955 time travel mission.
When McFly is being pursued later on in the film, he accidentally runs over one of the two pine trees. When he returns toward the end of the film, the mall’s name has been changed to represent McFly’s behavior, and the future has been altered.
Frozen (2013)
Frozen is no exception to Disney’s penchant for incorporating subtle references that appeal to the adults who watch with their kids. There is a sense of déjà vu in this scene with Anna and Hans when they are talking about sandwiches. Yes, as you suspected! The sequence is an exact replica of one from Arrested Development.
The Simpsons episode that the line appeared in further demonstrates how much the Disney authors enjoy Easter eggs. Fans are really happy about these little nuggets of laughs.
Beauty And The Beast (1991)
Disney delivers yet another “blink, and you’ll miss it” moment, this time in the course of Beauty and the Beast. After attacking the castle with the townspeople, Gaston crosses the turrets in one of the film’s last sequences to engage the Beast in combat.
Those who watched him carefully as he stumbled and ultimately fell to his death may have seen that the astute Disney cartoonists added little skulls to his pupils, hinting at his impending demise and possibly illustrating the evil within.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Three different costume changes by the amazing Wayne Knight as Dennis Nedry pay homage to The Goonies’ Mikey, Mouth, and Chunk characters, giving spectators cause to click the stop button. Many Reddit users picked up on the allusion to the box office sensation The Goonies.
Maybe this Easter egg was created by writer and director Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park and penned the script for The Goonies. Both movies are ultimate classics that every kid should watch early on.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Wait, is that it? Bohemian Rhapsody’s appearance of Adam Lambert as a trucker, whom Freddie Mercury turns to while he is having identity issues, was one of the best cameos in recent cinematic history. Thanks to some creative makeup, bushy hair, and a mustache, Adam is hardly recognizable.
The fact that Lambert has been filling in for Mercury as Queen’s lead touring singer since 2011 makes this cameo even more emotional. They may add hair and makeup, but we would recognize Lambert anywhere!
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The high school scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming has a quiet but cool hidden element that is worth a moment’s reflection. The amazing Zendaya, who plays Michelle, is seen perched on the stands reading a book titled Of Human Bondage.
W. Somerset Maugham published a book titled Of Human Bondage in 1915. It tells the tale of a young child who was abandoned and lived with his aunt and uncle. Sounds recognizable? This smart allusion was discovered and shared by many Reddit members.
The Matrix (1999)
This scene from The Matrix is more of a trick of the trade that deserves a second look than it is an Easter egg. Neo grabs the doorknob to open it after Morpheus says, “I can only lead you to the door.”
Although the cameramen set up this fantastic reflection shot, they could not completely conceal it. If you look closely, you can see that they actually covered it with a coat and a tie that identically matches the one Morpheus is sporting.
Zootopia (2016)
One of the cutest and funniest animated movies of the past ten years is Zootopia, produced by Disney in 2016. A little rabbit named Judy Hopps joins the police force and succeeds over all difficulties. This adorable additional element caused many viewers to pause.
These funny animal-based puns on well-known bands and celebrities, including Fleetwook Yak, Fur Fighters, Guns’n’Rodents, Kanine West, and Hyena Gomez, had everyone in stitches. Well played, Disney—some of them even sound better than their original names!
Passengers (2016)
Passengers contain some major The Shining Easter eggs for observant Stanley Kubrick fans. According to reports, director Morten Tyldum is a major fan of director Stanley Kubrick and wanted his set design to show it.
First of all, the robot bartender looks just like the one from The Shining, down to the waistcoat and bow tie. The carpet in the ship’s bar resembles the Overlook Hotel’s hallway carpet quite a bit. The robot was always drying glasses and doing small talk.
The Crying Game (1992)
Both artistically and commercially, Neil Jordan’s thriller with a Northern Ireland setting was a smashing success. Nightclub singer Dil, portrayed by Jane Davidson, is in charge of the notorious sequence that caused people’s jaws to drop worldwide, despite the film being full of superb performances!
After becoming close with a British soldier taken hostage by the IRA, Fergus visits London in search of his girlfriend, Dil. When Dil revealed she was transsexual in a pivotal sequence, audiences all did a double take.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The heyday of Disney, when 2-D animation was the standard, has long ago passed. The 1980s iconic Disney movie was The Little Mermaid. The movie contained a few references and offensive scenes even back in the day, let alone now.
For instance, the spectator sees too much of Ariel entirely in a children’s movie when she is given human legs! We find it hard to comprehend that a Disney animated film could create material of this nature.